Gokyo

Example 1, Gokyo Irimi

Movie of Gokyo Irimi

Gokyo is a knife taking technique. Even though Gokyo is similar to Ikkyo it is not based on Ikkyo. In Ikkyo Nage's arm meets Uke's arm. This is too dangerous with a knife. Uke is also an Aikika so Uke is going to change to the target of opportunity and not try to cut through the defense to Nage's face. This means that Nage will probably be cut. For this reason Nage grabs Uke's wrist from the side so that Nage's hand is not in front of Uke's arm. This is not as strong a technique as Ikkyo for Shomen Uchi attacks because it is more awkward to grab the wrist.

Fig. 1 Start of Gokyo Irimi		Fig. 2 Kuta Entry Strike		Fig. 3 2nd Irimi Step

1. In Fig. 1 Uke prepares to attack.
2. Fig. 2 shows the moment the Kuta strike hits Uke. In practice Nage pushes Uke's chest back to get the same dynamics as the strike without damaging Uke's throat or face or causing pain to Uke's chest.
3. Gokyo is frequently executed with Nage's lead hand going directly for Uke's wrist. The Kuta strike is exceptionally difficult to block and an unconscious knife wielder seems less dangerous than a conscious one so we go for the strike. If the strike was not possible we would take the wrist.
4. In Fig. 2 Uke is being thrown back by the push on the chest and the hand coming up under Uke's arm. Uke's arm should not be coming down at this point. Uke and Nage should be moving together.
5. Fig. 2 is the end of the 1st Irimi step.
6. Fig. 3 shows the end of the second Irimi step. Nage's hand has almost caught up with Uke's wrist. Now the thumb side of the wrist is down so that it is easy for Nage to grab. The first Knuckle of Nage's hand will grab the tendon above Uke's thumb so that as Uke's hand strikes the floor the tendon will be crushed. This also makes sure that Nage's fingers are clear of the knife blade.

   Fig. 4 Tornado Twist		Fig. 5 Step to Flatten Uke		Fig. 6 Knife Release

7. Fig. 4 shows the Tornado Twist where Uke is wrapped around Nage.
8. Fig. 5 shows the end of Nage's step forward to flatten Uke out.
9. In Fig. 6 Nage's right hand drives Uke's hand into the mat crushing the thumb and pinky together and digging into the pressure point. At the same time Nage's knee comes down on Uke's shoulder. In practice Nage is very careful not to damage the shoulder but the sensation in the hand is quite exciting when this is done properly. See Opening the Hand.

   Fig. 7 Release Grip		Fig. 8 Hand Opened

10. Fig. 7 shows the detail of Nage's hand position just before opening Uke's hand.
11. Fig. 8 shows the Uke's hand after Nage's hand applies pressure. Not only is Nage pressing on the tendon to Uke's thumb and the meridian points but notice how Uke's thumb and first finger are pressed toward Uke's pinky causing the hand to roll into a tube and the fingers open.

    Fig. 9 Knee on Hand		Fig. 10 Alternate Method

12. Some people like to super charge this technique by placing the knee on Uke's hand. This is shown in Fig. 9. This really does get Uke's attention.
13. Sometimes Uke will be able to get Uke's arm to bend in an effort to escape or Nage just wants variety. In this case Nage can press the back of the hand into the mat as shown in Fig. 10. Be careful! This puts considerable stress on Uke's wrist.

Example 2, Gokyo Tenkan

Movie of Gokyo Tenkan

Fig. 11 Start of Tenkan		Fig. 12 Kuta Entry Punch		Fig. 13 Hand on Wrist

1. Fig. 11 is the start of the Gokyo Tenkan movement.
2. Fig. 12 shows when the Kuta entry strike lands. Notice that Nage's left hand is on Uke's right elbow so that Uke is being pushed back by the strike and the hand on the elbow.
3. In Fig. 13 Nage's striking hand has gotten the Gokyo hold on Uke's wrist. Notice that Nage's foot is still in the air making the 1st Tenkan step.

   Fig. 14 1st Tenkan Step		Fig. 15 2nd Tenkan Step		Fig. 16 Tornado Twist

4. Fig. 14 shows the foot land for the 1st Tenkan step. Nage's body is spinning into the 2nd step.
5. Fig. 15 shows the foot land for the 2nd Tenkan step.
6. In Fig. 16 Nage continues the Tornado Twist to stretch Uke out.

   Fig. 17 Shift Foot		Fig. 18 Take Knife

7. In Fig. 17 Nage's left foot steps into the correct place for the pin.
8. In Fig. 18 Nage takes the sparring knife.