O’Sensei

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

Atemi waza – Centreline strikes and shomenuchi

Direct strikes to the forehead (shomenuchi) are a common form of striking technique (atemi) in Aikido practice. However, while there are a variety of effective ways to deal with these types of attacks, none include “blocking” the attack with the same attack.

Blocking a shomenuchi with a shomenuchi places the nage in a significantly disadvantaged position as it is very difficult to break the uke’s balance (kuzushi) at first contact. This is due to the fact that the uke started their strike first and in all probability is going to be in the best strategic position (see photo to left). This is particularly so if they are centred, have the size advantage or armed with a weapon.

An alternate (albeit not the only) option to address a shomenuchi is to enter and strike the centreline of the uke‘s undefended torso (see photo to left). Key aspects of this option are explored in the below video featuring Peter Kelly Sensei, Chief Instructor of Aikido Yuishinkai Australia.

Notably, in O’sensei’s text Budo (1936) there are numerous examples where O’sensei essentially initiates a strike to cause the uke to defend themselves by using shomenuchi. This however is a ruse to set up O’Sensei’s true objective which is to strike the uke‘s centre line as the precursor to executing a technique. Examples where this tactic is used include shomenuchi irimi nage, shomenuchi ikkyo (illustrated in photo above) , shomenuchi kotegeashi and katadori menuchi techniques.

Have a great week, particularly those travelling to this year’s annual Aikido Yuishinkai seminar with Maruyama Sensei in Hobart (25-29 November 2015).

Ian Grant
Head Instructor
Aikido Warrior Dojo, Brisbane

Atemi waza – Bokken tori shomenuchi

Striking techniques (atemi waza) are an integral part of aikido practice. While atemi is typically used in modern Aikido as a means to set up a throwing technique, it may also be used as method of ending a confrontation on its own.

In the below video Master Koretoshi Maruyama, Founder of Aikido Yuishinkai, provides instruction on how to use atemi as a sole response to addressing a downward direct strike to the forehead (shomenuchi) where the attacker is armed with a wooden sword (bokken).

The video was recorded in 2005 at Byron Bay, Australia.

Have a great week.

Ian Grant
Head Instructor
Aikido Warrior Dojo, Brisbane

Training notes: Yokomenuchi gokyo

In 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

Kneeling pin if there is no weapon

Alternate entry if uke attacks with shomenuchi strike to forehead

Aikido Yuishinkai version

Have a great week

Ian Grant
Dojo Cho
Aikido Warrior Dojo, Brisbane

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