Gain a thorough in-depth understanding of the Iwama bokken work. Based on Morihiro Saito’s compiled system from O Sensei’s bukiwaza work.

- 7 Ken suburi. Basicbokken strikes.

- Happo-giri. 8 directions cut.

The Ken is the soul of Japan. It’s been revered for generations, mentioned long back in mythological times. It holds without a doubt an unequalled importance to the Japanese people. Using the bokken in Aikido we transform it to a tool for understanding Aiki, distance and timing.

Excerpt from ‘Traditional Aikido Vol 2’. by Morihiro Saito.

Kumitachi (Partner bokken practice).

“The kumitachi came originally from an old ken school. They were modified to include the concept of Aiki by the Founder, Professor Morihei Ueshiba, who left them as a legacy. There are many possible variations of the kumitachi. The Founder, when he taught, called these first attack and second attack variations. These variations are naturally used with the ken but are soon adapted to taijutsu. Consequently, the kumitachi are considered to be the personality of ken, jo, and taijutsu basic techniques. If one does not have a good understanding of suburi, it will be useless to practice the kumitachi. If practice is done everyday on the kumitachi and partner practices, stability of the hips will not be attained, and an important point of practice will be missed. Therefore, begin each practice session with the suburi as shown in Volume I. The kumitachi are not to be considered competition. They are practices, and the partners do not vie for an attacking or superior position. It was said that one should be uchitachi (attacker) for 10 years before being allowed to become uketachi (defender). It was felt that this was the proper may to learn.”