In Aikido, the bokken is one of the must-have tools that you need for practice. In layman’s terms, this represents the sword that you need to be able to handle properly while in training. This article lists down everything that you need to know when it comes to Aikido bokken techniques.
Basic Principles
There are various principles that surround bokken techniques in Aikido. The primary one is respecting your bokken, which is one of the most important Aikido bokken techniques that you need to master. As much as possible, you should not only treat it as a piece of wood but you should handle it much like you would a sharp-edged sword and consider it as an extension of your body. In this way, you will establish a better relationship with it, making it easier for you to use it in your practice.
Another principle that you need to keep in mind when it comes to bokken techniques is to hold your tool lightly, or merely tight enough just so it doesn’t slip. In this case, what you can do is to leverage your back hand to do most of the work, with your front hand only supporting it. When it comes to facing an adversary, make sure that you always keep a forward feeling.
This is true even when you use your bokken to cut. Also, remember to only lift as high as it is comfortable for you when you cut. As much as possible, you should not feel any stretch on your front when you do, and don’t try to force the bokken down. Rather, just let your tool drop by its own weight.
Ken Suburi Techniques
Apart from the principles revolving around the bokken techniques, it is also a good idea for you to be aware of the Ken Suburi techniques. Generally, there are seven of these, namely the ichi-no, ni-no, san-no, yon-no, go-no, roku-no, and shichi-no. All of these techniques involve the downward vertical cut, with the ichi-no the very basic of them all. Just keep in mind to practice these techniques only with the supervision of a professional instructor who will be able to guide you accordingly.
The Bottomline
When it comes to Aikido bokken techniques, the first thing that you need to know is the basic principles that surround it. You can apply this to the Ken Suburi techniques that you need to familiarise yourself with as well. All these are geared towards ensuring that you are able to handle your bokken with familiarity, which paves the way for great practice.
