Kaze Uta Budo Kai Forum Archive

I wonder if anyone can help me on this. I've heard that there is a distinct difference in style between Sensei Saito and Nariyama, how exactly do their approaches differ?
The question came up for me in relation to performing the Goshin Ho. I understand that one is 'harder' or more 'direct' than the other (?).
Any insights out there? Much appreciated.

i have no direct expereince with either of them but most times when i watch something from Saito i learn a bit of detail i hadnt seen before-- when i watch Nariyama i usually wince for how uke is treated-- some good things there to learn on both sides i think

Thanks for your response, it suggests that Nariyama is the harder style. But also encourages me to study some videos footage, I was hoping for a short cut here... but there are non in Aikido are there! 🙂

Nariyama and Professor Fumiaki Shishida are both 8th dans of the Japan Aikido Association. Nariyama continued on teaching at the Shodokan while Shishida stayed at Waseda Universty after Oba's death. They co-authored a book, 'Aikido Tradition and the Competitive Edge', that every Aikidoka should have in their library. It is interesting to watch these two perform their aikido because they are very different from each other. Much like the difference between Nariyama and Saito. These two trained with each other under Tomiki and Oba. They both are the Shihan of the JAA, yet they are very different. Over years of watching them both I sort of came to the idea that Nariyama's brisk style comes more from the way he is built. He is built like a fire plug while Shishida is kind of lanky like Tomiki was. Since Nariyama is over the Shodokan the students use him as a guide as to how their waza should look and be performed. Knowing that both of these two ways of going about aikido met the approval of both Tomiki and Oba has made a world of difference in my own studies and the studies of my students. In addition, I believe Nariyama also holds a 7th dan in Aikikai.

Really helpful comment, thanks