There are many ways to execute a martial arts technique (waza). In Aikido, founded by Morihei Ueshiba in the late 1920s, there are well over 16 styles. According to research, six systems of Aikido are recognized as the most common around the world, including Aikikai, Yoshinkan (Gozo Shioda), Yosikan (Minoru Mochizuki), Shodokan (Kenji Tomiki), Ki Society (Koichi Tohei), and Iwama Ryu (Morihiro Saito) (Aikido Styles, n.d.). Within these sub-systems, different training philosophies and approaches saw the reformers building from the teachings of Ueshiba. This writing aims to explore the first principle of Aikido called: Ikkyo, highlighting details of the waza Aihami katatedori Ikkyo Omote showing how Shoji Nishio’s method was/is different compared to many aikido systems.
The first technique in Aikido is called Ikkyo or the first principle. In research from Wikipedia, contributors said that Ikkyo is “a control technique using one hand on the elbow and one hand near the wrist which leverages uke to the ground. This grip applies pressure into the ulnar nerve at the wrist” (2022). Ikkyo ends with a pinning technique (osae waza) from this definition. In a beginner class, Ikkyo can first be introduced with an attacker (uke) using a cross grip with his or her hand to the new student’s wrist, Aihami katatedori Ikkyo.
The Aikido technique has a common practice of executing wazas forward (Omote) or moving backward (Ura). This writer sees Omote meaning moving to the front of the uke and ura as moving behind the uke. The reason for this is how the technique of Aihami katatedori Ikkyo Omote is taught in many styles of Aikido. On a separate note, there are many Martial Arts practitioners that have never studied Aikido before, need help understanding the philosophy of the art, and see the techniques of Aikido as ineffective against resisting training partners. An ordinary expression is, “Why do Aikido students practice techniques starting from a wrist grab?” This author can deliver several reasons for this; however, Aihami Katatedori is a useful reference point to teach a new student Ikkyo. In the future, the student will be able to perform the technique “before” he or she is grabbed at the wrist. Nevertheless, next, let us see an example of Aihami katatedori Ikkyo Omote performed by Christian Tissier Sensei, 8th Dan, Aikkai.
The critical details that the author notices in how many Aikido circles teach Aihami katatedori Ikkyo Omote is with first a side (evasion) step and next, a forward (Omote) step with the near side leg close to uke. Finally, with the hands on the wrist and uke’s elbow to the grounding pin, as defined earlier in this writing. Some Aikidokas will express that when they execute the technique, they do not step in with the near side leg/foot until the off-balancing point for the takedown and pin. This method is a natural movement on stepping forward (Omote) and the second step is a way to continue to take the balance of uke. Yet, this variation compared to what Christian Tissier Sensei and many in the community are applying has to do with timing and where the first step goes, either out or forward. When you execute with timing stepping out, the technique will be in the form of Tissier Sensei. When you are starting late or from static to step forward, you will find your second step reaching the near side position of the uke. Below is an example of Mitsuteru Ueshiba performing both Omote and Ura:
Finally, highlighting the details of the waza Aihami katatedori Ikkyo Omote by Shoji Nishio’s method was/is different compared to many aikido systems. Nishio’s first step was not to the side or forward; it was stepping both forward and to the side. This strategy is an evasion entering step in Aikido called irimi, yet from the videos so far and as practice in 90% of Aikido schools is not applied. Also note that this writer believes that Nishio’s Aikido is different and is its very own system of Aikido, and rightfully should be added to the list of styles for many reasons. Below is a video of one of Nishio’s top students that continue to teach in Japan and around the world today. Notice how Ichiro Shishiya Sensei, 7th Dan, Aikkai, uses an irimi step, circular movement, and a spiral strategy to capture the posture of the uke at almost the “shoulder” and high of the elbow arm positioning. Also, notice that Shishiya does not use the second step and creates a lot of space for uke to fall into:
It is most useful to hear directly from Nishio Sensei on his thoughts on Aihami katatedori Ikkyo Omote. Although a lot of concentration in this article has been on the second nearside step, the writer’s main intention was to show interpretations that arrive to deliver Nishio’s approach with irimi and circular energy. Further, Nishio’s student Shishiya Sensei also has a spiral energy in the technique without the second nearside step. We must keep in mind that are many ways to perform Ikkyo.
To The Reader
The author will be most happy to receive your comments, including criticisms and suggestions. Noteworthy comments may be included in future editions or books on this series.
Citations:
Aikido Styles. (n.d.). https://www.tomikiaikido.ie/Dublin-aikido-styles
Wikipedia contributors. (2022, November 24). Aikido. Wikipedia. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Aikido
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