Aikido is a modern Japanese martial art that focuses primarily on self-defense and avoiding injury to oneself and one’s opponent. Unlike other martial arts, aikido techniques do not rely on striking or kicking to defeat an opponent. Instead, aikido uses throwing, joint locking, and pinning techniques to neutralize attacks.
Given aikido’s emphasis on non-violence and avoiding harm, many people wonder if there is any role for weapons training in the art. Specifically, some ask if aikido involves any sword fighting or other blade-based techniques. This blog post will provide an in-depth examination of that question.
A Brief History of Aikido
To understand if there is a place for sword work in aikido, it is helpful to first review the history of the art. Aikido was founded in the early 20th century by Morihei Ueshiba. Ueshiba synthesized various martial arts he had studied, including jujitsu and swordwork, to create a new system focused on unity, harmony, and non-violence.
Before creating aikido, Ueshiba studied traditional samurai weapons like the sword under several masters. He became highly skilled with the blade. Elements of his early weapons training influenced the techniques and movements found in modern aikido.
However, as Ueshiba evolved in his views on martial arts, he placed less emphasis on fighting applications. Instead, he saw aikido as a path towards personal growth and a way to promote peace. This shift is reflected in the lack of offensive moves and competition in aikido.
Weapon Training in Aikido Curriculum
Given the founder’s history, there are weapon disciplines practiced in some aikido schools today. Specifically, the sword (bokken), staff (jo), and knife (tanto) are included in various aikido curriculums.
However, it is important to note that weapons training makes up a relatively small percentage of overall aikido practice. The majority of aikido techniques focus on unarmed defensive movements.
When weapons are introduced, the goal aligns with aikido’s core principles. Students practice pre-arranged forms (kata) and partner techniques designed to teach distancing, timing, and safe handling of the weapon.
The emphasis is not on attacking others or “fighting” in a combat sense. Instead, students focus on self-mastery and cultivating the presence of mind. The weapons become an extension of the self versus tools to injure others.
Differences from Kendo and Kenjitsu
To further appreciate how weapons are used in aikido, it helps to compare it to sword-focused martial arts like kendo and kenjitsu.
Kendo is a modern Japanese martial art descended from traditional swordsmanship. Practitioners use a bamboo sword (shinai) and protective armor to simulate combat scenarios. The goal is to strike defined target areas on the opponent’s body. Competitive matches are at the core of kendo training.
Kenjitsu refers to the various old schools of Japanese swordsmanship practiced by samurai prior to the late 19th century. The objective was to develop technical proficiency to dispatch armed and armored opponents on the battlefield.
As martial arts focused on dueling tactics and attacking, kendo and kenjitsu place substantial emphasis on proper footwork, distancing, and striking techniques – the mechanics required for effective sword fighting.
By contrast, aikido’s use of the sword has little relationship to dueling or combat applications. The footwork is larger and less precise. The emphasis is on body unity, posture, and controlled movement – not striking or cutting. This reflects the peaceful philosophy at the core of aikido’s teachings.
Sword Work in Aikido Practice
To give a better idea of how sword work appears in aikido, it is helpful to walk through some examples. In solo practice, students may perform bokken suburi – swinging motions with the wooden sword to loosen the wrists, shoulders, and hips. The large circular movements teach proper structure and alignment.
Partner drills start from a formal bow to set the right mindset. Students then step through various pre-arranged forms.
For example, one partner feeds a straight overhead strike while the other performs a large circular parry and cut to the head followed by a counter-strike to the wrist. The pattern is then reversed with the feeder becoming the cutter.
Another common two-person drill has one partner executing a diagonal cut. The receiver blends with the energy of the strike while performing an unbalancing throw. After the breakfall, roles are reversed.
These drills develop calmness under pressure while moving in harmony with others – core concepts in aikido. The presence of weapons adds intensity but the focus remains on spiritual development versus combat tactics.
Role of Weapons Training in Aikido
Given the history and current curriculum, it is clear weapons like the sword have a place in aikido training. However, the purpose and application differ considerably from weapon-centric martial arts like kendo.
Weapons work reinforces key principles like posture, rhythm, distance, and connectedness with others. The weapons become spiritual tools for self-cultivation versus arms for attack or defense.
From this perspective, while aikido has some technical overlap with traditional sword arts, it is inaccurate to describe any portion of the practice as “sword fighting.” The intensity and tactics associated with dueling are not present.
That said, some aikido schools may incorporate a greater variety of armed techniques than others. There can be a spectrum in terms of the breadth and depth weapons skills are cultivated, but in all cases, the study of weapons in aikido supports personal development and the art’s universal message of peace. No sparring, simulated combat, or dueling exercises take place as seen in other weapon-based martial arts.
Conclusion
In summary, the founder of aikido had extensive training in traditional Japanese sword arts. Some of that technical knowledge was adapted and integrated into the early practice of aikido.
Today, weapons like the bokken and jo remain part of many aikido curriculums. However, the weapons work serves primarily as an extension of core aikido principles related to self-mastery, harmony with others, and non-violence.
While some terminology and techniques are borrowed from ancient combat disciplines, there are no true “sword fighting” applications in modern aikido. No sparring or dueling exercises exist. There are also no attacking moves or competitive matches.
While weapons play a supporting role, the practice and philosophy of aikido maintains its peaceful perspective and focus on reconciliation over destruction. This remains true regardless of the presence of weapons in the training hall.