Training With Weapons

Sword

The sword is called a bokken (Bo-ken) or sometimes just a ken. The beginning stance or kami (kam-eye) is called ken kami. From that position there are two basic moves Tsuki (pronounced ski), which is a thrust an uchi (pronounced oo-chi) which is a strike. These two moves mirror what you do without the weapons (empty hands). So, a tsuki is like a punch in karate. An uchi can be a strike to the head, neck, wrist, knee, etc..

Staff

The staff is called a jo (Joe). Like the bokken, you can tsuki and uchi with it. These moves also mirror what you can do with open hands.

Suburi

You start with the suburi (pronounce soo-boo-ree), which are a variety of moves done with the weapons. These suburi are combined to make some individual practices called (katas) or partner or paired practices.

Partner/Paired Practices

Partner practices are generally where one person initiates and the other one responds (this is often a series). These can be done with 2 jos (called kumijo) 2 bokkens (called kumitachi) or a bokken and a jo (called ken tai jo: bokken against the jo).

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