Aikido training

Budo (1938) – Tachi dori shomenuchi kokyu nage

In 1938 Master Morihei Ueshiba, the Founder of Aikido, finalised the 2nd of his 3 technical texts. Simply titled “Budo“, the text contains a sampling of techniques from a wide range of attacks, including grabs, strikes and attacks from different weapons.

“Budo” is an important reference point for our practice at Aikido Warrior Dojo. The techniques and principles referred to therein are regularly practised.

Interestingly, the Founder only included 3 tachi dori techniques in his 2nd text. Further, 2 of the 3 techniques are variations of tachi dori shomenuchi kokyu nage. In the first version (Technique 28) the nage enters to the uke’s right and in the second (Technique 29) enters to the uke‘s left. Notably, in both techniques the Founder always enters on the same side as his forward foot (thereby ensuring he does not move under the vertically cutting blade).

The below videos feature photographic demonstrations of both versions of bokken tori shomenuchi kokyu nage as they appear in “Budo”. Also included are demonstrations of the techniques by Morihiro Saito Sensei who was a direct student of the Founder for more than 20 years.

Bokken tori shomenuchi kokyu nage (Technique 28)

Bokken tori shomenuchi kokyu nage (Technique 29)

For comparative purposes, the following video includes both the pre-war (Budo) version of the subject technique and also the post war version. Both versions are practised at our dojo.

Have a great week.

Ian Grant
Dojo Cho
Aikido Warrior Dojo

Budo (1938) – Tanto dori shomenuchi gokyo

The below video features photographic demonstrations of tanto tori shomenuchi gokyo as they appear in “Budo“. Also included is a demonstration of the technique by Morihiro Saito Sensei who was a direct student of the Founder for more than 20 years.

ADDITIONAL NOTES

More detailed explanation

In the below video, Sensei Andy Hathaway of the London Aikido Club gives a more detailed explanation of the traditional form for tanto tori shomenuchi gokyo. Of note, the term “rokkyo” is labelled on the video – this may be a mistake or merely a different descriptor used by the School. Regardless of the label, the instruction appears to be quite similar to the “Budo” version of tanto tori shomenuchi gokyo.

Contemporary version of shomenuchi gokyo

In the below video clip, Mike Jones Sensei from NY Aiki kai demonstrates a contemporary version of tanto tori shomenuchi gokyo. Also included in the demonstration is instruction on how to take the knife from the uke following the pin.

Alternate standing pin and disarm

Have a great week.

Ian Grant
Head Instructor
Aikido Warrior Dojo

Training notes: Katatedori irimi nage

Notably the first complete technique referred to in “Budo” is katatedori irimi nage. Its early placement in the text and the level of explanation that is given suggests the importance that the Founder placed on this technique. This is further supported by its inclusion in the Founder’s 3rd technical text (“Maki no ichi”) from the early 1950’s where again it is covered in detail relative to other techniques in that text.

The below video features photographic demonstrations of katatedori irimi nage as they appear in “Budo“. Also included is a demonstration of the technique by Morihiro Saito Sensei who was a direct student of the Founder for more than 20 years.

ADDITIONAL NOTES

Description of technique in “Budo” (Drawings from “Maki no ichi”)

Uke – “Grab partner’s left wrist with your tight hand”

(2) Nage – “Put strength into your fingertips of your left hand, turn the palm of hand upward, slide forward diagonally and enter deeply to your partner’s right.

Remain aware of attacks from the rear”

(3) Nage – “Grab your partner’s right wrist from underneath with your right hand, release his grip and strike his face.”

(4) Nage – “Slide in further, grab his collar (or pin his hips against your body), step forward on your right foot bringing your partner’s arm around his neck and then down him.

During this last part of the technique it is vital to put strength in your finger tips of your right hand and bring your arm down to the inside.”

Katate dori irimi nage – Post war forms

In the below video Morihiro Saito Sensei (1928-2002) demonstrates the 3 versions of katatadori irimi nage nage practised by O’Sensei (the Founder of Aikido) in the immediate post-war period of his life.

Katate dori irimi nage – Aikido Yuishinkai version

In the below video Peter Kelly Sensei, International Instructor, Aikido Yuishinkai provides instruction on an alternate version of katate dori irimi nage. The video was recorded at our dojo in 2015.

Have a great week

Ian Grant
Dojo Cho
Aikido Warrior Dojo

Training notes – Shomenuchi koshi nage (shiho nage form)

One of our favourite throws to practice at the dojo is koshi nage (hip throw). Koshi nage can be applied in response to a wide variety of attacks, incuding where the uke attacks the nage by executing a downward strike to to the temple (shomenuchi).

In the below video Morihiro Saito Sensei (1928-2002) provides instruction on one of the traditional forms of shomenuchi koshi nage as practised by O’Sensei (the Founder of Aikido) in the immediate post-war period of his life. In this particular form the entry is the same as if executing a shomenuchi shiho nage (4 directions throw). For further information on the life of Saito Sensei and his unique access to the Founder of Aikido see the Additional Notes section below.

ADDITIONAL NOTES

Learning how safely receive a hip throw

In the below video seniors at our dojo explore the learning progression to safely receive a koshi nage technique.

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.

Have a great week

Ian Grant
Head Dojo Instructor
Aikido Warrior Dojo

Training notes: Munetsuki kokyu nage

Traditionally kokyo ho (breath power) techniques were considered to contain the secret of true power in Aikido and were never taught publicly. The Founder of Aikido, Master Morihei Ueshiba, included kokyu ho training in all his classes – a tradition that we also follow in our dojo.

In the below video, Aikido Warrior Dojo seniors are shown practising at ryutai level one of the many variations of munetsuki kokyu nage that are practised in our school. Also included is recent footage of the Founder of Aikido Yuishinkai, Master Koretoshi Maruyama teaching the reitai level of the technique at a class in Japan.

ADDITIONAL NOTES

Munetesuki kokyu nage – A kokyu ho perspective

In the below video made by the London Aikido Club, munetsuki kokyu nage is examined from a traditional kokyu ho perspective.

The London Aikido Club studies the Aikido of Morihiro Saito Sensei and generously shares many of its teachings on the web. Those interested in the study of traditional Aikido as taught by the Founder in the post war period of his life may wish to check out the London Aikido Club’s You tube channel.

All the best

Ian Grant
Head Instructor
Aikido Warrior Dojo, Brisbane