Atemi in aikido means striking, with the hand, foot, or any part of the body - or even the whole body. The strike may connect with the target, or, more usually, is used as a "dummy," where connection is threatened, but not carried out.
It is often said that "atemi is 95% of aikido," yet people often ask "how come aikidokas don't seem to strike more often?" There is a lot of misunderstanding about the nature of atemi, even amongst aikido practitioners, and I hope this article can shed some light on it.
There are three main purposes of atemi in aikido:
Remember that aikido evolved from Budo, which evolved from actual combat. The goal was to overcome the attacker and stop them as quickly and efficiently as possible.
Different teachers taught different ways of striking, including punches, pokes, kicks, and elbow strikes. The ideal was "one strike," meaning it should be devastating enough to end the engagement. Therefore, some strikes are highly dangerous or lethal, and seldom shown to inexperienced practitioners.
A connected strike is rarely justified in modern times, except perhaps in aggravated assault.
A connected strike is rarely justified in modern times...
In some techniques, an atemi is thrown in order to provoke a protective block from uke (the attacker). The momentum of this blocking movement is then used to do a throw or other technique.
When the timing is right, such techniques are smooth and enjoyable to perform. However, uke's response cannot always be predicted, as they might not block but instead turn away or duck. Therefore this form of atemi and practice is sometimes quite artificial and may give a false expectation of attackers' responses.
This is the heart of aikido, and the main reason for the aforementioned statistic. Properly understood, atemi is used throughout a technique in order to create a rhythm that leads uke to finally landing on the mat.
In this sense, atemi is the same as "extending Ki," that is, extending feeling towards the uke in order to slow them down, put them off balance, or control their momentum.
Aikido is often incorrectly viewed as mechanical pulling and pushing; however I believe that this physical approach misses the original message of the founder Morihei Ueshiba.
Instead, if we look at aikido as an interplay of mental and energetic control of the attacker, this allows us to explore subtle forces that result in powerful results. If we accept the assumption that "mind controls body," this creates a wonderful opportunity to study how it works. By learning to lead an attacker's mind, this opens the way to leading their body with minimum effort, no matter how big or strong they are.
By learning to lead an attacker's mind, this opens the way to leading their body with minimum effort, no matter how big or strong they are.
When a skilled attacker makes a commitment to attack, they may have in the back of their mind an intention to follow up with a secondary attack, for example, a strike with the other hand, or a stab with a knife. Advanced aikido practitioners often make a big deal of the secondary strike, and how to protect yourself from it.
However, if the concept of "moving the mind" is understood, and the uke's mind and energy are controlled from the start, there is no longer any question of secondary attacks.
If, at the moment of attack, nage (the practitioner) “captures" the attacker (uke) and leads them off balance, the attacker is no longer in a position, mentally or physically, to follow up. For example, this may consist of the nage drawing uke's attacking hand, while making an atemi to uke's face to put them off balance backwards.
In this way, atemi is used to keep uke off balance, making them light and easily thrown. From the moment of attack, they should not be allowed to regain balance, but instead be led down a pathway of no return.
Atemi properly done does not need to be big aggressive punches to provoke physical responses. It should be done with feeling, though, and cause just a flicker of uncertainty in the uke's mind. That is often enough to allow nage to effortlessly complete the throw.
Atemi performed with aggression can create reaction and resistance in uke's mind or body. If that happens the essence of aikido is lost, and the engagement becomes a fight. Atemi's purpose is to create subtle fluctuations in uke's mind, such that they gladly and comfortably follow nage's lead.
Atemi forms the basis of the technique called Kokyunage or “breath throw.” In the highest levels of kokyunage, the attacker is “thrown” by their own reaction to a perceived atemi. Look at old videos of the founder Morihei Ueshiba doing “no-touch throws” with his students. While to non-practitioners this appears fake, if you have experienced it, you know the feeling is that of being hit by a wave of ki energy.
In the highest levels of kokyunage, the attacker is “thrown” by their own reaction to a perceived atemi.
The ultimate atemi is where a person is so calm and fearless, that they naturally extend strong energy, such that the aggressive intention of the would-be attacker is entirely dissipated. This is the stated goal of aikido according to the founder—reconciliation and peace.
If you are able to walk down a street extending ki all around you, calmly and without aggression, you will have a naturally calming effect on those around you. This is the subtle way of spreading peace, without imposing on anyone—called intoku, "good done in secret."
The subtlest art of atemi is difficult to explain, and this learning should be received from an experienced teacher, and explored throughout one's lifetime.
If you are able to walk down a street extending ki all around you, calmly and without aggression, you will have a naturally calming effect on those around you. This is the subtle way of spreading peace, without imposing on anyone—called intoku, "good done in secret."
