In the below video Morihiro Saito Sensei (1928-2002) provides demonstrates the Aikido technique sodeguchidori yonkyo as practised by O’Sensei (the Founder of Aikido) in the immediate post-war period of his life.

 

ADDITIONAL NOTES

• Technical details (Omote application) – London Aikido Club

In the following video, Sensei Andy Hathaway of the London Aikido Club, gives instruction on technical aspects of the subject technique.  For other excellent technical videos on Aikido by the London Aikido Channel see their channel on You Tube.

• Alternate application

An interesting alternate application where the yonkyo is applied to the opposite side of the wrist to that shown in the featured video.

• 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 may have been lost.