Master Koretoshi Maruyama

Budo (1938): Tachi dori shomen giri kotegaeshi

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. One of these was tachi dori showmen giri kotegaeshi.

The below video features a photographic demonstration tachi dori shomen giri kotegaeshi as it appears in “Budo”. Also included are demonstrations of the technique by Morihiro Saito Sensei who was a direct student of the Founder for more than 20 years.

ADDITIONAL NOTES

O’sensei’s explanation of tachi dori shomen giri kotegaeshi (1938)

In O’sensei’s manual “Budo” (1938), there is substantive instruction given for tachi dori shomen giri kotegaeshi. In edited form, it reads as follows:

“As soon as your opponent cuts, move with the speed of the gods and enter deeply to the right with irimi tankan. Strike your opponents right wrist with your left te-gatana (hand sword), remain aware of possible attackers to the rear and strike your opponent’s face with your right fist…

Apply …kotegaeshi .. and down your opponent. In this case it is necessary to control his hand and sword with the little and ring fingers of your right hand. Next turn your opponent round to the left, pin him face down, take the sword and hold it to his neck”

Hand position for take down and wrist pin

The traditional hand position on the bokken for the takedown to the mat and wrist pin is shown in the pictures below. Note the hilt of the bokken is grabbed with the nage’s right little finger and ring finger. The nage’s left thumb is at the base of the uke’s right ring finger.

Atemi

At the completion of the irimi tenkan movement there is the option of atemi in the form of striking the uke’s face with your right hand.

Practice of atemi in this way is a most useful practice tool to assist in learning the correct positioning for the technique.

Have a great week.

Ian Grant
Head Instructor
Aikido Warrior Dojo

Training notes: Tachi dori shomen giri kokyu nage

In the below video Peter Brady Sensei ((7th Dan Aikikai) demonstrates and provides instruction for the Aikido technique – kokyu nage (breath throw). The technique is demonstrated as a response to a downward strike to the head (shomenuchi) where the uke is armed with a wooden sword (bokken).

ADDITIONAL NOTES

Hand position on hilt of the bokken

The elbow debate

There are contrasting views on whether the nage should place their right elbow under the left elbow of the uke and apply pressure to the uke‘s elbow to take their balance (before attempting to project the uke). This approach can be seen in the picture to left.

The diverging opinions appear to be based on philosophical and stylistic differences, including differing perspectives on the role of kuzushi and uke compliance in Aikido practice. That being said, there is no doubt this applied kokyu ho approach is a martially effective option and was practised by O’sensei in the post war period of his training.

Have a great week.

Ian Grant
Head Instructor
Aikido Warrior Dojo

Bokken exercises: Kiri age

The practice of bokken (wooden sword) arts is an integral part of Aikido training in Aikido Yuishinkai. Amongst other things, solo and paired bokken practice plays an important role in helping develop key skills for unarmed arts. These skills include foot work, distance, timing, centred movement, relaxed power and correct posture.

In the below video Master Koretoshi Maruyama, Founder, Aikido Yuishinkai demonstrates the fundamental foot work and cutting movements for the solo bokken exercise kiri age (vertical upper cut).

One of the key benefits of this exercise is that it facilitates internalisation of moving the body as a single entity rather than moving the arms disconnected from the body. Those interested in studying advanced internal principles (e.g. yin yang) in Aikido movement will also find the exercise of interest, particularly if they use a heavier bokken such as a “Musashi oar”.

From a purely mechanical and physical perspective, kiri age also helps develop powerful upper cut atemi (age tsuki) and is a great workout for the thighs and “glutes”.

Other bokken exercises

For other Aikido related bokken exercises see – Bokken arts library.

Have a great week.

Ian Grant
Head Instructor
Aikido Warrior Dojo

Training notes: Ushiro tekubidori 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 Master Koretoshi Maruyama demonstrates and provides instruction for ushiro tekubidori kaiten nage as practised in our school. The technique is trained as a response to a traditional attack where both hands of the nage are grabbed from behind with the intent to place a knee in the nage’s back.

Depending on the school of Aikido, the technique is also sometimes referred to as ushiro ryotedori kaiten nage.

Additional notes

Similar beginning as ushiro tekubidori ikkyo

The beginning segments of ushiro tekubidori kaiten nage are the same (up to the downward cut movement) as ushiro tekubidori ikkyo at ryutai level. For notes on this technique, including the entry and set up see: Training notes: Ushiro tekubidori ikkyo (ryutai).

Other kaiten nage applications

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.

Other ushiro tekubidori techniques

For training notes on other Aikido techniques that are practised from a ushiro tekubidori attack, see Video Library: Unarmed arts (by attack type). In the library, techniques are ordered alphabetically based on attack types (e.g. katadori, katatedori, ushiro tekubidori etc.).

Have a great week.

Ian Grant
Head Instructor
Aikido Warrior Dojo

Training notes: Ushiro ryotedori kokyu nage

In the below video Morihiro Saito Sensei demonstrates and provides instruction for the pre and post war versions of the aikido technique ushiro ryotedori kokyu nage.

The technique is categorised as a “breath throw” and is practised as a response to a traditional attack where both hands of the nage are grabbed from behind with the intent to either place a knee in the nage’s back or drag the nage backwards.

Depending on the school of Aikido the technique is sometimes referred to as ushiro tekubidori zenpo nage/kokyu nage.

ADDITIONAL NOTES

Alternate attack form

Ushiro ryotedori kokyu nage, like all Aikido applications, can be practised from a static form (typically under resistance) or in a dynamic free flowing form (often referred to as ki no nagare).

In the following video, the Founder of Aikido, Master Morihei Ueshiba (O’sensei) demonstrates a dynamic version of ushiro ryotedori kokyu nage whereby the uke directly attacks from behind and out of the nage’s line of sight (see video below). We also train this version at our dojo.

Alternate application

In the below video Sensei Andy Hathaway of the London Aikido Club demonstrates an alternate kokyu nage application.

Ki aikido approach

In the below video the Koretoshi Maruyama Sensei demonstrates and teaches the subject technique as practised in Aikido Yuishinkai. This approach (including the bounce) is typical of many ki aikido schools inspired by the teachings of Koichi Tohei Sensei.

Have a great weekend.

Ian Grant
Dojo Cho
Aikido Warrior Dojo