Introduction to Chiba Sensei's Weapons System - Bokken Basics

Davinder Bath Shihan is a long-term disciple (from 1987 to 2012) of TK Chiba Shihan.
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[@nothyperbole4984]

Thank you for teaching these practice techniques with the bokken. Hope for peace, practice for peace. Thank you Sensei.

[@XimenaZhaoArchive]

Good attention detail. Better camera and sound than most Bokken videos on KZbin. Thank you! :)

[@fegoeba123]

Great video Mihaly. I miss practicing with you and Davinder. Keep up the good work!

[@mraffabilityGB]

This looks like a great start to an interesting series. I shall be returning to basics.

[@Fluminox-]

Thank you for sharing, sensei. I'll impliment these into my bokken workout

[@orpheushawkins5536]

I really enjoy your videos. Thank you for sharing!!

[@paulst2010able]

Thank you master! All respect!💖

[@khatibbenyoucef7547]

Merci pour vos excercices de bokken.

[@hmuphilly9129]

I seen some very bad videos but this man really knows what hes doing.

[@ronb3423]

Thank you for sharing this.

[@istvanglaser7851]

Super!:)Thank you!

[@Chrysaor_]

Thank you for the video. Thinking about crafting my first bokken over the weekend.

It has been a year, otagai! How has your journey been

[@fusionclean]

Thank you Sensei, I do aprreciated your lesson.

[@tigerabjad]

love your video very much

[@hanshassan9064]

Wow!! We emailed each other last year but I couldn’t meet you at london. Today I can see you on youtube. Glad to see you sensei.

[@DavinderBath]

Thank you and hope to meet you next time!

[@fletcheremory7543]

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[@juliopablo5945]

@Fletcher Emory Instablaster :)

[@fletcheremory7543]

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[@fletcheremory7543]

@Julio Pablo it worked and I finally got access to my account again. Im so happy:D Thank you so much, you saved my account!

[@kronoscamron7412]

One of the things I learned in our dojo is that its supposed to be effortless to cut, to let the sword fall with it's own gravity.

[@DavinderBath]

That is a great idea. Chiba sensei would agree. I agree. You should be able to feel the weight of the bokken as you cut. There is so much detail we can add for sure. But the weight of the bokken will affect things. Also, If you want to cut with a lot of power you have to add a lot to the weight. Good discussion point!

[@clubprojects6923]

Try the the wrists only exercise with modified wheelbarrows handles. You want something heavy. I gave him a pair in 1999.

[@nickregnier1]

The cut should begin with the hips not the arms lifting the Ken. The whole cut is performed with the body but the hips are the driving force and not the feet or arms. The cut is done with Kokyu, which is line with the Taijutsu principles. In Iwama we do the Ken Suburi to build the Kokyu feeling from the core to the hands, but power comes from the ground up. I respect the fact that you mention that Chiba Sensei made his own version with the weapons system based on the Iaido. So I noticed with this principle when Uke strike, you block and then strike, which means that you are 'late striking' as Uke can block too. In Iwama Uke strikes and Tori strikes but steps out of the mutual kill line. When the two are done with the blending Uke has lost the centre as Tori moved in. If Tori blocks the strike made from Uke, you get in a position that you have not achieved the target and that you still need to move in after the block, therefore you are already late. M. Saito made a lot of points about these explaining why O'Sensei emphasised the Irimi entry avoiding the mutual kill and in that same momentum Uke is already finished. If you block Uke's Ken you are back to square one. Food for thoughts.

[@DavinderBath]

Thank you for your comments and for watching the video. i really appreciate that! Everything happens with a unified body so Tanden (hips) is always engaged, throughout the movement. As for timing, as in Aikido body-art, there is early timing, 'normal' timing and late timing. Each can be applicable depending on the circumstances, Different timing has different consequences. Thank you for explaining timing in Saito sensei's work! Moving at the same time or defending and then (almost instantaneously) cutting makes for a very interesting discussion but a long one and unsuitable for this medium. Perhaps if we meet one day (we are both in England) I would be very happy to engage.

[@nickregnier1]

@@DavinderBath thank you for your time answering. I appreciate your comments. The Awase (blending) element happens in all speeds so if you go slow, medium or fast, Tori must match Uke's movement, which is what Saito Sensei emphasised from learning with O'Sensei for 24 years. O'sensei was referring to blend in and connect with the idea of absorbing and controlling Uke without losing the Riai and Awase. So if the reaction is late, it is not longer Awase. It is very hard to do but by practicing repeatedly one learns this is a lifetime study. Ki Musubi No Tachi is a very good example. Chiba Sensei was very good in his own way, but in my view was very hard (and perhaps too hard) when practicing with Ukes. The connection and blending once attained does not require much force from arms but hips and the balance of Uke being gone, make the Aikido extremely powerful and magical. Saito was able to achieve such control and powerful techniques yet being soft...

[@yuukililith4178]

@@nickregnier1 Errr… can I ask what I should learn as a beginner? I only bought a simple bokken to practice with, but I am still lost since I have no idea what to start with first.

[@nickregnier1]

@@yuukililith4178 My simple advice would be to learn with an Instructor. You should not be doing this alone.

[@yuukililith4178]

@@nickregnier1 Why? Isn’t human sophistication what made people invent new things?

[@danielgimenez956]

Un Gran video, pregunta, como logro conseguir material, en español sobre el sistema de armas, de Chiba Shihan, Gracias. Saludos para Todos desde la Argentina. Buena Vida para Todos.

[@tavtav3526]

What style do you use? Striking system like Saito sensei or Cutting system like Chiba sensei? Can I know Chiba sensei full name?

[@DavinderBath]

Chiba sensei's full name is Kazuo Chiba. Taiwa Kazuo Chiba if you add his buddhist name. I am a long term student of Chiba Sensei. I was fortunate to be able to spend a lot of time with him off the mat as well as taking regular ukemi for him for 26 years.

[@tavtav3526]

@@DavinderBath thank you

[@clubprojects6923]

T. K. Chiba, Shihan. Who is the teacher in the video? I spent time in the USAF WR.

[@kostaspivoriunas9140]

hi, I bought a Cold Steel bokken but my cuba broke, I wonder what is the name of a training katana that is made of steel and is not sharp ?

[@DavinderBath]

That would be an Iaito.

[@kostaspivoriunas9140]

@@DavinderBath thanks

[@AikidoAliveUK]

There’s a great misunderstanding regarding cutting with a blunt bokken and a sharp katana. Many think they are contradictory as this video declares. But Saito Sensei called his sword work “Aiki Ken” (and Aiki Jo) for a reason. Because whether you use a blade or a staff you use aiki. Now, how many can explain that?

[@DavinderBath]

Hi Bjorn, On the contrary, this video declares, cutting with a bokken is the same as cutting with a katana. Perhaps you could elaborate as to where you got the opposite impression? If the bokken represents the sword the rest follows. If it does not then might as well use a baseball bat, but without the scissor action, one hopes. As for misunderstanding - one wonders who really understands O-Sensei or sword or bokken or Jo for that matter. In Daito Ryu, the word 'Aiki' is used to represent something like the unified, immovable body. Care to explain what Saito Sensei meant by it's use? We can then discuss whether Iwama weapons are Aiki weapons or not. You could no doubt use Aiki with chopsticks but it would not be by poking with them. You can use a fork for that. Inappropriate use does not make great art.

[@poncxek]

You bokken don't get scrathed when you are fighting

[@DavinderBath]

We use Japanese white oak bokken. The wood is tough. Sure they sometime get dents and even break. Small sacrifice for learning.

[@fredricclack7137]

'Sword' seems too far back & stretches shoulders 🤔

[@DavinderBath]

If it seems that way to you it is only because you are used to a particular system. Chiba sensei, Osensei, Saito sensei they all raise their hands to the top of their head in various Bokken movements. Left hand cuts from the crown of the head. Full shoulder rotation. Like Shomen-uchi in Aikido. All good practice in martial arts is with full movements which can then be shortened if required.

[@Geordie-hs7kt]

It may not be the way you wish to portray your cutting action but it is quite obvious that you are chopping like using an axe and not slicing in the way the sword was designed to be used. I myself have studied Kendo, Iaido and Akido for over 30 years and I submit this as not a criticism but mearly as an observation.....

[@DavinderBath]

Do you seriously think cutting through an opponent from head to centre is chopping like an axe? I have to question your objectivity and your understanding. Some people understand cutting as slicing. Is that what you think? That would be incorrect. Cutting through - that is what is happening here. Happy to see a video of you demonstrating 'cutting'! I have had discourses on what cutting means all my weapons training life. Yes, I have done Iaido and Tamashi-giri for a long time.

[@derryvirgo2300]

Why the hell you would close your eyes for what the heck

[@DavinderBath]

There is no intentional closing of the eyes. Eyes should definitely be open. I have blepharospasm and dry eyes which make it difficult to fully open my eyes. That's what you are seeing.

[@user-yk3xl3yj4j]

dear sensi any movement has a name while your training doesnt.

[@user-ro6iq9my9s]

It is not Chiba weapon, it is so cheap copy, totally fake

[@DavinderBath]

🤣😂 You clearly know nothing about Chiba Sensei's weapons.