The Eight cuts of a Bokken

 Aikido happo giri....

Should you use a bokken tsuba or not, I try to always use them as they have more pros than cons.

 If you have the opportunity of training with a partner. paired bokken exercises in Aikido are of great value to your awareness with timing and safety

 When transporting your bokken, you must do so with it fully covered, as you move it from dojo to dojo or from your home to a dojo as is in most countries It is against the law to carry an open weapon, which can be used readily.

You must have a bag or a container. Nothing which allows you easy access to your bokken or Jo or tanto. Performing the Aikido happo giri is a good way to become one with your bokken, also becoming aware of spatial awareness is very important to training in bokken's,

There are actually eight cuts to the happo giri the ninth cut is a return to the first position, each position gives you the correct distance from tip of bokken to the center of your posture

telling you where you could make a strike, but also where you... also are vulnerable, the happo giri can be learned in quite a short time, that is just the basic movements, then you begin to learn and understand the flow of the bokken and how with each of the eight cuts of the bokken how you defend yourself in a circle.

 Bokken training will also improve coordination and concentration When using a partner for training with bokken's in aikido.

Make sure first of all about safety, ensure you find the correct distance and timing, never train at full speed As this is too dangerous ,work with your partner to make sure of all the angles, and again do not make full hard contact as the cheaper bokken's do shatter and splinter.

Training with a partner in bokken's in aikido is a good way to enhance your reactions, but be aware of the increased possibility for accidents using a bokken, remembering these are not just for training and were actually used as weapons.

 Always check your bokken's for splinter's after training as loose pieces of wood can be very dangerous to the eye your's or your opponents, always keep them clean and remove excess sweat from the(Tsuka) handle.

Train Hard Train Focused Train Safe.

Author Antony day.