The term KATANA or KEN or TACHI, all have the same meaning: SWORD. The essence of Aikido is derived from various martial disciplines - KEN-jyutu (Swordsmanship), So-jyutu ( Spearsmanship), Ko-Budo (Kito-Jujitsu, Yagyu Jujitu, Daito-Jujitsu). All these ancient Japanese martial ways exerted considerable influence on the techniques of Aikido. O-Sensei also studied the Omoto-kyo mysticism under Onisaburo Deguchi, the Shingon Buddhism and Shinto scriptures "Kojiki", "Nihon-shoki" extensively. These studies formed the basis and foundation of his strong mental constitution. The late Kisshomaru Doshu was given a strict instruction to study KEN-jyutu at a very early age. Only when he was 18 and already quite proficient in KEN, and O-Sensei allowed him to be his " Uke"(sparring partner) for the first time at a public Aikido demonstration. During this memorable incident and on numerous other occasions O-Sensei expressed his strong feelings and beliefs that sound knowledge of KEN will provide useful foundation for Aikido and will greatly improve one's understanding of the proper execution of the Aikido techniques. During the early years of Hombu Dojo, there were classes specially conducted for KEN training.

Place the grid to the left and the blade faced downward in Katana-Kake.

Place the grid to the left and the back faced downward in Katana-kake.

Some understanding of the socio-political conditions of The Japanese feudal society would be useful for a better comprehension

and appreciation of the historical place of the KATANA - The fabled Japanese sword -in Japanese history. The evolution of the

KATANA was naturally closely associated with that of the Bushi or Samurai,the warrior class of feudal Japan. As warriors and

master of the arts of war, The Bushi had themselves evolved from being employed as guards serving powerful leaders of the Heian

and Fujiwara clans (Heian period 794-1185) into a dominant class of its own. The declining powers of the Japanese Emperor and the

crushing victory of the Minamotos military clan over their bitter rival, the Taira clan, in the epic battle of Dannoura in 1185,

eventually led to the establishment of the feudalistic military Kamakura Bakufu Shogunate which encouraged austerity and the

pursuits of the martial arts and disciplines. The Kamakura-Bukufu Shogunate lasted 140 years (1192-1333) but the era established

the Ways of the Bushido to dominate the Japanese feudal and social structures for the next 700 years until the Meiji Restoration

of 1867 which saw the collapse of the Tokugawa Shogunate and the restoration of full sovereignty to the Japanese Emperor.

The Bushi's primary role as military knights was their total and absolute allegiance to their peers for whom they were pledge to fight

and if need be to die defending. They adhered to strict martial codes and disciplines and were uncompromising in their observance of

honorable and chivalrous behaviors. Honor was their life and they would as soon embrace death than be dishonored. The best of the

KATANA were produced during the Kamakura period. The Bushi's demand for dependable weapons of the highest quality produced

KATANA of unrivalled perfection during the period. Today these KATANA still exist primarily due to the selfless dedication of

scholars and artisan who had dedicated their life towards the preservation and studies of these weapons. The KATANA in fact has a

very simple structure. But it is this very simplicity that has made it a reliable and lethal weapon to its master and has produced for

it a sense of unrivalled beauty and dignity. It was inevitable that frequent warfare and feuds awakened desires for peace amongst

the people. These desires were like fertile grounds for religous and cultural endevours. The Zen sect Rinzai-Shu and Soto-hu,

introduced by Eisai and Dogen respectively, the "Zazen"(an exercise in sitting contemplation) to obtain spiritual awakening came

widely accepted as counter balance to the Bushi quality of austere simplicity, rusticity, and dominating physical constitutions.

A special room in a traditional Japanese home where the KATANA and the KABUTO are displayed. The room is a place of honor where only distinguished guests are entertained. Amongst other items displayed are or calligraphy above the KATANA, the "Ikebana" (flower arrangement) scroll and a small wooden cabinet.	YAMADA Seijiro has been sponsoring the Sword study of "Chuo Token kai" in his Dojo at his 180 year old residence. The next meeting held in Chichibu will be its 940th meeting.

The tea introduced by Yousai and developed under the influence of Zen Buddhism was later followed by the formalities and manners that regulated the daily life of the Bushi. The tea ceremony or "Chanoyu" established by Sen-No-Rikyu in Momoyama culture at the end of the 16th Century were all part of an ongoing social and cultural evolution of feudal Japan in which the KATANA always held a place of intrinsic importance. The Meiji Restoration of 1867 banned possession of KATANA as arms except only to certain privileged class. Since then, only the KATANA which were in superb condition and of excellent quality have been preserved as national treasures. The preservation of these weapons were attributed to a few dedicated professionals and craftsmen. Amongst the best of these was the Rev.Yamada Eyi Tansetu.

The Rev.Yamada Tansetu(1912-1974) was a Zen priest, a KATANA scholar and a Master craftsman in the art of preserving and sharpening the KATANA. He had devoted his entire life to ensuring that this precious Japanese legacy would never be lost to future generations. He believed that if KATANA is left to inexperienced hands for sharpening or for removing blemishes from the surface, the KATANA may lose its fine qualities and its originality will be compromised. The loss will be irrevocable. The art of preserving the Katana therefore became an obsession for Rev. Yamada and turned into his life long work, and his boundless passion are reflected in all of his literary works("The Japanese Swords" Series1-5 etc.). As a priest the Rev. is a gentle person and his passion for the study of the KATANA must appear strange at first but, in one of his works, the Rev. explained that "an allegiance to the KATANA is not to allow yourself to be used by the KATANA which itself is a lethal weapon made to hurt." The above philosophy is also clearly reflected in Aikido when O-Sensei said that "the object of Aikido is to be victorious without fighting." As part of this efforts he established "Chuo Token Kai"-a Society dedicated to The Study of the Japanese swords.

The society was closed during the Second World War but was fortunately revived in postwar Japan at his residence in Tokyo, 1947. To Rev. Tansetu, it is an obligation of mankind to pass on these rare treasures to the next generation. "Chuo Token Kai"has attracted many stinguished persons throughout Japan. H.Somemiya (Aikikai Hombu Shihan) whose dedication to Aikido Society is well known worldwide is one such member.During his lifetime Rev. Tansetu received many requests from distinguished personalities to care and maintain and preserve precious ancient KATANA. Aikido Second Doshu, The late Kisshomaru Ueshiba, who inherited O-Sensei's KATANA headed the list of prominent Aikidokas who entrusted the care of his KATANA to the Rev. The other include Shihans Chiba, Kanai, Shibata of USA, and Fujita Shihan of Hombu Dojo.
Upon the death of Rev. Tansetu, his second son, Yamada Seijiro inherited the proud family tradition of sword preservation and
succeeded to leadership of the "Chuo Token Kai" whilst his elder son Jun Yamada - Aikido Shihan - has been living in
Malaysia to teach Aikido.

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