Hasso Gaeshi Uchi

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Saito's Jo Suburi #14

Art Ward demonstrating.

Art Ward Demonstrating.

Eight direction return, front strike

Begin in right hamni as if holding a sword (ken no kamae). Your left hand will be holding the base of the jo.

Step back with your right foot so that your feet are in left hanmi at 20-30 degrees on the left side of the line-of-attack. As you step back drop the tip of the jo to your right and slide your right hand to the middle of the jo. Use your left hand to push the base of the jo sharply down and away from you so that the jo spins around the right wrist. As the jo spins, raise your right wrist to shoulder height. Catch the tip of the jo with your left hand as the jo reaches a vertical position. At this point you will be in hasso no kamae.

Start to step forwards with your right foot across to the right side of the line-of-attack. As you step, bring the jo up to your head changing the grip with your right hand, and complete your step forwards as you strike with shomen in right hanmi.

Tips:

• "Turn the jo, assume Hasso-no-kamae and strike your opponent's face." Morihiro Saito, Traditional Aikido Volume 1, 1973.
• It is a serious mistake simply to twirl the jo to get into the initial hasso position. This movement should be made using the hips and the jo should be controlled with both hands so that it can act as a block against an attack.
• When in hasso no kamae, it is advantagous to reposition your right hand so that this hand is holding the jo with fingers pointing upwards
• The initial movement corresponds quite closely to the body and hand movements used in kotegaeshi. Practicing this suburi will lead to a stable and powerful empty-handed kotegaeshi technique.
• The final shomen strike is much like that with a bokken.

© Copyright 2003, Scott Prahl