The Bokken (wooden training sword) is an effective training aid, not only does it develop balance, strong co-ordination of muscle groups, control of breathing, the art of Kenjutsu of which our main katas are taken from, it also provides a student with a totally different angle of approach in their personal training.

The bokken is also used for self-defense as well as violent crimes. It is therefore stereotypically depicted as the weapon of choice for hoodlums in Japan such as the yankii (high school delinquents) and the bosozoku (biker gangs). These type of bokken may be decorated with gang slogans or Chinese characters.

Historically, bokken are as old as Japanese swords, and were used for the training of warriors. Miyamoto Musashi, a kenjutsu master, was renowned for fighting fully armed foes with only one or two bokken. In a famous legend, he defeated Sasaki Kojiro with a bokken he had carved from an oar while traveling on a boat to the predetermined island for the duel.

Bokutō is an imitation Japanese sword, made of wood. It is made for practicing form (形 "Kata") in Japanese martial art (Kenjutsu "剣術") and it's also used for Kendō and Aikidō to practice repetitive, individual, cutting exercises (素振り "Suburi") and form. In Japan, Bokutō is called Bokken occasionally. There are ornamental Bokutō decorated with mother-of-pearl work and carving and also for sale.

 the bokken is used as an inexpensive and relatively safe substitute for a real sword, and is used in training for several martial arts.

Bokken are e.g. used in kendo kata, a form of training to develop technically correct movements.

Suburito are bokken designed for use in suburi. Suburi, literally "bare swinging," are solo cutting exercises. Suburito are thicker and heavier than normal bokken and users of suburito have to develop both strength and technique. Their weight makes them unsuitable for paired practice or kata.