Don’t lose sight of basics: Shomen Uchi Sankajo Osae 1
The class had begun with a review of Ikkajo 2 and some accompanying exercises.
Shomen uchi sankajo osae 2 is one of the longer techniques within the Yoshinkan syllabus. The technique in its kihon form brings the uke down then back up again. The point I was trying to make is that while the kata does that it is in reaction to what the uke wants to do, not dictating what the shite wants to do.
If uke wants to go up, we let them go up, but we control how they do that. If uke wants to come up and they are completely unable to do so, the situation is in hand and further adjustments are not necessary. However if while dealing with uke’s attack we deflect but then find uke reacting and rising it will not end well for shite if we attempt to hold them down.
I.e. if it’s a struggle do not persist. Sankajo 2 is introducing this concept to us.
As we move through the technique the uke’s attacking arm comes under our control. It’s important to remember that most people have two arms and other means of continuing their attack. Be aware of this and control the space between yourself and uke. If shite is moving correctly, even large heavy uke should be easy relatively easy to move. The balance point is through their elbow. Make sure this is controlled.
When the actual sankajo grip is formed its important that uke is already moving, not stationary. If uke is stationary it will be very hard to get them moving again. The pivoting action on the front foot while applying sankajo is a fast light action. It is not the movement to use to get sankajo started. Additionally as uke is already moving we want their wrist to come to our kamae hand. If we have to break that stance and bend our wrist to make the grip it will negatively impact the technique making it hard to move uke with sankajo.
Uke’s balance should be taken throughout the technique, maintaining momentum. Because we have their balance the take down should be as simple as just dropping the kamae arm while maintaining the sankajo grip. Make sure shite’s palm is now facing downward, not side on.
There is a lot to get out of this technique and many variations to learn too.
https://youtu.be/9V1vcQJZu6k?si=7KL5AOXH7O5Ntxx5