Ikkyo
一教
Literally: first teaching
Also known as: ikkajo osae, ude osae
First of aikido's five numbered immobilizations: tori holds uke's elbow and wrist, brings him to the ground and presses the ulnar nerve.
Quick Facts
⚠️ Common Mistakes
Common mistakes: lifting the arm upward instead of leading it down in an arc, pressing with the hands alone without moving the whole body, and leaning forward, which costs the defender his own balance.
💡 Key Tip
Do not force the elbow. Lead the arm where the opponent's body is already falling and his own balance does the work.
About
Ikkyo (一教), literally "first teaching," is an aikido immobilization technique among the katame waza (固め技). Tori holds uke's elbow with one hand and wrist with the other, and uses this control to bring uke to the ground; pressure is directed at the ulnar nerve near the wrist. It is practised in omote, entering forward, and in ura, turning to the rear; a throwing form called ikkyo nage also exists. Other names are ikkajo osae ("first control") and ude osae ("arm pin"). Ikkyo is among the techniques aikido inherited from Daito-ryu aiki-jujutsu, studied by aikido's founder Morihei Ueshiba under Takeda Sokaku from 1915. It is the first of five numbered immobilizations from ikkyo to gokyo, though sources note styles do not always teach them in numerical order. It resembles gokyo and yonkyo in appearance, differing in grip and in where pressure is applied. Under the Aiki-LA club's syllabus, following Hombu Dojo, it is tested from 5th kyu.