The insights provided by Happoken no Kata (Part 2)

Jan de Jong's version of happoken no kata starts off in a neutral parallel stance.

The performer then takes a step forward with their right leg and turns to their left into a zenkutsu dachi stance (forward leaning stance) while executing a chudan uchi uke (middle inside block).

'What's going on here?' Refer to 'insights' in previous post.

The performer executed an evasive bodymovement (EBM) along with a 'blocking' technique. What is the purpose of the blocking technique? It isn't to avoid injurious contact with the body because the EBM takes care of that problem.

You should always ask what the purpose of a 'block' is when used in conjunction with an EBM because it is not to avoid injurious contact with the body. The EBM takes care of that problem.

A classic example when a 'block' is used in conjunction with an EBM and has a purposes is the use of an EBM and a block to perform a foot sweep: entering and maeude deai osae uke (pressing forearm block; see The Textbook of Modern Karate, Okazki and Strecivic). In this case the block is used to unbalance the opponent, so it serves a purpose. The first 'block' in JDJ's happoken does not serve a purpose.

The above photo involves Hans de Jong executing the abovementioned technique on me, however, it is not the greatest representation of the technique because it was taken for a booklet that HDJ was going o use for seminar purposes and he didn't have a professional photographer, so he had to hold me up somewhat so the photo could be taken.

For all who are involved in the JDJ jujutsu and aikido tradition, the maeude deai osae uke is a blocking technique. It is a true blocking technique in that it stops the attack from moving forward. It is used to unbalance the opponent, however, it is still a true blocking technique. Never forget that and your defensive technique will be all the better for it.

So why does JDJ's happoken no kata's first sequence include a 'blocking' technique when it appears to serve no purpose? That will be the subject of the next post.