Ooops, meant to ask - why is Aikido thought of as (only)a weapons based / focused system?????
I agree and support the idea that to do most karate waza, you must have a sound understanding of weapons, but for all that, I don't see aikido as a weapons based system.
Weapons derived - yes
even weapons directed - yes -but
'karate waza' dominated - I would believe more so.
The thought of doing shiho nage without a real good appreciation of weapon is almost laughable, but I don't see shiho nage as a weapons technique. It came from weapons, its practiced with / against weapons, but for day to day training and self protection, it is a karate waza.
Thats my penny's worth
Night all