Aiki-ken

Aiki-ken (Kanji: 合気剣 Hiragana: あいきけん) is the name given specifically to the set of Japanese sword techniques practiced according to the principles of aikido, taught first by Morihei Ueshiba (aikido's founder), then further developed by Morihiro Saito, one of Ueshiba's most prominent students.

It is well documented that Ueshiba studied several different styles of kenjutsu (Japanese swordsmanship), but the aiki-ken techniques are predominantly based upon the teachings of the Kashima Shintō-ryu.

Saito codified two sets of techniques, the first being seven suburi (solo cutting exercises), and the second being five partnered forms.

Some dojo also practice jiyu-waza armed with bokken (freestyle technique, without a predetermined form of attack and response).

Suburi (素振り:すぶり), meaning "practice-swinging", is used to refer to the basic solo movements of aiki-ken, developed as a distillation of the partnered practice.