Aikido has largely evolved from sword fighting (kenjutsu), which is also evident in the throwing techniques, which generally have only one point of leverage, or none at all.
The leverage effect is not the primary intention here, but rather a consequence of the cutting movements that act on certain joints.
The joints are generally guided in accordance with their natural direction of flexion so as not to put Uke at risk.
An alert uke reacts in good time, before the actual leverage takes effect, in order to protect themselves.
In this respect, the throwing techniques are not based on the use of joint locks, which is ideally exemplified by the kokyunage.
Furthermore, the throwing techniques can be combined with one another and, in some cases, transitioned into holding techniques.
This results in the following three types of throw:
Pure throwing techniques
Throwing techniques are applied at specific joints, through which the attacker’s (Uke’s) kinetic energy is redirected.
The entry is made on:
Cervical spine
Iriminage – Control of uke’s head is achieved via the neck
Opening throw
Tenchinage – Heaven and Earth Throw
Wrist
Shihonage – Four-direction throw.
Shihonage can be transitioned into a holding technique (Osae).
Elbow joint
Udekimenage – arm-stretching throw
Shoulder joint
Kaitennage – Shoulder throw
Spinning throw
Juji Garami – armbar
Hip joint
Koshi Nage – hip throw
Hip throw
Aiki Otoshi – Lifting throw
Knee joint
Sumi Otoshi – Corner Tilt
Throwing techniques combined with holding techniques
Wrist throw
Kotegaeshi is often performed in its basic form using a holding technique.
Other throws can also be performed using a holding technique, though not in their basic form (e.g. Shihonage): Tori grasps Uke’s hand, turns it outwards and, without releasing Uke’s fixed hand, guides Uke on to Nikyo.
If Tori releases the fixed hand, Uke can escape by performing Ukemi.
Throwing techniques without a lever action
Breath-throw
Kokyunage is performed using the power of the breath (kokyu) and comprises many variations based on redirecting movements.
Aikinage
A no-contact throw. A typical throw involves Tori ducking out of the way of Uke’s attack at just the right moment (ma-ai), so that Uke is forced to jump over Tori to avoid falling.