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AIKIDO’S ENTERING THROW
Author: Robert W. Young
Few martial arts possess the aura of effortless motion that is aikido.
Fewer still are able to couple that aura with a repertoire of devastating self defense techniques that allow practitioners of any size to send huge attackers flying into the air and crashing to the ground. To watch an expert demonstrate the arts flowing movements without even breaking a sweat attests to the efficiency with which aikido was designed. Perhaps more than any other technique, aikidos irimi nage (entering throw) embodies this refined essence.
In his films, action star Steven Seagal often shows audiences how smoothly the technique can work: He pivots his body to lead his attacker along a circular path, then slams an oppositely vectored arm into the bad guys neck, smashing him into the ground in a twisted heap.
To obtain expert tutelage in the variations of irimi nage, Black Belt sought out one of the best aikido masters in the West: Dang Thong Phong. The 67-year-old Westminster, California- based instructor started training in aikido in 1958 under Dang Thong Tri, the man who introduced the art to Vietnam. From 1960 to 1962 he studied under Mutsuro Nakazono, and in 1963 he began training with Nobuyoshi Tamura. In 1967 Phong went to Tokyo to further his studies at the hombu dojo (headquarters training hall). At the time, aikido-founder Morihei Uyeshiba was still alive, and Phong trained with him and his son, Kisshomaru Uyeshiba.
Just prior to Phongs return to Vietnam, Uyeshiba gave him a certificate assigning him the task of overseeing the dissemination of aikido in his native country. Uyeshiba christened Phongs organization Tenshinkai, meaning ìHeavens Heart Association. The organization ceased all activity in 1975 when the North Vietnamese conquered the South but received permission to resume operation in 1979. After 17 unsuccessful attempts to flee the oppression of his homeland, Phong succeeded in 1985. He arrived in the United States one year later.
ESSENTIAL PRINCIPLES
No matter which variation of irimi nage is used, the underlying principles remain the same. As soon as an attacker lunges forward with a fist, open hand or weapon, you step to the side of the strike and control the attacking arm.
You immediately begin to lead the attacker along a circular path around your pivoting body, then reverse motion with your arm and push against his neck. At the same time, your body turns and your rear foot may step forward. This forces the attackers upper body backward while his lower body is stationary or still moving forward. The movement flips him in midair, and shortly thereafter he crashes to the floor. One of the main principles is not to back up or go in front of the attacker, but go straight to the side,î Phong says. If you go in front, you might receive another attack from his free hand. Therefore, its best if you go behind. Anyone who witnesses a demonstration of irimi nage will quickly notice another of the techniques main principles: After you control the opponents attacking arm, you move him along an arc before flipping him to the ground.
ìThe basis of irimi nage is that you redirect the attackers momentum,î Phong says. If he comes in with a linear attack, you turn that into a circular momentum that you can control. The tori [ìtaker,î or person who performs a technique] acts as the center of the circle. This redirection of linear momentum into circular momentum affords you maximum controleven against a larger opponentbut only if the leading movement is kept smooth and circular. Phong considers this one of the most important parts of irimi nage.
INFINITE VARIATIONS
ìThere are many ways to execute irimi nage depending on the way people attack,î Phong says. ìThe uke [ìreceiver, or person upon whom a technique is done] can either grab the hand, cross-grab or grab the hand from behind. He can also throw a straight punch, or stab or slash with a weapon. The following irimi nage variations are among those Phong considers most important for self-defense. Mune tsuki irimi nage is a defense against a straight punch to the body.
You step to the outside of the blow and push the attackers arm down with your right hand. You then have the option of delivering a distracting strike to his eyes or face, which can also slow his forward momentum and give you more time to step aside. Next, you control his punching arm with your right arm, slide your left up his back and grab the back of his gi (uniform). If he is not wearing a gi, you can grab the back of his neck and press it against your body for control.
You then use your grip on the arm and the gi or neck to aid in spinning him clockwise. About 180 degrees into the turn, you move your left hand from his neck and put it on the upper part of his right arm for control during the throw and to facilitate a good breakfall. Alternatively, you may move your hand to his lower back, which prevents him from stepping backward during the next part of the technique. Your right arm then whips up to his neck and momentarily pins his head to your shoulder. Your two armsone in front and one behindwork in concert with a counterclockwise twist of your body to disrupt his balance. In some cases, a step forward will be required to toss him to the floor.
The mune tsuki dori irimi nage variation enables you to defend against a similar attacka punch aimed at your head. Most steps remain the same, except that you control the punching arm from underneath by hooking it with your fully extended thumb and bent right arm. Near the end of the 180-degree turn, you release the trapped limb so your right arm is free to push against his neck and throw him to the floor.
In situations involving a downward strike to your head delivered with a club, knife or other implement, shomen uchi irimi nage can save the day. As soon as the attacker commits to a strike with his right hand, you step to the outside and raise your right arm to block his attacking limb near the elbow. You then force that arm downward, grasp the back of his neck or collar with your other hand, and begin the spin and throw. ìWithout a knife, you dont grab the wrist of the opponent,î Phong says, ìbut if the person has a knife, you grab the wrist.î He emphasizes that seizing control of the weapon hand enables you to safely perform the remainder of the technique without fear of getting cut. In a less serious confrontation involving a cross grab to the wrist, ai hanmi irimi nage provides a way out.
Once the attacker grasps your right wrist with his right hand, you step to the outside, then raise your hand along an inwardly curving path to weaken the grip. You then position your own hand to grab his wrist. Next, you swing your right handalong with his rightdownward, causing him to lean forward. Your left hand goes up to the back of his neck or gi, and from there the turn continues as before.
IN DEFENSE
More than a few martial artists have questioned the effectiveness of aikido on the street. However, Phongwho started his martial arts training in 1950 with Shaolin kung fu and judoasserts that aikido and irimi nage will function well if you train sufficiently. But how long might it take for a beginner to be able to use irimi nage in self-defense?
It is hard to say because it depends on your ability and the way you train,î Phong says. Normally, for a person to be able to use aikido for self-defense, it would take longer than other martial arts. But irimi nage has a high value in self-defense because it avoids a frontal attack. You can go around and behind the opponent, redirect his momentum and gain control in the meantime.
Facing an attacker armed with a knife or broken bottle does not necessarily mean you will get stabbed in the back during the technique. ìIrimi nage, if executed properly, allows you to gain control of the ukes direction and momentum very early in the attack,î Phong says. ìThere would be no time for the uke to change the direction of his attack. The knife need not be fully extended by the uke for it to be executed successfully.
Although irimi nage exhibitions often require a wide open space, the technique functions equally well in cramped quarters, such as an elevator or small room. ìDuring demonstrations, it looks really widelike a lot of space is needed for the technique,î Phong says. ìBut because the main principle is to destroy a linear attack by pulling the momentum of the attacker into a spiral with you as the center of the circle, it does not matter.
In a narrow space, irimi nage is still effective provided you make it short. You dont need to spiral 180 degrees; you can do a short pull forward and an abrupt return, then sidestep and enter for the throw. Also, because you throw the opponent at the end of the technique during demonstrations, it takes a lot of room,î Phong continues. ìBut in real life, you dont have to throw. In a narrow space, rather than throwing the opponent, you can execute some sort of control on the wrist. You can start with irimi nage and then switch to some other aikido technique to end the confrontation ...