Aiki-Weapons Club of Stanford University

On Hiatus
The Aiki-Weapons club is on hiatus.

Sugawara Sensei with the Stanford Aiki-Weapons club
November 7, 2002

Announcements:

We hope that the Aiki-Weapons club will return soon. It depends on the future availibility of the instructors.

What is the Aiki-Weapons Club?

The Aiki-Weapons Club is a student-run club. Members meet twice a week to practice using Japanese weapons.

What do you learn in the classes?

The Aiki-Weapons club practices bokken (Japanese wooden sword) and jo (4 ft. staff) forms related to the study of Aikido. The training consists of suburi (individual moves), kata (forms made up of a series of moves) and partner practices. The movements emphasize balance, breathing, control of center, distance, timing, and blending with the actions of your partner.

Weapons training is complementary to the empty hand techniques of Aikido, using many of the same hand, foot, and body movements. However, the weapons training does not require any particular proficiency in Aikido, and can be studied independently as its own art. For training in the body arts of Aikido, look at the Stanford Aikido Club web site.

Who teaches the classes?

Mallory Roberts founded the club and was the instructor for five years, but has moved to Montreal. The classes are now taught on by Mark Lim and Nelson Tan. Both have studied Sugawara Sensei's weapons at Aikido of Napa, and Katori Shinto Ryu under the instruction of Sugawara Sensei and Mark Jones Sensei. (Sensei means teacher in Japanese.)

When and where are classes?

Classes meet in Roble Gym, rooms 33 and 42. Class times are listed at the top of this page.

Who can attend the classes?

Everyone is welcome to join at any time of the year. No Stanford affiliation is necessary.

Are there any requirements for attending classes?

There is no fee and no uniform required, although those with gis are encouraged to wear them. There are a limited number of spare weapons available for beginners to use, however those with their own bokken and jo should bring them. No previous martial arts experience is required.

Who can I contact about the classes?

For more information contact Forrest Hetherington (forresth@stanford.edu). All announcements are sent through the club mailing list. To join the list, send an email to majordomo@lists.stanford.edu with a blank subject line and only the line "subscribe aiki-weapons" for the body of the email.

What are all of those Japanese words you use?

Onegai shimasu
(oh-nih-guy she-mahss)
"I make a request"
Used to ask a fellow student or teacher to practice with you. Said to your partner before a practice. Said to the instructor as you bow in at the beginning of a class.

Domo arigato gozaimashita
(sen-say doe-moe ah-ree-gah-toe go-zah-ee-mash-tah)
"Thank you very much for what you have done"
Spoken to your partner after a practice. Said to the instructor as you bow out at the end of class.