i am planning on taking aikido but want something that involes more "combat" with wepons.. help?

Question

So i am about to take Aikido and i love the movements and actions when using others power against them. But i do want to learn to use weapons (swords and staffs) but i do not really want to take karate as i think it is a little to americanized. But what else is out there for weapons and hand to hand combat? Or is karate my only option?

Answer 1

The concept of Aikido is based on wielding an imaginary sword. A lot of the training involves a wooden sword, and you are essentially training with a weapon.

I can recommend other Japanese sword arts such as Kendo or Iaido. Kendo involves sparring with a bokken (wooden sword) and is like Japanese fencing. Iaido is the art of sword drawing and you practice with real swords.

Stick with Aikido, and if it becomes your passion, you are bound to find some Aikido practioners who also train in Iaido or Kendo. It is quite common for people to cross-train between the three arts as the philosophies are similar.

Answer 2

Tedhyu is right. Aikido movements were originally based on sword work and almost all traditional Aikido schools have bokken and jo training included in the curriculum.
If you want something a little more combat effective go further back in aikido history. Traditional aikijujutsu, as originally taught by Sokaku Takeda and his descendants, is very heavy. Takeda was Moreihi Uyeshibas' sensei as a young man. The next hardest Aikido is Yoshinkan, as taught to Gozo Shioda by Uyeshiba before he went "soft" (no disrespect intended).

Failing that there are many jujutsu styles that you could look at. But if you want to learn functional weapons there is NO ONE better than the Filipinos - kali, escrima, etc.

Answer 3

I would not rule out karate-you just have to find the right school/instructor. Most instructors don't teach weapons to beginners since there is greater chance of injury and literally many people are there to learn other aspects first like self-defense. Many Aikido programs also teach Kendo and boken or Iaido at the intermediate and advance student levels so you may already have what you want and just don't know it. Talk to your instructor and he can probably recommend someone close by if he/she does not teach the aspects of weapons themselves.

Answer 4

The Aikido schools I know teach Jo Staff and a littl Sword as well.

Answer 5

You might find it hard to find an instructor but Eskrima, the Filipino Martial Art is a great weapon-based style. They believe once you can master weapons hand-hand combat will come naturally.

I am currently at level 4 and it is a fantastic sport, check it out

Answer 6

Some Aikido instructors offer weapons combat. You could also try fencing instead.

Answer 7

Besides fencing, kendo, iaido, iaijutsu, and kenjutsu, naginatajutsu, etc., there are kobudo classes in many areas that focus on various traditional Okinawan weapons instead of unarmed combat. Search for kobudo or Okinawan kobudo in your area.

Answer 8

Eskrima or arnis, the filipino fighting arts. They are very effective and combine weapon and open hand training.