What's New Dojo Info Directions Contact Us Links Weapons training is an essiantial part of Black Sword Aikido. The three main weapons for training are the Ken , the Jo , and the Tanto .
Naginata instruction is also available upon request.
The Japanese mastered the metallurgic arts essential for the crafting of superior swords as early as the second century B.C.E., with a curved, single-edged blade, as designed by Amakuni in the eighth century, eventually becoming the standard design. To a bushi, as to warriors in other cultures, the ken or sword was considered far more than a mere weapon. Swords were considered to possess magical force, some swords even being considered immensely powerful sentient beings, the very soul of the samurai. Training with the ken utilizes bokkens or wooden swords and shinai or bamboo swords. Body armor is also utilized.