Animated Techniques

Randori no Kata (Junanahon) 1-17

(Performed by Nariyama Shihan, 8th Dan)

ATEMI WAZA (Striking Techniques 1-5)

    SHOMEN ATE - The "Forward Strike." So called because the defender steps diagonally forward and offline, and then presses forward against the attacker's chin utilising the sho tei of the hand, breaking his balance to the rear and hurling him into a back fall. To avoid being struck, one must avoid the knife via correct tai sabaki. The defender does put a hand up to the attacker's wrist, but that is not to block away the strike, merely to keep the knife at bay while performing the technique against the head. Note also that though translated as a "strike", this technique is not a punch. One pushes against and does not strike the head. Many people in enbu can use this technique frequently but in one-against-one practice it is not often seen. Some people dislike this technique because it is done in a straight line. However, it is seen when used as a quick response against multiple attackers.
 

    AI-GAMAE ATE - The "Matching Stances Strike." So called because as the defender finishes the technique, his stance will match that of the attacker. In the video, the attacker is in a right-foot-forward stance. As Tori finishes the technique and makes the throw, note that he too ends up in a right-foot-forward stance. In doing the technique, one side steps the blow, pulls momentarily on the attacker's arm, disrupting his balance so that he wants to pull back, and then, just as he pulls back, surges in to push against the head and throw the attacker down. Aigamae ate is the simplest example of irimi nage. In irimi nage, the whole arm is used on uke's body pushing his chin upwards to throw him. However, aigamae ate is much faster.

    GYAKU-GAMAE ATE - The "Opposing Stances Strike." So called because as the defender finishes the technique, his forward foot will be opposite that of the attacker. Notices that as Tori finishes the throw, he ends up in a left-foot-forward stance, which is opposite the attacker's right-foot-forward stance. In doing the technique, Tori first side steps the stab, and then uses his left arm to throw uke, while his right keeps the weapon at bay. There is no impact to the head. Contact is made smoothly before strong hip and body power is applied for the throw. This is the same as 'koho irimi nage'. If the names of techniques are decided by the presence of irimi (entering) then shomen ate, aigamae ate, etc. would all be called 'irimi nage'. This technique is named objectively from the relative positions of the two people at the time of the attack, the stances, etc.
 

    GEDAN ATE - The "Low Strike." So called because the defender goes low, under the attacker's attacking arm, to throw him. Tori first slides left to avoid the blow. He grabs the attacker's arm and first attempts to do Gyaku-gamae Ate (see above) with his left hand. However, the attacker shields himself with his own left hand, frustrating Gyaku-gamae Ate. So, Tori goes low, sliding under both of the attacker's upraised arms, and throwing the attacker. There is no hard impact, torsos are brought together smoothly before power is applied. This is based on the principles of 'uchi kudaki', the 8th technique of Kodokan Judo's 'koshiki no kata'.

    USHIRO ATE - "The Behind Strike." So called because the defender slides behind the attacker before throwing the attacker backwards onto his own back. Notice that Tori slides forwards and to his own left as he avoids the stab. By applying pressure to the attacker's arm, he uses it as a lever with which to rotate the attacker's entire upper torso. This provides both shoulders as points which Nariyama can grab to pull the attacker down. Pressure is momentarily applied downward through the attacker's back to lock his legs. He is then thrown backwards. This is based on the principles of 'ryoku hi' and 'shikoro dori', the 3rd and 11th techniques of Kodokan Judo's 'koshiki no kata'.

HIJI WAZA