Aiki-Buken
By Kuseru
Entrance Requirements: Limited to those of Honorable Alignments. Minimum Attributes include P.S. : 10 and P.P.: 10.
Skill Cost: 12 Years (10 Years as a Secondary Martial Art Style).

Aiki-Buken is the short name for the Japanese martial art style Aikido & Aikibujutsu Tanren Kenkukai, which means "Applied Aiki-Based Martial Systems Research Organization." This style was created in 1980 by So-Shihan Obata Toshishiro. Aikido is used to reflect the modern methods created by Ueshiba Morihei. Aikibujutsu refers to the older style of martial art. Tanren is the sword forging process, where the blade is hammered and folded, to remove impurities and strengthen the blade. Kenkukai is a society or research organization. This style is primarily influenced by Yoshinkan Aikido.

Extensive ashisabaki (footwork), jiyuwaza (single and multiple person free sparring), kumite (paired exercises), and taisabaki (body movement) training is supplemented with bojutsu (staff techniques), Edo torimonojutsu (arresting methods from the Edo period), jo-kumite (short staff sparring), tantojutsu (knife techniques), te-hodoki (unbinding methods), and torite (arresting techniques). Three main areas of study are used to apply goshinjutsu (self-defense) and taihojutsu (arresting techniques) in Aiki-Buken; Aikibujutsu, Aikido, and Edo torimonojutsu. Aikibujutsu techniques include bukiwaza (weapon techniques) and taijutsu (empty hand techniques). Aikibujutsu taijutsu training includes aikidowaza (basic aikido techniques), kaeshiwaza (reversal techniques), renzoku nagewaza (combined throwing techniques), tehodokiwaza (hold reversals, consisting of controles, locking, and throwing), and toritewaza (arresting techniques; atemi, controls, and locks). Aikibujutsu bukiwaza training includes bojutsu (six foot staff techniques), bokutowaza (bokuto techniques), jojutsu (short staff techniques), keibojutsu (short stick techniques), and tantojutsu (knife techniques). The aikibujutsu training curriculum stresses taking advantange of an opponent's flow of strength, rather than power, allowing the practitioner to break the opponent's balance to apply a particular technique. Suwariwaza (kneeling techniques) are not stressed in this school. Mutodori (unarmed practice against the sword) training is also conducted.

Training stresses strong and effective application of techniques. Initial techniques include juho (flexible methods), ryuho (flowing methods), and ukemi (breakfalls). The goho (hard methods) of aikibujutsu and Edo torimonojutsu are taught later. Training is conducted with partners, against opponents, and solo to facilitate adaptability to real life situations.

Costume: The primary costume in Aiki-Buken is the aikido-gi. The aikido-gi is composed of the Keiko gi/do gi/gi or Practice uniform. This is further supplemented through wearing Hakama (a Split skirt/wide legged pants). Additional costume features include a Tenugui (small hand cloth to wipe face which is also worn under the helmet in sword practice), Uwa gi (practice top), Obi (typically white or black belt), and Tabi (split-toed sock-slippers) for wear inside the dojo and Zori (sandals) for use outside the dojo.
Stance: Shizentai Gamae, a natural stance that can be facing either right or left. In right stance, the feet are a shoulder's width apart, right foot facing forward, left foot pointing left, right arm loosely extended at chest level, left arm a hand's width from the body, hands extended loosely with all fingers separated.
CHARACTER BONUSES
Add +1 to P.S.
Add +1 to P.P.
Add +1 to P.E.
COMBAT SKILLS
Attacks per Melee: 2
Escape Moves: Maintain Balance, Roll with Punch/Fall/Impact.
Attack Moves: None.
Basic Defense Moves: Automatic Parry, Dodge, Entangle, Parry.
Advanced Defense Moves: Breakfall, Combination Parry/Lock, Disarm, Multiple Dodge.
Hand Attacks: Fingertip Attack, Fore-Knuckle Fist, Punch (Human Fist).
Basic Foot Attacks: Backward Sweep, Kick Attack, Tripping/Leg Hook.
Jumping Foot Attacks: None.
Special Attacks: Automatic Flip/Throw, Hand Throw (New!), Choke, Combination Grab/Face Punch (New!), Critical Flip/Throw.
Holds/Locks: Automatic Finger Lock, Automatic Wrist Lock, Automatic Elbow Lock.
Weapon Kata (Pick Two): W.P. Bo (Staff), W.P. Bokken (Blunt), W.P. Jo (Staff), W.P. Keibo (Blunt), W.P. Tanto (Knife).
Modifiers to Attacks: Critical Strike.
SKILLS INCLUDED IN TRAINING
Martial Art Powers: Select a total of TWO (2) Martial Art Powers from among Atemi, Body Hardening Exercises, and Martial Art Techniques. If desired, any number of Martial Art Powers can be traded, on a one-for-one basis, for Basic Skill Programs (excluding Physical).
Languages: Japanese.
Weapon Proficiencies: W.P. Bo (Staff), W.P. Bokken (Blunt), W.P. Jo (Staff), W.P. Keibo (Blunt), W.P. Tanto (Knife).
Philosophical Training: The philosophical training of Aiki-Buken stresses two areas of mental and spiritual training. Kuyo Junikun is twelve important philosophies applied to daily life and martial study. Hachido teaches moralistic social interaction, stressing bushido-damashi (warrior spirit) as well as reiho (manners).
If this is your Primary Martial Art then the following other styles can be learned in a shorter time: Shinkendo (5 Years), Tankendo/Jukendo (3 Years), Toyama Ryu (4 Years), Yoshinkan Aikido (5 Years).
LEVEL ADVANCEMENT BONUSES
1st: +1 to Strike, +1 to Roll with Punch/Fall/Impact, +1 to Disarm.
2nd: +1 to Parry/Dodge, +2 to Body Flip/Throw (includes all throws).
3rd: +1 Attack per Melee, +1 to Breakfall.
4th: Select One (1) Additional Martial Art Power from Atemi, Body Hardening Exercises, or Martial Art Techniques.
5th: +1 to Roll with Punch/Fall/Impact, Knockout/Stun on a Natural 19 or 20.
6th: +1 Attack per Melee, +1 to Breakfall.
7th: +1 to Strike, +2 to Parry, +1 to Disarm.
8th: Select One (1) Additional Martial Art Power from Atemi, Body Hardening Exercises, or Martial Art Techniques.
9th: +1 Attack per Melee, +1 to Disarm.
10th: +1 to Roll with Punch/Fall/Impact, Critical Strike on a Natural 19 or 20.
11th: +2 to Body Flip/Throw (includes all throws)(Throws do an extra die of damage for a total of two dice of damage).
12th: Select One (1) Additional Martial Art Power from Atemi, Body Hardening Exercises, or Martial Art Techniques.
13th: +1 to Disarm, +1 to Breakfall.
14th: +2 to Body Flip/Throw (includes all throws)(Throws do an extra die of damage for a total of three dice of damage).
15th: +1 Attack per Melee, Critical Body Flip/Throw on a Natural 18, 19, or 20.
Why Study Aiki-Buken?
A self-defense art that's good against an unlimited number of Multiple Attackers, can operate in Close Combat or Long-Range, and comes with a fair number of weapon skills.