More Tenchi-Nage

October 22nd, 2009

A quick post, to follow my Strangelove ramblings.*

This is what I mean when I see tenchi-nage executed (extremely) well.  Waite Sensei also demonstrates the technique, at the 2007 USAF Summer Camp.

That initial kokyu motion is key.  A decent analogy, I think, would be a sword draw and “do” cut to uke’s midsection. 

I taught the technique last night, as best as I could, in our beginners’ class.  I think Ryan and Kevin were a bit nonplussed after I threw them–the ukemi is a lot more active, and practically demands breakfall if good connection is kept.

Honestly, those videos of Hagihara and Waite Sensei answer a lot of questions I’ve had about the technique, particularly with regards to kuzushi.

* Did anyone catch the allusions? Am I that old?

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13 Responses to “More Tenchi-Nage”

dichotomy Says:

Thank you for the post. I think I got the tenchinage from shomanuchi thanks to your video you posted.

October 23rd, 2009 at 8:12 am

dichotomy Says:

Oh, and yes you are showing your age, but it is a classic. Just remember a doomsday device only works as a deterant if people know it exists. >.<

October 23rd, 2009 at 8:15 am

Jerry Says:

Dichotomy, what the heck are you babbling about regarding shomenuchi / tenchinage? This is the second comment you’ve made about that.

Do me a favor. If you ever figure out some ridiculous transition from a striking attack to a technique which presupposes a grab, please do not tell anyone we encouraged you.

Other than that, cheers! ;-)

October 23rd, 2009 at 9:02 am

The Dark Knight Says:

make if you strike shomenuchi with one hand and grab with the other…dont we do that? i “THINK” that is what Dichotomy is refering to.

October 23rd, 2009 at 12:56 pm

Jerry Says:

But that’s not shomenuchi. That’s katamenuchi. And if dichotomy tries tenchinage, he’s going to get hit.

Let’s face it. Dichotomy is insane.

Hence the name.

October 23rd, 2009 at 3:56 pm

MM Says:

Nah, I think dichotomy has it!! … but it involves a spork. :/

Technically, I think tenchinage is a technique that every beginner should study, and even every shodan should study as well.

I think there is a real reason it is on the 5th kyu exam. It comprises three things that I’m told by my instructors are the fundamentals and heart of aikido: taking ballance, cutting towards uke’s center, and kokyu. And it relates these three fundamentals in a very obvious, simplistic and rudimentary way. Perfect 5th kyu technique– beautiful aikido technique.

October 23rd, 2009 at 4:27 pm

Jerry Says:

MM,

You’ve just described all of Aikido.

Taking balance. Cutting uke’s center. And kokyu.

Cheers!

October 23rd, 2009 at 5:27 pm

MM Says:

Exactly! It is all of aikido. That’s why I like tenchinage. It very clearly and obviously displays and lays out those vital elements: on one hand you feel the ballance taking low, on the other the kokyu cutting high through center. It is an ideal 5th kyu technique because of how clearly it illustrates the three fundamentals from a static position. It literally is what an aikidoka should be honing from the start.

October 23rd, 2009 at 10:55 pm

dichotomy Says:

The reason I started thinking about it is because of something Jerry said (unintentionally getting the ball rolling). I like Tenchinage the best out of any other technique, but we usually only do it out of ryotatori, which is a very limited application. I don’t feel that it is a basic technique, and I think it has a lot more depth than most people give it credit initially.

I tried to think of ways to include it in other applications, and I think Shomenuchi is the hardest, but I have been taught by several instructors that any grab can be thought of as a vector of force. This means there is no difference between a grab and a strike as long as you can blend with that force line. In theory, I think it is applicable, but blending with a shomenuchi into a tenchinage is beyond my personal abilities right now. I am going to have to work on it before I give up.

“Aikido is limitless” -O’Sensei

October 23rd, 2009 at 11:08 pm

Jerry Says:

Okay. There is a technique Sensei teaches for randori that bears a (slight) resemblance to what you are looking for.

Essentially, when uke strikes with shomen, nage enters to uke’s striking side and applies kokyu, before uke cuts down. Nage then raises her other hand to continue the backwards circular motion to uke’s sword arm.

This has the effect of forcing uke to change hanmi. Nage then cuts uke’s backwards, with atemi to either uke’s head or center.

I’ve always classified this as a form of kokyunage.

All I can tell you, dichotomy, is that I have never seen the shihans teach tenchinage from anything other than a grab.

However, in the spirit of keeping an open mind, I am willing to meet you half way. At winter camp, you will have plenty of opportunity to ask some senior Aikidoka about this. I suggest someone you already know, such as Lane Sensei. Please don’t mention me.

Good luck!

October 24th, 2009 at 1:19 am

MM Says:

I know how to settle this… I’m asking Dee…

Is Lane Sensei coming to winter camp? I heard he was still unsure :(

Btw, where is Tonya right now? Anyone know?

October 24th, 2009 at 4:44 pm

dichotomy Says:

Asking Dee or Grady would probably put the issue to bed, but it wouldn’t be as satisfying. Diligent work is the best way to solve a problem. Especially one that is not pressing. It makes the answer more meaningful and more memorable.

October 24th, 2009 at 5:08 pm

Jerry Says:

Tonya is still in NYC. Her apprenticeship ends October 31st.

October 24th, 2009 at 6:21 pm