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Takemusu Aikido Intercontinental

Transmitting an authentic knowledge of Traditional Aikido as founded by Morihei UESHIBA

Kajo #12
We analyzed in Kajo # 8 the angle the Founder uses to apply sankyo ura. It is interesting to check
on the pictures below that if O sensei didn't always apply sankyo in a classical way, he would
always respect the angle of the third diameter at 60°.

The angle for the technique is, here again, in uke's rear back, ie on the third diameter, at 60°:

1 2 3

It is interesting now to define the direction of sankyo omote.

We explained in details in [kajo # 6][6] the fundamental difference between ikkyo omote and nykyo
omote: with ikkyo, uke's arm is extended at a right angle and nearly parallel to the ground while
with nikyo, it is bent, in a narrower angle and perpendicular to the ground.

As we can see on O sensei's pictures, uke's arm with sankyo is also brought in a perpendicular
position to the ground.

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1 2
- nikyo - sankyo

There is therefore a closer link between nikyo and sankyo than between ikkyo and nikyo.

In fact, when uke's arm is initially brought down, there is no difference in terms of position
or angle between nikyo omote and sankyo omote. The difference is to be found elsewhere, ie
in the way to grab uke's arm: for nikyo the back on the hand is grabbed, for sankyo it is the hand's
palm and the fingers (pic 2).

That difference has important consequences for the rest of the movement.

Indeed, from the nikyo grab (picture 1) the immobilization in possible immediately on the spot
(picture 1' below):

1 1'
- nikyo - nikyo

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But from the sankyo grab, tori still needs to change hands (picture 2' below) before he can finish
the immobilization (picture 3):

2' - sankyo 3' - sankyo

That added step 2' consists in increasing with an additional 60° the angle of ikkyo omote reached
by tori with the first step of sankyo omote.

Let's put that precision our figure:

We can't but notice that fact, as the direction of sankyo omote is opposed at 180° with sankyo ura
and kaiten nage (cf kajo #8 et #9). And we can put that information on our reference figure:

We have therefore discovered since the beginning of our study on the Kajo that there exist three
fundamental axis:

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I ikkyo –●– shiho nage -------------------- called ikkajo by Tadashi Abe

II nikyo –●– kote gaeshi ------------------ called nikajo by Tadashi Abe
III sankyo –●– kaiten nage --------------- called sankajo by Tadashi Abe

These three axis define six directions (roppo) on the circle which are regularly positioned every
60°.

All Aikido techniques we have examined so far are positioned at the crossing of these axes
and the double spiral which can be divided between the inner spiral and the outter spiral.

There are a few techniques to position before we can achieve a better understanding of the
remarkable plan which progressively appears under our eyes. The next kajo will surprise us even
more.

Philippe Voarino, May 2012.

Philippe Voarino next seminar: Sunday, 21 April, 2013, Aikido Gasshuku 2013, Antibes, France

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