Re: Aikido Weapons
Hmmm, some interesting points here. My two cents...
I am not familiar with the use of Yari in aikido. I am familiar with the use of jo, ken, and tanto. Of which, I have heard many analogies of these weapons to their application in aikido. This is a new one to me.
Like others, the over-simplification of the weapons seem to demean their role in our training. Yari is for thrusting? Sure, amongst other things. I think we need to respect our weapons and the complexity of their role in combat. I have been taught primarily that good combat education is about the competency to use these weapons interchangeably (indeed with empty-hand too). From my experience the range of these weapons seems to be the most different application using each. I am not sure if I would buy or disseminate anything that would oversimplify or understate the role of weapons in training.
I can hear my dying thoughts now... "ohh good, a spear. That's thrusting, right? Wait, no. I needed striking... Dang..."
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