How to hold a Bokken

[sirdarksol]

Suburi (the martial art of bokken use) is far too complex to be imparted over a forum, but some basic concepts can be explained, and I'll be putting them out here over the coming months.
Most of this is information that I have picked up from various books, a bit is from conversations with other martial artists.

The first thing to understand is that the weapon is not to be clutched. Rather, it is to be cradled. The pinkies truly grip the hilt, the ring fingers a bit less, the middle finger less than that, while the index finger is barely even touching the hilt.
The right hand is held just under where "blade" meets hilt, while the left is held toward the bottom. Some styles actually have the pinky of the left hand curled under the butt end of the hilt.
The index finger of the right hand points out, along the direction the blade faces. When the index finger is held properly, the weapon immediately feels more like an extension of the body. This is the best way I can describe it. Once you feel it, you will know what I'm talking about.

It cannot be stressed enough, however, that the bokken should only lightly be held. When swinging the weapon, the right hand can actually let go of the weapon, with only the palm and bases of the fingers guiding it toward its destination.