2020-11-23
From the examination program for 1st Dan.
1 2 3 Kokyunage irimi, Kokyunage (change hands), Uchiwanage
4 Shihonage,
5 Kaitennage (inside)
6 Ikkyo
7 Kaitennage (outside)
As always, the video is intended to support the memory and stimulate the practice. If you are preparing for the first Dan exam, you can try to perform the movements of Nage as Hitoriwaza.
Tsuzukiwaza 11 is about the attack Katatedori, which is answered with irimi techniques, in contrast to Tsuzukiwaza 1, in which the tenshin forms are shown. In the tenshin case, the learning Aikidoka has more time to coordinate mind and body and to do everything correctly. In the case of irimi he has to be sure beforehand what he wants or what he can do.
One reason for the development of Tsuzukiwaza was allegedly the cultivation of multiple attacks, commonly known as randori. Therefore Uke should attack without interruption, because he represents the many attackers. Whether Katatedori is really an attack or just the preparation for it, is an open question. But it is definitely a standard method in the curriculum.
In this tsuzukiwaza we have two components that make it interesting. Firstly, at the beginning, when uke attacks three times on the same side. That breaks up the left-right scheme. In addition, two forms are shown for each shihonage and ikkyo. In shihohage it is irimi-irimi and tenshin-irimi, in ikkyo it is irimi-tenshin and tenshin-irimi. This makes the performance less formal and can help Nage to act more freely.
In this example, Nage always offers his hand very emphatically. This is supposed to help uke attack on the right side.
2018, the novel by Yoshikawa Eiji (1892-1962) "Naruto Hichou (The Naruto Secret Document)" had a remake. The author is worldwide best known with his novel "Miyamoto Musashi" (from 1936).
Naruto Hichou was published in 1926 as a sequel in the daily newspaper Osaka Mainichi Shinbun. The story can be classified as a historical adventure. In the 10 episodes of this new adaptation for TV, you can find sometimes quite interesting thoughts and informations. The first episode gives an example about mastery and the way of the sword.
The Mastery
The main character Norizuki Gennojou learned sword-fighting from childhood with Master Sekiun. Now the master takes his adult disciple outside and teaches him the last and highest technique of his style: Gennojou must surpass the master.
Macabre, the job is to kill the teacher. I have the slight suspicion that the author meant this ironically, or at least absolutely symbolically.
First of all, of course, the question arises as to whether the maxim "the student must surpass the master" makes any sense at all. If so, what could this surpassing look like?
In real sword fighting, the answer is simple. Those who survive more often against more or against more difficult opponents are better. This maxim can also be understood in such a way that a student - after many years of practising - has developed his own understanding of the art. However, this does not necessarily have to be completely different from that of the Master.
The Way of the Sword
In this last instruction, Sekiun also informs his disciple Gennojou that those who follow the path of the sword become inhumans (人でなし). This will really be a problem for Gennojou in the course of the novel.
In Aikido that is no problem, as there is only practice on the tatami and not really fighting.