Nishio style Aikido

[4] Most Aikido techniques offer 3-4 opportunities to strike down an opponent but ultimately choose the least damaging option.

[10] The clear stage of tsukuri in a technique is unique to Nishio style, as mainstream and other major Aikido schools do not mention it.

It is meant to make it easier to understand generic action sequencing defined in Nishio style Aikido.

Nishio believed that natural stance (shizentai) is the way to face an opponent, adversary, or training partner.

[14] It is said that in his final years, Ueshiba, the founder of Aikido, also disliked kamae (roughly means preparation stance before the fight).

This feet position let the practitioner face his opposition directly and acknowledge him (a core tenet in Nishio-style).

"[23] It refers to a situation created in a way that can easily convert into advantageous conditions or positioning over opposition in the next immediate one or two actions.

In Nishio teaching, to create tsukuri, practitioners need to take the initiative to elicit opponent's action.

For instance, in empty-handed techniques, tsukuri usually involving offering a hand or an easy-to-attack body part.

[24] Another approach is to adopt natural stance - shizentai, not raising the sword to kamae (defensive) position at all, leaving the body completely open.

Tsukuri could also refer to the position after irimi and contact made, preparing for kuzushi (breaking balance).

[30] By taking half-step instead of full step, practitioner stays connected to the opposition thereby maintaining effective control of the situation.

However, in Nishio style Aikido, a well-directed and well-timed atemi could also used for unbalancing opposition, in which case would happen before physical contact.

The rhythm of kuzushi actions are typically determined by the type of atemi practitioner intend to meet opposition with.

[39] Shoij NishioAtemis in Aikido serve primarily to momentarily divert the opponent's attention and disrupt their posture and balance.

Nishio advocates for proper practice and application of atemi techniques like utilizing suitably effective strike types to target vital points generally difficult to reinforce.

[40] While disruption and deterrent aspect of atemis are common in most Aikido style/school, in Nishio style they also determine the rhythm and timing of techniques.

The leading hand usually is open, straight with fingers close together (forming shape very similar to shuto or knife-hand but without folding thumb).

The path and direction of the hand is the same as a sword cutting space with the side has little finger leads the movement.

[45] The "hip throw" which is now commonly performed during promotion examinations at Aikikai dojos, was not a well-known technique at first.

Koshiwaza was independently researched and developed by Nishio (utilizing his judo background)[46] and Hiroshio Kuroiwa when they were young instructors at the headquarters, and it is said to have spread to other Aikido practitioners.

That means avoid being struck, deliver an effective final strike and stop within hair's breadth of contact.

The swords also help practitioners understand the core physical mechanics of empty-handed Aikido techniques.

[51] - Shoji NishioDescribed as otonashi, or "silent," Nishio's sword work relies on minimal blade contact.

His sword techniques anticipate and exploit gaps in opponent's attacks, turning defense into offense with precise, flowing movements.

The regions teaching Nishio-style Aikido includes Central and Northern Europe, the United States, Mexico, France and Germany[55] as well as Vietnam, Iran, Australia.