Introduction
This is the 5th in a 27-part series on the Aiki Ken and Jo Suburi presented by James Neiman, Dojo Cho of Shugyo Aikido Dojo, where martial arts instruction in Union City, California is offered. All the articles are paired with YouTube video demonstrations of each of the Suburi (click here to subscribe to the channel, and click here to view all the articles in this series). These paired demonstrations and articles are offered to Aikidoka who would like to more fully understand the precise mechanics within each of the Suburi, how they can be practiced in both solo and partner settings, and how one can align the Suburi with taijutsu to develop increasing competence and precision with both basic and advanced technique.
Tsuki Jodan Gaeshi Uchi
In this article we examine Tsuki Jodan Gaeshi Uchi, which is the 5th of the Aiki Jo Suburi in the series known as the Tsuki No Bu. Click here to view a video demonstration of the components of this Suburi. Tsuki Jodan Gaeshi Uchi is a forward thrust combined with a overhead block and strike. It builds on many of the same body dynamics as Choku Tsuki and Ushiro Tsuki, with an overhead deflecting block combined with a shomen strike. Tsuki Jodan Gaeshi Uchi is a complex movement that provides important perspectives on the most important core principles of Aikido: namely, getting off the line of attack, deflecting an attack, and counterattacking. The basic body movements from the Tsuki No Bu series are brought to maturity in this practice, combining atemi, the dynamic and fluid movement involving both uke and nage, and the kinetic chain involved in forward, backward, lateral, and turning movements. The exercise requires a fluid combination of movements that can be divided into 4 major sections:
- Drop
- Thrust
- Block
- Strike
The movement begins with the jo being held horizontally on the right side of the body while standing in hanmi with the left foot forward and angled slightly. Your right shoulder is back and relaxed. Drop your center by bending your knees while staying in an aligned posture, loading onto the ball of your right foot and coiling your right hip. This completes the drop movement.
The word uchideshi translates in English to mean “live-in student.” A student who joins in an uchideshi program lives at a dojo not only to train—every part of his or her daily life becomes part of the training as well. Traditionally in Japan, this kind of training the martial arts has been available only to those students who were earnest about dedicating their time for serious practice.
