Weapons are an extension of our open-handed aikido training, and this year we’re doing something special to develop our skills and learn new weapons practices.
In the morning we’ll focus on kyu test weapons requirements and the ASU kumitachi and kumijo. We have tests coming up from 5th kyu to shodan, so there’s a lot of ground to cover.
In the afternoon, we’ll do two special new practices. First, you’ll lean how to throw bo shuriken (iron spikes) at a target. This actually has a lot of crossover with our open-handed training, so it has benefits beyond the throwing practice itself.
Then we’ll be doing a new type of live-blade tameshigiri (test cutting) practice with newspaper. Cutting paper may sound easy, but because it has so little mass getting a clean cut is quite challenging and informative (and a lot of fun!).
Class will run from 9am to noon, we’ll break for lunch, and then we’ll return for more practice from 2-4pm.
People of all experience levels are welcome. The cost is $75 for the day. Bring training weapons if you have them, and everything you need will be provided for the shuriken and tameshigiri practice.