Kaze Uta Budo Kai Forum Archive

Another set of history questions I've been wondering about ... were the knife versions of the Ju Nana Hon Kata techniques that are practiced in JAA/Shotokan developed before, or after, or simultaneously with the open hand versions? Did Mr. Tomiki use knife randori all though his teaching, or was it from a particular period? Is there a connection between the knife versions of these techniques and the idea found in other styles that all Aikido techniques derive from sword motions, or was the knife introduced just for self-defense or competitive reasons? Was the reduced emphasis on knife techniques present in our lineage from its introduction into the US, or did the instruction change over time?

(Maybe someday I'll learn Japanese well enough to read Mr. Tomiki's original articles about his instructional theories ... until then I can only bug you guys. Thanks for anything you can pass along to help my curiosity!)

I am not really sure about the answer to this but I have watched the Randori no kata change over the years. I think it began as Tomiki's and Oba's students started using the tanto in randori and they just practiced against a tanto. The changes from the toshu version are mainly things we have learned through competition. I am not really up to speed on how you guys practice Junanna hon but most of the waza are still the same. Aigamae-ate, Ushiro-ate and Wakigatame are the only ones that I can think of that are really any different.

This is a good question and I will see what I can find out.