In my The Science Behind All Fighting Techniques, I devote a chapter to the 'core of all learning.' The core of all learning is the identification of similarities and differences. How is the JDJ HnK similar and different to the Yoseikan HnK?
They are similar in that they use the same blocks and strikes, however, they are different in that JDJ uses a staggered stance (zenkutsu dachi) while Yoseikan uses a parallel stance. Insights and understanding arise when analysing those differences.
The first technique is a middle block against a punch from the side. There is no evasive body movement used in the Yoseikan kata, therefore, the purpose of the block is to avoid injurious contact with the body from the attack.
JDJ's initial teaching was to step to the side with the leg closest to the attacker into zenkutsu dachi and block. This means moving across the attack and moving the attacking arm with the block around 45 degrees. An inefficient process at best.
Some of the senior instructors were not happy with this stepping motion and moving across the attack and changed the movement such that the back leg steps in front before turning into zenkutsu dachi and executing the block. This movement is now an evasive body movement as it moves the body off the line of attack, however ... what is the purpose of block? It's not to avoid injurious contact with the body because the evasive body movement took care of that problem.
This is an issue that I continually address in the chapter on blocking techniques in The Science Behind All Fighting Techniques. If a blocking technique of any description is used in conjunction with an evasive body movement, the question always has to be asked: 'What is the purpose of the blocking technique?' It's not to avoid injurious contact with the body because the evasive body movement takes care of that problem.
There are answers to that question. Nakayama provides six possibilities in blocking in Dynamic Karate. One is to use the block as an 'attacking block' or a strike. Another is to physically unbalance the opponent. Interestingly enough, none of the blocking possibilities involves preventing injurious contact with the body. Btw, none of those possibilities would appear to explain this block in these circumstances.
Yoseiken's second block involves the performer turning 90 degrees to execute a low block in response to a punch from behind. JDJ's second block involves the performer turning 180 degrees to the rear, once again stepping across in front of the attack and moving the attackers arm 45 degrees to the side. Also a criticised move but one that no attempt was made to rectify. There was talk of stepping across with the front leg and turning 180 degrees into zenkutsu dachi, however, the same question re evasive body movements and blocks used in conjunction would then also be applicable.
This low block is followed by a step forward and low punch. This involves stepping into the opponent, unless the opponent stepped backward of course, which would be the only time in the kata that this is assumed.
Why did JDJ change the stance from a parallel stance to a staggered stance? It's because a staggered stance is stronger in terms of stability than a parallel stance when applying and receiving forces from the front. This is a well known fact and is why the staggered stance is the most common stance adopted in fighting activities.
Does this mean the Yoseikan stance is 'weaker' in this situation? Is it less stable and more susceptible to destablising/unbalancing forces (see the chapter on stances and balance/unbalancing in The Science Behind All Fighting Techniques). Yes and no.
Pasang is a wide parallel stance facing the opponent. It is used to gain more stability when friction is less in muddy inland Indonesia. By adopting a wide stance, an evasive body movement is accomplished by moving the body weight over one or the other legs and turning the upper body. Turning the upper body when striking increases range and adds more mass behind the strike. The chapter on injury science and striking techniques in The Science Behind All Fighting Techniques demonstrates that the damage potential of a strike increases in the martial arts by the experienced practitioner knowing how to put more mass behind the strike.
The question then becomes for all the schools currently teaching JDJ's HnK, what do they do with this analysis?
They can keep teaching JDJ's teaching unquestioningly. A not uncommon approach.
They can attempt to shoehorn an explanation if the question is ever raised, as was the case when I raised these questions with senior instructors while I was a student at the school.
They can change the techniques/movements ... there-in lies a valuable lesson.
If you change anything in a technique, defence, or kata, you should always re-evaluate the entire technique, defence, or kata in order to see that it continues to 'make sense.'
Another option is to adopt the original Yoseikan kata with the added understanding and insights provided this analysis with the aid of the theory presented in The Science Behind All Fighting Techniques, which then expands the use of this kata as a teaching tool.
G'day John
ReplyDeleteA few points that you might like to consider.
When I began studying aikido at the JDJ SDS Happoken no Kata was performed in open stance for the 6th kyu grading and in zenkutsu dachi at 5th kyu.I continued to teach both even after the gradng curriculum was updated.
I was also taught a "bunkai" version which, I believe, eliminates most of your questions.
There is now a version of the kata on the internet, performed by Mochizuki Minoru's grandson, in which the original nature of the kempo kata from which it derives is restored.
Keep on enjoying
Ross Lander