O’Sensei

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

Looking back to look forward – Exploring Aikido’s roots

Master Morihei Ueshiba (O’sensei), the Founder of Aikido, authored 3 instructional manuals in his lifetime. The first “Budo Training in Aikido” (originally called “Budo Renshu“) was published in 1933.

“Budo Renshu” contains 166 techniques, all of which are accompanied by hand drawings and training notes. The techniques in the manual represent an interesting blend of Daito Ryu and what would become to be known as Aiki Budo (and then later Aikido).

In the below video, Dojo senior Jeremy Gehrke draws on his studies of Aikido and Daito Ryu to demonstrate some of the techniques found in Budo Renshu and some of their extended applications. Please note the demonstrations are informal only and done with minimal planning or preparation.

Ian Grant
Head Instructor
Aikido Warrior Dojo

Katate kosadori kokyu nage – Aikido Yuishinkai

In the below video Koretoshi Maruyama Sensei demonstrates and provides instruction for the Aikido technique katate kosadori kokyu nage as practised in Aikido Yuishinkai. The technique is categorised as a “breath throw” (kokyu nage) and is trained from a traditional attack in the form of a cross-hand grab (katate kosadori).

Katate kosadori kokyu nage has a long history in Aikido practice. There are numerous recordings dating as far back as the 1930’s of the Founder of Aikido (Master Morihei Uesiba) demonstrating the technique.

ADDITIONAL NOTES

Katate kosadori kokyu nage – No touch variation

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

Katate kosadori kokyu nage – Basic levels

The above video demonstrates and provides instruction for katate kosadori kokyu nage as practised at ryutai or free flowing level. However, it is often difficult for students to initially practice a technique at this level.

To assist students to learn the basic shapes and principles for free flowing practice, preliminary exercises are practised which in essence are simplified versions of the flowing technique. They are also practised static and cooperatively. These learning exercises are referred to as practising a technique at kotai and juntai levels. It is emphasised that these levels of practice are only exercises to learn principles applicable to Aikido practice, they are not Aikido techniques.

In the below video Maruyama Sensei provides detailed instruction for katate kosadori kokyu nage at both kotai and juntai level.

All the best

Ian Grant
Dojo Cho
Aikido Warrior Dojo

Training notes: Ryotedori seoi otoshi

While by no means the most commonly practised “drop” technique, seoi otoshi (or “shoulder drop”) has been part of Aikido since its early days.

In the below video, students from our dojo are practising the technique from a traditional where both of the nage’s wrists are grabbed (ryotedori). This form of practice is excellent for ukemi training and developing aerobic fitness for the nage.

ADDITIONAL NOTES

Technical notes

In the following video Peter Kelly Sensei of Aikido Yuishinkai (Tasmania) provides technical instruction for the technique.

ADDITIONAL NOTES

Ryotedori kokyu nage

The set up for ryotedori seoi otoshi (as demonstrated in the video) is the same as for ryotedori kokyu nage. For notes on ryotedori kokyu nage (including its set up) – see Training notes: Ryotedoru kokyu nage (and koshi nage).

Difference between seio otoshi and seio nage

The difference between a seio otoshi (shoulder drop) and seio nage (shoulder throw) is often a source of confusion. For discussion on the technical differences between the two technique types see – Seio otoshi and seio nage – Whats the difference?

Have a great week.

Ian Grant
Head Instructor
Aikido Warrior Dojo, Brisbane

Training notes: Ryotedori yonkyo

In the below video, Peter Kelly Sensei, Chief Instructor Aikido Yuishinkai Australia, provides instruction on how to perform ryotedori yonkyo.

A key aspect of Peter Sensei’s instruction is the notion that yonkyo (No 4 wrist technique) is not at its essence intended to be a technique to control a uke by inflicting wrist pain. Rather it is a method of hyper-extending the uke’s shoulder to control their centre.

ADDITIONAL NOTES

Hand position – Initial shoulder extension

Yonkyo pin

Ryotedori kokyu nage

The set up for ryotedori yonkyo as (demonstrated in the video) is the same as for ryotedori kokyu nage. For notes on ryotedori kokyu nage (including its set up) – see Training notes: Ryotedoru kokyu nage (and koshi nage).

Yonkyo basics

For notes on the basic principles of yonkyo (including video of Maruyama Sensei teaching the technique) see – Training Notes – Yonkyo (the basics)

Have a great week

Ian Grant
Head Instructor
Aikido Warrior Dojo