03rd Dec 2007
Why we practice bokken and jo strikes with the left hand as the power hand by John Bieszk Sensei
In Aikido weapons practice, we hold the bokken or the jo with the left hand at the bottom of the weapon. The right hand is one (bokken) to two (jo) handholds higher up. If Aikidoka strike with the bokken or jo by pulling the weapon with the left hand, the weapon goes through a long arc, with all of the weapon moving in the same direction of rotation. The tip of the weapon is then moving at the fastest speed. Since the energy of the strike is related to the speed squared, this method produces a high energy strike.
Often in weapons classes, especially with aikidoka just starting weapons training, students will strike with the right hand as the power hand. Many people are right handed, and they are used to exerting force with their right hands. So, when they strike with the bokken or jo, they push with the right hand and pull with the left hand. This causes the weapon to rotate not about the bottom of the weapon, but about a point higher up, between the hands. With the pivot of the rotation above the bottom of the bokken or jo, the tip moves more slowly than the first case, and the energy of the strike is reduced.
If we pull with the left hand when we practice suburi, we are really maximizing the effectiveness of our strikes for the energy we are putting into our practice. This is another way of practicing harmony, since we use good technique to practice strong strikes without wasting effort.
*John Bieszk Sensei is dojo cho of Itsushinkan Dojo in Lombard, IL. Mr. Bieszk is an AAA National Teaching Committee Member and Midwest Regional Director.
