You will recall the division of a skill into phases, that is the basis of the mon grades, from Part 3.2 of this series: taisabaki, kuzushi, waza (body-movement, unbalancing, technique).
The Locking Techniques (Kansetsu Waza) section includes a wrist twist being demonstrated against a top strike and a low punch from two attackers (see Part 3.2 post for a discussion as to the advisability of including this stress element in the 1st mon and the other mon grades). The kuzushi element in these defences is considered to be a block in the JDJ tradition. This block is not demonstrated separately in this grading, and it is not specified in the description of the defence, however, it is used to execute the defence nonetheless.
In the previous post, I also referred to the conceptualisation of blocking techniques in the JDJ tradition, exemplified in their inclusion in the mon grades, as being a 'dog's breakfast.' This post looks at that dog's breakfast.
Btw, the description of the concept of blocking techniques as being a dog's breakfast is not limited to the JDJ tradition.
Block Definition
2nd Mon
The Basic Blocks and Attacks (Uke and Atemi) (BB&A) section in the 2nd mon grading include middle inside block and middle outside block. These are basic karate-style blocks and are demonstrated solo.
In the Body Movements (Taisabaki) (BM) section, the instructions are: 'Defender's choice of attack, using pushing, pulling, or grabbing block.' The blocks are being used in conjunction with the specified evasive body-movements (taisabaki) (EBM).
There is another BB&A section in the 2nd mon grading. In this section, the block is demonstrated against an attack: 'Front snap kick - Flowing - brushing block.' Flowing (nagashi) is demonstrated in the BM section of the grading, which does not include brushing block in the blocking technique options (see above).
No blocks are specified in the Locking Techniques (Kansetsu Waza) (LT) section (against two attackers: see previous post), however, a block is used against the low punch attack along with an EBM in order to unbalance the opponent.
First, why are blocks being used in conjunction with an EBM? It's not to avoid injurious contact with the body because the EBM takes care of that problem. Second, what are pushing, pulling, grabbing, and brushing blocks?
The minimum age requirements for 3rd mon are 12 to 15 years (1st mon is under 12 years) (see Part 3.1).
BB&A section: no blocks.
BM section: instructions refer to using any block in conjunction with the specified EBMs.
LT section: no specified attacks nor blocks, but blocks used in conjunction with EBMs if defender chooses moving attacks.
BB&A section: 'Front roundhouse kick - Double block - punch.' The double block is used in conjunction with an EBM.
Does 'any block' in the BM section include the blocks identified in the previous grading, including the karate-style middle blocks, as well as the newly introduced double block? Can other blocks not demonstrated up to this point in the gradings be used?
BM and LT sections: same as for 3rd mon.
So now we have pushing, pulling, grabbing, brushing, and attacking blocks categories to consider.
Reflex (Shinken Shobu no Kata) section: introduced for the first time. Included in the defences is the use of a double block and brushing block used in conjunction with an EBM. There is another defence against a low punch that also involves a block and an EBM with the block not being specified in the description.
BM section: brushing, grabbing, and middle blocks used in conjunction with EBMs. The middle blocks are the karate-style blocks demonstrated in 2nd mon (see above).
Unbalancing (Kuzushi) - Blocking (Uke) section: new section introduced in this grading. Includes pulling, pushing, grabbing, and brushing blocks used against specified attacks. They are all demonstrated using an EBM.
LT section: same as for 3rd mon.
BB&A section: high and low block used in conjunction with an EBM. The high and low blocks are karate-style blocks.
Reflex section: specified brushing block in one defence with blocks also used in defences against moving attacks, although unspecified, with EBM used in conjunction with the blocks.
The minimum age requirement for 9th kyu is over 15 years (see Part 3.1). It is the first of the adult gradings.
BB&A section: high, middle outside, middle inside, and low blocks demonstrated solo. These are the karate-style blocks discussed above.
BM section: same as for 3rd mon.
Unbalancing (Kuzushi) - Blocking (Uke) section: 5th mon section repeated.
LT section: same as for 3rd mon.
Reflex section: same as for 5th mon.
8th Kyu
BB&A section: no blocks.
Happoken no kata section: You will recall from a previous post that happoken no kata is a Yoseikan Budo (YB) kata. The kata is comprised of four strikes and four blocks.
The YB kata adopts a parallel stance. JDJ modified the kata to adopt a staggered (zenkutsu dachi) stance. In doing so, the first block (middle outside block) is used in conjunction with an EBM. The final block is a punch straight down to the opponent's rising knee-thigh from an attempted knee to the groin.
BM and LT sections: as for 3rd mon.
BB&A section: brushing and double blocks against specified attacks used in conjunction with an EBM.
Reflex section: includes 'Block - punch or takedown' against a side drive kick attack. While not specified, the block is a double fist downward block used in conjunction with an EBM. Unspecified blocks used in defences against moving attacks.
There is no Unbalancing (Kuzushi) - Blocking (Uke) section in this grading or the next.
7th kyu is the end of the 'mon system.'
Wakai no kata ('New kata'; see future post) section: JDJ developed this grading to teach striking, blocking, and kicking skills. The blocks are karate-style blocks and sometimes used in conjunction with an EBM.
Throwing Techniques (Nage Waza) section: no specified blocks but blocks used in conjunction with EBMs against low punch attacks.
BM and LT sections: as for 3rd mon.
BB&A section: high, middle outside, low, and middle inside karate-style blocks against specified attacks and are demonstrated in conjunction with an EBM.
Purpose of Blocks
What is the purpose of blocks in the martial arts. The basic description refers to avoiding injurious contact with the body (see above).
1. Block the opponent's arm or leg with sufficient force to discourage further attack. In a sense, this kind of block can be called an attack.
2. Block the opponent's attack with only enough force to parry or deflect it. This would be termed a light block in #1.
3. Block and attack. Block the opponent's attack and immediately counterattack. It is also possible to block and counterattack at the same instant.
4. Unbalance the opponent with a block.
5. Block the opponent's attack as it is about to begin.
6. Block and then retreat to a safe position until a chance to counter presents itself.
It should be noted that at no time does Nakayama refer to the purpose of blocking as being to prevent injurious contact with the body from an attack.
Karate-Style Blocks and EBMs
The above summary of the use of blocks in the mon system included references to karate-style blocks. Most times they were referenced in connection with their use in conjunction with an EBM. The basic question should always be asked when blocks are used in conjunction with an EBM: what is the purpose of the block? It's not to avoid injurious contact with the body because the EBM takes care of that problem.
Sometimes there are answers to that question (see possibilities in blocking above). Sometimes there are not. Sometimes there are 'shoehorned' answers because what is being taught is what was taught without question.
There is another question when karate-style blocks are used in conjunction with EBMs. Do they even make contact with the attacking limb? All of Nakayama's blocking possibilities are not available if the block does not make contact or only slightly touches the opponent's attacking limb.
For example, happoken no kata (see above). The first attack is a punch from the left-hand side of tori. When adopting the YB parallel stance and no EBM is used, a block is needed in order to avoid injurious contact with the body. Outside middle block is used to accomplish that task.
JDJ modified happoken no kata to make use of a staggered stance (zenkutsu dachi). In the JDJ version, tori steps forward with their right foot and turns to their left facing in uke's direction while executing outside middle block. The block finishes in line with tori's shoulder, which is now on the inside of the line of attack. It can only make contact with uke's attacking arm if a poor outside middle block is executed where the block finishes beyond tori's shoulder. What is the purpose of the outside middle block in this case? It's not to avoid injurious contact with the body because the EBM takes care of that problem. Is it to unbalance uke (Nakayama blocking possibility #4)? It would need to make contact for that to happen, which as previously stated means executing a poor outside middle block.
There is a video on Facebook of a a JDJ ryuha demonstrating this kata in public but using attackers in order to demonstrate the practical application of the techniques taught in the kata. Why didn't they pick up that this block served no purpose? Is it a case of teaching what is taught without question?
How could JDJ make this mistake, for a mistake it is? It was because JDJ employed analytic thinking rather than systems thinking when changing the kata. He only focused on the stance and did not see what the change in stance has on the actual technique.
This problematic approach is also seen in a defence against a knife attack that JDJ changed in the shodan reflex grading. JDJ changed the block, which was an improvement on the original block, but it no longer set tori up for the tai gatame ude kujiki, instead setting up for tekubi hineri but the finishing technique was never changed. Lesson from systems thinking: change one thing in a system, then see how that affects the other elements in the system, or the system may not be able to achieve its objective.
What to do? No matter how one goes about fixing this/these problem/s, the lesson is lost when the solution is implemented and there are no more flaws.
Karate-Style Blocks and No EBMs
An improvement in the tactics taught JDJ would be to include karate-style blocks executed with no EBMs. This means that the karate-style blocks need to either stop or change the direction of the attack.
EBM are generally the rule against moving attacks in the JDJ teachings. A notable exception in the JDJ jujutsu grading system is the defences against tanbo (short stick) in the ikkyu reflex grading where either a stopping block or deflection are used without an EBM.
When I have taught students to use karate-style blocks without EBMs, and given them license to use them and not perform an EBM, the students have excelled in the futrai dori section of the ikkyu practical grading and the shiai grading in shodan (see Post 2.6 for a discussion of these grading elements). They no longer start to bounce around like 'Energizer Bunnies' in anticipation of an attack.
JDJ's Classification of Blocking Techniques
You will recall from above that reference to pushing, pulling, grabbing, attacking, and brushing blocks were made in various gradings. This refers to JDJ's classification of blocking techniques. The next post will consider JDJ's classification of blocking techniques.
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