Weapons Training

Rockford Aikido includes the use of weapons. It is often easier to discard competitive mindsets when engaged in weapons training, making it easier to focus on what matters.

Weapons training at the Rockford Aikikai includes the three principal weapons used in aikido: jo (staff), tanto (knife), and bokken (sword). There are several reasons for weapons training in aikido.

First, many aikido movements are derived from classical weapons arts. There is thus a historical rationale for learning weapons movements. For example, all striking attacks in aikido are derived from sword strikes. There are often important principles of aikido movement and technique that may be profitably demonstrated by the use of weapons. Training in weapons is a way of facilitating understanding of aikido movement, and is an excellent way to learn principles governing lines of attack and defense.

Second, weapons training is helpful for learning proper maai, or the safe distancing that should be maintained between defender and attacker before an attack. Repeatedly moving in and out of the striking range of a weapon fosters an intuitive sense of distance and timing - something which is crucial to

empty-hand training as well. Training with weapons provides us with an opportunity to develop responsiveness and sensitivity to the movements and actions of others within a format that is usually highly structured.

Third, many advanced aikido techniques involve defenses against weapons. In

order to ensure that such techniques can be practiced safely, it is important for students to know how to attack properly with weapons, and to defend against such attacks. Weapons training can add an element of intensity to aikido practice, especially when practicing defenses against weapons attacks.