The tessen 鉄扇 in Moriheis hands

The present video is property of Tsunemori Dojo Napoli Please subscribe to their channel    / @tsunemorinodojonapoli8120   The tessen (鉄扇 in Moriheis hands is a Sword, a Baton, a Prayer, a Compass and a Mirror of the cosmos. Ō-Sensei Morihei Ueshiba did not use the tessen (iron fan) as a separate weapon system, but as an extension of Aikido’s core principles—center, breath, and harmony. In the archival footage, the fan functions at multiple levels: when closed, it becomes a compact striking and controlling tool, used for subtle atemi, joint manipulation, and entering movements that mirror sword lines; when opened, it shifts into a symbolic and spatial instrument, marking direction, intention, and purification through gestures aligned with Shinto cosmology and misogi practice. The tessen replaces the sword without imitating violence, embodying restraint, precision, and non-lethality while preserving martial integrity. Ō-Sensei’s movements with the fan are inseparable from prayer, breath, and alignment with heaven and earth, revealing his belief that true budō is not combat technique but a living act of purification. In this way, the tessen becomes sword, ritual implement, and spiritual compass at once—an expression of Aikido as a complete path rather than a mere fighting method. To understand Ō-Sensei’s tessen is to understand that Aikido was never meant to be empty-hand only — it was always a total way of being. #植芝盛平 #合気道 #鉄扇 #武道 #武道精神 #神道 #禊 #合気 #日本武術 #道の思想 #aikido #osensei #moriheiueshiba #tessen #ironfan #japanesemartialarts #budo #aikidoweapons #aikidohistory #martialartshistory #traditionalbudo #shintopractice #misogi #spiritualmartialarts #classicaljapan #samuraiculture #martialphilosophy #internalpower #movementasprayer #budoispeace