Budo

Training notes: Katatedori irimi 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.

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

Budo Manual – Chart of Techniques

In the 1930’s Master Morihei Ueshiba (O’sensei), the Founder of Aikido, published two known technical manuals for his Art. Both manuals are a source of constant reference at our dojo and form an important part of our study of O’Sensei’s Aikido through Aikido Kenkyukai.

The second of the two manuals, and certainly the most well-known, is simply titled Budo (1938). The content of this 2nd manual is supported by step by step photographs and instructional commentary for each technique.

For a convenient overview of the techniques referenced in the manual see below a chart that was prepared by Preston Aikido Sakura Dojo in Preston, Lancashire, UK.

Ian Grant
Head Instructor
Aikido Warrior Dojo

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

Searching for O’Sensei – The forgotten manuals of Aikido

Master Morihei Ueshiba (O’sensei), the Founder of Aikido, produced 2 instructional manuals for his martial art in the 1930’s.

Evident in both manuals is the time and effort taken to not only write but also make visual representations to support the instruction. For example, in one of the manuals there are 166 techniques, all of which are accompanied by hand drawings to assist the reader.

In the 2nd manual, the instructional aspects are supported by photographs. However, even this would have been painstakingly long process given the relative primitive state of photography at the time.

Unfortunately, and one might even say bizarrely, neither of the manuals appear to be a major reference point for modern aikido practice with the exception of Iwama Aikido. I have heard a number of reasons given for this. However, they also seem to share the common ground that O’Sensei’s pre-war Aikido (or Aikido Budo as it was then labelled) was very different to post-war, hence making the manuals historically interesting but largely irrelevant.

I have long struggled with this argument as it doesn’t align with personal experience. For example, we frequently use the manuals as reference points to inform our practice in our dojo and have found them to be very relevant and insightful in our study of O’Sensei’s Aikido through Aikido Kenkyukai.

In fact I would go as far to say that in substance O’Sensei’s prewar Aikido share many similarities with his post war Aikido. The main differences being that in his later years O’sensei seems to have stopped teaching the more complex pins. Other changes could be described as refinements and at most, alternative variations.

However, don’t take my word for it. Look at the below video and make up your own mind.

In the meantime, I think we at Aikido Warrior Dojo will continue to hold the only written technical teachings of the Founder of Aikido in the highest regard.

Ian Grant
Dojo Cho
Aikido Warrior Dojo

Acknowledgement: The above video was not made by Aikido Warrior Dojo, but by a person who goes by the You tube name of Marius V. While I have never met Marius V, I would like to acknowledge and thank him for his extraordinary work in producing the video.