The origins of aikido are well understood to have been in the weapons arts. By looking first at basic sword practice with a partner we can begin to construct the ikkyo technique. We can then use exactly the same mindset and movements to creat the open hand arts. Along the way we discover that Ikkyo is a useful way to draw your sword when being held and use your drawn sword freely when being held. The origins of ikkyo as a more destructive technique than practiced in the dojo also start to become clear. See aikido yuishinkai ikkyo to look at our schools exploration of the technique.