Aikido dojo, the other evening. I hold the bokken in a familiar grip, aiming at the base of my partner's throat. My instructor says "there are terms for the positions," and without any conscious thought my right hand leaves the bokken to point to three spots as I say "jodan, chudan, gedan."
It's been a long time.
I'm a natural born tool user. Little matter if it's an oxhair filbert paintbrush, a wire whisk, an iaito, a cordless drill, a sewing machine, a pitchfork, a pistol or a crowquill pen. Place a tool in my hand and point me to the task or kata and I'm a happy camper.
Solo weapons kata are great fun, and have the advantage of being the perfect homework. But for me there is nothing like the intensity and feedback of paired partner practice with a bokken or jo.
It turns out that Ukiah Aikido had been doing Nishio-style iaido for quite some time, and sensei has decided we will do some weapons work over the summer.
Most of the time, working adults like me look at you funny when you ask about "plans for the summer" as if we were still in high school. But I'm sure looking forward to the summer now!
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