Why do aikidoists practice striking with an open hand rather than a closed fist, which seems more practical?
Aikido techniques make an important assumption: attacks are made with weapons, even when the weapon is only a hand. The open-handed strike emulates a swinging strike with a blade, stick or bottle in hand. The closed fist punch emulates the thrust of a staff, sword or spear. Regardless of the weapon, the primary concern should be the angle and distance of the attack. The specifics of the weapon should be studied, too, but because they are peculiar to each weapon, they are not central to normal training. As for punching with a closed fist, that is also part of aikido practice and should not be neglected. Regarding the practical application of aikido, where do you see the benefits or disadvantages of waiting for an attack, entering into an attack with irimi and striking with atemi? You should never wait for an attack. In films of O Sensei you never see him waiting. He always makes the aggressor respond to his movement. There are three relationships between nage and uke: one, uke moves fir
