Randori – The Art of “Taking Control in Chaos”

Randori 乱取り is a training exercise that is practiced in many Japanese martial arts, including Aikido. The first character, 乱, means “disorder” or “chaos,” and 取り means “taking” or “capturing.” Together, the term randori can be interpreted as “taking control in chaos”.

Randori is a training exercise where a practitioner faces multiple attackers in a dynamic and unpredictable setting. This is different from a pre-set series of attack and defense techniques such as kumite 組手 in Karate or kumijo 組杖 in Aikido, which are normally performed for demonstration purposes. Randori can be further divided into hitori gake 一人掛け (one-person attack), futari gake 二人掛け (two-person attack), sannin gake 三人掛け (three-person attack), or simply taninzu gake 多人数掛け (multi- person attack), depending on the practitioner’s skill level.

Moriteru Ueshiba Doshu performing randori at the 48th All Japan Aikido Demonstration

Randori is challenging, as it requires the defender to be aware of and respond quickly to multiple attackers. It is usually practiced by more advanced practitioners and helps to develop their ability to adapt and respond effectively to different attack scenarios. It also helps improve their situational awareness and decision-making skills, as well as their timing, coordination, and tactical skills in a realistic simulation of a real-world attack scenario where multiple attackers may be present. Moreover, it can help practitioners develop a sense of confidence and calmness and the ability to stay focused and composed even under stressful circumstances.

Shodokan 昭道館 Aikido randori competition

In Aikido, randori is normally performed in tachi waza 立ち技, but it can also be performed in suwari waza 座り技, or even less commonly with armed attackers. While there is generally no competition in Aikido, the Tomiki style of Aikido, known as Shodokan 昭道館 Aikido, has randori competition where two practitioners face off against each other. Competitions take the form of tanto randori 短刀乱取 or toshu randori 徒手乱取 (empty-handed randori). However, competitors have to follow a set of rules to ensure safety and fairness, such as limiting the types of attacks allowed, setting time limits, and awarding points for successful techniques. Most of the other Aikido styles simply perform randori in their day-to-day practice or as part of advanced grading.

In conclusion, randori is an important part of Aikido training, both mentally and physically. While the format and rules of randori may vary depending on the style, it is an essential part of Aikido training and helps to prepare practitioners for self-defense situations.

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