
Zitat von
Kisshomaru Ueshiba
What type of technique do you teach first?
Kisshomaru Ueshiba: Shihonage, a technique to throw an opponent in many different directions. This is done in the same manner as the sword technique. Of course, we use bokken (wooden swords) as well. As I said before, in aikido even the enemy becomes a part of your movement. I can move the enemy freely at will. It follows naturally that when you practice with whatever means you have available, like a staff or a wooden sword, it becomes as much a part of you as an arm or a leg. Therefore, in aikido what you are holding ceases to become a mere object. It becomes an extension of your own body. Next is iriminage. In this technique you enter just as your opponent tries to strike you, and at that time, two or three atemi (strikes) are made. For example, the opponent strikes at the side of your face with his fist or hand blade (tegatana). Using your opponent’s power, you open your body to the left rear as you lead the opponent’s right hand with your two extended hands, continuing the direction of his movement. Then, holding your opponent’s hand you move it in a circular motion around his head. He then falls with his hand wrapped around his head … This, too, is the flow of ki… There are various sophisticated theories about this point. The opponent is left totally powerless, or rather, the opponent’s power is led in the direction you want to take him. So the more power the opponent has, the easier it is for you. On the other hand, if you clash with you opponent’s power you can never hope to win against a very strong person.