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Looking back to look forward – Exploring Aikido’s roots

Master Morihei Ueshiba (O’sensei), the Founder of Aikido, authored 3 instructional manuals in his lifetime. The first “Budo Training in Aikido” (originally called “Budo Renshu“) was published in 1933.

“Budo Renshu” contains 166 techniques, all of which are accompanied by hand drawings and training notes. The techniques in the manual represent an interesting blend of Daito Ryu and what would become to be known as Aiki Budo (and then later Aikido).

In the below video, Dojo senior Jeremy Gehrke draws on his studies of Aikido and Daito Ryu to demonstrate some of the techniques found in Budo Renshu and some of their extended applications. Please note the demonstrations are informal only and done with minimal planning or preparation.

Ian Grant
Head Instructor
Aikido Warrior Dojo

Striking options in Aikido practice

Striking arts (atemi) are an integral part of aikido practice. It is often stated that as much as 70% of Aikido is about atemi. Some sources suggest that this percentage should be more like 90%.

While atemi waza can be an end in itself, it is also used in Aikido to do any or all of the following:

setting up a technique by taking the nage’s balance; or
diverting the uke’s attention; or
completing a technique.

In the below videos, Morihiro Saito Sensei (1928-2002) demonstrates some of the striking options practised by Master Morihei Ueshiba (the Founder of Aikido) in the post war period of his training. Consistent with our commitment to study the Aikido of the Founder, the demonstrated striking options form an important part of the training that we undertake at the dojo.

For ease of reference, the videos are arranged based on classification of technique.

ATEMI OPTIONS

Atemi waza – Irimi nage

Atemi waza – Kokyu nage

Atemi waza – Kotegeashi

Atemi waza – Nikyo

Atemi waza – Shiho nage

Have a great weekend

Ian Grant
Head Instructor
Aikido Warrior Dojo

Katate kosadori kokyu nage – Aikido Yuishinkai

In the below video Koretoshi Maruyama Sensei demonstrates and provides instruction for the Aikido technique katate kosadori kokyu nage as practised in Aikido Yuishinkai. The technique is categorised as a “breath throw” (kokyu nage) and is trained from a traditional attack in the form of a cross-hand grab (katate kosadori).

Katate kosadori kokyu nage has a long history in Aikido practice. There are numerous recordings dating as far back as the 1930’s of the Founder of Aikido (Master Morihei Uesiba) demonstrating the technique.

ADDITIONAL NOTES

Katate kosadori kokyu nage – No touch variation

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

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.

Katate kosadori kokyu nage – Basic levels

The above video demonstrates and provides instruction for katate kosadori kokyu nage as practised at ryutai or free flowing level. However, it is often difficult for students to initially practice a technique at this level.

To assist students to learn the basic shapes and principles for free flowing practice, preliminary exercises are practised which in essence are simplified versions of the flowing technique. They are also practised static and cooperatively. These learning exercises are referred to as practising a technique at kotai and juntai levels. It is emphasised that these levels of practice are only exercises to learn principles applicable to Aikido practice, they are not Aikido techniques.

In the below video Maruyama Sensei provides detailed instruction for katate kosadori kokyu nage at both kotai and juntai level.

All the best

Ian Grant
Dojo Cho
Aikido Warrior Dojo

Exercise – Forward rolls and learning to relax

For many beginners to Aikido, learning to forward roll is one of the most challenging and frustrating parts of Aikido training. Further, once the mechanical skills of rolling are learnt, first from a kneeling position and then from a solo standing position, the next challenge is to learn to relax when rolling. The more one relaxes the easier rolling is to do. The lumps and bumps that also come with learning this skill also quickly disappear.

In the below video Master Koretoshi Maruyama, Founder of Aikido Yuishinkai, demonstrates a fun way to learn to relax when solo forward rolling. Essentially, it involves the practitioner pretending to stumble and walk around relaxed (as if drunk) prior to executing the roll.

As bizarre as it may seem, this exercise actually works. In fact, at our dojo the exercise is done as part of our regular solo ukemi practice at the beginning of each class and has proven beneficial to both seniors and newcomers in developing relaxation in not only forward rolling but also other forms of ukemi (e.g. backward rolling and opposite leg rolling).

Needless to say this exercise should never be practised by people actually under the influence of alcohol or drugs.

ADDITIONALO NOTES

Other ukemi articles and video

See: Video library: Falling and uke arts

Maruyama Sensei’s comments on receiving ukemi from O’sensei

“After I became a full-time instructor in 1967, Ueshiba Sensei used me as his uke. As a deshi (student), it was important to take ukemi. One deshi didn’t know how to take ukemi from O-Sensei and went down with a bang. I already knew that Ueshiba Sensei used ki. I wondered, “How to take ukemi from O-Sensei?” So I decided to extend ki to him. He said, “Come, Maruyama!”, and I attacked him.

After taking ukemi from him, Ueshiba Sensei looked at me, and said, “Good ukemi!” He then asked what rank I held and I told him I was a 5th dan. He gave me a 6th dan and told me to go to the office to get the certificate! I thanked him but I never picked up my certificate. However, I had learnt an important lesson, “Extend ki to your opponent!””

Source: http://www.shinsei-dojo.co.uk/koretoshi-maruyama-sensei

Have a great weekend

Ian Grant
Head Instructor
Aikido Warrior Dojo

Training notes: Morotedori irimi nage

Irimi nage (or entering throw) is a technique unique to Aikido. Irimi means to enter physically and spiritually into an attack while simultaneously sidestepping it.

In the below video Morihiro Saito Sensei (1928-2002) provides instruction on an application of irimi nage used to address a traditional attack in the form of a 2 hand grab on the nage’s arm (morotedori sometimes also called ryotemochi). This particular application was practised by O’Sensei (the Founder of Aikido) in the immediate post-war period of his life.

ADDITIONAL NOTES

Option for atemi (strike)

Morotedori irimi nage – Yoshimitsu Yamada Sensei

In the below video Yoshimitsu Yamada Sensei (8th Dan Aikikai) demonstrates and provides instruction for morotedori irimi nage.

Other Morotedori techniques

See – Video library: Unarmed arts by attack type.

Have a great week

Ian Grant
Head Instructor
Aikido Warrior Dojo, Brisbane