Tenkan meaning in Aikido

In Aikido, Tenkan means “turning” or “diverting.” It is one of the most important footwork movements in martial arts.

Instead of blocking an attack head-on, you use Tenkan to step out of the way and blend with the attacker’s energy.

Here is how Tenkan works:

1. The Movement

To perform a Tenkan, you step forward with one foot, pivot on the ball of that foot, and swing your other foot backward in a 180-degree turn. You face the exact opposite direction from where you started.

2. Blending, Not Blocking

When an opponent lunges at you, you do not fight their force. You step to their side and turn with them. By the end of the turn, you face the same direction as your attacker. You now look at the world from their point of view, and their attack safely misses you.

3. Taking Control

Tenkan takes away the attacker’s balance. Because you turn with their momentum, you redirect their forward force into a circle. This throws them off balance and allows you to throw or pin them easily.

The Mindset of Tenkan: Think of Tenkan like a revolving door. If someone runs at a revolving door with full force, the door simply spins. The runner flies right through to the other side without ever damaging the door.