| As we look at Aikido we find, it is a kind of | | | | weapons to choose from, the sword arts has the |
| martial arts which is often looked at as modern | | | | greatest influence on the development of the |
| Japanese budo. The martial art's emphasis is | | | | Aikido techniques. |
| based on the spiritual and philosophical | | | | As their weapons training progresses, an Aikido |
| development of one's true self. We also find that, | | | | student will be able to measure the distance |
| The meaning of the word "Aikido" means "The | | | | between attacks. This is called ma-ai, the proper |
| Way of Harmony with the Spirit." or also referred | | | | distancing is very important in timing an attacks |
| to as, the "Gentle Art of Mayhem." It is the study | | | | and defending against one. Speaking of defense, |
| of the natural laws and how they harmonize with | | | | weapons training is also reqiured since the |
| one's body and mind. In reference to the body | | | | advanced Aikido techniques mostly involve |
| and mind becoming as one. | | | | defending against attackers bearing a wide variety |
| In Aikido, You will be taught to use both armed | | | | of weapons. |
| and unarmed forms of combat and self defense. | | | | So, in order to practice each advanced move |
| in learning the unarmed attacks, you will be taught | | | | safely, The Aikido student needs to be familiar |
| a variety of throws, strikes, and joint-lock | | | | with each of these kinds weapons' and their |
| techniques of all the vital points on the body. Even | | | | capabilities. Taking this into account, with Aikido |
| those mystery attacks where you attack your | | | | weapons training, one should be able to develop |
| enemy without laying a hand on them. However, | | | | his skills, intuitiveness, and reflexes in both the art |
| armed attacks do involve the use of several | | | | of attacking and defending movements. |
| different kind of weapons. They are as follows; | | | | However, among the weapons used in the Aikido |
| From swords to knives, from sticks to spears, | | | | weapons training, is the katana. This is a single |
| practically everything imaginable can be utilized in | | | | edged, slightly curved sword. The katana is |
| Aikido as a weapon. | | | | famous in the Ancient Sword Arts, in the world |
| As we look into this art a little deeper, we find | | | | as the sword of the samurai. In the Aikido |
| that in general most Aikido classes are conducted | | | | weapons training, you will also be taught how to |
| with in-depth training in using the jo or staff, tanto | | | | handle, hold, fight, and defend, using the tanto |
| or knife, and in the sword arts training they used | | | | which, in reality is a knife or a short bladed sword. |
| a bokken or a sword. These three serve as the | | | | The tanto was also greatly know for it's |
| top main weapons used in the art of Aikido. | | | | popularity among the men and women, who lived |
| However, even though the art of Aikido appears | | | | by the samurai code during ancient times. |
| to be using more of the unarmed forms of these | | | | As we keep looking further, we find another |
| techniques of the martial arts. There are several | | | | bladed weapon used in Aikido weapons training. |
| reasons why these weapons are studied in Aikido | | | | This is the ninja-to. The ninja-to are swords used |
| classes and the training sessions. Aikido has a | | | | by those mysterious ninjas. Samurai's back in |
| very strong use of weapons in it's martial arts | | | | ancient times, also had wakizashi swords at their |
| foundation. Any training with these weapons will | | | | disposal. The Wakizashi swords are usually two |
| only reinforce the Aikido's basic roll of it's martial | | | | feet long and are paired with the katana swords. |
| art techniques. | | | | The j? however, is a four-foot long wooden staff |
| As we look further into Aikido, we find the | | | | used, not only by Aikido but by other martial |
| founder Morihei Ueshiba, Also known to his | | | | artists as well. When we fuse the Aikido |
| students and Aikido practitioners as Sensei, which | | | | techniques with jo, the principle is called aiki-j? This |
| means "Great Teacher", was highly skilled with the | | | | involves an integration of Aikido techniques, which |
| staff. He was able to combine the weapon | | | | uses the j? to illustrate Aikido's wisdom and |
| techniques with the movements of basic Aikido. | | | | principles with a weapon. |
| However, even with the vast amount of | | | | |