“Aikido is a tough art to learn and its all to easy to go through the motions on the mat and just have a good time. Aiki is not an intuitive concept to grasp (see – About Aiki) It is present in many samurai koryu martial arts and gives the practitioner a way to deal with someone that is faster, stronger and has an advantage over you through an attack that has taken your centre.”
Brian Kagen is an avid web researcher with a particular interest in martial arts. His training background includes both judo and aikido. He has contributed hundreds of article links over the years for AJ readers.
…some bits here to which i resonate – the idea of an attack that controls nage and to which aikido technique is one of the few options… the idea that sloppy attacks which do NOT control nage also don’t need any fancy response (a punch in the nose will work just fine) …the hint that everything is in some sense kaeshi waza (it isn’t that either, but…)
I like the concept of the article.
Unfortunately, it does not appear that Maruyama Sensei’s ukes are putting his center under any pressure at all. They appear to be grasping firmly to the wrist but if there was pressure on Sensei’s center, he would not have been able to move his elbow so freely.
There is a big difference between a strong grab and a grab which challenges nage’s center. My Wing Chun brothers have demonstrated this in dramatic fashion. They seem to find holes in my movement where I thought there were none. It has dramatically changed my Aikido practice (for the better.)
hi Jim,
Whilst not one of the ukes in the video (though have seuugested they respond) I have found it to be a curious thing grabbing Maruyama sensei’s wrists to control his centre. You don’t get the immediate sense of power from say someone like Iwao Tamura sensei or of holding iron coated in rubber like Kataoka sensei. Instead there is well nothing..its almost disappointing but then you are on the mat and still waiting for the technique to be applied….a curious thing and a real aha moment. Recently I had the good fortune to attend to attend a seminar by Shimamoto Sensei – he allows the grab and a centre connecting grab at that and then it just melts away from you..again curious.
Just random thoughts and thanks for your insights from WC enjoyed your articles
dan
PS thanks Charles too for your thoughts too – not sure where I am at with Kaeshi waza per se can you say more