Bokken A bokken ( , " bok ( u ) " , " wood " , and " ken " , " sword " ) ( or commonly as " bokutō " in Japan ) , is a Japan ese wooden sword used for training . It is usually the size and shape of a " katana " , but is sometimes shaped like other sword s , such as the " wakizashi " and " tantō " . Some ornamental bokken are decorated with mother - of - pearl work and elaborate carvings . " Bokken " should not be confused with " shinai " , practice swords made of flexible bamboo . History . " Bokken " were designed to lessen the damage caused by fighting with real swords and were used for the training of samurai warriors in feudal Japan . Bokken eventually became lethal weapons themselves in the hands of trained experts . Miyamoto Musashi , a kenjutsu master , was renowned for fighting fully armed foes with only one or two bokken . In a famous legend , he defeated Sasaki Kojiro with a bokken he had carved from an oar while traveling on a boat to the predetermined island for the duel . Usage . The " bokken " is used as an inexpensive and relatively safe substitute for a real sword in several martial arts such as " kendo " , " aikido " and " kenjutsu " . Its simple wooden construction demands less care and maintenance than a katana . In addition , training with a bokken does not carry the same mortal risk associated with that of a sharp metal sword , both for the user and other practitioners near by . While its use has several advantages over use of a live edged weapon , it can still be deadly , and any training with a bokken should be done with due care . Injuries occurring from bokken are very similar to those caused by clubs and similar battering weapons and include compound fractures , ruptured organs , and other such blunt force injuries . In some ways , a bokken can be more dangerous as the injuries caused are often unseen and inexperienced practitioners may underestimate the risk of harm . It is not a sparring weapon , but is intended to be used in kata and to acclimate the student to the feel of a real sword . For sparring , a bamboo shinai is typically used instead for obvious safety reasons . In 2003 , the All Japan Kendo Federation ( AJKF ) introduced a set of basic exercises using a " bokuto " called " Bokuto Ni Yoru Kendo Kihon - waza Keiko - ho " . This form of practice is intended primarily for kendoka up to Nidan , but can be beneficial for all kendo students . " Suburito " are " bokken " designed for use in " suburi " . " Suburi " , literally " bare swinging , " are solo cutting exercises . Suburito are thicker and heavier than normal " bokken " and users of suburito must therefore develop both strength and technique . Their weight makes them unsuitable for paired practice and kata . One famous user of the suburi - sized bokken is Miyamoto Musashi who used one in his duel against Sasaki Kojiro . Bokken are currently issued to the Los Angeles Police Mounted Unit for use as batons . Types of bokken . Bokken can be made to represent any style of weapon required such as nagamaki , no - dachi , yari , naginata , kama , etc . The most widely used styles are : Additionally , various koryu ( traditional Japanese martial arts ) have their own distinct styles of bokken which can vary slightly in length , tip shape , or in whether or not a tsuba ( hilt guard ) is added . The All Japan Kendo Federation specify the dimensions of " bokken " for use in the modern kendo kata , called " Nippon kendo kata " .