Weapon Symetry

Jan. 10, 2002

Aikido weapon study focuses primarily on the jo and boken (katana) - staff and sword. It is interesting to note that these two weapons are very dissimilar in form. What do these differences teach us?

By far the most glamorous of the two weapons is the sword. The katana, and its pratice form - the bokken, is a largely assymetric weapon. It has a point, edge, back side of the blade, a guard, handle, and end (pommel). It has a distinct front and back, top and bottom. It has an identifiable left and right side. The blade is curved. This assymetry results in the sword being a weapon of many effective parts: the tip is used to puncture, the edge is used to cut, the back and sides of the blade can be used to block and sheild, the tsuba guards and catches, the handle can be used as a blunt end to pummel.

The sword is held in a standard grip, left hand behind the right. The grip never varies and usually both hands remain on the sword (there are exceptions to this, however). Because the grip doesn’t change, there are minor differences in how technique is performed on the right versus the left.

The parts of the sword directly lead to technique: the point for tsuki, the edge for menuchi strikes, the side for blocks, etc. The shape of the sword directly impacts how these techniques are performed, for example, the katana is turned ninety degrees when using a tsuki to the chest. This is designed to take advantage of the fact that the sword blade is thin and can will slide between the ribs better when turned.

Consider the jo by contrast. It is easily made from wood whereas the sword is a lengthy and expensive forging process. The jo is a standard length (51”) of hard wood, usually oak, circular in cross section with blunt ends. The staff is straight. This highly symetrical weapon essentially has only two parts: two ends, and a long side. In contrast with the sword, the jo is versatile. It can be held in either hand, grip is reversable, and it can be flipped end for end. This versatility is its strength by allowing a wide variety of technique with easy transitions.

Most aikidoka will find that strking with the jo is easier using a sword grip (right hand in front of the left), largely due to extensive practise with the bokken. Since all jo strikes and blocks can be executed symetrically on either side of the body, it is in the student’s benefit to prace both grips (left in front of right).

Where to hold the sword is obvious: a handle is provided for the purpose. It is not so obvious when using a jo, however. We’ve already indicated that it is useful to be able to strike with either right or left hand in front of the other, but how far apart should they be? I use a simple exercise to illustrate directly to the students how the jo should be held for striking. Stand in right hanmi using a right handed grip (right hand in front of left). Left hand grips the jo at one end. Instruct the students to position the right hand directly in font of the left, and strike shomenuchi. Most students will find it very difficult to control the strike, since the whole length of the jo projects beyond the grip. Now have the students slide the right hand forward until they grip the mid-point of the jo. Strike shomenuchi again. This time, the jo is easy to control, but it is difficult to put power into the strike. Finally, have the students slide their right hand back on the jo to a point one third from the end. Strike again. This time, control balances power and the strike feels good.

For this reason, I refer to the jo as a weapon of thirds. Tsuki starts by gripping the end and the two-thirds point and ends at the one third point. Flipping the jo is done by shift grips between the third-points and the ends. There are jo techiques which are done holding only the ends, but they are not the norm.

The jo was a weapon designed to to be used against the katana. It is longer than the sword. Made of wood, it can catch and hold a sword. It is slightly flexible, and very fast. It appears to be a common staff and is not threatening until needed. It is not considered a ‘deadly’ weapon, though of course it can be used so.

Considering the form of aikido weapons gives insight into how they are used. Advantages and disadvantages are revealed, and begin to explain why things are done one way and not another.