Morihiro Saito Sensei

Training notes: Ai hanmi katatedori nikyo

Nikyo techniques involve the application of a painful pronating or adductive wristlock to subdue or pin an attacker. They are a common feature in the syllabus of most Aikido schools.

Nikyo techniques can be used to address a wide variety of attacks. They are particularly effective in circumstances where the uke attempts to grab the clothing or wrist of a nage (as a prelude to follow up strike).

Our dojo is a Fudoshin dojo operating under the guidance and mentorship of Chicko Xerri Sensei 6th Dan AKI (Aikikai).

In the below video Chicko Sensei explains the sword movements and Aiki principles which underpin the application of Ai hanmi katatedori nikyo. This form of nikyo is applied in response to an attack in the form of a cross hand grab.

Depending on the school, Ai hanmi katatedori nikyo is also referred to as Kosadori nikyo.

ADDITIONAL NOTES

Alternate application (1) Morihiro Saito Sensei

See below a photo demonstration (including description) and video of Morihiro Saito Sensei (9th Dan) explaining the fundamental elements of Kosadori nikyo as practised by O’sensei in the immediate post war period of his training life.

Alternate (Ki no nagare) application (2) – London Aikido Club

In the below video Sensei Andy Hathaway demonstrates and provides instruction on Kosadori nikyo as practised at the London Aikido Club.

Alternate application (3)

In the below video Sensei Andy Hathaway of the London Aikido Club demonstrates and provides instruction on an alternate takedown for Kosadori nikyo.

Alternate application (4) – Sensei Andy Sato

Brief Biography – Morihiro Saito Sensei (1928-2002)

Morihiro Saito Sensei’s practice of Aikido spanned 56 years and he is one of the most important teachers in Aikido history. Saito Sensei was a live-in student of O’sensei for more than 20 years at his home dojo in Iwama, Japan.

Saito Sensei spent his teaching life dedicated to preserving the technical style of Aikido as practised and shown to him by O’sensei in the post-war period. Without his commitment to preserving the Aikido of the Founder and extensive efforts to record and document his teachings, much of the Aikido of O’sensei may have been lost.

Have a great week

Ian Grant
Doj Cho
Aikido Warrior Dojo

Training notes: Jo nage kotegaeshi

In the below video Koretoshi Maruyama Sensei (Aikido Yuishinkai) demonstrates and provides instruction for the Aikido technique kotegaeshi (outer wrist turn) where the nage is armed with a wooden staff (a jo).

Maruyama Sensei particularly emphasises in the video the importance of focusing on the centre point of the jo as measured between the distance of the uke‘s hands. It is only by focussing movement of the jo at this point that the nage is able to not only retain control of the jo, but also move the uke’s centre so that the conditions for a successful throw are possible.

ADDITIONAL NOTES

Demonstration by Master Morihei Ueshiba

In the below video, the Founder of Aikido, Master Morihei Ueshiba (O’sensei), performs jo nage kotegaeshi in free form practice (taninzugake). The recording was made in 1952. O’sensei was 69 years old.

Have a great week.

Ian Grant
Dojo Cho
Aikido Warrior Dojo

Training notes: Munadori juji nage

In the below video, Morihiro Saito Sensei (9th Dan) demonstrates 2 versions of the Aikido technique juji nage (crossed arms throw) in response to a front lapel grab (munedori).

ADDITIONAL NOTES

Hand position (standard version)

Munadori juji nage – London Aikido Club

In the below video Sensei Andy Hathaway of the London Aikido Club demonstrates and discusses important aiki training points for Munadori juji nage, including use of the hips, shifting weight, breaking the munadori grip and atemi opportunities.

Munadori juji nage – kokyu ho variation

In this second video by the London Aikido Club, Sensei Andy Hathaway teaches a variation of Munadori juji nage based on traditional kokyu ho principles for dealing with munadori attacks.

Munadori juji nage – Suwari waza

In the below munadori juji nage is demonstrated with both the nage and uke facing each other while on their knees. This is referred to a zagi waza or suwari waza, depending on the Aikido style.

The kneeling version of munedori juji nage has a long history in Aikido. It dates back to the 1930’s and is included in both of O’Sensei’s technical manuals from that period.

In O’sensei’s 1938 demonstration the uke is pinned with one hand thereby allowing O’Sensei the option of applying an additional atemi to the uke‘s torso. It also places the nage in the more advantageous position to deal with additional attackers if need be.

Have a great week

Ian Grant
Dojo Cho
Aikido Warrior Dojo

Jo dori and jo nage – O’sensei style

Training in the use of a wooden staff (a jo) for self defence purposes (jo nage) is an integral part of the syllabus for most schools of Aikido. Aikido practice also typically includes training in disarming techniques (called jo dori or jo tori) where the attacker (uke) is the one armed with the jo.

Interestingly, O’Sensei’s technical manuals do not refer to jo nage or jo tori. However, the 1936 manual Budo does include broadly comparable weapons such as the bayonet and spear. Those of us interested in O’sensei’s approach to jo nage and jo tori fortunately have access to the extensively recorded works of Morihiro Saito Sensei (9th Dan). Saito Sensei (1928 -2002) dedicated his life to preserving O’Sensei’s Aikido as taught to him (much of it as a one on one student) over a 23 year period in Iwama, Japan.

In the below video recorded in 1986 and made publicly available by Aikido Journal, Saito Sensei Sensei provides detailed instruction on jo nage and jo dori as directly taught to him by the Founder of Aikido. The instruction covers a wide variety of techniques (with a heavy emphasis on kokyu ho forms). As is typical of Saito Sensei, his instruction is candid, insightful and martially focussed. Some of the key differences between the Aikido practised by its creator and later ‘less -martial” incantations are also touched on.

Have a great weekend

Ian Grant
Dojo Cho
Aikido Warrior Dojo

Training notes: Ai hanmi katatedori yonkyo

In the below video, Mike Jones Sensei (New York Aikikai) demonstrates how to perform a basic yonkyo (No 4 wrist technique) from a cross hand grab (Ai hanmi katatedori yonkyo).

The video also includes a step-by-step breakdown of the mechanics of applying yonkyo where the nage has initially responded to the attack as if they were completing an ikkyo technique. The reason for this approach is that an ikkyo entry is one of the easiest ways to initially set up the conditions necessary for an effective yonkyo response.

ADDITIONAL NOTES

Kosadori yonkyo – Morihiro Saito Sensei

Ai hanmi katate dori yonkyo is referred to Kosadori yonkyo in some schools. See below video of Morihiro Saito Sensei (9th Dan) explaining the fundamental elements of Kosadori nikyo as practised by O’sensei in the immediate post war period of his training life.

Yonkyo – Ki aikido version

For comparison purposes, see below an application of yonkyo as practised in Aikido Yuishinkai. This method of application is typical to that often seen practised in ki aikido schools.

Of note at Step 3 in the the video, Koretoshi Maruyama Sensei changes his hand position prior to executing the yonkyo cut to what is referred to as a “traditional sankyo” hand position. This is done in part to aid easier learning of the technique.

However, it should be noted that the change in hand position is not critical in the omote application of sankyo if the intent is to merely cut the uke straight to the mat (as occurs in the video). The hand change without the sankyo is demonstrated in the following photographs.

Yonkyo doesn’t work on everyone

From a martial perspective, one of the concerns about yonkyo is that it’s effectiveness relies on the uke experiencing ulna nerve pain. However, about 10% of people seem immune to this type of pain. This, combined with the possibility of nage error in its application, makes yonkyo a potentially high risk technique.

To minimise this risk it is essential that the technique be applied on a uke whose balance is completely broken. This facilitates alternate back up options should things not go as planned. For example, in the context of the above method of application, an attempted (although technically not successful) yonkyo can still be used to take an unbalanced uke to the ground. This is done by the nage directing energy to the uke‘s elbow and driving it to the mat.

Enjoy the rest of your week.

Ian

Ian Grant
Head Instructor
Aikido Warrior Dojo, Brisbane