Something that tenchinage, katatedori ikkyo ura, nikyo ura, kaitennage uchimawari, hanmi-handachi kaitennage uchimawari, and most likely many more waza have in common came out today.

In the morning practice there were questions about hanmi-handachi katatedori kaitennage uchimawari on the (old?) third kyu test. I suggested starting from tachi and trying it as the technique from the (old?) 5th kyu test. I think uchimawari kaitennage has gotten a bad rep for some reason, but it really is a beautiful blend of momentum and redirection, and hella fun.

Actually, for the first time ever, this weekend I saw another sensei do the initial movement that I had only seen in video clips or at Hombu. I may have mentioned it before, but it works wonderfully and is emphasized by Wakasensei and Tissier – they are my inspirations for this initial movement.1

Instead of cutting down and pulling Uke back at 45 degrees, how about going to Uke‘s immediate side and minimally cutting down? The cut-down at the elbow is almost not needed, almost. Uke‘s weight is pretty much shifted to the leg closest to Tori, and if Tori uses a little cut-down and sinks just a bit, Uke‘s other leg will lift off the ground – this is what Wakasensei does, and what Tissier explained in detail in his 2005 Aikido Conference footage. Tori can then pretty much do any prescribed technique as ura or kaitennage. It is so amazing how a little change in thinking and movement translates into big dividends.

Update 2010.09.06 – A secret reader of the Journal asked me to show him this today. I’m pleased that I was asked demonstrate it because I think people are curious to make kaitennage better. It is a fun technique! Thanks, friend.

Update 2010.09.13 – Osawa Sensei does this.

Katatedori Nikyo Ura - Osawa Sensei

1. It seems to be hard to find katatedori ikko, nikyo etc. videos from other shihans [↩]