kokyu nage

Training Notes: Tanto dori – Yokomenuchi kokyu nage

In the below video Koretoshi Maruyama SEnsei, Founder of Aikido Yuishinkai, demonstrates and provides instruction on the Aikido technique, tanto tori yokomenuchi kokyu nage.

The technique is performed as a response to a yokomenuchi strike with a tanto (wooden knife) to the side of the neck. The tanto for this technique is held as if holding an ice pick. The blade is facing upwards at the commencement of the attack.

ADDITIONAL NOTES

Yokomenuchi kokyu nage – Key principles

Yokomenuchi kokyu nage can be applied to any downward strike to the side of the head, regardless of whether the uke is armed with a tanto. In the below video Koretoshi Maruyama Sensei examines in detail the key aspects of this technique. The instruction given is equally applicable to circumstance where the uke is also armed with a tanto.

Yokomenuchi kokyu nage – Origins

Yokomenuchi kokyu nage (irimi) has a long history in Aikido. The technique appears as technique number 42 in O’sensei‘s first technical manual “Budo Renshu” (1934). The notable difference in this early version is that the nage cuts down through the uke‘s neck and also cuts down and then hold’s the wrist of the uke’s attacking arm. (See O’sensei‘s drawings below).

However, the kokyu ho principles necessary to effectively apply the technique remain the same.

In O’sensei’s 2nd manual “Budo” (1938) the roles of nage and uke for the technique are described as follows:

“Uke: Deliver a yokomen strike with your right hand. “Tori (i.e. nage): Step forward on your left foot and use your left te gatana (i.e. hand sword) to neutralise your opponent’s attack, simultaneously striking his face (and down him).”

Kokyu ho principles underpinning technique

Kokyu ho exercises are something that we do a lot of at our dojo as a means of developing internal strength in our techniques. Kokyu ho exercises were the traditional method used by O’sensei to develop “ki power” in his Aikido.

In the below video, Morihei Saito Sensei demonstrates and explains the kokyu ho exercise relevant to yokomenuchi kokyu nage (irimi).

Have a great week

Ian Grant
Dojo Cho
Aikido Warrior Dojo, Brisbane

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

Training notes: Tanto dori – Munetsuki hiji kime

In the below video, Dojo senior Jeremy Gehrke demonstrates the Aikido technique – Munetsuki hiji kime. The technique is applied in the context of a traditional knife attack to the abdomen.

ADDITIONAL NOTES

Alternate version

In the below video clip, Mike Jones Sensei from NY Aiki kai demonstrates an alternate version of tanto tori munetsuki hiji kime. In this version the nage remains standing at the completion of the technique (similar to a traditional kokyu nage ending ). The principles being applied, however, are the same and equally applicable to the featured video demonstration (above).

Also included in the video are combined elbow and choke retraining techniques for addressing an attack with a tanto. These techniques are also practised at our dojo.

Have a great week

Ian Grant
Dojo Cho
Aikido Warrior Dojo

Training notes: Shomenuchi kaiten nage

In modern Aikido kaiten techniques are typically referred to as “wheel throws” because the uke is projected in a wheel like shape. Traditionally, however, they were referred to as “open and turn” techniques. In the text “Budo“, Master Morihei Ueshiba describes kaiten as a turn and transform movement.

In the below video, Morhiro Saito Sensei demonstrates shomenuchi kaiten nage.

ADDITIONAL NOTES

Technical instruction

In the below video produced by the London Aikido Club, Andy Hathaway Sensei provides instruction on technical aspect of the technique.

The London Aikido Club 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.

Aikido Warrior Demonstration

See below an informal practice session by Aikido Warrior dojo seniors experimenting with alternate applications of shomenuchi kaiten nage including from hamni handachi (nage is kneeling) . The recording was taken after a Saturday morning class.

Shomenuchi kaiten nage – Parrying

For detailed instruction on parrying and balance taking methods for shomenuchi strikes see – Shomenuchi deflections methods.

Oher kaiten nage techniques

For training notes on other applications of kaiten nage see Video Library: Unarmed arts (by technique). Technique groups (e.g. ikkyo, irimi nage etc.) are ordered alphabetically.

Have a great week.

Ian Grant
Head Instructor
Aikido Warrior Dojo

Katate kosadori kokyu nage (reitai) – Aikido Yuishinkai

In the below video Master Koretoshi Maruyama, Founder of Aikido Yuishinkai, demonstrates and provides instruction for the Aikido technique katate kosadori kokyu nage (reitai level) as practised in Aikido Yuishinkai.

Katate kosadori kokyu nage is categorised as a “breath throw” (kokyu nage) in Aikido practice and is trained from a traditional attack in the form of a cross-hand grab (katate kosadori).

Training at reitai level is sometimes described as “no touch” Aikido. The difficulty with this descriptor is that it suggests something pseudo mystical is happening which could not be further than the truth. The uke falls without being touched for no other reason than to avoid being “palmed in the face” (for want of a better description) by a centred nage.

ADDITIONAL NOTES

Katate kosadori kokyu nage – Other levels of practice

For training notes on katate kosadori kokyu nage as practised at kotai, juntai and ryutai levels in Aikido Yuishinkai see: Training notes: Katate kosadori kokyu nage.

Have a great week

Ian Grant
Head Instructor
Aikido Warrior Dojo

All the best

Ian Grant
Head Instructor
Aikido Warrior Dojo