Talk:Tenkan

Correct Definition
"Tenkan (転換, Tenkan? lit. convert or divert) is the Japanese name of a movement practiced in several martial arts. It is a 180 degree pivot to one's rear, on the lead foot. That is, if the left foot is forward, the pivot is clockwise, and if the right foot is forward, the pivot is counter-clockwise." I practice Jiu-jitsu, and we use the term to describe the situation where you are attacked, but avoid the attack. Is the above definition really correct? VDZ 20:42, 29 June 2007 (UTC)


 * That's how it's used in Judo and Aikido. If it's used differently in jiu-jitsu - why don't you add a section and write about it. Bradford44 20:48, 29 June 2007 (UTC)

HerbM (talk) 17:21, 24 June 2014 (UTC) I would suggest there are may ways to "avoid the attack" but Tenkan is generally used to mean those where you "turn" from facing the attacker to your own rear, perhaps with an initial step forward (as shown in the diagram), and while melding with the attacker rather than meeting him directly.

We commonly translated this a "turning" (vs. "entering" for irimi) although the actual translation (according this article currently) is apparently "convert or divert".

More importantly the article description is VERY CONFUSING when compared with the DIAGRAM shown next to it:

The article states, "left foot is forward, the pivot is clockwise" but the diagram shows a left foot forward followed by a COUNTER-CLOCKWISE turn. The discrepancy is likely due to the (unreferenced) initial step with the right foot which makes the RIGHT FOOT the forward one, and thus requires the counter-clockwise turn. (Direction of turning is from an overhead perspective.)

In this case, the pivot is on the "right foot" after an initial step where the starting position had the left foot forward.

Ironphoenix (talk) 16:14, 9 August 2014 (UTC) The maneuver shown in the diagram is what I've usually heard called a "double tenkan". The Utah Aikikai has a glossary online: "Tenkan - turning, turning technique" "Double Tenkan - two-step 180-degree turn" A double tenkan is basically a step and then a tenkan, linked into one flow; (1) in the diagram is the step, and (2) is the tenkan proper.