Linda Eskin Writes About Aikido, Learning, Training, Discovery, and Connection
I recently revisited one of my very early posts, where I wrote about my experience in my first 6 classes. That reminded me of the … Read more …
The names for weapons take-aways in Aikido can be perplexing. The take-aways, or -dori, are easily confused with another set of techniques, throws, which end … Read more …
This is the twenty-third in this series of 26 posts, one for each letter of the alphabet, that I am writing during the Blogging from A … Read more …
I have just returned from George Ledyard Sensei’s 4-Day Randori Intensive at Aikido Eastside in Bellevue, Washington, near Seattle. Wow. For my non-Aikido friends, randori … Read more …
Having been to a good few seminars where weapons (wooden sticks, that is) were part of the training, I have some thoughts to share. First, … Read more …
Kabocha-wara
A bit of silliness (but also a fun way to get a feel for actually hitting/cutting with weapons).
I hope my neighbors are in their beds, dreaming their dreams, late at night.I hope they are sound sleepers, sawing logs, not bothered by much.I … Read more …
Weapons work can seem mysterious. There’s additional confusing etiquette and tradition to figure out, and even more new words to learn. Plus there are people swinging sticks at you! It can be a little intimidating. So if you’re thinking about trying weapons classes, but are a little nervous about the whole thing, take heart, you will do just fine.
These weapons are my 3rd kyu / 49th birthday gift to myself. They are from Kingfisher, where you have the option of having them inscribed with any of a zillion words or phrases. I can’t read them, but I hope the bokken, at the top, says spiritual forging, a primary focus in training. The tanto, at the bottom, says kindness, grace, or mercy, a reminder for dealing with attacks of all kinds. The jo, in the middle, says a dream that comes true, which is what Aikido is, for me.
p.s. The jo, the one in the middle, is upside down! Lucky for me Michael just gave me the book “Easy Kanji” for a birthday present. :-)
Weapons work shares many words with open-hand training, but weapons also have a lot of words of their own. There are a bunch of numbered … Read more …
