In this volume, we take up the theme, "how to use weapons in Aikido and Chinese martial arts". Through weapons training, you will be able to understand about the following martial arts elements:
(1) The difference between body techniques and weapons training
(2) The difference between the Japanese curved sword, and the Chinese straight sword
(3) How to take a proper distance
(4) How to watch your partner's eyes
(5) How to grab your partner's mind
(6) How to mo e with good timing
(7) Proper traditional foot work
(8) Circular movements with the weapon
(9) A block should include an attack, an attack should include a block
(10) Long weapon's, and short weapon's weak points
(11) The weak points of armor
(12) How ancient people produced good steel about two thousand years ago with little technology.

In our training, we must vow to take responsibility not to use weapons for disreputable reasons. Our purpose of Japanese/Chinese weapons training should be for lifelong study and good health. Also, I challenge the readers to try and smelt their own iron and attempt to produce swords. --Tetsutaka Sugawara, March 15th, 1998

TETSUTAKA SUGAWARA was born in Hokkaido in 1941 In 1960 he began Aikido at the Hombu Dojo, Tokyo, under O-Sensei Morihei Ueshiba, founder of Aikido. In 1961, he became uchideshi under O-Sensei at the Ibaraki Dojo. In 1964, he returned to Tokyo and entered Chuo University. In 1973, he established Minato Research and Publishing Co. (currently Sugawara Martial Arts Institute, Inc.) In 1975 he entered the Tenshin Shoden Katori Shinto Ryu receiving the 'kyoshi' instructor's licence in 1986. In 1995 he was awarded 7th dan in Aikido from Kisshomaru Ueshiba. He has published: Budo Training in Aikido by Morihei Ueshiba, Traditional Aikido by M. Saito, The Deity and the Sword - Katori Shinto Ryu by R. Otake, Traditional Karatedo by M. Higaonna, Shinkage-ryu Sword Techniques by T. Watanabe, and T'ai Chi Ch'uan, T'ai-chi Swordplay/Eightdiagram Palm, Chen style Tai Chi Chuan by Y. Xing, Fukien Ground Boxing by C. Chai, Form and Will Boxing (Shing Yee Ch'uan) by J. Lin. He has also studied Goju-ryu Karate and T'ai Chi Ch'uan. 

LUJIAN XING was born in Shandong province in the Peoples Republic of China in 1963. He entered Fujian Chinese Medical Science University in 1980 graduating in 1985. He studied northern/southern style 50 kinds of Chinese Martial Arts under Chuxiang Du, Yanling Xing and other instructors. In 1992, he entered Sugawara Martial Arts Institute as an uchideshi under Tetsutaka Sugawara and learnt Aikido and Katori Shinto Ryu techniques, also studying the relationships between Aikido and Chinese martial arts with Tetsutaka Sugawara. In 1993, he entered the School of Veterinary Medicine, Azabu University. After graduation, he joined the National Institute of Health Sciences, Japan in 1995, studying to create new medicines using herbs.

366 pages