Tenkan

Tenkan (literally: “convert/divert”) is the trick behind most aikidō techniques. Essentially a step-pivot, tenkan efficiently and gracefully converts a opponent’s linear motion into circular motion, disrupting their balance and driving takedowns, like kote-gaeshi and irimi-nage. Tenkan can also be used to quickly get behind an opponent, to set up shihō-nage, the irimi hold, and other techniques. While tenkan is not a normal part of Goshin-Jutsu, its aikijutsu techniques work best within their original framework. To tenkan:

1. Step out into a sanchin dachi, “pre-loading” your lead leg to prevent twisting it at the end. (This can be a small step.)
2. With your lead leg as a fixed pivot, rotate your rear leg behind you, and enter a front stance. The exact amount of rotation is a point of contention within the martial arts community:
   • Yoshinkan stylists believe that a tenkan should only turn 95°; this is the minimum rotation needed to produce the desired effect, so anything more is wasted motion.
   • Aikikai stylists believe that a tenkan should turn 180°; this is the maximum stable tenkan, so it optimizes the technique’s power.
   • Goshin-Jutsu stylists go with whatever works; we see takedowns as a means to an end.

Practice tenkan until it becomes elegant and hypnotic.

[video of tenkan, back and forth, fast and slow, from the front and the side. ]

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