Iriminage - Yokomenuchi Ki no Nagare (1) - Standing

Aspect	Description
Japanese	入身投げ 横面打ち気の流れ（１）立ち技
Translation	Entering-body throw from side strike, flowing form (method 1), standing
Classification	Nage-waza (Throwing techniques) > Iriminage series > Yokomenuchi Ki no Nagare variations

Overview

Yokomenuchi Iriminage Ki no Nagare (1) is the first flowing variation from a yokomenuchi (diagonal strike to side of head). Instead of receiving the completed strike and then responding, you step to the opponent's rear in a single motion as they strike, leading their attack to flow past while you enter behind them.

This demonstrates ki no nagare (flowing with ki) - moving with the attack as it develops rather than after it completes.

Step-by-Step Instructions

Source: Takemusu Aikido Volume 2, Pages 166-167

[1] [2] [3] Flow and Enter

• When your partner executes a yokomenuchi strike with her right hand
• Step to her rear with your left foot
• While leading her attack with your left hand, allow her strike to flow past
• Cut her right hand down to the right from above with your right hand

Key characteristics:

• Single flowing motion
• Lead attack with left hand
• Cut down with right hand
• All while entering to rear

[4] Control Collar

• Pull your left hand holding her collar towards your chest

[5] [6] Step Through and Throw

• Step through with your right foot
• Throw your partner as though pushing her neck down with your inside right elbow
• Put power into your fingertips and turn your arm inward

Kuden (口伝) - Oral Teachings

Single Motion Entry

From Volume 2 (Page 166):

"In the basic technique, you enter after receiving your partner's attack. However, in ki no nagare, you should step to the rear of your partner in a single movement."

This is the fundamental difference:

• Basic (Kihon): Receive, then enter
• Ki no Nagare: Enter during the attack

Single movement means:

• Not staged
• Not step-by-step
• Flowing integration
• Enter as they strike

Leading the Attack

From Volume 2 (Page 166):

"While leading her attack with your left hand, allow her strike to flow past."

Critical action:

• Left hand LEADS the strike
• Not blocking
• Not stopping
• Leading it to flow past you

This shows:

• Using their energy
• Guiding without forcing
• Flow principle

Cutting Down from Above

The right hand cuts from above:

• Same principle as basic yokomenuchi
• Always from above, never below
• Superior position
• Sword principle maintained

Riai (理合) - Sword Connection

Entering During Sword Cut

In sword combat:

• Can't wait for cut to complete
• Must move during the cut
• Timing is everything
• Split-second difference

Ki no nagare trains this:

• Move as sword descends
• Enter behind during their commitment
• Real combat timing

Leading the Sword

The left hand leading the strike:

• Like deflecting sword slightly
• Just enough to miss you
• Doesn't stop the cut
• Guides it past

This is advanced sword defense:

• Minimal deflection
• Maximum effect
• Flow with blade
• Don't fight force

Always From Above

Even in flowing version:

• Right hand cuts from above
• Sword principle maintained
• Superior position required
• Never approach from below

Technical Details

The Initial Strike

Photo ❶❷❸:

• Partner executes yokomenuchi
• Right hand strikes diagonally to your head
• You begin moving immediately
• Don't wait for completion

The Flowing Entry

Photo ❷❸:

• Left foot steps to partner's rear
• Not after strike, DURING strike
• Left hand leads/guides strike
• Right hand cuts down from above
• All simultaneous

Single motion:

• Step, lead, cut = one action
• Flowing, not staged
• Continuous movement

Leading with Left Hand

Photo ❷❸:

• Left hand contacts striking hand
• Guides it past you
• Allows it to flow
• Doesn't stop or block

Light touch:

• Enough to guide
• Not forceful
• Following their energy
• Subtle leading

Cutting Down with Right

Photo ❸:

• Right hand cuts partner's hand down
• From above (critical)
• To the right
• Creates opening for collar grab

Collar Control

Photo ❹:

• Left hand (that was leading) goes to collar
• Pull to chest
• Standard iriminage control
• Maintain throughout throw

The Throw

Photo ❺❻:

• Right foot steps through
• Inner elbow to neck
• Power through fingertips
• Turn arm inward
• Same as all iriminage

Common Mistakes

1. Waiting for Strike to Complete

• Error: Receiving completed strike, then entering
• Correction: Enter DURING the strike
• Teaching: "In ki no nagare, you should step...in a single movement"

2. Blocking Instead of Leading

• Error: Forcefully blocking the strike
• Correction: Lead it, allow it to flow past
• Principle: Guide, don't fight

3. Approaching from Below

• Error: Right hand comes from below
• Correction: Always from above
• Universal: Same as basic yokomenuchi principle

4. Sequential Movements

• Error: Step, then lead, then cut
• Correction: All happen together
• Quality: Single flowing movement

5. Small Entry

• Error: Partial step that doesn't reach rear
• Correction: Full step to rear of partner
• Position: Must reach dead angle

6. Not Pulling Collar to Chest

• Error: Holding collar away
• Correction: Pull to chest
• Universal: All iriminage require this

Relationship to Yokomenuchi Iriminage Kihon

Kihon (Basic) vs. Ki no Nagare

Aspect	Kihon (Basic)	Ki no Nagare (1) - This
Timing	After strike completes	During strike
Entry	Staged steps	Single motion
Leading	Deliberate parry	Flowing guide
Cutting	After parry	Simultaneous with entry
Level	Foundation	Advanced

Training Progression

Learn in order:

1. Kihon first: Iriminage - Yokomenuchi Kihon
2. Then Ki no Nagare: This technique

Must master basic before flowing.

Related Techniques

Other Yokomenuchi Iriminage

• Iriminage - Yokomenuchi Kihon - Basic staged form
• Iriminage - Yokomenuchi Ki no Nagare (2) - Alternative flowing method

Ki no Nagare Principle

• Iriminage - Shomenuchi Ki no Nagare
• Other flowing variations

Sources

Primary Sources

• Takemusu Aikido Volume 2 (Pages 166-167): Complete step-by-step with explicit comparison to basic form

Notes

Ki no Nagare Timing

"Ki no nagare" (気の流れ) means:

• 気 (ki) = energy/spirit
• 流れ (nagare) = flow/flowing

Flowing with energy means:

• Moving with attack as it develops
• Not waiting for completion
• Entering the stream
• Becoming part of the flow

The Single Movement Principle

The emphasis on "single movement" shows:

• Integration of elements
• No pauses
• Continuous flow
• Higher level execution

Beginners: A, B, C Advanced: ABC (as one)

Leading vs. Blocking

Fundamental difference:

• Blocking: Opposing force with force
• Leading: Guiding force in new direction

Leading requires:

• Timing
• Light touch
• Understanding of flow

From Above Universal

Even in flowing version:

• "From above, never below" maintained
• Basic principles don't change
• Just timing changes
• Fundamentals remain

This shows:

• Ki no nagare is not "anything goes"
• Still has structure
• Still follows principles
• Just applied with different timing

Training Ki no Nagare

From Takemusu Aikido Volume 2 (Introduction):

"You cannot do ki flow training until you receive third dan."

This is O-Sensei's standard:

• Ki no nagare is advanced
• Requires solid foundation
• Not for beginners
• Third dan represents that level

Why Two Ki no Nagare Methods?

Having two yokomenuchi iriminage ki no nagare methods:

• Shows multiple approaches
• Different entry angles
• Adaptability
• Complete understanding

Both valid, both useful, both part of complete training.

Application to Combat

In actual encounter:

• Can't wait for attack to complete
• Must move during attack
• Ki no nagare timing is realistic
• Basic form is for learning

But:

• Must master basic first
• Can't skip to flowing
• Foundation enables advanced application

The Flow State

When executing ki no nagare well:

• No thought
• Pure movement
• Complete integration
• Natural flow

This is what training aims for:

• Not mechanical technique
• But spontaneous response
• Body moving naturally
• Mind not interfering

This is higher goal of aikido practice.