Mysterious asked,
Hmm anyone know what martial arts include bokken training with them? I've always liked sparring with those.
The bokken, or wooden sword, comes from the Japanese tradition. Although Kendo most frequently employs the Shinai (bamboo slat sword simulator) the bokken is sometimes used.
If you like sparring with bokken, you will love dueling with Shinai. The big drawback is the cost of the Kendo Gu, but a good one will last for years. You may also get to learn sword drawing with a live blade. How cool is that?
Aikido has its origins in swordsmanship, (in aikido, the "sword" is your opponent's arm, and you "make cuts" with that sword to affect throws) and aikido retains one or more (depending on school) Bokken kata. Note however, that these are kata - "solo forms." Bokken sparring is almost never done, but empty hand defense against the bokken almost always is..
Why no bokken sparring? Because although the bokken is a wooden sword and has no cutting edge, the "wood'" is generally oak and the sword is capable of inflicting grievous blunt-force trauma in the hands of someone who knows what she's doing. The legendary Musashi went up against steel swords armed with a bokken and killed his opponent.
For everyday practice, etc., check out the polypropylene bokken from COLD STEEL. It is very nicely done, of appropriate weight and length, and should hold up handily in sparring against oak swords.
Any good aikido school will let you come and observe an unlimited number of classes. They know that soon you will be irresistably drawn to the alternate reality of the tatami, where fear of falling becomes the joy of flying and big throws are big friendly embraces. Aikido is wonderful.
Having said that, you need to answer one question: what do you wish to get out of your training?
If you want to learn effective defenses from 21st century street crime, there are better places to begin.
Consider: During World War Two, OSS agents were given less than twenty hours of trainig before they were sent out on their missions. Could they handle themselves? You bet.
It might take you twenty hours just to learn how to properly tie the belt of your gi.
I'm not saying don't learn a traditional art. I'm suggesting that first you might want to learn how to effectively defend yourself, and then as a moving meditation/spiritual pursuit you could practice Aikido to give your lethal techniques a fine polish.
Onegashimasu?
