Weapons practice - Aiki Ken and Aiki Jo are integral to Iwama Ryu Aikido
“I consider it my duty to correctly transmit O-Sensei’s teaching as I was taught in Iwama”
Saito Sensei
Buki Waza
Saito Shihan organized bukiwaza into the following types of practices:
Tanren:
spirit forging practice such as tanren uchi, which consists of striking with a suburito against a hard object. A similar practice existed with the jo.
Suburi:
foundational moves with the Ken & Jo
7 Ken suburi
20 Jo suburi
Kata:
series of moves with the jo stringed together
13 jo kata
31 jo kata
Ken migi & hidari awase:
Blended paired practice with the Ken moving to right & left
Awase:
Blended paired practice with the Ken & Jo
Ken 5th and 7th awase
Jo rokyo-go-yon awase
13 Jo awase
31 Jo awase
Kumi kata:
paired practice consisting of complex moves with the Ken, Jo or both:
Kumitachi 1-5
Kumijo 1-10
Kentaijo 1-7
Happo giri
8 direction cuts with the Ken
Kihon + 4 variations
Henka and Riai
Variations of the above, and correlations between bukiwaza and taijutsu.
Saito Sensei said:
you should do kihon practice until you are Sandan (third degree blackbelt)
Why bukiwaza?
Generally speaking, Aikido is known by its taijutsu techniques. However, the taijustsu movements are based on movements of the ken. It is difficult to separate those movements which are based on the ken from those which are based on taijutsu. Rather, it is a harmonious blending of both that creates a single Aikido.
Saito Sensei
Reference: Traditional Aikido Vol1 Basic Techniques p18
There are 8 beneficial aspects of bukiwaza training that enhance taijutsu and make it an integral part of Aikido training.
1 Reinforce the foundational stance.
Aiki Ken and Aiki Jo are based on the hito e mi stance which forms the foundation of Aikido techniques. If starting in Ken no Kamae (right foot forward hanmi), and you commence to turn toward hidari hanmi (left foot forward), the mid-point between the two Ken stances is Jo no Kamae.
Continued practice of Aiki Ken and Aiki Jo reinforces these stances by constantly putting them to the test. Without a solid stance, the ken or jo technique would fail, whereas this is not so obvious in taijutsu.
“The back triangle stance, for instance, in the posture of right hammi, forms a triangle alongside the outside of the right foot with the inside of the left foot. The founder called this stance hito e mi. When standing in hito e mi, it is possible to execute a strike or thrust without receiving a blow in return.
Saito Sensei
Reference: Traditional Aikido Vol1 Basic Techniques p19
2 Ensure correct body structure.
When using the ken and the jo we treat them as extensions of the body, thus the effect of our hip movements is enlarged, and errors and inaccuracies are easier to spot and fix. The ease of correction contributes to increased precision. To ensure the weapon is being held correctly and the holder is in a stable posture can be easily tested – backward and forward, up and down.
3 Promote extension of Ki.
The use of a ken or jo requires constant extension of consciousness and ki (energy) through the weapon, either extending downward when striking with a ken or extending forward when thrusting with a jo. This sustained effort to extend energy creates pathways of energy that help students maintain ki extension in empty-hands techniques.
4 Reinforce alignment and connection of energies.
To execute Aiki Ken and Aiki Jo properly we need to continually check the alignment of the weapon with our body center; and the alignment of our center, weapon and partner’s center. This practice ingrains the feeling of alignment and connection between our center and the partner’s center in the long run and transfers it into taijutsu.
“In Aikido, the second concept, the harmonising of ki, has many possibilities. In practice, one tries always to blend one’s ki with that of the attacker. This enables one to respond in a less severe manner, without thrusting or striking, even when it is possible to do so. Partner practices such as kumi-jo or kumi-tachi are done according to basic forms and their purpose is the development of harmony of ki.”
Saito Sensei
Reference: Traditional Aikido Vol1 Basic Techniques p19
5 Promote body integration.
In Aikido, we hold the ken and jo with two hands, creating a merging of ki from both sides of the body that is directed toward the target. The two sides of the body bolster each other and work in tandem, such that even when the weapons are not used, as in taijutsu, the feeling of oneness and circularity between right and left persists.
6 Encourage alertness. Use of hard weapons in practice increases the risk of injury through accidents. A simple error in timing or angle may result in a severe bruise. The higher risk encourages the students to be more alert during practice, and this awareness is often carried over into taijutsu.
7 Enhance martial understanding and precision
Training with the ken or jo, reinforces the concept of MAAI (the correct distance) and the principle of “off-the-line” of attack (do not be where the weapon will hit you). The understanding of moving out of harms way, such as moving away from the attacker behind you and then setting up for the next attack are also developed.
8 Practice on your own
Weapons practice can occur in your own time and does not require a training partner or an organised class. It will enhance your grip, posture and stability which will translate to your taijutsu techniques.
Mostly taken from untitled article aikidodavis.com
Points 7 & 8 have been added to the original article