The Circle of Swords

July 2, 1991

Mark J. Norton


A complete awareness of whats around you is important for a martial artist. This awareness should extended to whats on the left and right, as well as whats ahead. More difficult, the budoka should be aware of whats behind him.

Just as openings and oppertunities existing between two people sparring with weapons, spaces form in the patterns of movement of larger groups of people, even crowds. If the student can be made aware of these spaces, he can be trained to take advantage of them. This skill can be used to escape a trap, move quickly through a crowd of people, play one person off another in randori, etc.

The circle of swords is one exercise which develops this awareness. Each student in the class takes a boken and forms a circle in the center of the dojo. There should be six or more students for this. Have the class practice cutting together as a group to meet at the center of the circle. The start of the cut should be initiated at random, not by a designated person. Two strike variations can be used: a short slide on the lead foot (First suburi), or a step and cut (Second suburi).

After the class can cut together and meet in the center, the instructor should walk (calmly) into the center of the circle and instruct the class to cut as before. Explain that an Aikidoka must be completely aware of this environment at all times. Say that even in a circle of swords, there are openings available to those who can see them. Demonstrate turning sideways and slipping out of the circle before being cut.

The first time I did this with a class, they were quite shocked. I literally heard a gasp. It is good to shatter sensabilities like this occasionally, since it causes the student to re-examine what is possible. There is, in fact, little danger as long has the student is aware and does not hesitate. Hesitation is not usually the problem, however, since most are quite eager to escape. The student should start to move when the class raise up their swords. He should already be conscious of an opening in the circle and make for it. Teach them to mimimize the target by turning sideways and moving with a small cross-section.