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Tomiki Aikido
From The Martial Arts Encyclopedia
Tomiki Aikido, also known as Shodokan Aikido, is a style of competitive sport Aikido founded by Professor Kenji Tomiki (1900-1979). Occasionally, Tomiki Aikido is referred to as Sport Aikido, due to the fact that it is the only style of Aikido to hold regular competitions
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About Kenji Tomiki
Kenji Tomiki was born on the 15th of March, 1900, in Japan. At the age of 10, Tomiki joined the town Judo Club. In November of 1919 he received 1st Dan in Judo.
In 1926, Kenji Tomiki first met Morihei Ueshiba and his style known as Aikido, and thus decided to join his dojo. Eventually, in 1940, he would achieve 8th Dan in Aikido. Later, in 1971, Tomiki achieved 8th Dan in Judo, also.
How Tomiki Aikido Differs from Other Styles
Tomiki Aikido differs primarily from other styles of Aikido as it is the only style which holds competitions and tournaments. Thus, it is one of the only styles of Aikido which actually practices with 'aliveness' while still retaining the original techniques as taught by Sensei Ueshiba.
Competiton
Competitions take the form of tanto or toshu randori, and also enbu in which pairs (tori and uke) are judged on their kata. Toshu randori is barehanded, and both aikidoka are expected to perform techniques on one another and attempt to resist and counter each other's techniques. The appearance of this form is heavily influenced by judo randori with a few changes designed to enhance the use of aikido technique (for example, one is not allowed to grasp the opponent's keikogi).
In tanto randori, there is a designated attacker (tanto) and a designated defender (toshu). The attacker attempts to stab the defender with a training knife (usually rubber or stuffed) while the defender attempts, with any of seventeen basic aikido techniques, to throw or perform joint-locks on the attacker. Tanto is expected to resist or counter with the first five techniques. In competition, the roles switch, with competitors having the same amount of time with and without the knife. In both these forms of randori, the traditional separation between the performer of technique (tori) and the receiver of technique (uke) no longer exists as either of the participants may throw their opponent.
Scoring
Credits
- Tanto tsukiari - 1 point - Awarded for a successful tanto strike. For the strike to count, the tanto must land on the lower half of the torso. The arm must be extended, and the attacker must be moving forward, finished with good balance. Glancing hits do not count. Obviously, this does not apply to toshu randori.
- Yuko - 1 point - Awarded for a balance break, or for making your opponent retreat out of the designated area.
- Wasa-ari - 2 points - Awarded for a full throw or lock, but losing good posture and balance.
- Ippon - 4 points - Awarded for a full throw or lock, keeping good posture and balance.
Penalties
- Shido - 1/2 point - Awarded to the opponent when a competitor commits minor violation. Shido are only counted in pairs.
- Dogi-mochi shido - Grabbing hold of the gi.
- Taisabaki shido - Failure to dodge properly, e.g. by swatting the knife away instead of moving out of its path.
- Tanto shido - Failure to mind the knife: tanto may receive a tanto shido if he or she drops or loses control of the knife; toshu may receive a tanto shido if he or she allows the tanto to be pressed against their body for three seconds.
- Chui - 1 point - Awarded to the opponent when a competitor commits a major violation. In American tournaments, 2 chui end the match.
