Bokken The Art of The Wooden Sword

Bokkens or Bokuto usually look very similar to a live sword (Iaito). However, there are some differences between the two weapons, such as the noticeable difference in weight and the width of the wooden swords' handle (Tsuka). Bokkens, in actual fact, handle rather differently than a live Katana, where much more force and strength is required to stop or control cuts.

Bokkens were, and still are, used in the early stages of a Martial Artist's training within their sword school. When the student reaches an efficient and safe level of training they move onto a live blade (Iaito). As practitioners of Aikido, we use Bokkens as with Morihiro Saito to gain an understanding of timing, to develop confidence, an understanding of distance, and, fundamentally, an understanding of movement. You will find most of the techniques, katas, motions and drills in Aikido represent the cut of a sword in one form or other.

For example, within the Yoshinkan schools' (founded by Gozo Shioda)

Kihon Dosa, a combined sequence of movements which makes up the basic foundations of an Aikidoka's arsenal of techniques, one can clearly see the cuts and thrusts of a sword; the initial hip movement of Tai No Henko Ichi, where the aikidoka brings their feet together before veering off at a 45 degree angle, hands held one at head height, the other at chest height, palms facing upwards, becomes replicated in the thrust of a sword to the neck or head area of their imaginary opponent. Similarly, the 180 degree turn in Shumatsu Dosa Ni becomes a cut at a foe standing behind or to the side of the Martial Artist.

The Kihon Dosa is frequently performed with a Bokken by higher grade Yoshinkan students, and the understanding of distance forced by wielding a long sword really has helped my students identify the circular motions within the art. The founders of the various schools of Aikido were typically trained in several forms of Martial Arts, Morihei Ueshiba, the founder of modern day Aikido, was a renowned master of many weapon styles, including spears and swords. Naturally he took knowledge learnt from many disciplines to create his own style.