Video Review
Aikido: The Power and the Basics Volume 3
by John McNabb
At recent kyu/dan testings, Yamada Sensei has been trying to make a point, that when he tests a student for the rank of 1st dan, he wants to see a variety of techniques applied; he wants to see the student's personality come out in his or her techniques. I believe that his new video, Aikido: The Power and the Basics Volume 3, is an attempt to help students achieve this goal. While the first two videos of the series explained in detail how basic techniques are done (from 5th kyu to 3rd kyu), this new video seems to be a demonstration of everything else Yamada Sensei is trying to get across.
He begins by saying that many techniques don't have names, and explains, "Aikido technique is so flexible, so creative, so individual, that it's almost impossible to have a name for each technique."
What follows is Yamada Sensei doing what comes naturally for him, variation after variation of technique, each done in his very tangible style that makes him so popular with his students. Viewing this tape is like watching a dozen of Yamada Sensei's seminars, all distilled down to a half-hour or so, making it a tremendous catalogue of techniques.
All techniques are done first at actual speed and then another time in slow motion. There isn't a lot of explanation, as it would be superfluous, anyway, at this level.
He begins with techniques against shomenuchi, yokomenuchi, and katatori menuchi. He uses all the basic techniques, kokyunages (breath throws), and some henkawaza (switching from one technique to another). He does some unusual techniques, such as ducking the attack, bear-hugging uke from behind, launching him into the air, and stepping backwards to let uke fall. As the flow of attacking and falling goes on and on, Donovan Waite's smooth ukemi never ceases to impress.
We see koshinage (hip throw) performed against all the standard attacks, and even a rear bear hug. Nothing is left out.
We move on to tantotori (knife techniques). All the common attacks are here, as well as attacks to the face, neck, and lower back. I am a little surprised to see that Yamada Sensei's disarms sometimes send the knife bouncing off the mat and then just leave it there, but I suppose, the hold he puts on uke will prevent any further problems.
Randori (freestyle against multiple attackers) is shown, starting with two ukes grabbing the nage's arms, trying to restrain him. Nage uses several kokyu throws, then "juggles" the attackers as they come back for more. Nage uses several more kokyu throws to keep the ukes off their feet.
After more techniques where nage holds a jo and throws uke with it, the tape concludes with footage of a 1964 black-and-white training film of Yamada Sensei doing weapons and empty-hand techniques. This tape should be extremely useful for anyone, especially those approaching ikkyu (1st kyu) and shodan (1st dan).
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