As the reality of my grading approaches I've started to think about what I want to form the core part of what I do during it. So I want to make sure that I cover all the key Osae and Nage waza that I have studied, not only with Mustard and Saunders Sensei, but with Benge (Phil) Sensei on a weekly basis.
Recently I have been reading about the curriculum of Tenjin Shinyo Ryu, which is one of the Jujutsu schools that Ueshiba Sensei studied. The first level of their school is a set of techniques called the tehodoki waza, which are a set of fundamental techniques. I wanted to think about what in my opinion would be the tehodoki waza of Aikido. Obviously the expectation of the quality of these techniques would be very high, especially when attempting to do my sandan.
Here is what I have so far:
*I am purposefully using the Yoshinkan nomenclature (is most cases) as this is the one I will adopt eventually. However, there is one technical different between what I will be doing and typical Yoshinkan attacks, as uke can grip the wrist/elbow/shoulder or even strike on different sides depending one whether the nage waza is ichi or ni. As far as my curriculum is concerned I'll fall more in line with attacks being on the same side regardless of irimi or tenkan, which does mean than an additional step needs to be taken on some techniques to perform an adequate irimi or tenkan movement.
Shomen Uchi (ai-hanmai R/R or L/L)
Ikkajo
Shiho nage
Katate Mochi (gyaku-hanmai R/L or L/R)
Nikkajo
Shomeni riminage
Kote gaeshi
Katate Mochi Hantai (ai-hanmai R/R or L/L)
Sankajo
Sokumen Irimi nage
Kata Mochi (gyaku-hanmai R/L or L/R)
Yonkajo
Hijishime
Ryote Mochi (ai-hanmai R/R or L/L)
Tenchi nage
So, these are the tehodoki waza which I want to form a key part of the grading. I have at this stage purposefully omitted kokyu nages, as the foundation of this technique is grounded in an understanding of those above. In addition to this I need to include some ushiro waza, ninindori, sannindori and possibly a tanto jiyu waza..... I need to speak more with those grading me to establish this.
Over the next two months I will break down each of these techniques, in an effort move on from principle to application.
Having looked at some pictures of me doing irimi nage in the past I was leaving my arm behind when sliding forward behind uke. This is something I think I have now got the better of, plus I have a much better connection with ukes sternum, so when I do slide forward there is a more certain effect on uke.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NnhwhFkkK6c
Similarly I have spoken about irimitsuki before, especially as it is very valuable technique in any convincing jiyu waza. I've been working on it a little, I've purposefully turned ukes head to the side to make the ukemi easier (I think). However, I am at least a little happy with my kamae and my practice of tai no henko ichi is finally paying off.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Op9YuRd_jHM
That's all for now.
