My old Jinenkan teacher said pretty much the same thing . He said it's more about a temporary restriction to his attacking range and he came to that conclusion more from his Police background as opposed to what his Sensei said. Great video
Great explanation! As most of what I've seen from you! My teachers would add that Ikkyo (or Ikkajo as we call in Yoshinkan (not the US Version, I trained in Europe and Japan)) AND Shihonage are the most important techniques. In that sense I do very much like your explanatin. And at the same time would let the notion stand that it is a basic principle for one "half" of the corriculum of techniques. Like 1, 2, 3, 4, .... kyo, hiji shime and the like. For the other "half" ("half" in "" because I haven't mesured it to 50%/50% :) ) it's shihonage. e.g. ude garami, kote gaeshi and the like. Have to say, the longer I practice the more it melts together for me. At my stage now, all of Aikido is two techniques ikkyo and shihonage. And two movements irimi and tenkan. One of our top teacher in Japan (Takeno Takafumi Sensei) once told me, "it is only kamae". I'm not there yet. ;) I need to say again: I really like your approach and your explanations!!
Excellent explanation, I'm glad there is finally someone out there explaining the usefulness and practical reasons for certain Aikido techniques. Keep up the great work! Looking forward to your next video.
I took Aikido 25 year's ago made it to brown belt. The teacher was was from Japan. The english barrier was the main problem, had he spoke like you I would have went farther in it.
Great video as usual. I agree that some of those explanations do sound rather magical and woo-woo-ish, and share your skepticism. But that doesn't preclude that being the reason! O-Sensei had a fair bit of magic and woo-woo in this thinking -- or to be a little more polite about it, religious and spiritual.
Nice point about elbow control and the knife! I really love your videos that explore the practical applications of Aikido By the way I asked why not do all aikido with at least a knife.. seeing as it seems to be functioning around weapons.. and you said you’d get back to me and never did! Keep up the work! It makes me want to train aikido on the side and explore its functionality..
Glad you're enjoying the videos! Sorry I haven't gotten back to you yet. There are really a bunch of answers to that question, I plan to make a whole video on it. In short I believe the biggest reasons are the popularity of unarmed martial arts over armed martial arts, and the post WWII atmosphere in Japan- the time and place where Aikido was developing. Thanks for watching!
@@ChuShinTani Yes but seeing as we see no prevalence of Aikido in the UFC for the past 30 odd years would you think it was fair to say that there are other martial arts that have a better approach to unarmed single combat? Why not double down on Aikido’s strengths and reforge an identity based around what the system is actually good at? You have already demonstrated that using grappling distance (Brazilian JuiJitsu) against a knife is actually worse for the good guy. So here you have a very clear niche. If you had your higher grades focus on the practical application of these weapon techniques for 20/30 minutes at the end of class in a kind of structured free sparing / free playing practice, (different to the compliant partner drills aikido is so good at) you would end up with guys who were able to apply these techniques in real time, against resisting opponents. This would then have the effect that if a passing higher grade from another martial art visited your school, your students would be better at this practical application of weapons technique than they would be, due to them being untrained in the particular skill set your school teaches. Bing able to show competence in the practical application of their martial skills against a non compliant partner would gain you legitimacy amongst the wider martial arts community. I appreciate for beginners you might not want weapons involved to keep things simple while they learn. But is does seem that Aikido is the time capsule that has preserved the weapons based techniques and principles of of Ancient Japan. Not to mention. With the increase of knife crime who’s to say that we shouldn’t also be training weapons, as the ancient once did.
so if we face a boxers jabb and go to a side entry slapping the punch or elbow there's a chance of ikkyo or side entry defending against a blade an ikkyo gives safety using a "side" entry or escape then elbow control. a wing Chun pak-sao I think it's called for fast jabs or punches - cool
Glad you liked it! The video's on other techniques like this might appear here eventually, but if you're in a hurry you can find them now on my patreon page patreon.com/christopherhein
That'd be nice too, but 'why is rokkyo one of the main techniques but way less important than the previous five' is a much less punchy theme for a video. :)
Havent finished watching yet. But i think its because all other fundamental kyo is kinda possible when ikkyo was perform.. or it seems like its only a ni, san, yon and gokyo if ikkyo fails.
Thank you for sharing your valuable perspective! Question: What about the importance of seated kokyu dosa? Given your point that aikido generally tries to maintain a large distance to provoke lunging/committed attacks, how does seated kokyu dosa fit into your theory of aikido? In traditional aikido suwari kokyu ho is just about as fundamental as ikkyo. Do you see that as a mistake? Part of the woo-woo you'd like to debunk? Or does it develop something equally as valuable as ikkyo? Thanks for any thoughts you can offer about this!
This is a great question. Personally I feel like suwari waza (seated techniques ) were a very useful tool for Ueshiba Morihei for several reasons: 1. The anachronistic quality of Suwari Waza tied what Ueshiba was doing to the old warrior class of Japan. He was known by his peers as one of the few old style Bushi. Suwari Waza was something that looked the part he was presenting. 2. It is a great way to control students. If the students are presented material from this very limited position, it keeps them from getting too rambunctious. I have heard many people repeat that when O-Sensei was not in the Dojo, only Suwari Waza was to be practiced- this kept everyone safer. It also puts a person who is very good at Suwari waza in a better position when dealing with younger stronger students who are not used to moving this way. 3. Suwari Waza is a useful tool for learning to use your upper body effectively. Because of the limited lower body use, it is a decent way to teach upper body coordination. My interpretation of Aikido is the one that makes the most sense overall to me personally. I'm not claiming in any way that it is what Ueshiba or any other teacher wanted Aikido to be. I am a person who has spent a considerable amount of time working with the system(s) of Aikido, and what I would call the "Aikido zeightgheist" (the mass feeling of what Aikido is). The way I "approach" this material to make the most sense to me is what I present- it very well may not be what Ueshiba Morihei had in mind, or what any other Aikidoka believe to be the essence of Aikido. For me- Suwari waza is something that I have studied quite a bit, but I seldom teach it these days, as it feels very vestigial. For me to move forward with my approach I am forced to leave many things behind- for better or worse. So, long story, short- I don't think Suwari waza is "woo-woo". To the contrary, I feel that there are many useful lessons learned from it. However, for me and my approach, it doesn't currently fit. Thanks for the great question!
@@ChuShinTani Thanks for your detailed answer! I was just about to edit my question after watching your philosophy video, because it seemed that kokyu ho would fall under the rationale for the nagewaza as you formulate them: the ways to get uke back out of your space when they do manage to get too close....
Main problem of this performance is that Aikido illustrate ikkyo or ikajo by only one technique called udedori or ippondori however it more than 100 illustrations could be applied. So if you based application of idea on only one technique it's like you try to put owl on globe and it simply doesn't fit variations.
Nice comparison! Martial convergent evolution in action. Also really underscores what a nice clear visual cue it is -- even someone as rusty-rookie as me can see 'ooo, there's an ikkyo!' when watching someone's form. Which I think is likely another part of why it's 'first'.
@@ChuShinTani Is there a similar Aikido technique which deals with the opponent's leg, by controlling it at the knee? I know Wingchun has something that checks the knee with the foot.
![[AIKIDO TIPS#5] Shomenuchi IKKYO - An Older Form](/img/n.gif)
My old Jinenkan teacher said pretty much the same thing . He said it's more about a temporary restriction to his attacking range and he came to that conclusion more from his Police background as opposed to what his Sensei said. Great video
Amazing, I have cerebral palsy myself and have been trying to find ways to make Aikido work from my wheel chair.
Great explanation! As most of what I've seen from you!
My teachers would add that Ikkyo (or Ikkajo as we call in Yoshinkan (not the US Version, I trained in Europe and Japan)) AND Shihonage are the most important techniques. In that sense I do very much like your explanatin. And at the same time would let the notion stand that it is a basic principle for one "half" of the corriculum of techniques. Like 1, 2, 3, 4, .... kyo, hiji shime and the like.
For the other "half" ("half" in "" because I haven't mesured it to 50%/50% :) ) it's shihonage. e.g. ude garami, kote gaeshi and the like.
Have to say, the longer I practice the more it melts together for me. At my stage now, all of Aikido is two techniques ikkyo and shihonage. And two movements irimi and tenkan. One of our top teacher in Japan (Takeno Takafumi Sensei) once told me, "it is only kamae". I'm not there yet. ;)
I need to say again: I really like your approach and your explanations!!
Very kind of you to say! I'm glad you're enjoying my approach!
Your logic is undeniable. Great lesson.
Shout out to Josh and Maya.😎
Ikkyo as point of elbow is an essental skill and value. Great that you pointed this out.
Excellent explanation, I'm glad there is finally someone out there explaining the usefulness and practical reasons for certain Aikido techniques. Keep up the great work! Looking forward to your next video.
❤
It is true.
I took Aikido 25 year's ago made it to brown belt. The teacher was was from Japan. The english barrier was the main problem, had he spoke like you I would have went farther in it.
Glad you enjoy the videos, thanks for the kind words!
Thank you! As a beginner, this is very clarifying and helpful.
Great video as usual. I agree that some of those explanations do sound rather magical and woo-woo-ish, and share your skepticism. But that doesn't preclude that being the reason! O-Sensei had a fair bit of magic and woo-woo in this thinking -- or to be a little more polite about it, religious and spiritual.
Greeting from Sri Lanka. Important explanation ❤
Domo arigato, Christopher Hein Sensei.
Brilliant
Nice point about elbow control and the knife!
I really love your videos that explore the practical applications of Aikido
By the way I asked why not do all aikido with at least a knife.. seeing as it seems to be functioning around weapons.. and you said you’d get back to me and never did!
Keep up the work! It makes me want to train aikido on the side and explore its functionality..
Glad you're enjoying the videos! Sorry I haven't gotten back to you yet. There are really a bunch of answers to that question, I plan to make a whole video on it. In short I believe the biggest reasons are the popularity of unarmed martial arts over armed martial arts, and the post WWII atmosphere in Japan- the time and place where Aikido was developing. Thanks for watching!
@@ChuShinTani Yes but seeing as we see no prevalence of Aikido in the UFC for the past 30 odd years would you think it was fair to say that there are other martial arts that have a better approach to unarmed single combat?
Why not double down on Aikido’s strengths and reforge an identity based around what the system is actually good at? You have already demonstrated that using grappling distance (Brazilian JuiJitsu) against a knife is actually worse for the good guy. So here you have a very clear niche. If you had your higher grades focus on the practical application of these weapon techniques for 20/30 minutes at the end of class in a kind of structured free sparing / free playing practice, (different to the compliant partner drills aikido is so good at) you would end up with guys who were able to apply these techniques in real time, against resisting opponents. This would then have the effect that if a passing higher grade from another martial art visited your school, your students would be better at this practical application of weapons technique than they would be, due to them being untrained in the particular skill set your school teaches. Bing able to show competence in the practical application of their martial skills against a non compliant partner would gain you legitimacy amongst the wider martial arts community.
I appreciate for beginners you might not want weapons involved to keep things simple while they learn. But is does seem that Aikido is the time capsule that has preserved the weapons based techniques and principles of of Ancient Japan.
Not to mention. With the increase of knife crime who’s to say that we shouldn’t also be training weapons, as the ancient once did.
That's exactly what I have been doing for the last 15 years or so.
That sankyo example looks like the old armlock seoi nage position from classical ju jutsu
so if we face a boxers jabb and go to a side entry slapping the punch or elbow there's a chance of ikkyo or side entry defending against a blade an ikkyo gives safety using a "side" entry or escape then elbow control. a wing Chun pak-sao I think it's called for fast jabs or punches - cool
Mike Tyson does side entry with peek-a-boo style boxing
Really enjoyed the video. Can you do a series of videos with the same type of explanation for all 6 main techniques?
Glad you liked it! The video's on other techniques like this might appear here eventually, but if you're in a hurry you can find them now on my patreon page patreon.com/christopherhein
That'd be nice too, but 'why is rokkyo one of the main techniques but way less important than the previous five' is a much less punchy theme for a video. :)
Nice sir
Thank you!
Здорово! Спасибо
completely agree
nice explanation, and sound. what mic r u.using sir?
Thanks! The mic is a saramonic uwmic9, with a JK mic-j Lav.
Havent finished watching yet. But i think its because all other fundamental kyo is kinda possible when ikkyo was perform.. or it seems like its only a ni, san, yon and gokyo if ikkyo fails.
Thank you for sharing your valuable perspective! Question: What about the importance of seated kokyu dosa? Given your point that aikido generally tries to maintain a large distance to provoke lunging/committed attacks, how does seated kokyu dosa fit into your theory of aikido? In traditional aikido suwari kokyu ho is just about as fundamental as ikkyo. Do you see that as a mistake? Part of the woo-woo you'd like to debunk? Or does it develop something equally as valuable as ikkyo? Thanks for any thoughts you can offer about this!
This is a great question. Personally I feel like suwari waza (seated techniques ) were a very useful tool for Ueshiba Morihei for several reasons:
1. The anachronistic quality of Suwari Waza tied what Ueshiba was doing to the old warrior class of Japan. He was known by his peers as one of the few old style Bushi. Suwari Waza was something that looked the part he was presenting.
2. It is a great way to control students. If the students are presented material from this very limited position, it keeps them from getting too rambunctious. I have heard many people repeat that when O-Sensei was not in the Dojo, only Suwari Waza was to be practiced- this kept everyone safer. It also puts a person who is very good at Suwari waza in a better position when dealing with younger stronger students who are not used to moving this way.
3. Suwari Waza is a useful tool for learning to use your upper body effectively. Because of the limited lower body use, it is a decent way to teach upper body coordination.
My interpretation of Aikido is the one that makes the most sense overall to me personally. I'm not claiming in any way that it is what Ueshiba or any other teacher wanted Aikido to be. I am a person who has spent a considerable amount of time working with the system(s) of Aikido, and what I would call the "Aikido zeightgheist" (the mass feeling of what Aikido is). The way I "approach" this material to make the most sense to me is what I present- it very well may not be what Ueshiba Morihei had in mind, or what any other Aikidoka believe to be the essence of Aikido.
For me- Suwari waza is something that I have studied quite a bit, but I seldom teach it these days, as it feels very vestigial. For me to move forward with my approach I am forced to leave many things behind- for better or worse.
So, long story, short- I don't think Suwari waza is "woo-woo". To the contrary, I feel that there are many useful lessons learned from it. However, for me and my approach, it doesn't currently fit.
Thanks for the great question!
@@ChuShinTani Thanks for your detailed answer! I was just about to edit my question after watching your philosophy video, because it seemed that kokyu ho would fall under the rationale for the nagewaza as you formulate them: the ways to get uke back out of your space when they do manage to get too close....
Main problem of this performance is that Aikido illustrate ikkyo or ikajo by only one technique called udedori or ippondori however it more than 100 illustrations could be applied. So if you based application of idea on only one technique it's like you try to put owl on globe and it simply doesn't fit variations.
When i was doing HEMA the words see an elbow, press an eldow came up alot
Exactly!
Nice comparison! Martial convergent evolution in action. Also really underscores what a nice clear visual cue it is -- even someone as rusty-rookie as me can see 'ooo, there's an ikkyo!' when watching someone's form. Which I think is likely another part of why it's 'first'.
Is aikido good for selfdefense
Is there an Ikkyo for the knees though? Irimi tenkan?
I'm not sure that I understand your question.
@@ChuShinTani Is there a similar Aikido technique which deals with the opponent's leg, by controlling it at the knee? I know Wingchun has something that checks the knee with the foot.
I wonder if your dojo is accepted by aikido association or not
I'm no longer affiliated with any other Dojos.
It is for safety..control.
Someone's been reading their Fiore. Lol
Does josh ever speak?
Oh boy does he!
looks very much like the first palm change in BaguaZhang. It really appears that O'Sensei took this and a lot more from BGZ.