Genyukan Dojo

Basic Techniques (Kihon Waza)

Following the warm-up and basic motions, the sensei will select a series of techniques the class will learn and practice. The class may be taught as one unit or broken up according skills, belts, or particular needs of the students (e.g. A student may work on specific techniques needed for an impending belt test). Senior belts - black and brown - will usually assist with instruction when called upon by the sensei.

Although there is a pattern to the classes, the format is by no means rigid to the exclusion of the students' input. Decision by consensus is an important aspect of the dojo. Instructors and students regularly meet informally to discuss ways of improving classes, and any ideas or decisions arrived at by the class are incorporated into the classes. The fostering of an enjoyable learning atmosphere is paramount for all involved with the dojo.

Basic techniques

The following are a sample of the basic or widely practiced throws and pins. The precise terminology for some may vary between organizations and styles, so what follows are the terms used by the Genyukan.

1.       First technique (一箇条, ikkajō) a control using one hand on the elbow and one hand near the wrist which leverages uke to the ground.This grip also applies pressure into the ulnar nerve at the wrist.

2.       Second technique (二箇条, nikkajō) an adductive wristlock that torques the arm and applies painful nerve pressure.

3.       Third technique (三箇条, sankajō) a pronating wristlock that directs upward-spiraling tension throughout the arm, elbow and shoulder.

4.       Fourth technique (四箇条, yonkajō) a shoulder control similar to ikkyō, but with both hands gripping the forearm. The knuckles (from the palm side) are applied to the recipient's radial nerve against the periosteum of the forearm bone.

5.       Fifth technique (五箇条, gokajō) visually similar to ikkyō, but with an inverted grip of the wrist, medial rotation of the arm and shoulder, and downward pressure on the elbow. Common in knife and other weapon take-aways.

6.       Four-direction throw (四方投げ, shihōnage) The hand is folded back past the shoulder, locking the shoulder joint.

7.       Forearm return (小手返し, kotegaeshi) a supinating wristlock-throw that stretches the extensor digitorum.

8.       Breath throw (呼吸投げ, kokyūnage) a loosely used term for various types of mechanically unrelated techniques.

9.       Entering throw (入身投げ, iriminage) throws in which nage moves through the space occupied by uke. The classic form superficially resembles a "clothesline" technique.

10.   Heaven-and-earth throw (天地投げ, tenchinage) beginning with ryōte-dori; moving forward, nage sweeps one hand low ("earth") and the other high ("heaven"), which unbalances uke so that he or she easily topples over.

11.   Hip throw (腰投げ, koshinage) aikido's version of the hip throw. Nage drops his or her hips lower than those of uke, then flips uke over the resultant fulcrum.

12.   Figure-ten throw (十字投げ, jūjinage) or figure-ten entanglement (十字絡み, jūjigarami) a throw that locks the arms against each other (The kanji for "10" is a cross-shape: 十).

13.   Rotary throw (回転投げ, kaitennage) nage sweeps the arm back until it locks the shoulder joint, then uses forward pressure to throw.leverages  uke to the ground. This grip also applies pressure into the ulnar nerve at the wrist.

14.   Second technique (二教 nikyō) an adductive wristlock that torques the arm and applies painful nerve pressure.

15.   Third technique (三教 sankyō) a pronating wristlock that directs upward-spiraling tension throughout the arm, elbow and shoulder.

16.   Fourth technique (四教 yonkyō) a shoulder control similar to ikkyō, but with both hands gripping the forearm. The knuckles (from the palm side) are applied to the recipient's radial nerve against the periosteum of the forearm bone.

17.   Fifth technique (五教 gokyō) visually similar to ikkyō, but with an inverted grip of the wrist, medial rotation of the arm and shoulder, and downward pressure on the elbow. Common in knife and other weapon take-aways.

18.   Four-direction throw (四方投げ shihōnage) The hand is folded back past the shoulder, locking the shoulder joint.

19.   Forearm return (小手返し kotegaeshi) a supinating wristlock-throw that stretches the extensor digitorum.

20.   Breath throw (呼吸投げ kokyūnage) a loosely used term for various types of mechanically unrelated techniques.

21.   Entering throw (入身投げ iriminage) throws in which nage moves through the space occupied by uke. The classic form superficially resembles a "clothesline" technique.

22.   Heaven-and-earth throw (天地投げ tenchinage) beginning with ryōte-dori; moving forward, nage sweeps one hand low ("earth") and the other high ("heaven"), which unbalances uke so that he or she easily topples over.

23.   Hip throw (腰投げ koshinage) aikido's version of the hip throw. Nage drops his or her hips lower than those of uke, then flips uke over the resultant fulcrum.

24.   Figure-ten throw (十字投げ jūjinage) or figure-ten entanglement (十字絡み jūjigarami) a throw that locks the arms against each other (The kanji for "10" is a cross-shape: 十).

25.   Rotary throw (回転投げ kaitennage) nage sweeps the arm back until it locks the shoulder joint, then uses forward pressure to throw.