The Differences of Aikido Sword Techniques

When a person pursues a life connected to martial arts, it becomes a lifelong journey to realise their mental and physical potential. It’s truly astounding as it can help and discipline anyone in diverse methods and even meet the various needs of different individuals. 

Among the most well-known martial arts in Australia today, Aikido is also a favourite. Morihei Ueshiba founded Japanese martial arts in the early twentieth century. It is notable for its practises and techniques that encourage students to devote their training period to unarmed and armed martial arts. 

Aikido’s foundation made by Morihei Ueshiba not only focuses on the methods of fighting but also concentrates on the internal integrity of students. And it’s true, and people know Aikido as an impressive unarmed martial art. However, students are also taught to fight with weapons. Here are the diverse practises of sword techniques and other weapons. 

Aikido and Weapons

As individuals who want to learn how to use certain weapons, they have to see different types of teachers. Although they acquire knowledge on using the techniques, it doesn’t always have the same internal integrity that Aikido offers.

The arms that are used in Aikido are wooden weapons. Even when these are all made with wood, it can enrich the characteristics of the students’ practice. It helps them understand the basics and even the advanced technical tactics that conceptualise attacks and skills. 

The Aikido weapons are the wooden sword, stick, and knife. Although these are considered as weapons, these are well established as training tools to accentuate the principles of Aikido better. 

The Sword Technique of Aikido

Ken is the wooden sword of Aikido. The standard method for holding a ken is the hands are spread one fist-width apart for you to measure some leverage when cutting. Some would even relate it to having a baseball bat. 

The technique that’s involved with Aikido’s wooden sword is quite remarkable. The upper hand initiates the “punch” and pulls with the lower hand when at the peak of striking. It is like the Japanese way of cutting with a saw. The method is to feel the cut to the back pull when using the saw. So, what happens with the attack? Figuratively, Ken enters the shoulder, is cut down, and pulled out. It is not a simple slash but a cut. 

There are different cuts too. The heavy amount is slower and more profound because the bodyweight will be added to the upper hand. Fast cuts are striking with the end. It’s about two to three inches of the blade and sneaks in and out in an instant.

When cutting, it has to match one’s movement. Shomen-Uchi, it’s when the action is forward or back while cutting. Yoko-uchi is moving a bit to the side as they cut.

Excited to learn these super cool Aikido sword techniques? Visit ShinSenDojo.com.au and book a class in Sydney for free!