How beautiful this is

Zanshin means "the remaining mind" and also "the mind with no remainder". This is the mind of complete action. It is the moment in kyudo after releasing the arrow. This is "Om makurasai sowaka" in oryoki practice and drinking the rinse water. In shodo, it is finishing the brush stroke and the hand and brush moving smoothly off the paper. In taking a step, it is the weight rolling smoothly and the next step arising. In breathing in completely, it is this breath. In breathing out completely, it is this breath. In life, it is this life. Zanshin means complete follow through, leaving no trace. It means each thing, completely, as it is.

Read the whole thing in Without Hesitation

KOKYU-HO: when your wrists are held with full force

Slide around to the side of your partner and control his joints as if folding them up. Then twist your hips, feigning a blow to his face with your right (left) hand, and throw him down. This is a KOKYU-HO turning throw technique.

- Saito Morihiro , Traditional Aikido, Vol. 3

Shiho Nage

old skool...

Self defense

Defense is not mentioned in training. Blending, moving on the intent, "Yamabiko no michi". But not defense.

As to "self", most of Aikido training seems to emphasize the distance between the practitioner and his "self".

Hard, Soft and Fierce

It has occurred to me that the distinction between soft and hard Aikido is superficial and confusing. Fierceness is much more interesting and revealing property.

While difficult or impossible to quantify, it is very obvious when it is there and when it is not.

Harmony

Picture this:
You and the uke stand facing each other. Both of you hold a shinken, a proper razor sharp steel sword in front of you, tips barely touching. The uke, raises his sword, steps forward an cuts strongly with the intent of slicing you in two, head to stomach. You step to the right while raising the sword above the head and cutting down to slice through the uke's hands, stopping just short of that. This is migi awase, we use bokken and not live steel, but the feeling should be the same.

The ability to perform smoothly and in sync with the attack, is the core harmony of Aikido.