UKE NO GOGEN RI - FIVE METHODS OF DEFENSE
1. RAKKA (pulling, moving, or striking the
attack downward or upward)
2. RYUSUI (moving or deflecting the attack to
the side)
3. TENI (body shifting away from the attack while
deflecting the attack)
4. KUSSHIN (lowering the center of gravity,
body movement with a counter attack)
5. HANGEKI (meeting the attack with a
counterattack)
Rakka: (Blossoms fall from a
shaking tree)
A tremor of the earth that shakes a tree with
such tremendous force as to knock the blossoms from its branches. Primarily
hard blocking techniques applying sudden maximum power with a twisting action
of the arm to literally stop the opponent's attack and destroy his/her
confidence. Strong downward block from
the side against a reverse punch.
Ryusui: (Two rivers join in
harmony)
The greeting of two rivers that ultimately
create a force greater than each alone although doing so with little or no
turbulence. Primarily softer blocking techniques that absorb an attack and
redirect it using circular or deflecting blocks or parries in a continuous and
flowing movement. Palm heel block against
a reverse punch.
Teni: (A
The branches of a willow tree that sway to and
fro in the wind allowing its tremendous force to pass seemingly effortlessly.
General concept of body shifting (taisabaki) or
turning away from an attack to avoid the direct force of the attack, often
utilized with Ryusui defense; evasive maneuvers with
a soft deflecting block. Side diagonal
body movement with a palm heel block against a reverse punch.
Kusshin: (The Lion crouches low
in the grass)
A Lion that crouches unnoticeably in the grass
with its body coiled for an attack on its prey. General concept of disguising
one's stance with the ability to either shift quickly out of one stance and
into another or reflexively darting away and then back (typically at an angle)
momentarily disappearing from the attacker. Side
body movement with a palm heel block against a reverse punch followed by a
counter punch.
Hangeki: (A Flower greets the morning sun)
A flower that opens its petals early in the
morning to accept the rays of the sun for nourishment. Advanced concept of
reading an opponent's body actions to determine his/her intent prior to the
opponent taking action.
Response can be to greet the attack with a
counter-attack (GO-NO-SEN) or precede the attack with a neutralizing action to
defeat the opponent's aggression or attack (SEN-NO-SEN).
These five elements should be combined for
practical use. Whether you use a hard block (Rakka),
a gentler deflecting block (Ryusui), or a
counter-attack (Hangeki), always move yourself into a
safer and more advantageous position without wasting movement or energy using Kusshin and Teni.
TENSHIN HAPPO - SHITO-RYU
EIGHT DIRECTIONS OF MOVEMENT
Mae-Forward
Ushiro-Backward
Hidari yoko-Left side
Migi yoko-Right side
Mae hidari
naname-Front left diagonal
Ushiro migi naname-Rear
right diagonal
Mae migi
naname-Front right diagonal
Ushiro hidari naname-Rear
left diagonal
TENPOGOSOKU NO HO -
SHITO-RYU FIVE METHODS OF BODY SHIFTING
Deashi - stepping straight in
Hikiashi - stepping straight back
Yoriashi - shuffling
Mawariashi - spinning
Tobiashi - jumping/springing
KUMITE - SPARRING / SELF
DEFENSE
Kihon Kumite - Basic Sparring and Self
Defense
Ippon - Single attack, one step
Nihon - Two predefined
attacks, one step
Sanbon - Three predefined attacks, one step
Kihon Kumite Kata - Basic sparring kata
OYO
KUMITE (Application Kumite) - Defense Drills
Hokei - Four attackers
Mawari - Circle of attackers
Jiyu Ippon - Free style, one step
Jiyu - Free
style