Reminder: the grip must be neutral only during the exercise done within the frame of the method, i.e an exercise without all the elements that could increase the difficulty in learning the form. In reality, in the movement, the ushiro dori grab has two functions: either pull tori backward or push him forward.
It is clear in this video that tori can't move forward without meeting the opponent in front of him. Equally it is clear that the rotation (the only movement that allows escaping from the line of attack) neutralizes three opponents in the same movement:
In the pedagogical context of the method, one strikes the same opponent several times, in the martial context, it's the reverse: one strikes several opponents with a single movement.
Philippe Voarino, July 2015
Aikido is not a sport, it is a martial art which laws (takemusu) are in harmony with the laws of the universe. Studying them allows the practitioner to understand his place in the universe. Aikido was born in Iwama, O sensei achieved in that village the synthesis of tai jutsu, aiki ken and aiki jo.
The International Takemusu Aikido Federation (ITAF) brings to the practitioner the structure he needs in order to work as close as possible to the reality O sensei MU defined. The official national representations are the guarantee of a teaching faithful to the Founder's.
In modern Aikido, weapons are hardly taught, if taught at all. In O sensei's Aikido, on the contrary, aiki ken, aiki jo and tai jutsu are unified and form together a riai, a family of harmonious techniques stemming from one unique principle. Each techniques helps understand all the others.
Peace is a balance between a human being and the world around him. The true martial art's goal is not to become stronger than one's opponent but to find in that opponent a way to realize harmony. There is no enemy anymore as such, but an opportunity offered to reach unified ki.