Kokyu-nage

Kokyū-Nage ( Japanese 呼吸投げ ) is a group of throwing techniques ( Nage-Waza ) in the Japanese martial art Aikido . This group of techniques represents a specialty within the martial arts and is used exclusively in Aikidō. The techniques are performed as a half throw. The term means "breath power throw".

Basis of the group of techniques

In Aikidō, the techniques are derived from the handling of the Japanese sword, the katana . The neutralization of an attack and the steering of the attack movement are therefore of great importance.

An effective attack always includes a certain dynamic and force to enforce it. A variety of attack techniques mean that the attacker sets a stable, firm grip on the opponent, be it by grasping limbs, clothing or weapons or tools with the aim of gaining control over them.

When performing techniques from the Kokyū-Nage group, the momentum of the attacking movement is maintained and the direction is steered, but the execution is not blocked in any way. Rather, the momentum of movement is carried beyond the point to which the attacker can control his movement himself. In addition, the aikidōka (aikidō practitioner) accelerates this movement gently, but not jerkily, as the handle would otherwise tear off. Due to the loss of control over his own movement and the additional dynamism, the attacker has to let go of his attack to protect himself and convert his own movement into a controlled fall. The attack is neutralized by steering and accelerating the movement that is already taking place. During the entire execution up to the moment when he has to let go to protect himself, the attacker can maintain his grip, which in turn creates the illusion that everything is going according to plan.

"Kokyū" - breathing power - is used during the execution in such a way that the Aikidōka exhales with tension in his lower abdomen from the time he is grasped and during the entire execution. As a result of this increase in pressure in the lungs and lower abdomen, the body experiences a tone that allows it to accelerate not with muscle power, but by moving all of its body mass. As a result, with the slightest change in his body movement, he is able to direct the speed, position and direction of the attacker's fall.

Execution of Kokyū-Nage without a firm grip on the attacker

A variation of the techniques is that the countermeasures are initiated by the Aikidōka at a point in time at which the attacker has not yet been able to start his grip, but has already come so close to the intended target with his attacking hand that he can no longer move able to stop. If the aikidō practitioner carries out his koyku nage movement from this moment on, the tempo is completely synchronized with the attack movement. During the entire execution, the attacker stands only a hand's breadth away from being able to use his grip, but is no longer able to do so because of the continuous movement and the loss of control over his movement.

This type of execution can also be described as directing the attacker's mind , because the attacker maintains his intention to grip, but loses track of what is happening because of the never-occurring contact with his target and subsequently becomes, in a figurative sense, his own Thrown Intention .

Basic technology and variants with your own name

Kokyū nage techniques can be used in a wide variety of ways. What they all have in common is that the attacker sets a stable grip and the aikidōka determines the direction and speed with the help of his breathing force and body tone. An actual basic or basic technique cannot be identified in the multitude of all Aikidō techniques.

In some Aikidō systems, the technique called "Genkei-Kokyū-Nage" (comparison Masatomi Ikeda , classification system for Aikidō techniques) is regarded as the basis of the Kokyū-Nage techniques. This is likely to have historical and didactic reasons, but not systemic ones. In most of the Aikidō teaching associations, all Kokyū nage techniques are listed without a specific description and subsumed by name as "Kokyū nage". This makes it difficult to impart knowledge, as it is often desirable to refer to a specific one for didactic reasons. That is why variations in terms of execution as well as eponymous variations are possible in all Aikidō styles and teaching associations, whereby the principles are retained. Some aikidō techniques performed according to the principles of the Kokyū-Nage throwing techniques are:

Genkei Kokyū-Nage - Basic Kokyū-Nage technique

Maeotoshi - transferring the grip to the wrist or forearm into a forward role (mae - "forward")

Hikiotoshi - disruption of the attack by sudden bending of the elbow (hiki - "elbow") with simultaneous acceleration by strong pull

Shihogiri Kokyū-Nage - Execution of the Kokyū-Nage technique in the sequence of movements of the Shihō nage technique , but without the aikidō practitioner holding the attacker (note: in the Kokyū-Nage execution the attacker holds the handle)

Torifune Kokyū-Nage - Execution of the Kokyū-Nage technique in the sequence of movements of Torifune

Nentenmakiotoshi - Execution of the Kokyū-Nage technique with an upward-inward curling movement of the arm (maki - "curling up")

Chinshin Kokyū-Nage - the Aikidōka suddenly lowers his body in front of the attacker on his knees during the acceleration phase, causing him to fall over the Aikidōka (chinchin - "to disappear")

Kaiten Kokyū-Nage - Kokyū-Nage technique in the sequence of movements of the Kaiten Nage technique

Furizuki Kokyū-Nage - Execution of the Kokyū-Nage technique with counterattacking ( Atemi waza) head-on to the attacker's throat, without impact contact , but extending the movement beyond the point of loss of control.

swell

Association Culturelle Suisse d'Aikido - Swiss Aikikai Association

Completion of the technique

Kokyū nage techniques do not require holding positions, as body contact is broken off with the throw.

literature

A. Westbrook, O. Ratti: Aikido and the dynamic sphere. Tuttle, Rutland VT et al. 1996, ISBN 0-8048-0004-9 .
Aikidjournal.com encyclopedia, [1]
Christian Tissier : Aikido fundamental. Techniques et connaissances fondamentales. Budosport Verlag, Noisy-sur-École 2008, ISBN 978-2-84167-239-4 .
Christian Tissier : Aikido - Principes et applications. Volume 2: Projections. Self-published, s. l. 2005, DVD 55 minutes.