Aikido has its technical roots in the subtle grappling arts of Aiki-Jujitsu together with the elegant forms of Kenjitsu (combat sword) and Jodo (combat staff). In Aikido Weapons class we study traditional Japanese solo sword and staff forms and interactive weapons work such as those practiced by the samurai warriors of the past. This includes Kumitachi (sword-on-sword), Kumijo (staff-on-staff) and practice with other combinations of weapons, such as staff or knife with sword, as well as two-sword techniques and multiple attacks with weapons. Throughout our goal is to embody basic principles of Aiki, or unity.
Notes: 1. You may take this as a stand-alone class (or, if attending regular Aikido classes, this class is included).
2. Specific weapons disarming techniques are not practiced in this class, but are part of our regular Aikido classes.
Equipment Needed:
Beginning students can wear comfortable workout clothing, preferably workout pants and a t-shirt. Please avoid wearing jewelry, strong perfumes or cologne. (Valuables can be placed in the cubbies near the training mat.)
You will need to purchase a dogi (uniform), a bokken (wooden sword) and a jo (4 ft wooden staff). — inquire for recommended sites. Limited numbers of weapons are available for beginners to borrow while in class, but you will want your own as soon as possible. Regular Aikido practice uses a white dogi, but if you prefer a black or blue dogi (as in kendo and kenjitsu), that’s fine too. You are welcome to wear a black or blue hakama (divided outerwear pant, as in the pictures above), but this is not required initially.
