Ken Randori

March 13, 1991

Mark J. Norton


Utimately, the student should be able to face an opponent armed with a sword (shinai) and defend himself with the same. Only in a freestyle match do all the factors which go into the use of the sword come together. Speed and timing become an issue. Faints and psychological ploys are made, sometimes to good effect. The student learns to react to the unexpected and deal with (potentially) dangerous situations.

Randori with weapons is not widely practiced in Aikido dojos. In large part, this is due to concerns about injury and safety. For the student will to assume some risk, however, randori is a great learning experience.

Safety can be enhanced in a variety of ways. Naturally live sword blades cannot be used, too many students would be lost. Indeed, the boken is also a dangerous weapon, as Musashi illustrated on many occasions. These problems were solved long ago by the development of the shinai. The split bamboo sword was built with this kind of exercise in mind. To this, I would add some form of head protection. Perhaps the full, whole body protection of kendo armor woudl provide more safety, but it is expensive, cumbersome, and hot. Given a measure of control on the part of the participants, a simple head protector such as worn in Karate tournaments will serve to prevent head injuries.

In addition to physical protection, the instructor should develop a course of study which slowly builds towards full randori. Controlled situations will allow the students to build their reflexes without being overwhelmed with too many options. I am using the following steps to good effect:

  1. Basic sword moves, suburi
  2. Basic blocks
  3. Instructor attacks with shinai, single attack and block.
  4. Two attacks and corresponding blocks.
  5. Various attacks, student defends using blocks.
  6. Simple exchange of blows (builds control)
  7. Limited exchange of blows with blocks (2 or 3).
  8. Various exchanges and blocks.
  9. Randori (slow)
  10. Randori with faints
  11. Randori at speed

Response from the students has been quite positive. Several people have expressed to me that it puts a completely different perspective on developing these skills. They learn to be more alert and relaxed. It also challenges them since a missed block might mean a stinging slap of the shinai. It sinks home quickly that the sword is not a toy, but rather a weapon which can be used to defend or attack.

This type of study could be developed for other weapons as well. A length of bamboo covered with soft leather serves as the shinai does. Care should be taken to maintain the proper length of the training jo.