Aikido training

Training notes: Yokomenuchi kotegaeshi

Yokomenuchi kotegaeshi is an Aikido technique which uses an outward wrist turn (kotegaeshi) as a defence against a strike to the side of the head (yokomenuchi).

In the below video Morihiro Saito Sensei (1928-2002) provides instruction on yokomenuchi kotegaeshi as practised by O’Sensei (the Founder of Aikido) in the post-war period of his life.

ADDITIONAL NOTES

Initial set up – technical notes

Additional technical instruction (1) – Kumitachi – Saito Sensei

In the below video, Saito Sensei explains the sword movement underpinning yokomenuchi kotegaeshi.

Technical instruction (2) – Tanto – Saito Sensei

In the below video, Saito Sensei demonstrates and explains yokomenuchi kotegaeshi in the situation where the uke is attacks with a knife (tanto).

Alternate application (1) – Yoshimitsu Yamada Sensei

In the below video Yoshimitsu Yamada Sensei provides instruction on alternate versions of yokomenuchi kotegaeshi.

Alternate Application 2 – Andy Sato Sensei

Kuzushi at first contact

Like all Aikido techniques, it is essential the nage take the uke‘s balance at first contact (ie with the initial 2 handed cut). Failure to do this will allow the uke to counter the technique and undertake a follow up attack (eg. a strike or grapple).

Option for standing pin

Yokomenuchi kotegaeshi – Zagi waza

In the below photos O’sensei demonstrates the application of yokomenuchi kotegaeshi where the nage and uke are both on their knees. This is referred to as zagi waza or suwari waza, depending on the school of Aikido.

Brief Biography – Morihiro Saito Sensei (1928-2002)

Morihiro Saito Sensei’s practice of Aikido spanned 56 years and he is one of the most important teachers in Aikido history. Saito Sensei was a live-in student of O’sensei for more than 20 years at his home dojo in Iwama, Japan.

Saito Sensei spent his teaching life dedicated to preserving the technical style of Aikido as practised and shown to him by O’sensei in the post-war period. Without his commitment to preserving the Aikido of the Founder and extensive efforts to record and document his teachings, much of the Aikido of O’sensei would have no doubt been lost. The Aikido world owes him a great debt.

Ian Grant
Dojo Cho
Aikido Warrior Dojo

Training notes: Munadori juji nage

In the below video, Morihiro Saito Sensei (9th Dan) demonstrates 2 versions of the Aikido technique juji nage (crossed arms throw) in response to a front lapel grab (munedori).

ADDITIONAL NOTES

Hand position (standard version)

Munadori juji nage – London Aikido Club

In the below video Sensei Andy Hathaway of the London Aikido Club demonstrates and discusses important aiki training points for Munadori juji nage, including use of the hips, shifting weight, breaking the munadori grip and atemi opportunities.

Munadori juji nage – kokyu ho variation

In this second video by the London Aikido Club, Sensei Andy Hathaway teaches a variation of Munadori juji nage based on traditional kokyu ho principles for dealing with munadori attacks.

Munadori juji nage – Suwari waza

In the below munadori juji nage is demonstrated with both the nage and uke facing each other while on their knees. This is referred to a zagi waza or suwari waza, depending on the Aikido style.

The kneeling version of munedori juji nage has a long history in Aikido. It dates back to the 1930’s and is included in both of O’Sensei’s technical manuals from that period.

In O’sensei’s 1938 demonstration the uke is pinned with one hand thereby allowing O’Sensei the option of applying an additional atemi to the uke‘s torso. It also places the nage in the more advantageous position to deal with additional attackers if need be.

Have a great week

Ian Grant
Dojo Cho
Aikido Warrior Dojo

Jo dori and jo nage – O’sensei style

Training in the use of a wooden staff (a jo) for self defence purposes (jo nage) is an integral part of the syllabus for most schools of Aikido. Aikido practice also typically includes training in disarming techniques (called jo dori or jo tori) where the attacker (uke) is the one armed with the jo.

Interestingly, O’Sensei’s technical manuals do not refer to jo nage or jo tori. However, the 1936 manual Budo does include broadly comparable weapons such as the bayonet and spear. Those of us interested in O’sensei’s approach to jo nage and jo tori fortunately have access to the extensively recorded works of Morihiro Saito Sensei (9th Dan). Saito Sensei (1928 -2002) dedicated his life to preserving O’Sensei’s Aikido as taught to him (much of it as a one on one student) over a 23 year period in Iwama, Japan.

In the below video recorded in 1986 and made publicly available by Aikido Journal, Saito Sensei Sensei provides detailed instruction on jo nage and jo dori as directly taught to him by the Founder of Aikido. The instruction covers a wide variety of techniques (with a heavy emphasis on kokyu ho forms). As is typical of Saito Sensei, his instruction is candid, insightful and martially focussed. Some of the key differences between the Aikido practised by its creator and later ‘less -martial” incantations are also touched on.

Have a great weekend

Ian Grant
Dojo Cho
Aikido Warrior Dojo

Atemi waza – Centreline strikes and shomenuchi

Direct 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 significantly 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.

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.

Notably, 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

Training notes: Yokomenuchi gokyo

In the below video Yoshimitsu Yamada Sensei (8th Dan Aikikai) demonstrates and provides instruction for the Aikido technique gokyo (No 5 wrist technique).

The instruction shows how to use gokyo to defend against a knife attack where the uke thrusts the knife to the side of the nage’s neck while holding it in the same way as an ice pick (yokomenuchi sakate mocha). The instruction (other than the pin) is equally applicable to addressing a standard yokomenuchi attack where the uke is unarmed.

ADDITIONAL NOTES

Alternate standing pin and disarm

Kneeling pin if there is no weapon

Alternate entry if uke attacks with shomenuchi strike to forehead

Aikido Yuishinkai version

Have a great week

Ian Grant
Dojo Cho
Aikido Warrior Dojo, Brisbane