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

Bath strangle (4 staffs, sitting)

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

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Copyright © 1995, 2009 George E. Arrington III