Ian Grant Sensei

Training notes: Ai hanmi katate dori ikkyo

Opposite side one-hand hold wrist grabs are typically one of the first basic attacks that a new student to Aikido is trained to address. Although arguably not a particularly martial or common contemporary attack form, learning to neutralise and redirect an attack of this kind can nonetheless be surprisingly challenging both at static and free-flowing level.

Training to deal with wrist grabs is particularly useful for learning and reinforcing many of the basic principles that underpin our Art. The less aggressive nature of the attack (compared to say a strike) allows the nage (i.e. the receiver of the attack) to more readily focus on such things as correct footwork, moving around the point of contact, basic balance breaking principles, correct posture and movement, maintaining centre and getting off-line.

Cross hand wrist grabs in Aikido practice are referred to as Ai hanmi katate dori, Kosadori or Katate kosa dori. The name used depends on the school and some use the terms interchangeably. Generally speaking, ki aikido schools tend to use the term Katate kosa dori.

In the below video, Mike Jones Sensei (New York Aikikai) demonstrates and provides instruction on the 2 basic forms (omote and ura) of the Aikido technique ikkyo when applied in response to a static cross hand grab. Further detail on how to apply the technique is provided in the Additional Notes section below.

ADDITIONAL NOTES

Kosadori ikkyo omote (Basic) – Morihiro Saito Sensei

See below a photo demonstration (including description) and accompanying video by Morihiro Saito Sensei (9th Dan) of the key elements that make up the basic form of Kosadori ikkyo omote.

*Source: “Morihori Saito’s Complete Guide to Aikido” (2015)

Kosadori ikkyo omote (Basic) – London Aikido Club

The below video provides important training tips by Sensei Andy Hathaway (London Aikido Club) for performing Ai hanmi katate dori/ kosadori ikkyo (omote).

Kosadori ikkyo (ki no nagare) – Aikido Warrior Fudoshin Dojo

In the below video seniors from our dojo demonstrate the way we typically practise kosadori ikkyo at ki no nagare (free flowing) level. Notably, the application incorporates a direct entry movement combined with an atemi intent (i.e. an elbow strike) to break the balance of the uke. As demonstrated in the video, this method of application is more easily learnt by first practising it from shomenuchi ikkyo.

Ai hamni katate dori/kosadori ikkyo (ura) – London Aikido Club

The below videos provides important training tips by Sensei Andy Hathaway (London Aikido Club) for performing the traditional version ura version of Ai hamni katate dori/kosadori ikkyo.

Have a great week

Ian Grant
Head Instructor
Aikido Warrior Dojo, Brisbane

Training notes: Katatedori sumi otoshi

Otoshi (or drop) techniques feature prominently in a variety of martial arts, including Aikido, Judo and Jujitsu. Otoshi techniques are typically thought of as “hand throws” and when applied correctly generate a surprising amount of power that literally has the effect of dropping (some might say “driving”) the uke straight into the mat.

Sumi otoshi (corner drop) is probably the most common drop technique practised in Aikido. The particularly appealing features of this technique include its directness in execution and the fact that it is able to be used to in response to a wide variety of traditional attack situations.

However, while sumi otoshi looks deceptively simple on its face, in reality it requires considerable skill to apply with any degree of martial integrity. For example skills in kuzushi (i.e. off-balancing), timing, moving off-line and centred movement are essential.

In the below video, Mike Jones Sensei from New York Aikikai provides instruction for sumi otoshi from an attack in the form of a same side hand grab (Katate dori).

ADDITIONAL NOTES

Alternate application

Donovan Waite Sensei (7th Dan Aikikai) in the following video demonstrates and provides training tips for an alternate application of katatedori sumi otoshi, as well as the variation in the featured video.

Learning ukemi

In every technique ii is important to learn not only how to execute it, but also how to safely receive it (ukemi). In the below video, Waite Sensei demonstrates how the nage can assist the uke in safely learning ukemi for the sumi otoshi.

Aikido Yuishinkai (Tasmania)

The demonstration is by Peter Kelly Sensei of Aikido Yuishinkai (Tasmania). The source material was kindly provided courtesy of Bill Hely.

Ian Grant
Dojo Cho
Aikido Warrior Dojo

Training notes: Zagi waza shomenuchi ikkyo

Zagi waza (also referred to as suwari waza) is a form of Aikido practice performed from the initial position of nage and uke sitting opposite and facing each other while kneeling (seiza). This type of practice is particularly useful for developing skills relevant to maintaining and taking balance, moving the body off-line and as a single unit, leverage principles, breath power and keeping centre line.

In our dojo, suwari waza is practiced at most classes. Initially, the typical form of practice is static in nature and involves the uke holding the nage’s wrists with each hand. This static form of practice is referred to as zagi waza kokyu ho.

As we progress in our studies, other forms of attack are added to our zagi waza practice including responses to strikes.

In the below video, Chicko Xerri Sensei (6th Dan AKI Aikikai) explores some of the key Aiki principles underpinning the practice of zagi waza shomenuchi ikkyo. There are many recordings of the Founder of Aikido demonstrating this particular form of zagi waza which is performed in the context of a downward strike to the temple (shomenuchi).

ADDITIONAL NOTES

Zagi waza shomenuchi ikkyo – technical notes

The below video features suwari waza when responding to a straight strike to the centre of the head (shomenuchi). The demonstrated technique (performed by Yoshimitsu Yamada Sensei) is suwari waza shomenuchi ikkyo.

Suwari waza shomenuchi ikkyo – Seishin no Shugyo Dojo, Tasmania

The below demonstration is by Peter Kelly Sensei, Seishin no Shugyo Dojo, Tasmania. The source material was kindly provided courtesy of Bill Hely.

Ian Grant
Dojo Cho
Aikido Warrior Dojo

Training notes – Yokomenuchi irimi nage

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

Irimi means to enter physically and spiritually into an attack while at the same time simultaneously side stepping it. In the demonstrated technique irimi nage (“entering throw”) is being used to address a traditional strike to the side of the head. This form of strike is called yokomenuchi.

ADDITIONAL NOTES

Technical notes – Kihon application (1) – London Aikido Club

Technical notes – Kihon application (2) – Morihiro Saito Sensei

Technical notes – Yokomenuchi – Ki no nagare – Morihiro Saito Sensei

Additional technical notes – Yoshimitsu Yamada Sensei

In the below video Yoshimitsu Yamada Sensei (8th Dan Aikikai) gives instruction and training tips from an alternate perspective.

All the best

Ian Grant
Dojo Cho
Aikido Warrior Dojo

Pass me a bokken….better make it a big one

The challenge of modern aikido is that it exists in a world where most of us typically don’t operate under regular physical load in our daily lives. This impacts on the way we move and the body quality that we adopt in making those movements. By way of comparison, the Founder of Aikido was a farmer and was use to working in a very physical environment for most of his life. The result is that what was natural movement and posture for him, and many of the masters of past, is well … not that natural for us.

Recently, a number of us at the dojo have resolved to include heavy bokken training, through the use of a suburito, as part of our regular weapons practice. For those not familiar with the suburito, it’s a heavy bokken that is thicker at the blade than the handle. It is also longer in length than the standard bokken. The benefit of using a suburito for bokken work is that it is a simple and effective method of bringing load into our Aikido practice.

To move the suburito for any length of time (and we are talking minutes) relies on the practitioner abandoning strength based methods and instead using the “natural” principles of posture and movement that form the basis of our Art. The principles to which I refer include being centered, “heaven man earth”, centerline movements, sinking, using major muscle groups to ignite smaller ones, weight transference, “feet move hips”, “silk-reeling”, “yin-yang”’, keeping knees off lock, etc. When these principles are applied, the suburito can be moved with minimum effort.

The effect on bokken kata practice when using a suburito is also quite interesting. I think it would be fair to say that there is an injection of martial integrity introduced into the kata movements. This does not occur because of the weight per se, but rather the disciplined way that you have to move and hold your posture throughout to allow the additional weight of the bokken to be moved with minimum effort. For an example as to how the Aikido Yuishinkai kata “free wielding sword” looks with a heavy bokken see the below demonstration by our Chief Instructor Peter Kelly Sensei.

We have also found that the internal aspects developed using the suburito flow directly on to our unarmed practice. Particularly noticeable benefits include a reduced urge to “muscle techniques” when encountering resistance. The natural reaction is to instead relax and sink. A greater sense of centered movement, both as uke and nage, is also very evident.

Please be assured that I’m not suggesting that the suburito is the be-all and end-all of effective Aikido practice. There are lots of incredibly proficient Aikido practitioners out there who have never even picked up suburito. All I’m saying is that if you are seeking to widen your current training methods for developing the internal principles underpinning our art – its worth a try.

In the meantime, if you’re going to pass me a bokken….better make it a big one.

Ian Grant
Head Instructor
Aikido Warrior Dojo