Gokyo

Budo (1938) – Tachi dori shomenuchi kokyu nage

bokken 1(a)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

morihei-ueshiba-gozo-shioda-1940-croppedIn 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 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

Gokyo pin 1

Gokkyo pin 2

 

 

 

 

 

Have a great week.

Ian Grant
Head Instructor
Aikido Warrior Dojo

 

Training notes: Yokomenuchi gokyo

GokyoIn 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

Gokyo pin 1

Gokkyo pin 2

 

 

 

 

 

  • Kneeling pin if there is no weapon 

Gokyo pin - no tanto

 

 

 

 

  • Alternate entry if uke attacks with shomenuchi strike to forehead 

Gokyo shomen 1

 

 

 

 

 

  • Aikido Yuishinkai version

 

Have a great week

Ian Grant
Dojo Cho
Aikido Warrior Dojo, Brisbane

 

,