Aiki Strikes

It seems that many Aikika neglect Atemi in their general techniques. Others say that Atemi is just for off balancing Uke and not to do harm. Saito Sensei says that Atemi is ninety percent of Aikido. Watching him use Atemi it is hard to argue that it was not intended to inflict injury. If Aikido is to be a powerful martial art it needs powerful atemi. Understanding how the Atemi fits into the techniques is also extremely helpful to understand how to do the techniques.

There are probably several reasons that Atemi receives so little emphasis.

1. The striking that is usually taught in the US is based on Karate. These strikes do not blend well with Aiki movements. They break the flow of the movements.
2. The way it is taught Aiki is extremely difficult to learn. The author has spent about 25 years just beginning to understand the basics of Aiki. With something this difficult, who has time for Atemi.
3. In practice, particularly freestyle, we do not want to injure or kill our partners. For this reason we rip rather than striking. This is an essential practice compromise that should not be confused with the technique. We also modify our throws in practice so that we don't drive Uke's head into the mat killing or maiming Uke.

The Atemi taught here is based on Kuta. It is taught as principles and is very similar to our Sword and Jo strikes. It is extremely fast and powerful. Kuta teachers claim it is too deadly for sport or any use except mortal combat. The author has never hit anyone to test this but the strikes, unlike Karate strikes, blend perfectly with Aikido. Kuta exercises teach the speed that Aikido experts display but most of us never attain.