Koryu Dai ichi

Koryu Dai Ichi (Old Style kata No.1) was created in the mid 1960's by Hideo Ohba in consultation with Tomiki Kenji as their first organised record of original techniques absorbed directly from their teacher Morehei Ueshiba between 1920~1930. 

Hideo Ohba with Morehei Ueshiba - image curtesy of Nariyama Shihan

Ohba sensei went on to develop five more 'koryu' kata as a method of passing down original technique and principles. Dai-ni, Dai-San, Dai-Yon, Dai-go and Dai-roku.

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Dai-Ichi and the subsequent koryu katas directly relate to and illustrate pre-war "Aikido" (Daito Ryu Aiki-jiujutsu) techniques many of which can be seen originally illustrated in the 1933/34 technical manual Budo Renshu.

Budō Renshū, (武道練習,  lit. "budo practice") showcases 166 techniques in total. It was written by Moritaka Ueshiba (Morihei Ueshiba), with text compiled and edited by his senior student Kenji Tomiki, and illustrated by Takako Kunigoshi.  

 (download curtesy of https://www.aikidosangenkai.org/)

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 examples within include:- 

First Suwari-Waza technique in the Dai-Ichi references this illustration and description in Budo Renshu, page 36

Dai-ichi technique four referenced in budo Renshu

 

Dai-Ichi technique five refererencing Budo -Renshu

 

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Koryu Dai-Ichi demonstrated and annotated by Dr. Lee Ah Loi.

Dr. Lee Ah Loi: 8th Dan Aikido (Japan Aikido Association); 7th Dan Iaido (Zen Nihon Kendo Renmei), 7th Dan Jodo (ZNKR). Lee Ah Loi was a student of Tomiki Kenji and Hideo Ohba.

Dai-Ichi records short and direct techniques that have a flow to them, running one into the other, but are very much self-defense oriented.

Sections – Koryu Dai Ichi kata

First Section – Suwari Waza (Kneeling Techniques)

1. Oshi Taoshi
2. Tentai Oshi Taoshi
3. Tebubi Osae
4. Ryote Mochi Sumi Otoshi
5. Royte Mochi Kokyu Nage

Second Section – Tachi Waza (Standing Techniques)

1. Katate Mochi Oshi Taoshi
2. Tentai Oshi Taoshi
3. Royte Mochi Tentai Kote Hineri
4. Tekubi Gime Oshi Taoshi
5. Ushiro Waza Kote Gaeshi – #1
6. Ushiro Waza Kote Gaeshi – #2
7. Ushiro Waza Mae Otoshi

Third Section – Tachi Waza (Standing Techniques)

1. Kata Mochi Shiho Nage
2. Kata Mochi Hiji Nage
3. Kata Mochi Senkui Nage
4. Kata Mochi Tenkai Shiho Nage
5. Katate Mochi Irim Nage – #1
6. Katate Mochi Irim Nage – #2

Fourth Section – Tachi Waza (Standing Techniques)

1. Ryote Mochi Tenchi Nage
2. Ryote Mochi Tekubi Kime
3. Ryote Mochi Sukashi Nage
4. Ryote Mochi Shiho Nage
5. Ryote Mochi Senkui Nage
6. Ushiro Ryote Mochi Mae Nage