Certain extremely precise explanations given by O Sensei in Budō – which have never been taken into account by anyone, due to the lack of a literal and reliable translation of this work – have enabled me to gain a new insight that feels like a revelation.
The exercise is based on the principle of awase: when uke jo is in control between uchi jo’s two wrists, uchi jo raises his jo once more to attack shomen. Uke jo then simply has to follow this movement.
EXCEPTIONAL PARTICIPATION of Maître Alain GRASON, 8th Dan, a pioneer of French Aikido – The traditional knowledge of Aikido can only be preserved and passed on by small groups of individuals who are free from any particular allegiance.
In Aikido, there is no such thing as a linear ‘straight forward’ entry, just as there is no such thing as a linear ‘straight backwards’ throw.
Aikido is a martial ritual through which man embodies the transcendent and sacred ways of the Universe by physically reproducing them. The human body is a temple through which the miracle of technical creation is analogously accomplished.
The transition from hanmi to hito e mi is achieved by pivoting both feet on the spot. At the end of the transition, the foot that ends up at the front has necessarily pivoted on the heel, whilst the foot that ends up at the back has necessarily pivoted on the ball of the foot.
The complete system of movement in Aikido is revealed here for the first time. To say it is brilliant is an understatement; it is sacred, for it conforms to the archetype chosen by the Will of Heaven to manifest the forms of being.
