Iriminage - Katatedori Chudan (Middle Level)

Aspect Description
Japanese 入身投げ 片手取り中段立ち技
Translation Entering-body throw from single-hand grab, middle level, standing
Classification Nage-waza (Throwing techniques) > Iriminage series > Katatedori variations
Alternative Names Katatedori Iriminage (Naka) 片手取り入身投げ（中）

Overview

Katatedori Iriminage Chudan is the middle-level hand release method for iriminage from a wrist grab. It is the third and final of three methods that O-Sensei taught, practiced after mastering the contrasting extremes of Jodan (upper) and Gedan (lower).

The "middle" (chudan/naka) designation refers to the moderate height of the release. This method uses the same wrist control as shihonage ura, making it a bridge technique that connects throwing and pinning principles.

Historical Context

O-Sensei's Teaching Order

From Takemusu Aikido Volume 2 (Page 174):

"Although the normal order for these three techniques would be upper, middle and lower, the founder taught them in this order: upper, lower, and middle. I think his intention was to have students practice omote and ura—strongly contrasting movements—and then move on to the middle variation."

This teaching sequence reflects O-Sensei's pedagogical philosophy:

  1. First: Learn the extremes (jodan and gedan)
  2. Second: Understand the full range of possibilities
  3. Third: Master the moderate, practical middle path

Evolution in O-Sensei's Later Years

From Takemusu Aikido Volume 6 (Page 39):

"However, in his latter years, the Founder proceeded in the same manner as in shihonage in order to grab his partner's wrist and then to release his left hand from the grip."

This shows that chudan method evolved to incorporate shihonage-style wrist control, demonstrating how O-Sensei continued refining techniques throughout his life.

Step-by-Step Instructions

Source: Takemusu Aikido Volume 2, Pages 174-175

[1] Initial Grab

When your partner grabs your left hand with her right hand

[2] Grab Wrist with Shihonage Method

Note: See Shihonage - Katatedori Ura for the exact wrist grip method

[3] Step Forward and Face Same Direction

Critical Principle (from photo ❸):

"Face the same direction as your partner and free your left hand from her grip by extending your hand."

The same-direction facing is universal to all three methods.

[4] Enter Behind and Control

From Volume 2 (Page 174):

"Grab her collar with your left hand from behind and step in deep to the rear of your partner with your left foot while extending your right hand."

[5] [6] Step Through and Throw

Kuden (口伝) - Oral Teachings

The Shihonage Connection

From Volume 2 (Page 174):

"In the middle release shown above, you grab your partner's wrist in the same manner as shihonage."

This is the defining characteristic of chudan method:

The Evolution in O-Sensei's Teaching

From Volume 6 (Page 39):

"As shown here, you grab your partner's right wrist from below with your right hand. However, in his latter years, the Founder proceeded in the same manner as in shihonage in order to grab his partner's wrist and then to release his left hand from the grip."

This reveals two things:

  1. Earlier method: Grabbed wrist from below (simpler)
  2. Later method: Used shihonage-style control (more sophisticated)

The later method shows O-Sensei's continual refinement toward more integrated technique.

Extension While Entering

From Volume 2 (Page 174):

"Step in deep to the rear of your partner with your left foot while extending your right hand."

The extension principle applies here as in all iriminage:

Facing Same Direction - Universal Principle

From Volume 2 (Page 174):

"Free your left hand from your partner's grip by extending your hand and facing the same direction as your partner."

This principle is identical across all three methods:

Without this, no release method will work effectively.

The Teaching Sequence Principle

From Volume 2 (Page 174):

O-Sensei's intention in teaching upper-lower-middle:

"I think his intention was to have students practice omote and ura—strongly contrasting movements—and then move on to the middle variation."

This means:

This is classic O-Sensei teaching methodology found throughout his curriculum.

Riai (理合) - Sword Connection

Shihonage's Sword Origins

Since chudan uses shihonage-style wrist control, it inherits shihonage's sword connections:

See shihonage-overview for complete sword connections.

Integration of Techniques

Chudan demonstrates that aikido techniques are not isolated:

From Volume 6 discussing all iriminage:

"It is done in the same manner as ryotedori iriminage."

Techniques share common movements and principles across different attacks.

Irimi as Universal Sword Principle

The deep entering step mirrors sword combat:

This is true regardless of the release method (jodan, gedan, or chudan).

Technical Details

The Shihonage Grip

The key technical detail is using shihonage urawaza grip:

  1. Grab opponent's wrist as in shihonage ura
  2. This provides strong control
  3. Allows you to release your own hand while maintaining their wrist
  4. Transitions smoothly to iriminage entry

Reference: For exact grip details, see Shihonage - Katatedori Ura

Hand Exchange Sequence

  1. Partner grabs your left wrist with their right hand
  2. You grab their right wrist (shihonage method)
  3. You release your left hand from their grip
  4. Your right hand maintains control of their wrist
  5. Your left hand goes to collar
  6. Enter and throw

This is more complex than jodan/gedan but provides superior control.

Body Positioning

Facing Same Direction:

Deep Entry:

The Moderate Path

Chudan is the "middle way" between extremes:

Aspect Jodan (Upper) Chudan (Middle) Gedan (Lower)
Release height High Moderate Low
Right hand enters From below Shihonage grip From above
Extension Upward Forward Downward
Grip method Simple support Shihonage control Simple support

Chudan is more sophisticated in its wrist control but moderate in its extension.

Common Mistakes

1. Using Simple Grab Instead of Shihonage Method

2. Not Facing Same Direction

3. Pulling Right Hand Instead of Extending

4. Losing Wrist Control During Entry

5. Not Stepping Deep Enough Behind

6. Learning Chudan Before Jodan and Gedan

Relationship to Upper and Lower Variations

Completing the Three-Method System

After learning all three methods, you understand:

Jodan (Upper):

Gedan (Lower):

Chudan (Middle):

The Pedagogical Progression

O-Sensei's Teaching Order:

  1. Learn jodan (upper extreme)
  2. Learn gedan (lower extreme) - opposite of jodan
  3. Learn chudan (middle path) - synthesizes both

Result:

"I think his intention was to have students practice omote and ura—strongly contrasting movements—and then move on to the middle variation."

The extremes teach the principle. The middle teaches the application.

All Three Share Core Irimi

Despite different release methods, all three share:

The only difference is the release method. Everything after the release is identical.

Choosing the Appropriate Method

From Volume 2 (Page 174):

"You release your hand in a high, low or middle position according to the opponent's body type."

With all three methods mastered:

The skilled practitioner adapts seamlessly.

Training Progression

Kotai (固体 - Solid Practice)

Prerequisites:

Practice:

Jutai (柔体 - Soft Practice)

Ryutai (流体 - Flowing Practice)

Advanced Understanding

After mastering all three methods, the practitioner understands:

Same Attack, Different Releases

Shihonage Connection

Other Iriminage Variations

Principle Application

All katatedori techniques demonstrate adaptability to opponent's body type and situation.

Sources

Primary Sources

Teaching Order Reference

Technical Evolution

Notes

Why Shihonage Method?

The use of shihonage wrist control in chudan is significant:

Earlier Teaching (simpler):

Later Teaching (refined):

This evolution shows O-Sensei's continual refinement toward more integrated, sophisticated technique.

Chudan as Synthesis

Chudan synthesizes elements from multiple techniques:

It is a "bridge technique" connecting different technical families.

The Middle Way Philosophy

The fact that chudan is learned last, after mastering extremes, reflects:

This same principle appears throughout aikido training:

Practical Application

In actual practice, chudan may be the most commonly used because:

But it can only be properly learned after mastering jodan and gedan, which teach the fundamental principles that chudan then refines.

The Three as One System

Ultimately, the three methods are not separate techniques but three expressions of one principle:

Face the same direction, extend to release, enter deeply, control and throw.

The three methods teach different ways to accomplish the same irimi principle based on opponent and situation. Master all three, and you understand iriminage completely.