I’ve been working hard on the updates to the site, and came across an old post about tenchinage where I looked closely at Wakasensei. Wakasensei twisted his hips to protect his groin and also moved off the line of attack before even entering beside Uke. In my previous experience with it months ago it would cause both stiff and lax ukes to really go off-balance, and one really stiff uke I sent flying. It was so cool. However, just when I was getting it I was told it was “not the basic version”.  I stopped doing it while helping others prepare for their 5th kyu. That was probably when I lost it, but thanks to my January post I remember it again.

This point feels connected to the principles of tai-no-henko.

Update 2010.09.08 – Wakasensei only shows this point once of all the times he does tenchinage. I must be thinking of a different video clip.

Update 2010.09.11 – Osawa Sensei does this! And he does it very clearly. Thank you.

Osawa Sensei - Tenchinage saisho

Update: 2011.01.25 – I have received this tenchinage from Osawa Sensei and it is the most powerful tenchinage I have ever felt. It was like he drew me into his center and then removed my center from my body so I fell instantly. Other people who received his technique fell flat on their backs, and some even lost their breath.