Tai-jutsu: empty-hand training

Empty hand Aikido training consists of attacks, techniques and breakfalls. One has to learn the correct way to attack as well as the correct way to defend themselves. From a martial point of view, correct attacks leave no openings, and so are strong and dangerous. Attacks that are weak or leave an opening are simple to deal with and may not require much effort to defend against. From a training point of view, strong, correct attacks teach your partner to respond in a correct and effective way. Weak attacks, or those wih openings make it difficult for your partner to learn, and give no realism or value to Aikido training. Breakfalls are necessary to protect our body from injury against attacks and strong techniques. From a training point of view breakfalls also make the body strong, and break some unfounded fears such as that of feeling helpless while being down on the ground, or that falling down means defeat.

Origins of Aikido empty-hand techniques

It is well documented that the origins of Aikido empty-hand techniques come from a number of Ju-Jutsu styles, and in particular, Daito-Ryu Aiki Ju-Jutsu, the style that had the most influence on O-Sensei. Body techniques are derived from sword techniques, Ono-ha Itto Ryu being the sword style associated with Daito-Ryu But O-Sensei’s Aikido was far beyond Daito-Ryu, as many anecdotes and stories will attest. Everything that O-Sensei came in contact with eventually influenced him in his development of Aikido as we know today, but it is known that he also studied the following styles of Ju-Jutsu: Takenouchi Ryu, Kito Ryu, Tenjin Shinyo Ryu, Shinkage Ryu, (which includes a broad range of weapons and empty-hand techniques), and Yagyu Ryu, (which also includes the sword style of that name). He also studied with Takagi Kyoichi, a noted Kodokan Judo teacher.

An organisational overview

1. Two directions of Aikido attacks

1. Mae-waza - attacks from the front
2. Ushiro-waza - attacks from the rear

2. Twenty four attacks

(twenty four different attacks from which Aikido techniques are performed)

1. Shomen-uchi - palm strike to centre-line, raising
2. Shomen-uchi-komi - edge of the hand strike to centreline from above
3. Yokomen-uchi - edge of hand strike to side of body
4. Katate-dori - wrist being grabbed by one hand of attacker
5. Sode-dori - cuff below / shirt at elbow grabbed by one hand of attacker
6. Sode-guchi-dori - inside cuff held
7. Kata-dori - one shoulder grabbed by one hand of attacker
8. Muna-dori - one hand grab/strike to centre-line, chest level
9. Kosa-dori - wrist grabbed in reverse grip by one hand of attacker
10. Tsuki - punch to centre line
11. Ryote-dori - both wrists grabbed by both hands of attacker
12. Ryo-sode-dori - both elbows grabbed by both hands of attacker
13. Ryo-kata-dori - both shoulders grabbed by both hands of attacker
14. Ryo-muna-dori - two-handed grab to centre-line, chest level
15. Morote-dori - both attackers hands grab one arm
16. Kata-dori/shomen-uchi (or tsuki) - shoulder grab and strike with other hand
17. Muna-dori/shomen-uchi (or tsuki) - chest grab and strike with other hand
18. Ushiro-eri-dori - neck lapel gripped by one hand from behind
19. Ushiro-ryo-kata-dori - shoulders grabbed by attacker from behind
20. Ushiro-ryote-dori - both wrists grabbed from behind
21. Ushiro-eri/katate-dori - neck lapel and wrist grabbed from behind
22. Ushiro-katate-muna-dori - wrist/collar at front grabbed from behind
23. Ni-nin/san-nin gake - 2 or more persons grabbing
24. Geri - variations on hand techniques against a variety of kicks

3. Miscellaneous attacks difficult to categorise

(incomplete)

1. Variations on basic attacks (oyo-waza)
2. Football style tackle-hold from front and rear
3. Ni-nin, san-nin dori - grabbed by two, three or more attackers

4. Three methods of training Aikido techniques

1. Suwari-waza - both partners seated
2. Hanmi-handachi-waza - one seated, one standing
3. Tachi-waza - both partners standing

5. Two aspects of performing Aikido techniques

1. Omote-waza - entering across attackers front, when the attack is not strong
2. Ura-waza - turning to the opponents rear, when the attack is strong

6. The 6 Basic Aikido techniques (the six pillars of Aikido)

1. Ikkyo kara Rokkyo - six arm pins and joint locks to control the body
2. Shiho-nage - four-direction throw
3. Kote-gaeshi - wrist turning
4. Irimi-nage - entering throw
5. Kokyu-nage - throwing using breath power and hip connection
6. Koshi-nage - throw using the hip

7. Miscellaneous techniques difficult to categorise

1. Kaiten-nage - rotary throw
2. Tenchi-nage - “heaven and earth” throw, combination of kokyu and irimi
3. Kubi-nage - throw by control of the neck
4. Juji-nage - throw by locking the arms in a cross shape
5. Gon-seki-otoshi - throwing attacker over your head

8. Four methods of finishing attacks

1. Atemi-waza - striking
2. Nage-waza - throwing
3. Osae, or katame-waza - controling
4. Nuke-waza - escaping

9. Nine levels of training Aikido techniques

1. Kihon waza - basic, strong slow and controlled
2. Henka waza - variations on the basics
3. Oyo waza - applied techniques to specific attacks
4. Sutemi waza - sacrifice techniques in applied circumstances
5. Ki-no-nagare waza - flowing and controlled
6. Ki-musubi waza - flowing with spirited intention
7. Combination techniques - transitions due to opponents resistance
8. Kaeshi-waza - reversal techniques
9. Randoori, or jiyu waza - free techniques against single or multiple attackers

10. Principles to focus on by varying the training method

1. Kokyu - to produce great power through hip connection and breath
2. Awase - to effortlessly blend or harmonise with the attackers force
3. Irimi - to enter when there is an opening
4. Tenkan - to turn when there is an oncoming force

11. Breakfalls

1. Simple fall
2. Roll
3. High fall (tobu-ukemi)

12. Body Movement

1. Shikko - walking movement on knees
2. Tai-sabaki - stepping in hanmi