Open Sky Aikido Kids Weapons Program

By Andy Wood, Open Sky Aikikai

A couple of years ago my son had asked me about weapons training. He has watched me exploring Aikido all his short life and has seen me exercising with some of the Jo and Bokken Kata. I didn't see any harm in working with him on the forms and I was interested in seeing how well he could learn them, and perhaps how well I could help him. Soon my daughter was interested, so we took time before and after the kids classes. A close friend who expressed an interest in soon joined us. We had a very informal practice together for about a year.

Then other kids started asking if they could learn as well. I was a bit concerned that most of these requests were just some wild-eyed idea that we would get to start hitting and fighting with each other like we see in the movies. After some persuading, I agreed to host a class and made it clear that we were not training to be stunt people in the movies and that we would be practicing solo for the first semester. The requirements to qualify for participation are to have passed the first 3 tests in the kids basics program, to be willing and able to practice every day at least 15 minutes, and to have the instructor's approval.

We started by making our own shinais. My son and I collected some bamboo that grew wild near our home and cut pieces about 30" long and a diameter of about three-quarers of an inch. We split the bamboo into quarters along its length, but for only two thirds of the length. Then we got some canvas like material and sewed some sleeves and glued a cord to the interior seam. Once the sleeve was inverted we placed some scrap material in the end (as a cushion to the point) and inserted the split end of the bamboo. The sleeve is then help in place by wrapping and tying the cord off to the lower end of the bamboo, to make a handle; the seam represents the cutting edge. The kids were really into this and I think they took an extra sense of ownership with the new Shinai.

Our training has consisted of learning basic cuts, moving forward and backward, and the basic 4 and 8 directions cut exercises. It wasn't very exciting, but I wanted to weed out those who thought that we would be learning "sword fighting". My focus has been on exploring Aikido principles thru the Ken training. From the original 12 or so who started the class, 8 have been consistent with their practice.

I'll let you know how the second semester goes.