Aiki-ken
Encyclopedia
Aiki-ken is the name given specifically to the set of Japanese sword techniques practiced according to the principles of aikido
, taught first by Morihei Ueshiba
(aikido's founder), then further developed by Morihiro Saito
, one of Ueshiba's most prominent students. Currently, Iwama Shin-Shin Aiki Shuren-kai is the main proponent organization.
(植芝 盛平 Ueshiba Morihei, 1883–1969) at his dojo
in Iwama, Japan
, at the same time he developed aikido's staff training (called aiki-jō
). It is well documented that Ueshiba studied several different styles of kenjutsu
(Japanese swordsmanship), but the aiki-ken techniques are predominantly based upon the teachings of the Kashima Shintō-ryu
.
Most of the practice of aiki-ken was ultimately systematized not by Ueshiba, but by Morihiro Saito
(斉藤 守弘 Saitō Morihiro, 1928–2002), one of Ueshiba's most dedicated students and the person who took over the Iwama dojo
after Ueshiba died. Hence the unofficial term "Iwama style
" to refer to Saito's style of aikido, incorporating a significant amount of weapons training. In order to preserve the art and to teach an increasing number of students, Saito gathered the teachings of Ueshiba and presented the world with "aiki-ken". The first aiki-ken techniques were published in "Traditional Aikido", Vol I and II by Morihiro Saito, 1973. Before his death, Saito and his son Hitohiro Saito
(斎藤 仁浩 Saitō Hitohiro, born 1957) revived and refined this art.
Note that the practice of aiki-ken is not pervasive. Some schools of aikido incorporate weapons training that is unrelated to aiki-ken, and others forego weapons training entirely.
(a wooden katana
) and has a wide variety of techniques. Saito codified two sets of techniques, the first being seven suburi (solo cutting exercises), and the second being five partnered forms. Some dojo also practice jiyu-waza armed with bokken (freestyle technique, without a predetermined form of attack and response).
There are seven aiki-ken suburi, and are very simply named as follows:
Improvisational variations on the kumitachi (called henka), which generally cause the kumitachi form to end early with one person taking advantage of an opening to strike or throw the other, are also taught.
Aikido
is a Japanese martial art developed by Morihei Ueshiba as a synthesis of his martial studies, philosophy, and religious beliefs. Aikido is often translated as "the Way of unifying life energy" or as "the Way of harmonious spirit." Ueshiba's goal was to create an art that practitioners could use to...
, taught first by Morihei Ueshiba
Morihei Ueshiba
was a famous martial artist and founder of the Japanese martial art of aikido. He is often referred to as "the founder" or , "Great Teacher".-Early years:Morihei Ueshiba was born in Tanabe, Wakayama Prefecture, Japan on December 14, 1883....
(aikido's founder), then further developed by Morihiro Saito
Morihiro Saito
Morihiro Saito was a teacher of the Japanese martial art of aikido, with many students around the world. Saito's practice of aikido spanned 56 years, from the age of 18, when he first met aikido founder Morihei Ueshiba, until his death in 2002.-Early life:Morihiro Saito was born in Ibaraki...
, one of Ueshiba's most prominent students. Currently, Iwama Shin-Shin Aiki Shuren-kai is the main proponent organization.
Development of aiki-ken
Much of the aiki-ken syllabus was developed by Morihei UeshibaMorihei Ueshiba
was a famous martial artist and founder of the Japanese martial art of aikido. He is often referred to as "the founder" or , "Great Teacher".-Early years:Morihei Ueshiba was born in Tanabe, Wakayama Prefecture, Japan on December 14, 1883....
(植芝 盛平 Ueshiba Morihei, 1883–1969) at his dojo
Dojo
A is a Japanese term which literally means "place of the way". Initially, dōjōs were adjunct to temples. The term can refer to a formal training place for any of the Japanese do arts but typically it is considered the formal gathering place for students of any Japanese martial arts style to...
in Iwama, Japan
Japan
Japan is an island nation in East Asia. Located in the Pacific Ocean, it lies to the east of the Sea of Japan, China, North Korea, South Korea and Russia, stretching from the Sea of Okhotsk in the north to the East China Sea and Taiwan in the south...
, at the same time he developed aikido's staff training (called aiki-jō
Aiki-jo
Aiki-jō is the name given specifically to the set of martial art techniques practiced with a jō , practiced according to the principles of aikido, taught first by Morihei Ueshiba , then further developed by Morihiro Saito, one of Ueshiba's most prominent students.-Development of aiki-jō:Much of...
). It is well documented that Ueshiba studied several different styles of kenjutsu
Kenjutsu
, meaning "the method, or technique, of the sword." This is opposed to kendo, which means the way of the sword. Kenjutsu is the umbrella term for all traditional schools of Japanese swordsmanship, in particular those that predate the Meiji Restoration...
(Japanese swordsmanship), but the aiki-ken techniques are predominantly based upon the teachings of the Kashima Shintō-ryu
Kashima Shinto-ryu
' is a traditional school of Japanese martial arts founded by Tsukahara Bokuden in the Muromachi period .Due to its formation during the tumultuous Sengoku Jidai, a time of feudal war, the school's techniques are based on battlefield experience and revolve around finding weak points in the...
.
Most of the practice of aiki-ken was ultimately systematized not by Ueshiba, but by Morihiro Saito
Morihiro Saito
Morihiro Saito was a teacher of the Japanese martial art of aikido, with many students around the world. Saito's practice of aikido spanned 56 years, from the age of 18, when he first met aikido founder Morihei Ueshiba, until his death in 2002.-Early life:Morihiro Saito was born in Ibaraki...
(斉藤 守弘 Saitō Morihiro, 1928–2002), one of Ueshiba's most dedicated students and the person who took over the Iwama dojo
Iwama dojo
Iwama is an important historical location from the development of Aikido. It has a famous dojo of the founder of aikido, Morihei Ueshiba, who lived there from 1942 until his death in 1969. It has become "a Mecca to the aikido community."...
after Ueshiba died. Hence the unofficial term "Iwama style
Iwama style
Iwama Style is the style of aikido that was taught at Iwama dojo by the founder of aikido, Morihei Ueshiba, and especially the lineage passed on through Morihiro Saito, a close disciple who was given responsibility over Iwama dojo by Ueshiba....
" to refer to Saito's style of aikido, incorporating a significant amount of weapons training. In order to preserve the art and to teach an increasing number of students, Saito gathered the teachings of Ueshiba and presented the world with "aiki-ken". The first aiki-ken techniques were published in "Traditional Aikido", Vol I and II by Morihiro Saito, 1973. Before his death, Saito and his son Hitohiro Saito
Hitohiro Saito
Hitohiro Saito is an aikido instructor and founding headmaster of Iwama Shin-Shin Aiki Shuren-kai. Hitohiro is the son of Morihiro Saito. At age of seven, he started to learn aikido from Morihei Ueshiba, the founder of aikido, who cared for him as a grandson. After Ueshiba died in 1969, he...
(斎藤 仁浩 Saitō Hitohiro, born 1957) revived and refined this art.
Note that the practice of aiki-ken is not pervasive. Some schools of aikido incorporate weapons training that is unrelated to aiki-ken, and others forego weapons training entirely.
Aiki-ken Practice
Much of aiki-ken bears little similarity to other modern sword arts. Rather than learning to "fight" with swords, the primary purpose of aiki-ken is to magnify errors in one's aikido technique, and to give the student an opportunity to apply the principles of aikido in different situations. Aiki-ken is practiced using bokkenBokken
A bokken , "wood", and ken, "sword") , is a Japanese wooden sword used for training. It is usually the size and shape of a katana, but is sometimes shaped like other swords, such as the wakizashi and tantō...
(a wooden katana
Katana
A Japanese sword, or , is one of the traditional bladed weapons of Japan. There are several types of Japanese swords, according to size, field of application and method of manufacture.-Description:...
) and has a wide variety of techniques. Saito codified two sets of techniques, the first being seven suburi (solo cutting exercises), and the second being five partnered forms. Some dojo also practice jiyu-waza armed with bokken (freestyle technique, without a predetermined form of attack and response).
Suburi
, a word that translates literally to something like "elementary swinging", is used to refer to the basic solo movements of aiki-ken, developed by Saito as a distillation of the partnered practice.There are seven aiki-ken suburi, and are very simply named as follows:
- Ichi-no: A simple downward vertical cut.
- Ni-no: Step back into jōdan-no-kamae, then a downward vertical cut.
- San-no: Step back into waki-gamae, then a downward vertical cut.
- Yon-no: Step forward with a downward vertical cut; repeat.
- Go-no: Step forward while guarding, then a 70 degree downward cut; repeat.
- Roku-no: Step forward with a downward vertical cut, then shuffle forward and thrust.
- Shichi-no: Step forward while guarding, then a 70 degree downward cut, then step forward and thrust.
Kumitachi
The partnered forms practice of aiki-ken is called , meaning the crossing/meeting of swords. There are five kumitachi in Saito's aiki-ken curriculum. The kumitachi teach students how to alternately control the center line and move off it to avoid attacks and how to blend with an opponent's attacks, among other skills.- Ichi-no-tachi (一の太刀): first of sword
- Ni-no-tachi (二の太刀): second of sword
- San-no-tachi (三の太刀): third of sword
- Yon-no-tachi (四の太刀): fourth of sword
- Go-no-tachi (五の太刀): fifth of sword
- Kimusubi-no-tachi (気結びの太刀): blending one's energy with partner of sword
Improvisational variations on the kumitachi (called henka), which generally cause the kumitachi form to end early with one person taking advantage of an opening to strike or throw the other, are also taught.