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THE INTRODUCTION OF WEAPONS TO AIKIDO

Aikido is a modern nonviolent, noncompetitive martial art. It places an emphasis on personal, social, and spiritual development, while preserving traditional values and appearance. Aikido also provides efficient and effective self-defense skills. Aikido is the way to harmonize with the energy or spirit of the universe.

O’Sensei Morihei Ueshiba in a traditional portrait often seen onthe front shomen of a dojo, honoring his gift of aikido.

Initially, aikido appears to be a martial art of throwing opponents by utilizing the momentum of the attack. Most techniques are done from a tachi-waza (standing) or suwari-waza (kneeling) position. The nagewaza (throwing techniques) of aikido are dynamic and appear effortless. The katamewaza (joint lock, pinning or immobilization techniques) of aikido are painful and demand cooperation, compliance, and submission. Unfortunately, seldom does one see the buki-waza (wooden weapon techniques) of aikido taught or demonstrated. The wooden weapons apply and illustrate the same technical proficiency, the same sequential applications, and the same conceptual orientation as the empty-hand techniques. Anything that can be done with the empty hand can be done with the wooden weapon.

O’Sensei Morihei Ueshiba (1883–1969), the founder of aikido, personally trained and practiced with the wooden weapons. He was known to go off into the night and train, being taught by the kamisama (spirits). He watched other schools, styles, or systems train with weapons and then added his own unique concepts and movements to make them into the aikido way. Although it would be unfair and inaccurate to state that aikido uses the wooden weapons in the same way as these other schools, it can be said that the other schools, styles, and systems studied and observed by O’Sensei Morihei Ueshiba influenced his unique adaptation of the wooden weapon. In aikido, the wooden weapons are used to execute techniques and illustrate concepts; they are not seen as separate from the main body of concepts and techniques of aikido.

While developing the art of aikido, O’Sensei Morihei Ueshiba investigated and studied approximately two hundred martial arts or jutsu systems. Daito-ryu aiki-jujitsu is acknowledged as the foundation for many of aikido’s unarmed physical techniques. Takeda Sensei (1859–1943), the founder of this art, was a master swordsman and weapons expert who studied many different fighting systems. Daito-ryu aiki-jujitsu techniques, though similar in appearance, are not the same as the physical techniques of aikido, due to O’Sensei Morihei Ueshiba’s application of taisabaki (body turning), irimi (entering), and awase (blending); his application and extension of ki; and his emphasis and focus on spiritual and personal development, over martial, combative, or fighting effectiveness and efficiency. O’Sensei Morihei Ueshiba thanked Takeda Sensei and credited him with introducing him to true budo. He frequently stated that aikido is based on the sword.

O’Sensei Morihei Ueshiba also studied Yagyo ken-jutsu, Hozoin so-jutsu (spear), and especially Kashima Shinto-ryu ken-jutsu (which was an offshoot of Katori Shinto-ryu). It was to this later school of swordsmanship that O’Sensei Morihei Ueshiba took a blood oath in 1937. His second son, Kisshomaru Ueshiba (1921–1999), who later became the first Doshu, also had extensive training in Kashima Shinto-ryu ken-jutsu. O’Sensei Morihei Ueshiba would watch his son train in the technique and then adapt it to the aiki way.

Doshu Kisshomaru Ueshiba demonstrates proper execution and extension to throw an opponent using the jo.

Although aikido has these roots in weapons training, many highly skilled aikido practitioners spend little or no time training directly with the wooden weapons. Many feel that in a modern world, training with a wooden stick or sword is antiquated and useless. Aikido founder O’Sensei Morihei Ueshiba did not encourage weapons training at his aikido school, known as the Hombu Dojo. Hombu Dojo means the “home,” “headquarters,” or “main school” of training. Currently the Hombu Dojo, established by O’Sensei in Tokyo, Japan, and dedicated in January 1968 for the Aikikai Foundation, perpetuates his techniques, training, and vision of aikido. Therefore, there is no “Hombu” style of wooden weapons fighting. Trainees, in the early days at the Hombu Dojo, would attend special classes or seminars, or take private lessons. Others would just naturally begin to experiment with the wooden weapons themselves. Many felt the wooden weapons to be secondary to empty-hand techniques. The goal was to use wooden weapons to illustrate principles and movements and to train aikido techniques against them, rather than actually to have a separate and specific style of weapons fighting. However, O’Sensei Morihei Ueshiba did support the weapons training at the Iwama Dojo under Saito Sensei (1928–2002). It was here that aikido wooden weapons training became known as Iwama-ryu or aiki-ken and aiki-jo, as a somewhat distinct style.

ABOUT THIS BOOK

The aikido practitioner uses the wooden weapons for personal, social, and spiritual development as well as to defeat an enemy and protect loved ones. Aikido techniques that use the wooden weapons illustrate basic and advanced aikido technical tactics as well as sequential and conceptual strategies and skills.

This book focuses on the wooden ken, jo, and tanto. These weapons are usually made of red (less expensive) or white oak because it will not crack, crush, or splinter on impact with other weapons. Your wooden weapon should have a straight tight grain, be properly seasoned, and be without warp.

The ken is traditionally forty-one inches in length and of varied weights, according to individual preference. The jo is traditionally between fifty and one-half inches and fifty-four inches in length, but can be as long as fiftysix inches. It is one-half inch to one inch in diameter and of varied weights, according to individual preference. The practical rule for jo length is from the ground to the armpit.

Wooden weapons should be stored by laying them horizontally flat on the floor or in a rack to prevent warping. They should be carried in a protective weapons case to prevent damage from moisture or sunlight, and for convenience. Periodic cleaning and maintenance of the wooden weapons require a light coating with tung or linseed oil, rubbed in with steel wool, following the grain of the wood.

This work does not present ken-jutsu or kendo, iai-jutsu or iai-do sword techniques. There are other, more authoritative books for that grand task. This work will not present the wooden weapons of aikido founder O’Sensei Morihei Ueshiba, for only he can do that. This work will not present the aiki-jo or aiki-ken of Saito Sensei, of the Iwama Dojo, who has done a brilliant job of preserving the movements taught to him directly by O’Sensei Morihei Ueshiba.

What this work presents, illustrates, demonstrates, and describes is some of the aikido concepts, training, and techniques expressed through wooden weapons in accordance with the understanding and interpretation of Sensei Phong Thong Dang. Phong Sensei is the founder of the International Tenshinkai Aikido Federation, a sixth dan in aikikai aikido, and a two-time inductee into the World Martial Arts Hall of Fame. The wooden weapons techniques included in this work are conceptually influenced by, and congruent with, the aikikai weapons practices of O’Sensei Morihei Ueshiba and the aiki-ken and aiki-jo of Saito Sensei’s Iwama-ryu.

While one picture can communicate more than a thousand words, action will always communicate more than a thousand pictures. No words or pictures can express or replace action. No words or pictures in a book can teach someone how to effectively and efficiently utilize and apply the technical, sequential, and conceptual principles of aikido to the wooden weapon. Words and pictures can, however, be useful reminders and guides of what one learns under the competent instruction, observation, and supervision of a skilled and competent aikido sensei.