Aikido techniques have been developed (among other things) from Japanese sword fighting.
This gives rise to the rotational movements typical of Aikido (in contrast to jujitsu and judo), which are facilitated by the footwork (Ashi), and the use of the hands as a ‘cutting weapon’ (Tegatana).
The movements in Aikido flow from the hips and the lower abdomen (Hara), which are ‘anchored’ to the ground via the legs and feet. This is why the footwork (Ashi) is of particular importance.
Ashi – The Steps
As aikido is a dynamic art, footwork plays a major role in movement; the feet are generally not lifted, or only very slightly, off the ground in order to maintain a secure footing quickly.
To achieve this, the foot not bearing weight is always moved, or weight is shifted before taking a step, so that the stepping foot can move freely.
This weight shift makes the steps – and with them the entire movement – more fluid.
Irimi Ashi opening
step
You take a step forwards, either with an ‘ayumi ashi’ or a ‘tsugi ashi’.
Ayumi Ashi’s
crossover step
The movement that originates from the hara, whereby the rear foot becomes the front foot and one turns to face the partner from the other side, is called ayumi ashi.
Tsugi Ashi gliding
step or sliding step
There are two gliding steps that can be performed forwards, backwards or sideways. Either you push your front foot forward first and immediately bring your back foot forward (also possible backwards and sideways), or you bring your back foot up to your front foot and only then push your front foot forward (also possible backwards).
Kaiten hip
rotation
A turn on the spot without putting a foot down.
The weight is distributed between the feet to take the strain off the joints. To speed up the movement and make it more dynamic, the hips are rotated 180° whilst standing on the balls of the feet. This causes the front foot to become the back foot.
Tenkan/Tai no henko:
Change of direction
Tai no henko roughly translates as ‘change of body position’. This includes irimi (direct entry) and tenkan (indirect entry). Tai no henko is also known as tenkan (waza).
Irimi Tenkan:
the entry redirection step
The combination of Irimi ashi followed by Tenkan ashi results in a change of position involving a 180° turn. Irimi Tenkan is the most common step combination in Aikido.
Tenkan Ashi
Reversal Step
By turning on the spot whilst drawing the front foot back, the stance is rotated through 180°. Unlike Tai no henka, the front foot returns to the front after this technique.
Tenkan and Irimi Tenkan are two of the most important basic forms underlying many Aikido techniques and are practised regularly during training.
With irimi, the tori steps into the uke’s attack; in doing so, the energies of the tori and uke do not clash through a block, but rather merge or harmonise.
It is through this merging that the next movement, tenkan, can be executed. In this movement, the merged (concentrated) energies are channelled by Tori, so that the attacker, Uke, is guided past Tori using the full force of this concentrated energy. In doing so, Tori has now changed his body position to be exactly opposite to the starting position (180°).
Shikko: Walking on
One’s Knees
Kneeling is used for techniques performed whilst kneeling (in Hanmi hantachi and Suwari waza).
In the kneeling stance, the thighs are spread almost at right angles, the feet are together, the toes are pointed outwards and the buttocks rest on the heels. As with the kamae in tachi waza, one assumes a dynamic and alert position (sankaku) in the kneeling stance.
The movement originates from the hara, whilst the centre of gravity remains close to the ground. To achieve this, one foot is placed on the ground and the other is immediately brought forward to regain a stable stance.
For turns performed whilst circling on the knees, the knees are brought together and the feet trace an arc.
Tegatana:
The Sword Hand
By analogy with Japanese sword fighting, Tori’s arm is regarded as a sword (katana).
The hand and forearm are divided into the zones of the sword blade.
The fingers (or fist) correspond to the tip of the sword (kissaki). The little-finger side of the forearm is regarded as the cutting edge (Ha), whilst the edge of the hand is the cutting zone (Hammon).
The thumb side of the forearm forms the back of the sword (Mine). Similar to the curved blade of a sword, the arm is held slightly bent.
Just as in Kenjutsu, where sword strikes are not blocked but are absorbed softly, deflected and redirected, the sword hand in Aikido should also be used decisively yet softly.