In Aikido, Hijikime Osae is a joint-locking technique used to control an attacker by putting pressure on the elbow. The name literally translates to “elbow-pinning control.”
While it shares similarities with other pins, it is unique because it uses a “locking” or “stretching” mechanism rather than a circular rotation.
Key Mechanics
The technique focuses on the hyperextension of the elbow joint. Unlike Ikkyo, which redirects the arm in a large arc, Hijikime Osae is often more direct and linear.
- The Grip: You secure the attacker’s wrist and place your other hand or arm just above their elbow.
- The Fulcrum: Your arm or shoulder acts as a fulcrum. By applying downward pressure on the wrist and upward/forward pressure on the elbow, you “lock” the joint.
- The Pin: Once the attacker is on the ground, you maintain tension on the arm to keep them immobile.
Strategic Purpose
In a martial context, Hijikime Osae serves several functions:
- Pain Compliance: The lock creates immediate pressure, forcing the attacker to drop to the ground to avoid injury.
- Neutralization: It completely disables the attacker’s ability to use that arm for a counter-strike or to grab a weapon.
- Transition: It often follows a high-impact throw or a redirection, serving as the final “finish” to a confrontation.
Variations and Names
Depending on the style of Aikido (such as Yoshinkan vs. Aikikai), you may hear this technique called by different names:
- Rokkyo: In some systems, this is classified as the “sixth teaching.”
- Waki-Gatame: In Judo or Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, a very similar movement is known as the “armpit lock.”
- Hiji-Gatame: A general term for elbow locks used across various Japanese martial arts.
Safety Note: Because Hijikime Osae applies direct pressure to the ligaments of the elbow, practitioners must apply it with great care. In training, the person receiving the move (uke) should tap out early to prevent hyperextension.