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Bokuto or Bokken: The Difference and Historical Significance of “To” and “Ken” in Japanese Martial Arts
Bokuto 木刀 and bokken 木剣 are often used interchangeably (both being translated as “wooden sword”). However, “To” 刀 and “Ken” 剣 are different. First of all, the two kanji characters are not native Japanese words, but came from China. Therefore, the difference between them is better understood from the Chinese perspective. A 刀 is a single-edged weapon with a blade on only one side, primarily used for cutting, and often has a curved shape. On the other hand, a 剣 is a straight, double-edged weapon with blades on both sides and primarily used for piercing. Historically speaking, the use of 刀剣 (as a comprehensive term) in China can be traced…
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Tanto and its Use in Aikido
Tanto 短刀, which literally means “short sword”, is a traditional Japanese knife typically single-edged and between 15 and 30 cm in length. The earliest tanto dates back to the Heian period (794-1185), where it was primarily used for outdoor activities like hunting and fishing. Over time, the tanto became more widely used as a weapon by the samurai class. Samurai typically carried two swords – a full-size katana 刀 (daito 大刀) and an 30-60 cm intermediate-size wakizashi 脇差 (shoto 小刀). However, in some cases, they may have also carried a tanto in place of a wakizashi. Tanto was particularly useful in close-quarters combat in confined spaces and was often used…
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Ueshiba’s Jo in Aikido: Unification of Martial and Spiritual Principles
The history of the jo 杖 in Aikido can be traced back to the founder of Aikido, Morihei Ueshiba, who was known for his extensive martial arts training, including the art of the jo. The origins of the jo in Japanese martial arts can be traced back even further, to the 17th century, when Muso Gonnosuke 夢想權之助, a samurai who was defeated in a duel with the legendary swordsman Miyamoto Musashi 宮本武蔵, developed a new form of martial art that focused on the use of a short staff, which he called Shindo Muso Ryu Jojutsu 神道夢想流杖術. Shindo Muso Ryu Jojutsu 神道夢想流杖術 Over time, jojutsu was also incorporated into other martial…
