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Takemusu Aikido Intercontinental

Transmitting an authentic knowledge of Traditional Aikido as founded by Morihei UESHIBA

Kajo #22

PART 2: Three origins, eight powers

Sangen three origins
In kajo #20, we noticed that the concept of maai had not been considered with enough attention
since the beginning of this study.
We now know that the relationship between Ichi rei and Shikon really defines the true location of
the technique, not only on the diagram, but also and above all in reality.
In other words, the maai of the actual technique must respect the proportion given in the diagram
by the intersection of the spiral with the four diameters of the sphere.

In order to understand why irimi nage and ikkyo are executed at the same place but in two
opposed rotations of the spiral, one needs to understand that these are not two different
techniques as it is often believed, but the same technique executed in one case in ukes rear
imbalance and in the other case in ukes front imbalance, ie in ura space for irimi nage and in
omote space for ikkyo,( cf kajo #19, as one can see it the following photos :

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We also know since kajo #5, that ikkyo omote and shiho nage omote are each others omote are
ura and are two aspects of the same technique (once in ue kara shita rotation, once in shita kara
ue rotation):

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But if ikkyo = irimi nage and if ikkyo = shiho nage, we can write the following equation: ikkyo =
irimi nage = shiho nage.

In this equation, the relationship ikkyo-irimi nage materializes the horizontal axis (left-right) and the
relationship ikkyo-shiho nage materializes the vertical axis (shita-ue):

This is the cross of aiki and also can be represented as follows:

Ikkyo being the point of origin, shiho nage is the work of Takamimusubi that creates from this point
an upward spiral to the right, irimi nage is the work of Kamimusubi creating a downward spiral to
the left.

Lets remember what O Sensei said about the energy of Ame-no-Minakanushi, the single origin:

It is the interaction of Takamimusubi and Kamimusubi who when they dance, create a
spiral upward on the right and a spiral downward on the left
Takemusu Aiki, Volume II, 1st cycle of speeches, Editions du Cnacle de France

Ikkyo, shiho nage, irimi nage are the three origins of the technique, Sangen. They are both three
and one at a time. They are the source, and the divine techniques of aiki are born out of them, and
this is why they are the only three that are at the origin of the blue spiral on our diagram. Ikkyo,
shiho nage, irimi nage are the three origins of the technique, Sangen. They are three and one
at a time. They are the source, and the divine techniques of aiki are born out of them, and this is
why they are the only three that are at the origin of the blue spiral on our diagram.

Is it really surprising to discover that they form together the ankh cross, the cross of generation and
life in ancient Egypt? If the traditions of the world spoke a different language, they would no longer
be tradition.

Hachiriki, eight powers

We know since kajo #3, that the three horizontal diameters of the sphere determine six directions
in the horizontal plane, this is what O Sensei called roppo, and we know since kajo #17 that the
vertical diameter determines two directions in the vertical plane.

The six horizontal directions and the two vertical directions thus form the eight directions (happo).
In Aikido, each of these directions is the location of a technique at the intersection with ichi rei, the
divine spiral. These eight forces give birth to eight fundamental techniques that form together

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hachiriki, the eight powers of Aikido.

We analyzed in detail these eight basic techniques over the past kajos, and we have explained
above how three of them (ikkyo, irimi swimming and shiho nage) have a special place.

We have acquired that knowledge through the explanations of O Sensei himself, but we also
recontructed it like a puzzle, we have not found as a single piece, so to speak. It would obviously
be nice to find in the teaching of the Founder, an overall confirmation of the results we have
reached. This teaching exist, but it is encrypted, and I unveiled today.

It can be found in Budo, O Senseis book, and especially in the construction plan of this book:

1 Explanation of the principle of action: hanmi irimi tai no henka irimi- tenkan

2 Presentation of the eight fundamental techniques according to their symmetry axes (pages 11
to 22 of the original edition):

A ikkyo irimi nage ..... Ippo

B kote gaeshi nikyo ..... Nipo
C sankyo ..... Sanpo
D irimi nage shiho nage gokyo ..... Ippo
E yonkyo shiho nage tenchi nage ..... Yonpo

There are indeed eight techniques: ikkyo, irimi nage, kote gaeshi, nikyo, sankyo, shiho nage,
yonkyo, tenchi nage. Gokyo indeed should not be considered as an independent technique, as we
explained (kajo #13) how ikkyo and gokyo are really the same technique, and that is the reason
why the Founder gathered them under the same name (ippo).

Now, we can not help but notice the following: in the plan adopted by O Sensei, each technique is
demonstrated once, with the exception of three techniques that are demonstrated twice: it is ikkyo
(with gokyo) irimi nage and shiho nage, ie ... the three origins, sangen.

Nothing is random here, and this is the confirmation we needed.

O Sensei has intentionally left in the plan of his book the following message: There are eight
forces, ordered in pairs along four axes, I present them in this order and in this form in my
book so that you recognize them as such; among these eight forces, three are at the origin
and I put them in evidence by repeating these three, and these three only, two times each,
only to make you understand that they are the single origin.

I want to end this kajo # 22 by returning to what I already said in kajo #21.

The role of the corporeal soul, as expressed in the speeches of the founder, makes it impossible
that ichi rei shikon sangen hachiriki could not be explained by concrete evidence in relation to the
body work in Aikido.

And we have shown as far as words can explain, the relationship between O Senseis sentence
and the work of the body.

The work of the mind cant be accomplished in this world but through the work of the body,
and to achieve this, the body must dance the sacred dance of Aikido (furumai), guided in its
movement by the divine plan of ichirei shikon sangen hachiriki.

Philippe Voarino, July 2012.

Philippe Voarino next seminar: Sunday, 21 April, 2013, Aikido Gasshuku 2013, Antibes, France

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