Kiai No Maki
The Kiai is most commonly known to martial artists as the loud shout that is done when a technique is performed. This is only part of the story. The Kiai should be thought of as focusing of one's entire breath, body, mind, spirit, concentration and energy into one point in space and one instant in time. It is an ultimate commitment of one's whole being upon a given objective. The physical manifestation of this inner process is often the earlier mentioned shout, but sometimes not.
The Kiai originates from the body's center, the abdomen or ‘hara’ in Japanese. It does not come from the throat. It is necessary to practice proper breathing in order to master this. In addition, a strong and positive mental attitude is required to perform the Kiai
The Kiai no Maki list is divided into a series of six smaller lists totaling 27 techniques. The first four techniques are demonstrations of internal strength, while the rest involve weapons defense and offense. All of these techniques, however, are still centered on the Kiai.
The proper use of the Kiai is necessary to master the Kiai no Maki list of techniques. In Prof. Okazaki's Kodenkan dojo, students were required to perfect these arts prior to taking their first black belt examination. To amplify this, the Kiai no Maki arts and the development and practice of the Kiai are properly taught BEFORE a student reaches black belt not after.
|
|
Chikara |
Strength Arts |
|
1. |
Waribashi Ori |
Splittable chopstick break (break chopstick with rice paper) |
|
2. |
Karatake Wari |
Chinese bamboo split (break bamboo on tofu with a bokken) |
|
3. |
Harage Ishi Wari |
Abdomen lifting stone split (with sledgehammer strike) |
|
4. |
Shiraha Watari |
Naked blade transit |
|
|
Tessen |
Iron Fan Techniques |
|
5. |
Katate Hazushi |
Single hand escape |
|
6. |
Mune Dori |
Chest seizure |
|
7. |
Miken Wari |
Eyebrow interval split |
|
8. |
Uchikomi Dome |
Driving-in stop (overhand blow defense into arm break and throw) |
|
9. |
Katate Ori |
Single hand break |
|
10. |
Katsura Wari |
Judas-tree split (defense against Do Shime) |
|
|
Tantō |
Knife Techniques |
|
11. |
Hibara Hazushi |
Spleen (side) escape (2 methods) |
|
12. |
Katate Hazushi |
Single hand escape (defense from a close overhand stab) |
|
13. |
Tsukkomi Hazushi |
Plunging-in (thrusting) escape (4 methods) |
|
14. |
Ryōte Dome |
Two hand stop (defense against two knives) |
|
|
Daitō |
Sword Techniques |
|
15. |
Nukimi Dome |
Draw body stop (draw sword against body) |
|
16 |
Shiraha Dori |
Naked blade seizure |
|
17. |
Suso Harai |
Hem (base of mountain) sweep |
|
|
Bō |
Stick Techniques |
|
18. |
Hanbō Uchikomi Dori |
Half-stick driving-in seizure |
|
19. |
Rokushaku Bō Furi |
Six-foot stick shaking (twirling art) |
|
20. |
Mune Gatame |
Chest hold-down |
|
21. |
Shihō Gatame |
Four direction hold-down (2 staffs against ankles and throat) |
|
22. |
Futari Shime |
Two person constriction (2 staffs, standing) |
|
23. |
Furo Shime |
|
|
24. |
Shichinin Shime |
Seven person strangle (come-along for transporting criminals) |
|
|
Tanjū |
Pistol Techniques |
|
25. |
Gan Hazushi |
Eyeball escape |
|
26. |
Mune Hazushi |
Chest escape |
|
27. |
Hibara Hazushi |
Spleen (side) escape (4 methods) |
For additional reading about the Kiai, see the following books: The Fighting Spirit of Japan by E.J. Harrison and Living the Martial Way by Forrest Morgan.
This page is maintained by George Arrington
Back to Home Page
Copyright © 1995, 2009 George E. Arrington III