Tanto tori

Budo (1938) – Tanto dori munetsuki 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.

The below video features a photographic demonstration of tanto tori munetsuki kotogaeshi (Technique 33) as it appears in “Budo“. The principles underpinning the technique (aside from the disarm) are similar to the unarmed version. Also included in the video is a demonstration of the technique (including a variation with atemi) by Morihiro Saito Sensei who was a direct student of the Founder for more than 20 years.

ADDITIONAL NOTES

Principles underpinning munetsuki kotegaeshi

In the below video Morihiro Saito Sensei gives detailed instruction for the traditional application of munetsuki kotegaeshi. The instruction applies equally to the armed and unarmed versions of the technique.

Have a great weekend.

Ian Grant
Dojo Cho
Aikido Warrior Dojo

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) – Tanto dori munetsuki kokyu nage

The below video features a photographic demonstration of tanto tori munetsuki kokyu nage (Technique 32) as it appears in “Budo“. The technique is very similar to irimi nage with the notable exception that in the demonstrated technique the nage’s hand is placed under the uke’s chin. Also included is a demonstration of the technique by Morihiro Saito Sensei who was a direct student of the Founder for more than 20 years.

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: Yokomenuchi kotegaeshi

Yokomenuchi kotegaeshi is an Aikido technique which uses an outward wrist turn (kotegaeshi) as a defence against a strike to the side of the head (yokomenuchi).

In the below video Morihiro Saito Sensei (1928-2002) provides instruction on yokomenuchi kotegaeshi as practised by O’Sensei (the Founder of Aikido) in the post-war period of his life.

ADDITIONAL NOTES

Initial set up – technical notes

Additional technical instruction (1) – Kumitachi – Saito Sensei

In the below video, Saito Sensei explains the sword movement underpinning yokomenuchi kotegaeshi.

Technical instruction (2) – Tanto – Saito Sensei

In the below video, Saito Sensei demonstrates and explains yokomenuchi kotegaeshi in the situation where the uke is attacks with a knife (tanto).

Alternate application (1) – Yoshimitsu Yamada Sensei

In the below video Yoshimitsu Yamada Sensei provides instruction on alternate versions of yokomenuchi kotegaeshi.

Alternate Application 2 – Andy Sato Sensei

Kuzushi at first contact

Like all Aikido techniques, it is essential the nage take the uke‘s balance at first contact (ie with the initial 2 handed cut). Failure to do this will allow the uke to counter the technique and undertake a follow up attack (eg. a strike or grapple).

Option for standing pin

Yokomenuchi kotegaeshi – Zagi waza

In the below photos O’sensei demonstrates the application of yokomenuchi kotegaeshi where the nage and uke are both on their knees. This is referred to as zagi waza or suwari waza, depending on the school of Aikido.

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 would have no doubt been lost. The Aikido world owes him a great debt.

Ian Grant
Dojo Cho
Aikido Warrior Dojo