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Aikido training requires a partnership of at least two individuals. In the beginning, the roles of these two partners are defined as Uke and Nage. Nage represents the recipient of the attack; uke represents the initiator of the attack. After only a couple of classes, these definitions usually degenerate into "attacker" and "person practicing aikido." This is a poor translation of the complicated relationship between uke and nage. Actually, the relationship between uke and nage is quite complicated and confusing. In this article, I choose to address the obligations of uke because ukewaza (the technique of attacking properly) is integral to properly learning the martial application of aikido technique.
Early in training, instructors usually generically classify uke and nage to reduce confusion about the obligations of partners during training. As students become more understanding of the relationship, instructors may introduce more complicated concepts of uke and nage. This instruction is not unlike teaching a young child to read by introducing more complicated material as they learn reading skills. To advance in aikido, you must understand that elementary aikido gives way to advanced aikido and finally to oya henka (continuing movement). Like any hypothesis, the test of aikido principle is how well it stands against pressure and change.
Basic ukewaza must adhere to solid martial application. Generally, this means that the attack must be accurate and directed, and the body must be balanced and solid and prepared to continue interaction. Listen to your instructor carefully, and perform your tasks exactly. As the interaction between uke and nage become more complicated, basic ukewaza must become advanced ukewaza. Advanced ukewaza requires prudence, coordination, and experience of martial application to keep up with the demands of faster, harder and more complicated nagewaza.
There is an old Chinese proverb that translates, "Learn how to use the spear, then learn how not to use the spear." I do not know if this truly is a proverb or who made the statement but the point is clear, "Learn how to do something, then learn what you can do with it."
Aikido is like any learning process. You cannot skip elementary education without sacrificing important learning skills. Do not ignore the importance of ukewaza in your training.
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