Shōmen Uchi – Irimi Nage Variation (Outside Furikaburi Entry)

In this sequence, as Uke begins to raise the arm for Shōmen Uchi, Tori enters before the strike is even launched—an initiative that is almost Sen Sen no Sen in timing. He steps to the outside with his rear leg, bringing it forward to become the lead leg. The step is short: Tori places his foot roughly level with Uke’s front foot, while shifting into a more bladed stance to move off the centerline.
As he steps in, Tori delivers an Atemi to Uke’s face with the hand on the same side as the advancing leg, while the other hand makes contact with Uke’s attacking arm. This simultaneous striking-and-contact action follows the motion of Furikaburi—a sword-like “raising” movement along the centerline, as if lifting a blade overhead.
From there, Tori guides Uke’s arm inward and downward to slip behind him, turns with a Tenkan, and finishes with the classic head-wrapping Irimi Nage motion.