Yokomenuchi

Tachi dori yokomenuchi udekime nage – Aikido Yuishinkai

In the below video Koretoshi Maruyama Sensei demonstrates and provides instruction for the Aikido technique udekime nage (arm extension throw). The technique is demonstrated as a defence to a diagonal strike to the head (yokomenuchi) where the uke is armed with a bokken.

Depending on the style of Aikido, udekime nage is sometimes classified as a form of kokyu nage (breath throw) technique.

Other examples of udekime nage

See – Munetsuki udekime (omote)
See – Munetsuki udekime (ura)

Have a great week.

Ian Grant
Dojo Cho
Aikido Warrior Dojo

Training notes: Yokemunuchi aiki nage

Yokemunuchi aiki nage is a technique that has a long history in Aikido. There are numerous videos of O’sensei performing it dating back to the 1930’s.

In the below video, Aikido Warrior Dojo seniors are recorded practising and experimenting with yokemunuchi aiki nage, including associated ukemi (falling skills). The experiments include adding atemi and kiai to determine the effect on the uke and the impact on receiving the technique.

ADDITIONAL NOTES

Yokemunuchi aiki nage – The fundamentals

In the below video Koretoshi Maruyama Sensei demonstrates and provides instruction for the Aikido technique yokomenuchi aiki nage.

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

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: Yokomenuchi kokyu nage

In the below video Master Koretoshi Maruyama, Founder of Aikido Yuishinkai, demonstrates and provides instruction on the Aikido technique, yokomenuchi kokyu nage (irimi), as is practiced in our school.

The technique is performed as a response to a yokomenuchi strike, which is a side blow to the head.

Yokomenuchi kokyu nage is a particular useful technique for developing fundamental skills in timing, entering and directly meeting an attack without clashing. We have also found at the dojo that with slight modifications, yokomenuchi kokyu nage (irimi) can be used to effectively deal with non-traditional strikes, including for example a hook punch.

ADDITIONAL NOTES

Origins of technique

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).

Ian Grant
Head Instructor
Aikido Warrior Dojo, Brisbane