Although we use the term “shomenuchi,” meaning “straight frontal strike,” keep in mind that a real sword does not “strike” but rather “cuts.” Properly speaking, therefore, we should say “shomengiri,” meaning “straight frontal cut.” Nonetheless, the term “uchi” has become so widespread that we inevitably end up using it to refer to this kind of attack.

Against shomenuchi there are two ways to shift your body: omote and ura, which refer generally to “front” and “rear,” respectively. Omote movements can be seen in techniques like shihonage and ikkyo. To describe ura movements, let’s look at irimi.

To deal with a shomenuchi attack, you must not allow the blade-edge of your hand to clash with the blade-edge of your opponent’s attacking hand. Do not try to push back or stop him; instead, shift into a posture that accepts his attack, so that you are already in a position in which you don’t have to receive it. Even before actual contact between you occurs, the blade-edge of your hand has already entered and controlled the space in front of your opponent.

In aikido, whenever you make contact with your hand or arm, it is never to try to push the opponent back or resist, but rather to use the contact to draw him out. Training in aikido means carefully cultivating this ability. Once you have drawn your opponent out, your hand is in a position to strike to his chin. At this point the outcome of the confl ict is already decided. This type of approach is inherent in all aikido forms. As O-Sensei often said, “The point of collision is not the starting point for determining the outcome of the confl ict; at that moment the confl ict is already over.”

Shoji Nishio Sensei
Yurusu Budo (pg 134)