Historically, the majority of bladed weapons were used for military or police interventions. Of course, those who like to walk on the wild side are also using bladed weapons.
While bladed weapons are not allowed to be carried by civilians in most countries, they can carry a walking stick and use it as a weapon if needed.
The Western walking stick or cane became a popular item in Japan at the beginning of the 20th century. Some martial art experts transferred the Western method of using the self-defence “Cane” into a Japanese style of martial art method called “sutekki-jutsu” or “tanjo-jutsu”. The length of a “cane” or “tanjo” is about 3 shaku and the diameter is about 10 bu.
Shaku, sun, and bu are traditional Japanese measures of length, with a shaku measuring approximately one foot. One shaku equals ten suns, and one sun equals ten bu. One bu is equivalent to 3.03022 mm. Today, the shaku-sun-bu unit system is almost exclusively used for old-fashioned measurements such as measuring the length of swords and other traditional weapons, such as the roku-shaku bo.
Shindo Muso Ryu Jo-jutsu, one of the Japanese traditional Jo or staff schools contains a kata or sequence with a walking stick length weapon: Uchida Ryu Tanjo Jutsu
The picture above clearly shows a technique commonly used in Aikido. Of course, the question arises whether we can incorporate the “Shindo Muso Ryu Tanjo-jutsu” kata into our Aikido training.
The Tanjo-jutsu kata is basically a formalized training sequence based on the use of the ‘Jo’, a 4-shaku, 2-sun (about 128cm) staff against a swordsman. Jodo is a specialized martial art that requires many years of training to become proficient in the use of the Jo and other weapons like the tanjo.
Introducing “suteki” into Aikido
There has been a few efforts to incorporate suteki, tanjo, or walking sticks into the practice of Aikido. One of the AikiKai teachers who uses a walking stick as a training tool is Kurowai Yoshio.
Kuroiwa Yoshio was a unique figure within the Aikikai. Although one of the senior postwar shihan, he refused rank past sixth dan. In fact, he simply refused rank all the way up the ladder until Ueshiba Kisshomaru (Nidai Doshu) personally requested that he accept a sixth dan, because dispatching him to teach in dojos without any rank was getting embarrassing. Kuroiwa was provocative, almost rebellious, but he remained within the organization — functioning at times like a grain of sand underneath an otherwise smooth mantle, but otherwise, largely ignored. He was technically original, with an utterly unique style of movement. Had he been a different man, and perhaps, if his health had been better, he could have started his own aikido group independently, like Shioda or Tomiki. Instead, he remained within the fold – but just barely.
In Memory of Kuroiwa Yoshio — 1932- 2010
by Ellis Amdur
The “stick” in Kuroiwa’s method has 2 main applications:
- using the stick as an attacking tool in combination with “atemi” based upon boxing theory
- using the stick to explain “basic techniques”, fundamentally the stick is used to visualise the traject of the movement.
Tambo or short stick
Another type of stick that can be used during Aikido training is the Tambo. The length of the ‘Tambo’ is 1 shaku 2 sun, approximately 37 cm, and is of course too short to use as a walking stick.
Jean Zin’s study with Tadashi Abe, known as a pioneer of Aikido in France, resulted in his writing two books about using a tambo.
Tadashi Abe
| Name | Dimension (Jap) | Dimension (Eur) | Equivalent (bladed) weapon (Eur) |
| Hassaku-bo | 8 shaku | ±240cm | Spear |
| Rokushaku-bo | 6 shaku | ±180cm | Halberd (axe) |
| Jo | 4 shaku 2 sun | ±128cm | Saber sword |
| Ham-bo/Tan-jo | 3 shaku | ±95cm | Saber/Canne |
| Tam-bo/Tant-to | 1 shaku 2 sun or more | ±37cm/±45cm | Dagger |
The wrist movement
Using a stick with wrist movements requires the correct grip. When the thumb is on top of the stick, it serves as a support for wrist movement. The wrist movement is more initiated by squeezing the 3 fingers (little finger, ring, and middle finger) when the thumb is folded. Usually, the thumb will be held in a folded position.
Manipulation of a tambo is almost the same as using a tanjo and a walking stick.
In order to impart the most kinetic energy into the target, you have to hit at a right angle (1). Anything else, the energy will dissipate in different directions.
As usual, every action has 2 sides. When you want to deflect an incoming force with your stick, you must change the angle, there will be a lesser impact (2). The kinetic energy of the attack can be used when you strike or stab the opponent.
Range of efficiency with “suteki”
The range of efficiency is similar to the kind of ranges used in traditional Japanese martial arts The efficiency range is comparable to those used in traditional Japanese martial arts, particularly sword fighting.
Generally speaking, there are three levels of fighting distance: toma, issoku-itto, chikama.
- Toma is the far distance when one’s sword is not touching the opponent’s sword in any way.
- Issoku-itto is the distance from which one can strike correctly with a single large step.
- Chikama is the close distance when the swords are crossed near, but not at, the tsuba.
In reality there is a fourth distance. Tsubazeriai is the extreme close distance when the tsubas are pressed together. You can compare it with clinching in boxing.
Offensive and defensive footwork
Footwork is an important element in training to optimize the efficiency of techniques.
Offensive footwork is mostly done when stepping forward towards the opponent and using an offensive technique, such as striking or stabbing with a stick.
To avoid an incoming attack, defensive footwork is usually done by stepping back with one or both feet. Defensive footwork can be used to practice different types of blocking with a stick. But certainly, defensive footwork can be used to us offensive striking or stabbing.
These are just some basic formats, of course. Various formats can be explored during the training.
The footwork can be practiced using an isolated method. Tomiki’s basic footwork pattern demonstrates both offensive and defensive footwork.
Striking and stabbing
A stick can be used to perform basic arm and hand movements. Tomiki’s Tegatana Dosa is a training method that can be applied with a stick or other weapon.
- Shomen uchi – vertical striking with the weapon
- Shomen tsuki – stabbing with the weapon
- Uchi mawashi – circular inside striking
- Soto mawashi – circular outside striking
- Uchi gaeshi – circular inside blocking
- Soto gaeshi – circular outside blocking
These movements can be practiced in a variety of formats. Here is a sample.
Partner training
This type of training can be done after someone has sufficient skill in manipulating a stick. Different types of training can be used depending on the goal you want to achieve with such training.
Using a ‘chambara’ stick is an ideal method for practicing without the danger of inflicting an injury on the opponent.
Study Group Tomiki Aikido 
Great article and a nice demonstration of the walking stick kata, thanks.
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