Iriminage - Yokomenuchi Kihon (Basic)

Aspect Description
Japanese ε…₯θΊ«ζŠ•γ’ ζ¨ͺι’ζ‰“γ‘εŸΊζœ¬η«‹γ‘ζŠ€
Translation Entering-body throw from side strike, basic form, standing
Classification Nage-waza (Throwing techniques) > Iriminage series > Yokomenuchi variations
Type Basic form (Kihon)

Overview

Yokomenuchi Iriminage Kihon is the fundamental iriminage technique from a diagonal strike to the side of the head. It demonstrates perfect integration of deflection, atemi, and irimi (entering) principles.

This technique appears in O-Sensei's Budo (1938) and represents one of the core yokomenuchi responses. The deflection method shown here is foundational to all yokomenuchi techniques.

Historical Context

From Budo (1938)

The proper way to receive yokomenuchi is described in Budo (p. 23):

"Uke: Strike with your right hand. Shite: Advance to the left with your left foot while parrying your opponent's right hand with your left tegatana and strike his face with your right tegatana."

This description, from O-Sensei's 1938 manual, establishes the standard yokomenuchi response that continues through all yokomenuchi techniques.

Universal Yokomenuchi Principle

From Takemusu Aikido Volume 6 (Page 3142):

"All basic yokomenuchi techniques such as ikkyo through gokyo, shihonage, iriminage and so on, begin in this manner."

The entry and parry shown in this technique is the foundation for the entire yokomenuchi curriculum.

Step-by-Step Instructions

Source: Takemusu Aikido Volume 2, Pages 164-165

[1] [2] Parry and Strike

From Budo (p. 23):

"Advance to the left with your left foot while parrying your opponent's right hand with your left tegatana and strike his face with your right tegatana."

[3] Cut Down and Enter Behind

Critical Point: Always strike the attacking hand down from above, never from below.

[4] Take Collar

O-Sensei's kuden: Pull the collar to your chest - this is universal across all iriminage.

[5] [6] Step Through and Throw

Kuden (口伝) - Oral Teachings

The Critical Hand Position: Always From Above

From Takemusu Aikido Volume 1 (Page 94):

"When doing ikkyo, nikyo, sankyo, yonkyo, iriminage, or any other technique, be sure to grab your partner's wrist from above after parrying."

And specifically for yokomenuchi (Volume 2, Page 164):

"In yokomenuchi, you should always strike your attacking partner's hand down from above, never from below (photo ❸). This is also the case for ikkyo, nikyo, sankyo, and yonkyo."

Why this matters:

The Yokomenuchi Parry Method

From Budo (p. 23), repeated in Volume 2 (p. 164):

"Uke: Strike with your right hand. Shite: Advance to the left with your left foot while parrying your opponent's right hand with your left tegatana and strike his face with your right tegatana."

This is O-Sensei's explicit instruction on yokomenuchi response:

  1. Advance with left foot (not away, toward)
  2. Parry with left tegatana (hand blade)
  3. Strike face with right tegatana (simultaneous counter)

This three-element response is fundamental to all yokomenuchi work.

The Collar Pull to Chest

From Volume 2 (Page 164):

"Take her collar with your left hand and pull her towards your chest."

This is identical to shomenuchi iriminage:

Footwork and Entry

The entry behind the partner is critical:

Riai (η†εˆ) - Sword Connection

Yokomenuchi as Sword Strike

Yokomenuchi specifically represents:

Deflection from Above

From Volume 2 (Page 164):

"In yokomenuchi, you should always strike your attacking partner's hand down from above, never from below (photo ❸)."

This directly mirrors sword defense:

Tegatana (Hand Blade) Usage

The term tegatana (ζ‰‹εˆ€ - hand blade/sword) is used explicitly in Budo's description:

"Parrying your opponent's right hand with your left tegatana and strike his face with your right tegatana."

This emphasizes:

Universal Beginning

From Volume 6 (Page 3142):

"All basic yokomenuchi techniques such as ikkyo through gokyo, shihonage, iriminage and so on, begin in this manner."

The yokomenuchi entry is universal because it's based on sword principles:

This universality comes from the sword combat reality these techniques are based on.

Entering to Dead Angle

The deep step behind opponent's right side is the sword's "dead angle":

Technical Details

The Initial Parry

Left Hand:

Right Hand:

Both together:

Footwork Pattern

Photo ❢❷:

Photo ❸:

The Cutting Down Motion

Photo ❸:

Hand Positions

Photo ❸ - Critical Teaching:

"You should always strike your attacking partner's hand down from above, never from below."

Wrong approach (from below):

Correct approach (from above):

Collar Control

Photo ❹:

The Throw

Photo ❺❻:

Common Mistakes

1. Approaching from Below (Most Critical)

2. Blocking Instead of Deflecting

3. Sequential Rather Than Simultaneous

4. Stepping Away Instead of Forward

5. Shallow Entry Behind

6. Not Pulling Collar to Chest

7. No Power in Fingertips

Relationship to Ki no Nagare Variations

Kihon (Basic) vs. Ki no Nagare (Flowing)

This technique (Kihon):

Ki no Nagare variations:

Training Progression

Learn kihon first because:

Comparison to Shomenuchi Iriminage

Similarities

Differences

Aspect Shomenuchi Yokomenuchi
Strike direction Straight overhead Diagonal to side
Initial response Atemi to side Parry and face strike
Entry foot Right foot first Left foot first
Hand that cuts down Right hand Right hand
Critical teaching Tachidori mindset From above, never below

Both share fundamental irimi principle but adapt to different attack angles.

Training Progression

Kotai (固体 - Solid Practice)

Jutai (ζŸ”δ½“ - Soft Practice)

Ryutai (桁体 - Flowing Practice)

Other Yokomenuchi Iriminage

Same Entry, Different Techniques

All share the fundamental yokomenuchi response from Budo.

Other Iriminage Attacks

Sources

Primary Sources

Universal Principle

Training Method

Cross-References

Yokomenuchi Family

All yokomenuchi techniques in the curriculum share this fundamental entry:

Hand Position Principle

The "from above, never below" teaching applies to:

Notes

Why Yokomenuchi Is Fundamental

Yokomenuchi is one of the primary training attacks because:

The Tegatana Concept

O-Sensei's use of "tegatana" (ζ‰‹εˆ€) in Budo is significant:

This emphasizes that empty-hand training is sword training. The movements, angles, and principles are identical.

Universal Entry Across Techniques

The fact that all yokomenuchi techniques "begin in this manner" shows:

You learn one entry, you have the key to dozens of techniques.

From Above, Never Below

This teaching appears repeatedly in Saito Sensei's writings for good reason:

This is not a minor detail but a fundamental principle.

Integration with Kotegaeshi and Shihonage

Saito Sensei notes that yokomenuchi iriminage shares body movement with:

All three use the same entering pattern because they're based on the same sword-defense principle. This is the beauty of systematic training: master one movement pattern, apply it to multiple techniques.