Aikido techniques are frequently referred to as ''waza'' 技 (which is Japanese for technique, art or skill).
Aikido
Aikido ( , , , ) is a modern Japanese martial art that is split into many different styles, including Iwama Ryu, Iwama Shin Shin Aiki Shuren Kai, Shodokan Aikido, Yoshinkan, Renshinkai, Aikikai and Ki Aikido. Aikido is now practiced in aroun ...
training is based primarily on two partners practicing pre-arranged forms (''
kata'') rather than
freestyle practice. The basic pattern is for the receiver of the technique (''
uke
Uke may refer to:
People
* Uke Clanton (1898–1960), Major League Baseball first baseman who played for one season. Nicknamed "Cat", he played for the Cleveland Indians for one game on September 21, 1922
* Uke Rugova
* Sıtkı Üke (1876 ...
'') to initiate an attack against the person who applies the technique—the 取り ''
tori'', or ''shite'' , (depending on aikido style) also referred to as ( ''nage'' (when applying a throwing technique), who neutralises this attack with an aikido technique.
Both halves of the technique, that of ''uke'' and that of ''tori'', are considered essential to aikido training.
Both are studying aikido principles of blending and adaptation. ''Tori'' learns to blend with and control attacking energy, while ''uke'' learns to become calm and flexible in the disadvantageous, off-balance positions in which ''tori'' places him. This "receiving" of the technique is called ''ukemi''.
''Uke'' continuously seeks to regain balance and cover vulnerabilities (e.g., an exposed side), while ''tori'' uses position and timing to keep ''uke''
off-balance
is a 2001 Japanese film directed by Shin Togashi based on the novel ''Hi-baransu'' by Naoko Uozumi which won the author the Kodansha Award for New Writers of Children's Literature.
Cast
* Megumi Hatachiya as Chiaki
* Fumiyo Kohinata as Kiku-cha ...
and vulnerable. In more advanced training, ''uke'' may apply to regain balance and pin or throw ''tori''.
refers to the act of receiving a technique. Good ''ukemi'' involves attention to the technique, the partner and the immediate environment - it is an active rather than a passive "receiving" of Aikido. The fall itself is part of Aikido, and is a way for the practitioner to receive, safely, what would otherwise be a devastating strike or throw (or joint lock control) and return to a standing position in one fluid movement. The person throwing (or applying other technique) must take into account the ''ukemi'' ability of his partner, as well as the physical space: walls, weapons (wooden
tantō
A is one of the traditionally made Japanese swords (Commons:Nihonto, ''nihonto'') that were worn by the samurai class of feudal Japan. The tantō dates to the Heian period, when it was mainly used as a weapon but evolved in design over the year ...
,
bokken
A ''bokken'' (, , "wood", and ''ken'', "sword") (or a ''bokutō'' ) is a Japanese wooden sword used for training in kenjutsu. It is usually the size and shape of a ''katana'', but is sometimes shaped like other swords, such as the ''wakizashi'' ...
,
jō) on the
tatami
A is a type of mat used as a flooring material in traditional Japanese-style rooms. Tatamis are made in standard sizes, twice as long as wide, about 0.9 m by 1.8 m depending on the region. In martial arts, tatami are the floor used for traini ...
, and the aikido practitioners nearby.
''Uke'' must attack with a strength and speed appropriate to the skill level of the ''tori''; in the case of beginners, this means an attack of far less severity than would be encountered in a real-life self-defense situation.
Training techniques
* / teaches movement from the hip rather than relying on muscle strength of the arms
* trains students to enter with both arms forward in the ''tegatana'' (手刀) position.
* altering the direction of an incoming attack
* / / breathing is important in the execution of all aikido techniques. Here "breathing" has an additional meaning of "match with" or "accord," as the efforts of ''
tori'' must agree with the direction and strength with which his wrists are held by ''
uke
Uke may refer to:
People
* Uke Clanton (1898–1960), Major League Baseball first baseman who played for one season. Nicknamed "Cat", he played for the Cleveland Indians for one game on September 21, 1922
* Uke Rugova
* Sıtkı Üke (1876 ...
''.
Initial attacks
![Samurai with sword](https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/7/7c/Samurai_with_sword.jpg)
Aikido techniques are usually a defense against an attack; therefore, to practice aikido with their partner, students must learn to deliver various types of attacks. Although attacks are not studied as thoroughly as in
striking-based disciplines such as
karate or
boxing
Boxing (also known as "Western boxing" or "pugilism") is a combat sport in which two people, usually wearing protective gloves and other protective equipment such as hand wraps and mouthguards, throw punches at each other for a predetermine ...
, "honest" or "sincere" attacks (a strong strike or an immobilizing grab) are needed to study correct and effective application of technique.
Many of the of aikido are often said to resemble cuts from a
sword or other grasped object, which indicates its origins in techniques intended for
armed
Armed (May, 1941–1964) was an American Thoroughbred gelding race horse who was the American Horse of the Year in 1947 and Champion Older Male Horse in both 1946 and 1947. He was inducted into the National Museum of Racing and Hall of Fame in ...
combat. Other techniques, which appear to explicitly be punches (''
tsuki
derives from the verb , meaning "to thrust". The second syllable is accented, with Japanese's unvoiced vowels making it pronounced almost like "ski" (but preceded by a "t" sound). In Japanese martial arts and Okinawan martial arts, ''tsuki'' is u ...
''), are also practiced as thrusts with a
knife
A knife ( : knives; from Old Norse 'knife, dirk') is a tool or weapon with a cutting edge or blade, usually attached to a handle or hilt. One of the earliest tools used by humanity, knives appeared at least 2.5 million years ago, as evidence ...
or sword.
Kick
A kick is a physical Strike (attack), strike using the leg, in unison usually with an area of the knee or lower using the foot, heel, tibia (shin), ball of the foot, blade of the foot, toes or knee (the latter is also known as a knee (strike), ...
s are generally reserved for upper-level variations; reasons cited include that falls from kicks are especially dangerous, and that kicks (high kicks in particular) were uncommon during the types of combat prevalent in feudal Japan. Some basic strikes include:
* a vertical
knifehand strike
In martial arts, a knifehand strike is a strike using the part of the hand opposite the thumb (from the little finger to the wrist), familiar to many people as a karate chop (in Japanese, ''shutō-uchi''). This refers to strikes performed with t ...
to the head. In training, this is usually directed at the forehead or the
crown
A crown is a traditional form of head adornment, or hat, worn by monarchs as a symbol of their power and dignity. A crown is often, by extension, a symbol of the monarch's government or items endorsed by it. The word itself is used, partic ...
for safety, but more dangerous versions of this attack target the bridge of the nose and the
maxillary sinus
The pyramid-shaped maxillary sinus (or antrum of Highmore) is the largest of the paranasal sinuses, and drains into the middle meatus of the nose through the osteomeatal complex.Human Anatomy, Jacobs, Elsevier, 2008, page 209-210
Structure
It i ...
.
* a diagonal knifehand strike to the side of the head or neck.
* a
punch
Punch commonly refers to:
* Punch (combat), a strike made using the hand closed into a fist
* Punch (drink), a wide assortment of drinks, non-alcoholic or alcoholic, generally containing fruit or fruit juice
Punch may also refer to:
Places
* Pun ...
to the
torso
The torso or trunk is an anatomical term for the central part, or the core, of the body of many animals (including humans), from which the head, neck, limbs, tail and other appendages extend. The tetrapod torso — including that of a huma ...
. Specific targets include the
chest
The thorax or chest is a part of the anatomy of humans, mammals, and other tetrapod animals located between the neck and the abdomen. In insects, crustaceans, and the extinct trilobites, the thorax is one of the three main divisions of the crea ...
,
abdomen
The abdomen (colloquially called the belly, tummy, midriff, tucky or stomach) is the part of the body between the thorax (chest) and pelvis, in humans and in other vertebrates. The abdomen is the front part of the abdominal segment of the to ...
, and
solar plexus
The celiac plexus, also known as the solar plexus because of its radiating nerve fibers, is a complex network of nerves located in the abdomen, near where the celiac trunk, superior mesenteric artery, and renal arteries branch from the abdo ...
. Same as , and .
* a punch to the
face
The face is the front of an animal's head that features the eyes, nose and mouth, and through which animals express many of their emotions. The face is crucial for human identity, and damage such as scarring or developmental deformities may aff ...
. Same as .
* Being attacked with a
sword or
bokken
A ''bokken'' (, , "wood", and ''ken'', "sword") (or a ''bokutō'' ) is a Japanese wooden sword used for training in kenjutsu. It is usually the size and shape of a ''katana'', but is sometimes shaped like other swords, such as the ''wakizashi'' ...
, usually reserved for upper level practitioners.
* Being attacked with a
tantō
A is one of the traditionally made Japanese swords (Commons:Nihonto, ''nihonto'') that were worn by the samurai class of feudal Japan. The tantō dates to the Heian period, when it was mainly used as a weapon but evolved in design over the year ...
, usually a wooden one.
* Being attacked with a
jō . Being attacked by any wooden staff is called ''bōtori'' (棒取り) or ''tsuetori'' (杖取り)
Beginners in particular often practice techniques from grabs, both because they are safer and because it is easier to feel the
energy
In physics, energy (from Ancient Greek: ἐνέργεια, ''enérgeia'', “activity”) is the quantitative property that is transferred to a body or to a physical system, recognizable in the performance of work and in the form of hea ...
and lines of force of a hold than a strike. Some grabs are
historically
History (derived ) is the systematic study and the documentation of the human activity. The time period of event before the invention of writing systems is considered prehistory. "History" is an umbrella term comprising past events as well ...
derived from being held while trying to
draw
Draw, drawing, draws, or drawn may refer to:
Common uses
* Draw (terrain), a terrain feature formed by two parallel ridges or spurs with low ground in between them
* Drawing (manufacturing), a process where metal, glass, or plastic or anything ...
a
weapon
A weapon, arm or armament is any implement or device that can be used to deter, threaten, inflict physical damage, harm, or kill. Weapons are used to increase the efficacy and efficiency of activities such as hunting, crime, law enforcement, s ...
; a technique could then be used to free oneself and immobilize or strike the attacker who is grabbing the defender.
* one hand grabs one wrist.
* both hands grab one wrist. Same as
* both hands grab both wrists. Same as .
* a shoulder grab. "Both-shoulders-grab" is . It is sometimes combined with an overhead strike as .
* grabbing the (clothing of the) chest. Same as .
*
*
*
Techniques
![Aikido ikkyo](https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/e/e0/Aikido_ikkyo.svg)
When all attacks are considered, aikido has over 10,000 nameable techniques. Many aikido techniques derive from
Daitō-ryū Aiki-jūjutsu
, originally called , is a Japanese martial art that first became widely known in the early 20th century under the headmastership of Takeda Sōkaku. Takeda had extensive training in several martial arts (including Kashima Shinden Jikishinkage-ry ...
, but some others were invented by
Morihei Ueshiba
was a Japanese martial artist and founder of the martial art of aikido. He is often referred to as "the founder" or , "Great Teacher/Old Teacher (old as opposed to ''waka (young) sensei'')".
The son of a landowner from Tanabe, Ueshiba st ...
. The precise terminology for some may vary between organizations and styles; what follows are the terms used by the
Aikikai Foundation. (Note that despite the names of the first five techniques listed, they are not universally taught in numeric order.) Several
techniques (e.g. the "drop" throws) are also shared with
judo
is an unarmed gendai budō, modern Japanese martial art, Olympic sport (since 1964), and the most prominent form of jacket wrestling competed internationally.『日本大百科全書』電子版【柔道】(CD-ROM version of Encyclopedia Nipponi ...
, which can be considered a "cousin" of aikido due to their shared
jujutsu
Jujutsu ( ; ja, link=no, 柔術 , ), also known as jiu-jitsu and ju-jitsu, is a family of Japanese martial arts and a system of close combat (unarmed or with a minor weapon) that can be used in a defensive or offensive manner to kill or subdu ...
background.
Aikido techniques can be broadly classified into two groups, and .
Immobilizing techniques
* , a control using one hand on the elbow and one hand near the wrist which
lever
A lever is a simple machine consisting of a beam or rigid rod pivoted at a fixed hinge, or '' fulcrum''. A lever is a rigid body capable of rotating on a point on itself. On the basis of the locations of fulcrum, load and effort, the lever is d ...
ages ''uke'' to the ground (also called 腕押さえ, ''ude osae'', "arm pin"). This grip also applies pressure into the
ulnar nerve at the wrist.
* , a
pronating wristlock (小手回し, ''kote mawashi'', "forearm turn") that torques the arm and applies painful nerve pressure. There is an
adductive wristlock or Z-lock in ''ura'' version.
* , a
rotational wristlock (小手捻り, kote hineri, "forearm twist") that directs upward-spiraling tension throughout the arm, elbow and shoulder.
* , a shoulder control similar to ''ikkyō'', but with both hands gripping the forearm (also called 小手押さえ, ''kote osae'', "forearm pin"). The knuckles (from the palm side) are applied to the recipient's
radial nerve
The radial nerve is a nerve in the human body that supplies the posterior portion of the upper limb. It innervates the medial and lateral heads of the triceps brachii muscle of the arm, as well as all 12 muscles in the posterior osteofascial comp ...
against the
periosteum
The periosteum is a membrane that covers the outer surface of all bones, except at the articular surfaces (i.e. the parts within a joint space) of long bones. Endosteum lines the inner surface of the medullary cavity of all long bones.
Structu ...
of the forearm bone.
* , visually similar to ''ikkyō'', but with an inverted grip of the wrist,
medial rotation
Motion, the process of movement, is described using specific anatomical terms. Motion includes movement of organs, joints, limbs, and specific sections of the body. The terminology used describes this motion according to its direction relativ ...
of the arm and shoulder, and downward pressure on the elbow (also called 腕伸ばし, ''ude nobashi''). Common in
knife
A knife ( : knives; from Old Norse 'knife, dirk') is a tool or weapon with a cutting edge or blade, usually attached to a handle or hilt. One of the earliest tools used by humanity, knives appeared at least 2.5 million years ago, as evidence ...
and other weapon take-aways.
*, also called .
*, an elbow lock generally used for knife thrusts or straight punches.
*, or . Note that the name of this technique varies with organizations, and that ''ude-garami'' may also refer to a different technique altogether (see below, arm entanglement throw).
*, a class of techniques which involve immobilizing the elbow through locks.
*, a variety of techniques that involve applying chokes.
Yoshinkan terminology
The
Yoshinkan
Yoshinkan (養神館 ''Yōshinkan'' lit. "Hall of Spirit Cultivation") Aikido is a style of aikido that developed after World War II in the Yoshinkan Dojo of Gozo Shioda (1915–1994). Yoshinkan Aikido is often called the "hard" style of aikido ...
school retains these
Daitō-ryū Aiki-jūjutsu
, originally called , is a Japanese martial art that first became widely known in the early 20th century under the headmastership of Takeda Sōkaku. Takeda had extensive training in several martial arts (including Kashima Shinden Jikishinkage-ry ...
terms for the "first" through "fourth" techniques:
# 一ケ条 Ikkajo
# 二ケ条 Nikajo
# 三ケ条 Sankajo
# 四ケ条 Yonkajo
Throwing techniques
* . From a standing position where the ''tori'' and ''uke'' are side-by-side, the ''tori'' throws the ''uke'' backward with a raised arm cutting backwards and downwards. This technique is also sometimes referred to as the , or categorized as a type of breath throw (see below, slanted breath throw).
* . The hand is folded back past the shoulder, locking the shoulder joint.
*, a
supinating wristlock-throw that stretches the
extensor digitorum
The extensor digitorum muscle (also known as extensor digitorum communis) is a muscle of the posterior forearm present in humans and other animals. It extends the medial four digits of the hand. Extensor digitorum is innervated by the posterior int ...
. As this technique contains both locking and throwing elements, it is sometimes classified under a hybrid category of .
* , throws in which ''tori'' moves through the space occupied by ''uke''. The classic form superficially resembles a "clothesline" technique.
* beginning with ''ryōte-dori''; moving forward, ''tori'' sweeps one hand low ("earth") and the other high ("heaven"), which unbalances ''uke'' so that he or she easily topples over.
* aikido's version of the
hip throw. ''Tori'' drops his or her hips lower than those of ''uke'', then flips ''uke'' over the resultant
fulcrum
A fulcrum is the support about which a lever pivots.
Fulcrum may also refer to:
Companies and organizations
* Fulcrum (Anglican think tank), a Church of England think tank
* Fulcrum Press, a British publisher of poetry
* Fulcrum Wheels, a bicy ...
.
* or a throw that locks the arms against each other (The
kanji
are the logographic Chinese characters taken from the Chinese family of scripts, Chinese script and used in the writing of Japanese language, Japanese. They were made a major part of the Japanese writing system during the time of Old Japanese ...
for "10" is a cross-shape: 十).
* ''tori'' sweeps the arm back until it locks the shoulder joint, then uses forward pressure to throw.
*, sometimes also considered a type of breath throw.
*, from behind, the ''tori'' extends the ''uke's'' arm slightly downwards and places the other arm outstretched under the ''uke's'' upper arm, then moves the whole body forward. Also alternatively termed the , referring to the ''tori''
's use of an outstretched arm as a fulcrum. Can also be considered a form of breath throw.
*, where the ''tori'' grabs both of the ''uke's'' knees and lifts them up, throwing the ''uke'' backward.
*. Like the forearm return, this technique contains both throwing and locking elements, and may be considered to be a . Note that the name ''ude-garami'' is sometimes used by different schools to refer to a different immobilisation technique (see above, arm entanglement).
Breath throws
is a loose term for various types of mechanically unrelated techniques, although they generally do not end in joint locks like the immobilising techniques. The names of specific techniques may vary across organizations and ''dojos''. Different types of ''kokyū-nage'' may include:
* , where the ''tori'' throws the ''uke'' backwards. This technique is sometimes simply referred to as the main ''kokyū-nage'' technique, or separately as the breath method, ''kokyū-hō'' (see above, under throwing techniques). Alternative terminology also include (particularly in
Yoshinkan
Yoshinkan (養神館 ''Yōshinkan'' lit. "Hall of Spirit Cultivation") Aikido is a style of aikido that developed after World War II in the Yoshinkan Dojo of Gozo Shioda (1915–1994). Yoshinkan Aikido is often called the "hard" style of aikido ...
), and .
* . Against an opposite stance single-hand grab, the throw can be referred to by the opening movement ''tenkan tsugiashi'' (転換継ぎ足), which is a rear pivot followed by a forward step.
* . The technique begins similar to that of a regular rotary throw (''kaiten-nage''), but then transitions into a forward throw. Just like the rotary throw, two variations of rotary breath throws exist— and . Against an opposite stance single-hand grab, these two variations can be named by their opening movements as ''irimi kaiten'' (入身回転) and ''irimi tenkan'' (入身転換) breath throws respectively.
*Variations on immobilizing techniques
**. This throw begins as if the ''tori'' were performing a regular ''ikkyō'' technique, using both arms raised to connect with the ''uke's'' attack. But instead of going into the arm pin, the ''tori'' pushes the ''uke'' backward instead.
**. Similar to the first teaching throw, but instead of throwing the ''uke'' backward, the ''tori'' transitions into a drop technique by cutting down or controlling the ''uke's'' attacking arm, as seen in the cutting (''kiri-otoshi'') or floating drops (''uki-otoshi''). This results in throwing the ''uke'' forward.
**. The ''tori'' performs the third teaching technique until the first lock, where the ''uke's'' elbow is pointing skyward, and then throws the ''uke'' forward.
*
**
**
**
**
**
**
**
**
**
**
*, where the ''tori'' drops to the floor and causes the ''uke'' to roll forward and over the ''tori''
's back.
*Hip breath throws
**
**
**
**
**
**
Implementations
![Aikido ikkyo omote ura](https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/9/98/Aikido_ikkyo_omote_ura.png)
Aikido makes use of body movement (''
tai sabaki
is a term from Japanese martial arts and which relates to 'whole body movement', or repositioning. It can be translated as ''body-management''. It is a term used widely in and very important in kendo, jujutsu, aikido, judo, karate and ninju ...
'') to blend with ''uke''. For example, an "entering" (''
irimi
In Japanese martial arts, is the act of entering straight into a technique, as opposed to the more indirect entrance into technique called ''tenkan''. In basic training, irimi usually looks like a step forward, straight or at an angle but usually ...
'') technique consists of movements inward towards ''uke'', while a technique uses a pivoting motion.
Additionally, an technique takes place in front of ''uke'', whereas an technique takes place to his side; a technique is applied with motion to the front of ''uke'', and a version is applied with motion towards the rear of ''uke'', usually by incorporating a turning or pivoting motion. Finally, most techniques can be performed while in a seated posture (''
seiza
): "proper/correct sitting", seiza ( ja, , link=no): "quiet sitting" , Jing zuo
'' Seiza '' ( or , literally "proper sitting") is the formal, traditional way of sitting in Japan.
Form
To sit ''seiza''-style, one must first be kneeling on the ...
''). Techniques where both ''uke'' and ''tori'' are sitting are called ''suwari-waza'', and techniques performed with ''uke'' standing and ''tori'' sitting are called ''hanmi handachi''.
Thus, from fewer than twenty basic techniques, there are thousands of possible implementations. For instance, ''ikkyō'' can be applied to an opponent moving forward with a strike (perhaps with an ''ura'' type of movement to redirect the incoming force), or to an opponent who has already struck and is now moving back to reestablish distance (perhaps an ''omote-waza'' version). Specific aikido ''kata'' are typically referred to with the formula "attack-technique(-modifier)".
For instance, ''katate-dori ikkyō'' refers to any ''ikkyō'' technique executed when ''uke'' is holding one wrist. This could be further specified as ''katate-dori ikkyō omote'', referring to any forward-moving ''ikkyō'' technique from that grab.
''
Atemi'' () are strikes (or
feint
Feint is a French term that entered English via the discipline of swordsmanship and fencing. Feints are maneuvers designed to distract or mislead, done by giving the impression that a certain maneuver will take place, while in fact another, or e ...
s) employed during an aikido technique. Some view ''atemi'' as attacks against "
vital points" meant to cause damage in and of themselves. For instance,
Gōzō Shioda described using ''atemi'' in a brawl to quickly down a gang's leader.
Others consider ''atemi'', especially to the face, to be methods of distraction meant to enable other techniques. A strike, whether or not it is blocked, can startle the target and break his or her concentration. The target may also become unbalanced in attempting to avoid the blow, for example by jerking the head back, which may allow for an easier throw.
Many sayings about ''atemi'' are attributed to Morihei Ueshiba, who considered them an essential element of technique.
See also
*
List of judo techniques
This is a list of judo techniques. They are categorized into throwing techniques (''nage-waza''), grappling techniques (''katame-waza''), body-striking techniques (''atemi-waza)'', blocks and parries (''uke-waza''), receiving/breakfall techni ...
*
List of karate terms
*
Jujutsu techniques
References
External links
{{DEFAULTSORT:Aikido Techniques
Aikido