Here are a few concepts used in our martial arts at the Kodokai. While I am defining them separately, they are practiced simultaneously. These concepts compliment each other allowing beginners to quickly develop useful and powerful skills. All of our martial arts; weapons, sword work and empty hand techniques, use these principles since they are all part of one style.
The first concept, zanshin, is a state of mind. Ukemi is both mental and physical. They are useful throughout the day, not just in the Dojo. The other concepts are physical skills that make this method very effective even for small people.
Zanshin remaining mind
Zanshin is a state of mind where one is highly perceptive. In this mindset, we let go of thoughts and idea's as fast as they enter our mind. We become free to receive sensory information without prejudice. In zanshin we want to perceive our environment and be free to act without emotional blinders or enhancers.
Zanshin is practiced when facing an opponent, during the interaction, and after the interaction. You may have thrown your attacker to the ground, for instance, but it may not be over. You need to be alert to what is unfolding. Is he getting back up? Is he hurt? Is that his friend you hear behind you? Zanshin practice helps you to avoid mentally "dropping your guard".
Zanshin
Numba and Ukemi
Ukemi (oo-kay-me) receiving the technique
Ukemi is typically thought of as the falling skills used to safely be thrown or to recieve a joint lock without injury. But ukemi is a sophisticated practice. It involves posture, movement of the body to avoid being hit, and countering while escaping a throw or joint lock. Beginners often think of ukemi as "giving in" but that is an incorrect way of practicing. Ukemi is not giving in, it is taking control of your situation to minimize injury to yourself.
Ukemi helps you develop sensitivity, ready to move in any direction as soon as the right direction for escape is revealed. When ukemi is just a little late, you may get hurt. It is not unusual, for instance, for a beginner to claim "His technique isn't working. He's not making me fall." But it's not about being made to fall. If you wait that long, it's too late. A person skilled at ukemi recognizes when it is time to fall or roll before it is too late.
Ukemi is about adapting to changing circumstances. It is not just for fighting. It should be practiced in all aspects of life. In class, ukemi is your opportunity to practice this skill.
Irimi (ee-ri-mee) entering an incoming attack with an attack of your own
In practicing irimi, the good guy (us) immediately attacks during the incoming attack. This is when the enemy is most exposed and vulnerable. When an attack is immanent, we move in before it unfolds forcing the enemy to react or catching him before he actually swings.
Motobu-ryu specializes in irimi since there are no blocking movements, no stepping back, no retreating movements. Blocking or backing up surrender the lead to the bad guy and cause the defender to be reactionary. Instead, we seize the initiative by immediately attacking the opponent from an angle that renders his attack ineffective. Rather than trying to block and then strike, we immediately counter-attack. Being on the defense is a bad strategy. Somebody has to be on the defensive, however, and we don't want it to be us.
Irimi requires skillful footwork, control of body angles, awareness and considerable practice. Motobu-ryu has superb drills for developing irimi skills.
Nanba (nun- ba)
This concept is unique to Motobu-ryu. Simplified, nanba refers to using the right side of the body to drive techniques performed with the right hand and the left side to power techniques done with the left hand. This is accomplished by stepping with the corresponding foot. Nanba not only turns the body providing momentum, centrifugal force, or torque, but also protects your body when entering an attack (irimi).
Nanba is not hard to do- just hard to explain in words. There are countless advantages to moving in this particular fashion. Nanba is a clever innovation that maximizes mobility and power. It is made possible by the use of upright natural stances.
Tai Sabaki
Tai Sabaki (tye- sa-ba-ki) body change
Tai sabaki reduces your exposure by turning in a way that offers your opponent only an angled surface. The turning of your body also generates momentum which can be used to your advantage. Tai sabaki also can deceive your enemy as the sudden turn removes his target at the last moment while placing you in a more favorable position.
This photo shows tai sabaki and irimi. The person on the right has quickly stepped forward with his right foot after the person on the left (me) began to strike downward. He has not only moved his body out of the line of attack, he has generated inertia to add force to his right hand. He has also arrested my forward movement (lest I run into the stick in my face).
The person losing this exchange (me) performed ukemi by changing direction (backward) away from the incoming staff. Both of us are using the concept of numba.
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