In the below video Morihiro Saito Sensei (1928-2002) demonstrates 3 forms of Ai hanmi katatedori irimi nage as practised by O’Sensei (the Founder of Aikido) in the immediate post-war period of his life. The forms are demonstrated at basic (static) level.

Depending on the school, Ai hanmi katatedori irimi nage is also sometimes referred to as Kosadori irimi nage or Katate kosadori irimi nage.

 

ADDITIONAL NOTES

• Ai hanmi katatedori irimi nage – 1st form (basic)

In the below video Andy Hathaway Sensei of the London Aikido Club provides detailed instruction on the basic version of  Ai hanmi katatedori iriminage whereby the nage goes over then under the uke’s arm to take their balance. This particular version of the basic technique is particularly effective in circumstances where the uke is physically strong and able to over power the nage with the strength of their grab.

 

• Ai hanmi katatedori irimi nage – 2nd form (basic)

In the following video Saito Sensei provides instruction on the second form of  Ai hanmi katatedori irimi nage.  Saito Sensei provides detailed instruction on how to overcome the uke blocking the raising of the nage’s arm, which can be a particular challenge with this form of the technique.

 

• Ai hanmi katatedori irimi nage – 3rd form (basic)

In the following video Saito Sensei demonstrates the 3rd form of Ai hanmi katatedori irimi nage.

 

•  Ai hanmi katatedori irimi nage – ki no nagare

The below video was produced by Indy Aikido Dojo which is an ASU dojo in Indianapolis. It provides a number of excellent insights into Ai hanmi katatedori irimi nage when it is practised at free flowing (ki no nagare) level.

 

• Ki aikido perspectives

In ki aikido schools katate kosadori irimi nage is often studied as a form of kokyu nage rather than irimi nage per se.  For a detailed discussion on this perspective of the technique see –  Katate kosadori kokyu nage – Aikido Yuishinkai.

 

• 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 from the immediate post war period may have been lost.