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Hitotsu no tachi – Aikido Yuishinkai

In the below video Master Koretoshi Maruyama, Founder of Aikido Yuishinkai, provides instruction for the partnered bokken kata – Hitotsu no tachi as practiced in Aikido Yuishinkai.

Hitotsu no tachi (like all partnered bokken practice in our school) is choreographed with both participants having predetermined movements and roles.

Skills developed through 2 person bokken kata directly transferable to unarmed training include those related to:

blending and parrying;
timing;
using small body movements to generate power and move off-line (this is achieved through correct use of the hips and moving the body as a single entity);
Entering and related footwork; and
Stillness of mind.

The video was recorded in 2012 in Rotterdam as part of an Aikido Yuishinkai International Seminar. It was made available courtesy of Aikido Yuishinkai International Instructor, Martijn van Hemmen Sensei.

Have a great week.

Ian Grant
Head Instructor
Aikido Warrior Dojo

“Four Gods” Bokken Kata – Aikido Yuishinkai

In the below video Master Koretoshi Maruyama, Founder of Aikido Yuishinkai, provides instruction on one of the three major bokken katas practised in Aikido Yuishinkai – “The Four Gods” kata (Shishin no ken).

The video was recorded in 2012 in Rotterdam. In addition to instruction by Maruyama Sensei, it includes a demonstration of the kata by Aikido Yuishinkai International Instructor, Martijn van Hemmen Sensei.

Acknowledgements

I would like to thank Martjin Sensei for both making available and giving me permission to publish his video recordings of the 2012 International Aikido Yuishinkai Seminar.

Have a great long weekend.

Ian Grant
Head Instructor
Aikido Warrior Dojo

Munetsuki kotegaeshi – Aikido Yuishinkai

In the below video Master Koretoshi Maruyama, Founder of Aikido Yuishinkai, demonstrates and provides instruction for the Aikido technique munetsuki kotegaeshi as practised in Aikido Yuishinkai.

Ian Grant
Head Instructor
Aikido Warrior Dojo

Katate kosadori kokyu nage (reitai) – Aikido Yuishinkai

In the below video Master Koretoshi Maruyama, Founder of Aikido Yuishinkai, demonstrates and provides instruction for the Aikido technique katate kosadori kokyu nage (reitai level) as practised in Aikido Yuishinkai.

Katate kosadori kokyu nage is categorised as a “breath throw” (kokyu nage) in Aikido practice and is trained from a traditional attack in the form of a cross-hand grab (katate kosadori).

Training at reitai level is sometimes described as “no touch” Aikido. The difficulty with this descriptor is that it suggests something pseudo mystical is happening which could not be further than the truth. The uke falls without being touched for no other reason than to avoid being “palmed in the face” (for want of a better description) by a centred nage.

ADDITIONAL NOTES

Katate kosadori kokyu nage – Other levels of practice

For training notes on katate kosadori kokyu nage as practised at kotai, juntai and ryutai levels in Aikido Yuishinkai see: Training notes: Katate kosadori kokyu nage.

Have a great week

Ian Grant
Head Instructor
Aikido Warrior Dojo

All the best

Ian Grant
Head Instructor
Aikido Warrior Dojo

Ninindori kokyu nage – Aikido Yuishinkai

Multiple person grabs are a common training tool in Aikido and are have a long tradition in our Budo. The Founder of Aikido (Master Morihei Ueshiba) regularly demonstrated and practised this form of training. There are numerous videos of him doing so, the earliest going back to the 1930’s.

Two person grabs in Aikido practice are typically referred to as ninindori. Ninindori represents the basic form of multiple grab practice. As a student progresses additional attackers can be added to make the exercise more challenging.

In the below video, Master Koretoshi Maruyama, Founder of Aikido Yuishinkai, demonstrates how to use kokyu nage (a “breath throw”) to escape when ukes in ninindori grab each arm of the nage.

All the best

Ian Grant
Head Instructor
Aikido Warrior Dojo