Iriminage - Katatedori Jodan (Upper Level)

Aspect Description
Japanese 入身投げ 片手取り上段立ち技
Translation Entering-body throw from single-hand grab, upper level, standing
Classification Nage-waza (Throwing techniques) > Iriminage series > Katatedori variations
Alternative Names Katatedori Iriminage (Ue) 片手取り入身投げ（上）

Overview

Katatedori Iriminage Jodan is the upper-level hand release method for iriminage from a wrist grab. It is the first of three methods that O-Sensei specifically taught to accommodate different opponent body types and situations.

This technique demonstrates the principle of entering toward the opponent (not away) and facing the same direction to release the grip. The "upper" (jodan/ue) designation refers to the hand moving upward to release.

Historical Context

From Takemusu Aikido Volume 6 (Page 38):

"Each opponent is different in height and body type. This is why the Founder taught us three different hand releases."

The three methods are taught in this order:

  1. Jodan (Upper) - hand releases upward
  2. Gedan (Lower) - hand releases downward
  3. Chudan (Middle) - hand releases at middle height

O-Sensei taught them in the order upper, lower, middle (not the logical progression) because:

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

This pedagogical approach of teaching opposites first is characteristic of O-Sensei's instruction method.

Step-by-Step Instructions

Source: Takemusu Aikido Volume 2, Pages 170-171; Volume 6, Pages 36-39

[1] Initial Grab

When your partner grabs your left hand with her right hand

[2] [3] Step In and Face Same Direction

From Volume 6:

"Put ki energy into the fingertips of your left hand and turn your palm upward. Take a large step to your partner's right side with your left foot, while extending your left hand diagonally to the right."

[3'] Hand Release Detail

[4] Enter Behind and Control

From Volume 6:

"Then grab your partner's right wrist with your right hand and release your left hand from his grip. At the same time, turn your body to the right 180 degrees and look in the same direction as your partner."

[5] [6] Step Through and Throw

Kuden (口伝) - Oral Teachings

The Key to the Technique

From Takemusu Aikido Volume 6 (Page 37):

"When your partner grabs your wrist firmly, first release your hand from his grip and then execute iriminage. This is the key to the technique."

You cannot execute iriminage properly while still being held. The hand release is not incidental - it is fundamental.

The Three Release Methods

From Volume 6 (Page 37):

"Each opponent is different in height and body type. This is why the Founder taught us three different hand releases."

The method you use depends on:

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

Critical Point: Looking in the Same Direction

From Volume 6 (Pages 36-37):

"In photo B, it is very important to look in the same direction as your partner. If you keep looking forward, you cannot execute a correct irimi step."

Why this matters:

From Budo:

"Pay attention to your rear, meaning you should look behind while turning. Another opponent might be standing behind you."

The Release Mechanism

From Volume 2 (Page 170):

"If you are facing your partner you will not be able to free your hand from her grip. The key to releasing your hand is to step in towards your partner and face the same direction."

This is counterintuitive for beginners who try to pull away. The secret is:

  1. Step IN (not away)
  2. Face the SAME direction (not opposite)
  3. Only then can you release upward

Hand Extension Details

For Jodan (Upper) Release (Volume 2, Page 174):

"In katatedori iriminage (ue), you insert your right hand in from below and extend it up fully to free it. Be sure to extend your left arm fully."

The extension must be complete - half measures will not break a firm grip.

Fingertip Power

From Volume 6 (Page 37):

"Put ki energy into the fingertips of your left hand and turn your palm upward."

The power flows through the extended arm to the fingertips - not just muscular strength in the shoulder.

Riai (理合) - Sword Connection

Same Principles as Weapons Defense

From Volume 6 (Page 39):

"This technique is katatedori iriminage chudan (middle position). It is done in the same manner as ryotedori iriminage."

More importantly:

"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 means the hand control follows shihonage principles, which are directly derived from sword handling.

The Tachidori Mindset

As with all iriminage:

Irimi as Sword Entry

The deep entering step is identical to entering against a sword strike:

Technical Details

The 180-Degree Turn

The turn to face the same direction as your partner is NOT:

It IS:

From Volume 6:

"If you do not turn a full 180 degrees or if you keep looking at your opponent, you will not be able to release your hand."

Hand Positioning During Release

Right Hand Placement:

Left Hand Action:

Stepping Sequence

  1. Left foot: Large step to opponent's right side
  2. Body: 180-degree turn
  3. Left foot again: Deep step behind opponent
  4. Right foot: Step through for throw

The entering is done in two stages - first to release, then to throw.

Collar Grip

From Volume 6 (Quoting O-Sensei from Budo):

"Grab your partner's collar from behind (or push his lower back) with your left hand. Step through with your right foot and throw him by pushing his neck down with your inside right elbow."

The collar grip follows the same principle as shomenuchi iriminage:

Common Mistakes

1. Facing the Opponent While Trying to Release

2. Incomplete Turn

3. Not Looking in Same Direction

4. Insufficient Upward Extension

5. Using Wrong Release for Opponent

6. Trying to Release Before Positioning

Relationship to Middle and Lower Variations

The Three Form One System

All three releases (jodan, chudan, gedan) share:

They differ ONLY in:

Why Three Methods?

From Volume 6:

"You must be able to release your hand smoothly to execute this technique successfully. This is a very important practice."

Having three methods means you can adapt to:

Teaching Order (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."

Practice the extremes (jodan and gedan) first to understand the range, then the middle variation becomes natural.

Training Progression

Kotai (固体 - Solid Practice)

Jutai (柔体 - Soft Practice)

Ryutai (流体 - Flowing Practice)

Same Attack, Different Releases

Same Principle, Different Attacks

Sources

Primary Sources

Teaching Order Reference

Historical Development

Notes

When These Three Methods Were Developed

Saito Sensei notes in Volume 6 (Page 38):

"I do not know if he [O-Sensei] was already teaching these three ways when Budo was written."

The three distinct methods (jodan, chudan, gedan) may have been:

Regardless, they were firmly established by the time Saito Sensei trained with O-Sensei in Iwama.

Precise Naming in Later Years

From Volume 6 (Page 39):

"Although many techniques are not named in Budo, including this one, the Founder called each technique with a precise name in his last years."

This technique received its explicit name "Katatedori Iriminage Jodan (Ue)" during O-Sensei's later teaching period, showing the systematic organization of the curriculum.

The Essence: Release Then Enter

The entire three-method system emphasizes one critical principle:

First release your hand, then execute iriminage.

This seems obvious but is "the key to the technique" because many students try to force iriminage while still being held, which:

Master the release, and the iriminage flows naturally.