How to Perform a Shiho Nage in Defense against a Shomen Uchi Strike in Aikido

Aikido is a Japanese martial art made up of a vast wealth of throws and grappling moves. It was devised by Morihei Ueshiba in the early 1900s. This was an alternative to the older martial art known as Jujitsu, which was very effective and similar in style to Aikido. The difference between the two martial arts was the mindset driving them. In Jujitsu a defender prevents his opponent from doing harm by employing joint locks and counterattacks which would cause permanent crippling damage to the attacker. Aikido is a more forgiving martial art in that any damage it does to an attacker is temporary, usually just being pressure applied to a joint causing pain to force an attacker to submit. Aikido means, “The Way of The Harmonious Spirit”, and works to redirect an attacker’s energy and momentum against himself. In this way it is effective against any opponent, regardless of any difference in size and strength between the two combatants. Here is a guide explaining how to perform a Shiho Nage or “Four Direction Throw” in response to a Shomen Uchi or “Bladed Strike” in Aikido.

Things You'll Need:
Practice Space

Attacker

Defender

Soft Mats to Cushion Falls.

Step 1:
Begin standing roughly three feet away from your opponent. The Shomen Uchi Strike can be performed with our without the presence of a knife. As the presence of a knife would present a confounding variable to these instructions despite the fact that their content would be unchanged, we will assume your opponent is unarmed. Your opponent well step forward forming his right hand into a flat blade and bringing it down in an overhand chop aimed at your head or neck.

Step 2:
Cross your arms at the wrist and catch your opponent’s descending lower forearm in the top X they form. Latch onto the exterior of your opponent’s hand with your left hand and his lower forearm with your right.

Step 3:
Roll your opponent’s arm down in an underhanded arc while turning to face to the right. Make sure to bring the arm up in front of you to chest level. This will begin to twist your opponent’s arm inward.

Step 4:
Complete the twist by raising the arm up and passing it over your head, turning to face the opposite direction as you do so. Just to recap your opponent should be in front of you off your right shoulder. Switch your grip to hold only his hand and, while it is twisted, press the inside of his wrist against the top of his right shoulder, letting his hand protrude past the back.

Step 5:
Bend at the knees and pull his hand downward to drive him backward off balance. Continue to guide the hand down and your opponent will drop to the floor on his back.