Nikyo ura (1985)

Nikyo ura (more recent)

On ura, I like how he takes Uke’s wrist very low to the ground (Uke’s center is lowered and he is bent over), and he does the Aikikai footing style of having his inner leg bracing against Uke’s forearm. Other styles brace Uke’s wrist against the back leg.

Nikyo ura continued

He was right beside Uke for the wrist change, and he still is. When he goes to execute the nikyo mechanism, he stays beside Uke. This is smart. The alternative is to face Uke and risk him shooting your legs into a takedown. By staying beside Uke it seems like you have better control of his arm and joints, and he is less able to move his body to alleviate the pain. It also looks like many of the pros stay to the side too. Check out Saito Sensei also.

Update: I should point out that Tissier has both hands near Uke’s wrist and can use the leverage of his elbow if Uke is stubborn or big. I believe Doshu does this also and is considered the fundamental way.

Nikyo ura mechanism

If Tori stays beside Uke, where else but down can Uke go?

Note to myself: If someone, even a 5th-kyu shihan, says you have to do something a certain way, remember who is giving you advice and feel free to reject it if you can find several examples of pros (or Doshu!) doing it a different way that makes more sense, is safer, is smarter, and is cleaner. Aikido is not a paint-by-numbers art so please don’t move as if it were, Eric.

Here is the alternative nikyo ura where Tori faces Uke. I invite you to decide which is smarter.

Alternative nikyo ura

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