Chojun Sensei emphasized that with each punch, strike, or kick,
the mind and the tanden (a spot just below the navel) must be used
together, in harmony.
He spoke painstakingly about the proper execution of
specific techniques; that when punching, one should use the back muscles
and concentrate power in the tanden; when performing toroguchi,
(tiger's mouth) ine should turn the hands using one's back mucsles.
When blocking with hiki uke he would say,
"fast and focus...tighten the elbow and knee joints at the moment
of focus."
He used to say, "When delivering a punch, if the
recoil is lacking in strength, it is no good. A straight punch is
not just delivered as a straight punch. It is the same as in brush
writing--a straight is not simply drawn as a straight line."
Each technique must be performed with full speed and
power as well as with the complete movement. If the movements are
first performed with a small motion, then power will not be developed.
When performing gedan barai (lower body block) the arm is brought
up in front of the fact and then it swings down in a large circular
motion to complete the block.
Chojun Sensei continually stressed that as a technique
is focused, the power must be concentrated in the tanden.
He demonstrated this concept by gripping and releasing his fist to
represent the closing and opening of the tanden. He
explained that after a technique is focused, the tanden is releases
until the execution of the next technique.
With techniques such as uraken uchi (back fist)
and tetsui-uchi (hammer fist) and haito uchi (ridge hand)
the arm is used like a whip, keeping the joints relaxed until the moment
the technique is focused, and only then tightening the tanden
joints.
Chujun Sensei explained that when performing nukite
tsuki (finger thrust) and shotei tsuki (palm heel thrust) the
thumb is most important and has various meanings. If it is
tightened together with the tanden and harmonized with the
breathing, then the palm and fingers may be tightened easily and it can
be used in catching and locking techniques.
He explained the importance of "opposite
motion" in techniques such as age tsuki (rising punch) as
the strike is thrust upwards, the body drops down while the reverse arm
is simultaneously thrust downwards.
One of the most important maxims that Chojun Sensei
taught was, Ija ga dettara to ohiki; te ga dettara iji o hiki,
which means, :If your temper rises, withdraw your hand; if your hand
rises, withdraw your temper." Chojun Miyagi always stressed
the avoidance of situations which are potentially dangerous and where
fighting is likely to break out. He taught to never show that you
practiced karate, not even the slightest gesture, and always to be
humble and polite.
* above article excerpted from The History of
Karate, by Morio Higuonna.*
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