Aiki Weapons

Weapons practice is an integral aspect of Iwama lineage aikido. At least fifty percent of Ueshiba's own practice involved weapons and references to the sword appear throughout his writings. In Iwama, a strong emphasis on aiki-weapons practice in tandem with empty-handed technique is maintained today. Respected aikido historian Stanley Pranin discusses the place of weapons practice in Ueshiba's aikido.

Ueshiba incorporated ken (sword) and jo (staff) with empty-handed skills into his aikido. The aiki-ken and and aiki-jo have large curricula of solo exercises and forms, and partnered practices as sophisticated as the empty handed curriculum.

Movement and application is consistent between armed and unarmed aikido. This is termed riai (unity of principles) an essential teaching of Ueshiba, who felt that aikido's principles should be applicable to all situations. Weapons practice builds strength, speed, agility, balance, timing, concentration and distancing skills. It has a special intensity and excitement due to the perceived danger involved. The solo forms provide a means of personal practice consistent with, and beneficial to, unarmed skill development. See a video of the 31 jo kata solo staff form.

Aiki-weapons are an integral, vital and exciting element of the practice of aikido. Aikido Auckland is the only dojo in Auckland teaching comprehensively the aiki-ken and aiki-jo as taught in Ueshiba's Iwama Dojo. We are committed to maintaining the quality and relevance of weapons practice within the study of aikido.