Aikido is a modern Japanese martial art developed by Morihei Ueshiba which is a synthesis of his martial art studies, philosophy, and religious beliefs.

Aikido is often translated as the way of unifying life energy or as the way of harmonious spirit Ueshiba’s goal was to create an art that practitioners could use to defend themselves while also protecting their attacker from injury which is a very unique perspective when it comes to the martial arts in general.

Aikido techniques consist of entering into close range and turning movements that redirect the momentum of an opponent’s attack, or threat, and a throw or joint lock (particularly the wrist) is what terminates the technique, eliminates the threat, and negates the interaction between the two competitors.

Aikido derives primarily from the martial art of Jiu-Jitsu but began to diverge from it in the late 1920s primarily due to Ueshiba’s involvement with Omoto-kyo, an esoteric Japanese religion which is inspired by the traditional Shinto religion (see previous statement concerning the art’s philosophic and religious roots).

Enter the technique demonstrated in the video below, the Kote-Gaeshi. This particular technique is a traditional Aikido technique using a joint manipulation, particularly wrist control. Using the wrist to control the opponent, the maneuver is performed by turning the attacker or opponent’s wrist in such a way that the aggressor is forced to either be thrown or to have his wrist broken.

What we witness in the video below is a unique adaptation of this technique employed by law enforcement to disarm a dangerous gunman. The man in the video is wielding a firearm and making threatening gestures. It appears that the situation has reached a stand still until a trained Aikido practitioner who is also a member of law enforcement quickly intervenes…check out the video below to witness an incredible application of the Kote-Gaeshi technique.

Jacob C. Stevens is a lifelong athlete and cerebral martial arts enthusiast who is also skilled in the art of linguistic manipulation, his published work, Afterthoughts and Handgrenades, can be found here…