View source for Irimi

{{Short description|Direct entrance into technique, in martial arts}}
{{Infobox martial art term
| pic = 
| picsize = 
| piccap = 
| kanji = 入り身
| hiragana = いりみ
| revhep = irimi
}}
In [[Japanese martial arts]], {{nihongo|'''Irimi'''|入り身}} is the act of entering straight into a technique, as opposed to the more indirect entrance into technique called ''[[tenkan]]''. In basic training, irimi usually looks like a step forward, straight or at an angle but usually ending with the body facing the attacker, rather than in the direction of the step. To enter with irimi, the defender needs to move in the very moment of the attack or even himself initiate it.

== Aikido ==
Meaning: Entering<ref name="Aikido">Ueshiba, K. (1985). "Aikido", Japan Publications Trading, Tokyo.</ref> or putting in the body.<ref name="Dynamic Aikido">Shioda, G. (1977). "Dynamic Aikido", Kodansha International, Tokyo.</ref>

Irimi (ee-ree-mee) is the second pillar of [[Aikido]] (Aikido techniques are structured around six main pillars).<ref name="Aikido Shambhala Guide">Stevens, J. (1996). "The Shambhala Guide to Aikido", Shambhala Publications, Massachusetts.</ref>  Irimi involves entering deeply around or behind an attack to defuse or neutralize the attack. The concept of irimi teaches one to blend with or enter into an opponent's attack to become one with the opponent's movement and leaving the opponent with nowhere to strike.<ref name="Aikido Shambhala Guide" /> This movement is utilized during the moment of the opponent's attack.  To complete the movement, one moves out of the opponent's line of attack to the opponent's shikaku, or blind spot. When executed properly, one can strike an opponent with great force, combining his attacking momentum and one's forward movement.<ref name="Aikido" />

The entering principle is basic to most Aikido movements as the postures and movements in Aikido contain quite a few oblique stances which are adapted from [[Sōjutsu]] (spear fighting).<ref name="Aikido" />

In Aikido, there are numerous examples of techniques exhibiting the concepts of [[yin and yang]].<ref name="Beginner Aikido" />  Irimi and [[tenkan]] are an example. Tenkan is the motion of turning (yin) and irimi is the motion of entering (yang).<ref name="Beginner Aikido">Reynosa, L. and Billingiere J. (1989). "A Beginner’s Guide to Aikido", R &B Publishing Company, Ventura, California.</ref>

Irimi is one of two motions Aikido students perform in the role of nage.<ref name="Beginner Aikido" /> Practicing irimi will help the Aikido student develop [[Dantian|Hara]], balance, and groundedness.<ref name="Beginner Aikido" />

In Yoshinkan aikido irimi techniques are denoted by the number one (and tenkan as two).
<ref>Total Aikido: The Master Course by Gozo Shioda, Kodansha America, Incorporated, (2012)</ref>

In modern aikikai irimi techniques are referred to as omote (and tenkan as ura).
<ref>Best Aikido: The Fundamentals, Kisshomaru Ueshiba,  Kodansha International Ltd, (2002)</ref>

== References ==
{{Reflist}}

== External links ==
* [http://www.fightingmaster.com/articles/distance/irimi.htm Excerpt from the book "Aikido"] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20061207175121/http://www.fightingmaster.com/articles/distance/irimi.htm |date=2006-12-07 }} by [[Kisshomaru Ueshiba]] {{Citation needed|reason=Source reports "Invalid license. Please contact support." date=July 2020|date=July 2020}}

{{Aikido}}

[[Category:Japanese martial arts terminology]]
[[Category:Aikido]]