Uke no Go Gensoku, Shito-Ryu's Five Principles
of Defense
Shito-Ryu's Five Principles
of Defense
The following principles are what all Shito-Ryu
practitioners strive to master. Although it is an endless task....
Rakka:
Like a falling flower
To block with such force that if the technique were applied to the
trunk of a tree it would lose all of its flowers. A block should be
executed so decisively that it not only halts an opponent’s attack
but utterly defeats it with a single technique.
Uchi Uke
Yoko Barai
Ryusui:
Like flowing water
To flow with your opponents movements, using them against him and
as an aid to your defense. Respond to your opponent using fluid
movement.
Nagashi Uke
Kusshin:
Bending
Control of an attack that uses body movement originating in the knees.
Keep your spine straight and use your knees to control your height,
giving you balance and the strength of your legs so that little effort
is required to control the attack. Springing. A reflexive, darting
"out and in" kind of body shifting from any angle.
Shuto Uke
Kokutsu Gedan Barai
Teni:
Tai sabaki,(rolling the body by stepping out)
Essentially avoiding your opponent’s attack using body movement.
Stepping out in all directions.
Shotei Uke
Hangeki:
Counter attack
When the need arises, respond to your opponents attacks with decisive,
powerful counter-attacks. By utilizing the first four principles you
may never need to implement the fifth, but if required you should
apply you whole mind and body to the counter.
Jodan Zuki Uke
"Knowing others is intelligence; knowing yourself is true wisdom" Unknown Source
