Training With Weapons

Sword

The sword is called a bokken (Boh-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 and uchi (pronounce oo-chi) which is a strike. These two moves mirror 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 practices.

Paired Practices

Partner practices are generally where one persons initiates and the other one responds. These can be done with two jos, two bokkens or a bokken and a jo.

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