Atemi means striking
within various Japanese systems, separate from Okinawan practices. Of course in
the end a strike is a strike. But while most of the world associates Japanese
striking with karate in Japan there was a entire separate tradition with Japanese
arts.
As defined “Atemi
strikes are aimed at key areas of the body: nerve endings, arteries running
close to bone, organs, sensitive and vulnerable joints like elbows and knees.
These strikes can be made with virtually any part of the body, open hand, fist,
fingers, elbow, toes, heel, knee, even your head - all are viable tools for
attacking an aggressor's key atemi points.”(1.
As
Usheiba developed his Akido, prior to WWII, atemi was part of its practice. It was shown in his 1930 book “Budo”
(2. His thinking on Aikido eventually took a different direction and it was
discontinued from his later practice. When the book was republished by the
English speaking Japanese Aikido students, there were instructors, who
following Usheiba’s later teachings did not permit their students to study the
practice or buy the book. On the other hand those Japanese instructors who
studied pre WWII always maintained the practice of Atemi.
I
just found this video ‘How to perform
Atemi properly in Aikido’
It
is interesting in the manner in which the strikes begin the technique.
While
I studied quite a bit with Tristan Sutrisno and his father’s pre WWII aikido
studies I am far from an expert, more schooled in his basics. But I recognize
most of these Aiki Atemi strikes demonstrated in this video. More ever the
basics of using them was part of my instruction. But the thrusts to the face
and throat were covered.
As
was explained to me it is pain (or the impending thought of pain) that is the
operating factor in making Aikido work. The use of Atemi is one factor in that
process.
Striking
was also a component in Judo, though left out of competition Judo
This is the list of Atemi-Waza techniques and English translations found in the 1994 paperback edition of Kodokan Judo. (3.
Ude-Waza (Arm Strikes)
Ago-oshi (jaw push)
Ryogan-tsuki (strike to both eyes)
Suri-age (forehead thrust)
Tsuki-kake (punch)
Tsukiage (uppercut)
Yoko-uchi (side blow)
Naname-uchi (slanting strike)
Kirioroshi (downward cut)
Ushiro-dori (hold from behind)
Ushiro-ate (rear strike)
Ashi-Ate (Leg Strikes)
Ryote-dori (two hand hold)
Gyakute-dori (reverse two hand hold)
Keage (kick)
Mae-geri (front kick)
Ushiro-geri (rear kick)
Yoko-geri (side kick)
Ashi-fumi (foot stamp)
Something
else to think about.
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