Perceptual and Motor Sktlk, 1990, 71, 1059-1066

O Perceptual and Motor Skills 1990

AN EXAMINATION OF AIKIDO'S FOURTH TEACHING: AN ANATOMICAL STUDY OF T H E TISSUES O F T H E F O R E A R M ' B ~

GREGORY D. OLSON Department of Health and Human Development Montana Stnte University FRANK C. SEITZ

WAMI Medical School Program Montnna State University

Summary.-One of the basic teachings of Aikido is known as Yonkyo (Fourth Teaching) or Ekubi-Osae (Wrist Securing). According to some Aikido master teachers, Yonkyo is designed to attack the opponent's weak points. This investigation focused on examining this t e a c h g with the purpose of describing the anatomical tissues involved in the etiology of pain when this teaching is applied precisely. Particular focus was placed on the anatomical locations/sources of pain associated with the application of this teaching.

The ways of the martial artist are often viewed, through Western eyes, as mysterious. The movements and techniques can astonish the observer, making it easy to forget that what one is watching, at its most fundamental level, is a sequence of physical and psychological events. This investigation will focus on examining one such teaching and its variations, Yonkyo (Fourth Teaching) also known as Tekubi-Osae (Wrist Securing) found in Aikido and other martial arts and ways, with the purpose of describing the anatomical tissues involved in Yonkyo, including the etiology of pain when this teaching is applied precisely. See Fig. 1. Aikido is a Japanese martial way established on the principles and techniques of evasion, securing, and throwing. It is defensive in nature as well as noncompetitive. The beginnings of Aikido go back to the very foundation of the Japanese martial arts (Olson, 1988). The very first mention of the words ai (joining, blending) and ki (life force, dynamic energy) in the martial arts, can be found in relation to Aiki-jujutsu (fighting techniques using blending techniques for combative purposes) which had its origins, according to one authority, with the Minamoto family in the years around 850-880 A.D. (Shioda, 1977). One of the basic teachings of Aikido is known in Japanese as Yonkyo (Fourth Teaching) or Tekubz-Osae (Wrist Securing). The teaching may have evolved as a method used by the bushi (Japanese warrior) to take away an enemy's sword or to defend himself while "securing the enemy on the field of honor." This teaching has been described as the technique "which causes the

'For his anatomical expertise a special thanks to Dr. Dwight Phillips. For his drawings of the yrist a special thanks to Mr. David Rummans. Address correspondence to G . D. Olson, Department of Health and Human Development, Montana State University, Bozeman, M T 59717.

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FIG.1. The authors demonstrating hand and arm positioning in the Fourth Teaching of Aikido

most pain of all the techniques of Aikido" if properly applied (Ueshiba, 1785, p. 66). According to some Aikido master teachers, Yonkyo is designed to "induce sufficient pain to prevent him [from] fighting" (Shioda, 1977, p. loo), while others say that the pain is only a result of a correctly applied securing technique "which attacks the opponent's weak points in order to control him" (Ueshiba, 1785, p. 66). Saotome (19891, an Aikido master teacher (rhihan), believes that the teaching "is dependent on the control of uke's [receiver of technique] whole body, not on the infliction of pain" (p. 75). Whether it attacks the opponent's weak points or is a result of a securing technique, this basic teaching, when applied by advanced students of the art,

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can result in great pain. The purpose of this paper is to identify those parts of the anatomy of the wrist that render this teaching so painful. The application of Yonkyo can be performed on several locations of the wrist. These locations are dependent on the application of the omote (forward) variation of the teaching or the ura (backward) variation of the teaching. Both applications are exceedingly painful. The application of pressure to the anterior side and distal end of the forearm of the uke is done with "the lower knuckle of the index finger" (Tohei, 1968, p. 82), or "the root of the forefinger" (Ueshiba, 1985, p. 66) which also may be described as the anterior side of the third proximal knuckle from the end of the forefinger. I n examining Yonkyo, the researchers observed what occurred when sudden direct pressure of the investigator's knuckle was applied to uke's wrist and forearm. Particular focus was placed on the anatomical locations/sources of pain associated with the application of this teaching. Specific observation focused on the anatomical parts that are involved in uke's reported sensation of intense pain. Shioda (1977) has noted that "concentrated pressure on these [anatomical] points can render an opponent helpless" (p. 100).

METHOD
Subiects
A 48-yr.-old Professor of Anatomy served as uke, experiencing firsthand the sensations surrounding the precise application of Yonkyo by a third degree black belt in Aikido. The second uke was an adult male cadaver whose derma had been removed to facilitate the study of bones, muscles, nerves, blood vessels, ligaments and tendons in the forearm. Procedure The principal investigator, a third degree black belt in Aikido and in Judo, having had 25 yr. of martial arts training, performed both versions of Yonkyo, forward and backward, on the anatomy professor. The techniques were then applied to the cadaver, with the anatomist observing the locations of the investigator's hands, knuckles, and fingers while the techniques were being demonstrated.

RESULTS
Several authors have speculated on the causes of the pain associated with the Yonkyo teaching. Westbrook and Ratti (1975) maintain that it involves the application of sudden, sharp pressure upon the nerve centers of the forearm. They observe that "the inner edge of your hand [goes] across the tendons, pressing deeply into the complex of nerves located two or three inches above the wrist" (p. 198). Ueshiba (1985), while describing the for-

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ward variation of the teaching done from the tori's (doer of the technique) left-hand side, states that "the root of your left forefinger will be on his right pulse" (p. 66). He further notes that the back variation uses "the root of your left forefinger on the bone (thumb side) of his right wrist" (p. 66). In the present analysis of the location of nerves, tendons, and tissues, different pressures were applied to the distal end of the forearm of the anatomist who was the uke (receiver) of the teaching. The teaching was consequently applied to the cadaver. A comparison was then made between the professor's reported experience and compression on the cadaver to observe what tissues were stimulated by the pressure of the investigator's knuckle in the area of uke's wrist and the cadaver's. It was judged that pain was caused by several different mechanisms, depending on the application of either the forward or backward versions of Yonkyo. These locations are illustrated in Figs. 2, 3, and 4.

Lateral Branch of Radial Nerve

of Radial Nerve

FIG. Nerves and tissues stimulated in the Fourth Teaching-Backward Variation (Yonkyo 2. Ura) as well as the Fourth Teaching-Forward Variation (Yonkyo Omote), Second Method.

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Yonkyo Ura (Fourth Teaching-Back Variation) Pain resulting from pressure to the distal end of the radial bone in the area of the radial pulse was identified at a location where the bone is completely unprotected by intervening muscle, tendons, or ligaments. Pressure is applied against the periosteum, the tissue covering the radial bone itself. The superficial radial nerve with its lateral branch is located over the radial bone at this location (see Fig. 2). The backward application of Yonkyo compresses directly the superficial radial nerve and the periosteum of the radius, with no muscle intervention. The periosteum is sensitive to vibration and pressure, particularly in reference to nerve endings in the coverings of bones (Dr. Dwight Phillips, personal communication, February 1989). The results suggest that the pain associated with the backward variation of Yonkyo involves the compression of the superficial radial nerve, perhaps its lateral branch, and compression of the periosteum. Ueshiba (1985) states that one must "grip with the root of your right index finger against his ulna bone . . ." (p. 132), which may, quite possibly, be the radial bone if the present research workers' observations are correct.

Median Nerve Flexor (Zarpi Radialis Tendo

& Palmaris Longus Tendon

Flexor Pollicis longus Tendon

'

Uhar Nerve Variation (Yonkyo

FIG. 3. Median Nerve stimulated in the Fourth Teaching-Forward Omote), First and Second Method

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Yonkyo Omote (Fourth Teaching-Forward Variation) I n this application of Yonkyo there are two distinct variations of applying pressure and different tissues are involved in each method. First method.-In the first method, direct pressure is exerted against the medial nerve and, to some extent, against al of the tendons across the iml mediate area. All of these tendons have exquisitely sensitive nerve endings (see Fig. 3).

Flexor Carpi Radialus Tendon Superficialis Tendons Flexor PoIlicis Longus Tendon

FIG. Nerves and tendons stimulated in the Fourth Teaching-Forward Variation (Yonkyo 4. Omote), Second Method

Second method.-In the second method of application, the knuckle moves back and forth across the forearm approximately one-and-a-half inches (1.5 in.) proximal to the wrist joint, whde the uke's hand is secured in the extended position. This extension creates a certain tension in the tissues of the area that the tori (doer of technique) can, with the proper sensitive pressure, produce pain in the subject. This extension exposes the median nerve, making it more accessible to pressure and stimulation; see Fig. 3. The back and forth motion of the knuckle on the uke produces pain and discomfort

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with the sudden compression and release of the nerves and tendons in the area. I t is interesting to note that the tissues toward the radial side of the wrist are more stimulated by this technique than those found in the ulnar side of the wrist. With this particular variation of the teaching the greater stimulation can be attributed to the placement of the tori's hands on the uke's forearm as well as to the tori's body ahgnment. I n the second method of the forward variations of Yonkyo, a rather extensive group of nerves and tendons are stimulated, including the superficial branch of the radial nerve (see Fig. 2), the flexor carpi radialis tendon (see Figs. 3 and 4), the median nerve (see Fig. 3), the palmaris longus tendon, and the flexor digitorum superficialis tendons (see Figs. 3 and 4). Although the effective application of the forward versions of Yonkyo involve the above-mentioned nerves, the teaching does not appear to include the ulnar nerve; see Fig. 3. The technique is concentrated toward the thumb or ra&al side of the subject's wrist.

DISCUSSION
I n studying Yonkyo (Fourth Teaching) of the martial art, Ailudo, these investigators observed that the backward variation is effective because pressure is applied to the periosteum of the radius and the superficial branch of the radial nerve. The frontward variation of Yonkyo can be applied by two methods. The first method involves direct pressure against the median nerve along with ancillary pressure against those tendons in close proximity. The second method applies pressure to an area proximal to the wrist with a sideways back and forth motion of tori's knuckle. The stimulation to this area applies pressure to the superficial branch of the radial nerve, the flexor carpi radialis tendon, the m e d a n nerve, the palmaris longus tendon, and the flexor digitorum superficialis tendons. The focus of this study was to identify the anatomical tissues stimulated by tori as a basis for the pain reported by uke when Yonkyo was applied in its various forms. No mention is made of the correct manner of shaping one's hand while applying pressure when doing Yonkyo. Also, it is beyond the scope of this investigation to describe in detail the biomechanics of Yonkyo. Such issues, although as important as the results of the identification and location of the tissues involved in the proper application of Yonkyo, are beyond the scope of the present analysis and are effectiveIy dealt with elsewhere (cf. Saito, 1974, p. 61; Saotome, 1989, p. 75). Yonkyo seems to be an important technique in the study of the martial art, Aikido. However, in the authors' opinions it would appear to have only marginal application in many practical circumstances, such as in law enforcement or in a limited class of self-defense for several reasons: (1) the correct location of one's hands on a subject's wrist is difficult to learn and understand quickly. (2) The locations of the proper pressure points are a challenge

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to find quickly for an inexperienced person. (3) Learning how to use and shape one's hands in properly executing Yonkyo quickly and effectively comes only with extended training. (4) The brevity of most self-defense training courses precludes the amount of supervised training and practice necessary to learn the practical applications of Yonkyo in combat situations. (5) Given the variabdity of pain tolerance across potential subjects, subjects with higher pain thresholds cannot be controlled by the use of pain alone. Subjects can only be subdued by Yonkyo when the entire technique is properly executed. Given the above-noted limirations, however, it still remains clear that the use of Yonkyo is a testimony to the genius and creativity of the founding fathers and technicians in martial arts and ways.
REFERENCES G. OLSON, (1988) Aikido: a beginneri texf. Bozeman, M T Professor Publ. SAITO, (1974) Traditional Aikido-sword *stick *body arts. Vol. 3 . Tokyo: Minato. M. SAOTOME, (1989) The principles of Aikido. Boston, MA: Shambhala. M. SHIODA, (1977) Dynamic Aikido. New York: Kodansha. G. TOHEI, (1968) This is Aikido. San Francisco, CA: Japan Publ. K. UESHIBA, (1985) Aikido. Tokyo: Hozansha. K. A,, WESTBROOK, & RATTI, 0 . (1975) Aikido and the dynamic sphere. Tokyo: Tuttle. Accepted November 8, 1990.

This article has been cited by: 1. GREGORY D. OLSON, FRANK C. SEITZ, AND FRANK GULDBRANDSEN. 1996. AN INQUIRY INTO APPLICATION OF GOKYO (AIKIDO'S FIFTH TEACHING) ON HUMAN ANATOMY. Perceptual and Motor Skills 82:3c, 1299-1303. [Citation] [PDF] [PDF Plus] 2. GREGORY D. OLSON, AND FRANK C. SEITZ. 1993. AN ANATOMICAL ANALYSIS OF/ L/KIDO'S SECOND TEACHING: AN INVESTIGATION OF NIKYO. Perceptual and Motor Skills 77:1, 123-131. [Citation] [PDF] [PDF Plus] 3. FRANK C.SEITZ, GREGORY D. OLSON, AND THOMAS E. STENZEL. 1991. A MARTIAL ARTS EXPLORATION OF ELBOW ANATOMY: IKKYO AIKIDO'S FIRST TEACHING. Perceptual and Motor Skills 73:3f, 1227-1234. [Citation] [PDF] [PDF Plus]