Katate-Dori
(Extracted from Aikido-L)

Date:    Sat, 23 Mar 2002 23:47:29 -0500
From:    Junko Gillespie
Subject: Katate dori

Throughout all the years of my aikido training the debate over the "realism" of katate dori attacks has been a constant undercurrent. Many feel compelled to justify it by saying it's a prelude to a punch or kick, or nage's aggressive intent makes the wrist grab a necessary defense by uke (as
recent posts here atest). All these scenarios are valid, but they miss the forest for the trees.

Katate dori is ABSTRACT ATTACKING ENERGY.  When delivered properly, from uke's center into nage's center, with serious forward intent with which nage must deal, this most basic of all attacks offers exploration and application of all aikido principles: de-ai, connecting, breaking balance, blending, centering, underside heaviness, extension, irimi, tenkan, on and on ad infinitum. It is the first attack taught to all beginners and should never run out of value and meaning in the dojo. All principles and techniques internalized in katate dori will have expression in faster harder more "real" attacks.

Someone above mentioned that katate dori is symbolic of  the lack of realism in aikido training. What constitutes real? With proper focus and intent, you're blueprinting your total repertoire, installing your hardwiring, so to speak. When that abstract attacking energy becomes an actual punch or other "real" attack, all your systems are go. Among higher kyu or dan ranks, when hard training allows testing of your chops, you'll know what needs work! And little ol' much maligned katate dori will remain an excellent laboratory in which to refine them. It needs  neither adornment nor justification.

Gil Gillespie

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Date:    Sun, 24 Mar 2002 13:26:24 -0500
From:    Jake Jacobe
Subject: Re: Katate dori

Junko Gillespie wrote:

>With proper focus and intent, you're blueprinting your total repertoire,
>installing your hardwiring, so to speak. When that abstract attacking
> energy becomes an actual punch or other "real" attack, all your systems
>are go.

Exactly! The question is: what constitutes proper focus and intent?

Once that question is resolved, then I agree that katate dori is a wonderful attack with which to explore the mysteries of Aikido.

Jake Jacobe

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Date:    Sun, 24 Mar 2002 12:00:28 -0700
From:    Jun Akiyama
Subject: Re: Katate dori

Gil Gillespie wrote:
> Throughout all the years of my aikido training the debate over the
> "realism" of katate dori attacks has been a constant undercurrent.

I used to wonder about its "realism" until I got grabbed once by my current teacher for tenkan practive (tai no henko) and found my face nearly getting planted into the mat.  When done correctly and well, it's an attack as effective as any aikido technique.

        Jun

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Last updated on 13 Sep 2002