The author, Ethan Weisgard, is a long-time direct student of the late aikido master Morihiro Saito. Saito studied directly under the founder of aikido, Morihiro Saito, for 24 years. the weapons techniques that were taught by Ueshiba in his dojo in rural Iwama, Japan lived on in the teachings of Saito and now in his students. This book is a documentation of the legacy that has been left behind.

Ethan Weisgard is one of the highest-level direct students of Saito in Europe. He travelled to Japan for the first time in 1984 to live and train as a direct student of Saito in Iwama. He has returned more than ten times, including a stay of more than one year to immerse himself in training.

Ethan Weisgard was appointed direct representative in Denmark by Saito personally, and he has travelled throughout the world teaching the aikido taught to him by his master. He has taught in Denmark, Sweden, Italy, Germany, America, Russia, and even in the homeland of aikido-Japan.

The two books-Basic and Advanced Aiki Ken and Basic and Advanced Aiki Jo-are a finely detailed presentation of the traditional aikido weapons techniques, starting with the basic forms and building up to the advanced levels. These books will benefit those just beginning to walk the 'path of aikido' as well as advanced practitioners wishing to have a full documentation of the weapons curriculum.

Beautifully prhotographed and with a clear, step-by-step presentatinon, these books are exactly what is needed in the aikido world in regard to the traditional weapons legacy.

Book One: Bukiwaza and Advanced Aiki Ken

Ranging from the basic strikes and thrusts and through to the advanced forms of paired sword practice, Bukiwaza Basic and Advanced Aiki Ken contains all the elements of aiki ken necessary to obtain proficiency in this fascinating part of aikido training.

Contents

Disclaimer
Preliminary notes
Acknowledgements
Foreword by Paolo N. Corallini
Foreword by Ulf Evenas
Author's introduction
O-Sensei Morihei Ueshiba-History in brief
Sensei Morihiro Saito-History in brief
To create or not to create
Weapons history-Kahima shinto ryu/Katori shinto ryu
Technical terminology
Basic aiki ken
Ken suburi
Important points
1 Ichi no suburi
2 Ni no suburi
3 San no suburi
4 Yon no suburi
5 Go no suburi
6 Roku no suburi
7 Shichi no suburi
Zen go giri
Shiho giri
Happo giri-Happo giri (old verion); Happor giri (new version)
Ken Awase
Important points
Migi awase (right-side awase)
Hidari awase (left-side awase)
Go no awase/Shichi no awase important points
Go no awase (fifth awase)
Shichi no awase (seventh awase)
Kumi tachi
Ichi no tachi (first kumi tachi)
Ni no tachi (second kumi tachi)
San no tachi (third kumi tachi)
Yon no tachi (fourth kumi tachi)
Go no tachi (fifth kumi tachi)
Ki musubi no tachi/Otonashi no ken