Tenchi nage

Tenchi nage ( Japanese 天地投げ ; Eng. "Heaven-and-earth throw") is a basic technique in the martial art of Aikido .

The term describes in an analogy that the effective attack forces are broken in two directions: upwards towards heaven and downwards towards earth.

When used optimally, the entire kinetic energy of the attacker is thrown back onto him. This effect arises from the fact that the originally frontal direction of attack is sideways bypassed by the aikidōka (aikidō practitioner) and he blocks the attacker on the side of the head opposite his own position at shoulder height, while at the same time the position of the second arm is at hip height of the attacker . This position forces the attacker into a sideways position.

The position of the hands and the direction of movement of the arms of the defender are decisive: both palms face outwards. The upper arm over the attacker's shoulder makes a downward motion with the palm of the hand facing outwards. The second arm is pushed forward synchronously with the body of the aikidōka.

Due to the outward-facing palms, the force projection unfolds against the attacker. The forces do not collide. Rather, through the kinetics of the sum of the two energies, they have a full effect on the attacker. The execution and the effect hardly vary with other forms of attack, as the attack energy is always divided diagonally and reacts back to the attacker.

Origin from sword fighting

The Japanese sword katana is traditionally held with both hands. Tenchi nage is derived from the two-handed stabbing with the sword into the center of the opponent ( Chūdan zuki ), or to his neck ( Jōdan zuki ).

Execution with sword or bokken

The defense of an attack with a sword or bokken takes place in which the aikidōka grabs the sword by the handle between the hands of the attacker after dodging with one hand. With the second arm, a defensive movement is carried out frontally in the face (see Shinken waza ) with an effect on the neck, resp. moved laterally past the head with the palm facing outwards. The Aikidōka moves his entire body sideways and frontally past the attacker. The force of the attack movement is neutralized by the evasive action and the countermeasures cut laterally against the attack direction.

Execution without sword or bokken

The technique is carried out without a sword or bokken, in an analogous manner: the aikidōka positions himself conveniently to the side of the attacker by means of evasive and entry movements. He can take hold of this with his hand facing away from the attacker on the wrist, lower arm or upper arm of the attacker. He does not block the attacker's entire forward movement, but rather guides his second arm over the attacker's shoulder while harmonizing his own movement with that of the attacker.

If both bodies come into complete contact during this initial movement, the technique works mainly due to the lower center of gravity of the Aikidoka at hip height of the attacker. This blocks his forward movement, which throws him sideways-backwards over the aikidōka's hips. If there is no direct body contact during the entrance movement, the effect of the technique is that the second arm of the Aikidōka threatens the attacker directly in the face, neck or head area. This usually causes the attacker reflexively to turn away, which in turn leads to the throw. If the threat in the face does not induce the attacker to reflexively turn away, he collides with the inside of the Aikidoka's arm, and both bodies run against each other, which also leads to the throw due to the blockage at hip height.

Variations in execution are possible in all styles of Aikido, but the principles are retained.

References and receipts

A. Westbrook, O. Ratti: Aikido and the dynamic sphere. Tuttle, Rutland VT et al. 1996, ISBN 0-8048-0004-9 .
[1] Encyclopedia

literature

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.