Aikido School of Excellence

Atemi waza – Centreline strikes and shomenuchi

atemiDirect strikes to the forehead (shomenuchi) are a common form of striking technique (atemi) in Aikido practice.  However, while there are a variety of effective ways to deal with these types of attacks, none include “blocking” the attack with the same attack.

Blocking a shomenuchi with a shomenuchi places the nage in a shomenuchi-ikkyo-2significantly disadvantaged position as it is very difficult to break the uke’s balance (kuzushi) at first contact. This is due to the fact that the uke started their strike first and in all probability is going to be in the best strategic position (see photo to left). This is particularly so if they are centred, have the size advantage or  armed with a weapon.

atemi shomen 2 (2)An alternate (albeit not the only) option to address a shomenuchi is to enter and strike the centreline of the uke‘s undefended torso (see photo to left).  Key aspects of this option are explored in the below video featuring Peter Kelly Sensei, Chief Instructor of Aikido Yuishinkai Australia.

 

 

OsenseiNotably, in O’sensei’s text Budo (1936) there are numerous examples where O’sensei essentially initiates a strike to cause the uke to defend themselves by using shomenuchi.  This however is a ruse to set up O’Sensei’s true objective which is to strike the uke‘s centre line as the precursor to executing a technique.  Examples where this tactic is used include shomenuchi irimi nage, shomenuchi ikkyo (illustrated in photo above) , shomenuchi kotegeashi and katadori menuchi techniques.

Have a great week, particularly those travelling to this year’s annual Aikido Yuishinkai seminar with Maruyama Sensei in Hobart (25-29 November 2015).

Ian Grant
Head Instructor
Aikido Warrior Dojo, Brisbane

 

Taninzugake demonstration: Katate dori

Peter KellyIn the below video, Peter Kelly Sensei, Chief Instructor, Aikido Yuishinkai Australia, gives a demonstration of taninzugake.

In our School, taninzugake (or free form practice) is commonly practiced at the end of each class.  This type of practice allows the nage to respond to the selected attack type by using any technique they so choose.  The attack type in the video is katate dori, which is a single wrist grab.

Katate dori taninzugake forms part of the Aikido Yuishinkai grading syllabus for 1st kyu (brown belt) gradings.

Have a great week

Ian Grant
Head Instructor
Aikido Warrior Dojo

 

 

 

Training Notes: Yokomenuchi kokyu nage

Yokomenuchi kokyu nage 3In the below video Master Koretoshi Maruyama, Founder of Aikido Yuishinkai, demonstrates and provides instruction on the Aikido technique, yokomenuchi kokyu nage (irimi), as is practiced in our school.

The technique is performed as a response to a yokomenuchi strike, which is a side blow to the head.

Yokomenuchi kokyu nage is a particular useful technique for developing fundamental skills in timing, entering and directly meeting an attack without clashing.  We have also found at the dojo that with slight modifications, yokomenuchi kokyu nage (irimi) can be used to effectively deal with non-traditional strikes, including for example a hook punch.

 

ADDITIONAL NOTES

  • Origins of technique

Yokomenuchi kokyu nage (irimi) has a long history in Aikido. The technique appears as technique number 42 in O’sensei‘s first technical manual “Budo Renshu” (1934).  The notable difference in this early version is that the nage cuts down through the uke‘s neck and also cuts down and then hold’s the wrist of the uke’s attacking arm.  (See O’sensei‘s drawings below).

However, the kokyu ho principles necessary to effectively apply the technique remain the same.

Drawing (1) No 42

Drawing 2 no 42

 

 

 

 

 

 

Kokyu nage - OsenseiIn O’sensei’s 2nd manual “Budo” (1938) the roles of nage and uke for the technique are described as follows:

“Uke: Deliver a yokomen strike with your right hand.  “Tori (i.e. nage): Step forward on your left foot and use your left te gatana (i.e. hand sword) to neutralise your opponent’s attack, simultaneously striking his face  (and down him).”

 

  • Kokyu ho principles underpinning technique

Kokyu ho exercises are something that we do a lot of at our dojo as a means of developing internal strength in our techniques.  Kokyu ho exercises were the traditional method used by O’sensei to develop “ki power” in his Aikido.

In the below video, Morihei Saito Sensei demonstrates and explains the kokyu ho exercise relevant to yokomenuchi kokyu nage (irimi).

 

 

Ian Grant
Head Instructor
Aikido Warrior Dojo, Brisbane

 

 

Taninzugake demonstration (2): Ushiro tekubidori

In the below video, Peter Kelly Sensei, Chief Instructor, Aikido Yuishinkai Australia, gives a demonstration of ushiro tekubidori taninzugake.

In our School, taninzugake (or free form practice) is commonly practiced at the end of each class.  This type of practice allows the nage to respond to the selected attack type by using any technique they so choose.  The attack type in the video is ushiro tekubidori , which is 2 wrists held from behind.

Ushiro tekubidori taninzugake forms part of the Aikido Yuishinkai grading syllabus for 1st kyu (brown belt) gradings.

Have a great week

Ian Grant
Head Instructor
Aikido Warrior Dojo

Taninzugake demonstration (1): Yokomenuchi

In the below video, Peter Kelly Sensei, Chief Instructor, Aikido Yuishinkai Australia, gives a demonstration of yokomenuchi taninzugake.

In our School, taninzugake (or free form practice) is commonly practiced at the end of each class.  This type of practice allows the nage to respond to the selected attack type by using any technique they so choose.  The attack type in the video is yokomenuchi, which is a side blow to the head.

Yokomenuchi taninzugake forms part of the Aikido Yuishinkai grading syllabus for 1st kyu (brown belt) and dan (black belt) gradings. 

Have a great week

Ian Grant
Head Instructor
Aikido Warrior Dojo