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Charles
02-08-2005, 05:05 AM
I'm looking for the correct names for my two different types of bokken. I've several of the standard kind - curved, tapered handle one third the length of the blade - but I also have one that's neither curved nor tapered and the handle is a little bit longer. I know in my head that the two are just as strong, but the non-tapered one just feels studier and that tiny bit of extra wood near the tip really makes a difference during suburi. But I'm at a loss about two things. I need a way to refer to them other than Anduril and Glamdring. That works in my head but I wouldn't want anybody to overhear me. And I'm wondering about the history and use of the straight type of sword that the one bokken represents.

aikidoc
02-08-2005, 06:39 AM
Bokken or Bokuto is what I've heard. A suburito is a weighted on with a heavy tip.

Sean McNamara
02-08-2005, 07:57 AM
If you have a catalog from the Kiyota Company, there is a page showing all the bokken/bokuto that they offer, along with a listing of names by style. I also found this website that has some good descriptions + pictures.

http://bokkenshop.com/eng/style.html

As someone who is also training in Kendo and Iai, I have several different ones, and this has been the easiest way to describe which bokken I need... Is it the Jikishinkage-ryu, Itto-ryu, Yagyu-ryu?

At least that's easiest for me....

Kevin Kelly
02-08-2005, 10:19 AM
Kingfisher woodworks also has some pictures of different bokkens, maybe you could find what you are looking for there also.

Don_Modesto
02-08-2005, 04:15 PM
...I also have one that's neither curved nor tapered and the handle is a little bit longer.

What do you call a boomerang that doesn't come back?

A stick.

(Sorry.)

samurai_kenshin
02-12-2005, 12:08 AM
I'm looking for the correct names for my two different types of bokken. I've several of the standard kind - curved, tapered handle one third the length of the blade - but I also have one that's neither curved nor tapered and the handle is a little bit longer. I know in my head that the two are just as strong, but the non-tapered one just feels studier and that tiny bit of extra wood near the tip really makes a difference during suburi. But I'm at a loss about two things. I need a way to refer to them other than Anduril and Glamdring. That works in my head but I wouldn't want anybody to overhear me. And I'm wondering about the history and use of the straight type of sword that the one bokken represents.
could be a bokken, bokuto, or shinai. The shinai is mostly used in kendo, though.

JJF
02-12-2005, 01:18 AM
Could you post a digital image ? Then we should be able to help you a little better - providing the pictures shows the bokken of course :D

Charles
02-12-2005, 06:08 AM
Not a shinai, a type a bokken / bokuto. The links above got the look right. See http://bokkenshop.com/eng/245.html and http://mivasecure.abac.com/kingfisherwoodworks/merchant.mvc?Screen=PROD&Store_Code=001&Product_Code=008&Category_Code=abo . But using the school names is a bit of a problem. Each school used something just a little bit different making it difficult to get it right and making the term more or less meaningless for everyday use outside of that school. I just want to know the name for the two broad categories straight swords and curved swords. Perhaps those terms are the best that I can do.

For the record, my straight sword is a Kiyota standard issue. Living as I do a dozen or so blocks from the place I don't have a catalog. I suppose I could go there and ask, but I can never get out of the place without an hour's worth of conversation.

Charlie
02-12-2005, 02:40 PM
I saw the title of the thread and thought maybe it was a zen thread!!!

What is the sound of one bokken slicing?

Cheers,

samurai_kenshin
02-13-2005, 12:23 AM
i do Iwama style aikido, so we use and Iwama style bokken. that's the one with a flattened point, and very heavy. Others may use a more swordlike bokken with a more active point

Charles
02-15-2005, 04:54 AM
I think I've found it and it's called a Chokuto (http://swordforum.com/sfu/japanese/chokuto.html).

bryce_montgomery
02-15-2005, 08:54 AM
I believe a chokuto is actually just an ancient Japanese sword style...but it might be the style that your bokken was designed after...

Bryce

Drew Herron
02-18-2005, 02:36 AM
Ummmm....
Where's the stressed syllable in bokken?
Is it bo-KEN or BO-ken? I've heard both.

-Drew

akiy
02-18-2005, 07:30 AM
Where's the stressed syllable in bokken?
Is it bo-KEN or BO-ken? I've heard both.
http://www.aikiweb.com/language/audio/mp3/bokken.mp3

-- Jun

Drew Herron
02-18-2005, 04:26 PM
Thanks, I hadn't found that area of Aikiweb yet. Very useful!
-Drew