Ryaku. Waza. Kata

While teaching in India it occurred to me that the Tenchijin is a set of RyaKu not techniques. The Japanese language makes a difference between the way a,  技 (technique) and the Kata 型 (model, arrangement of techniques).

Ryaku 略 has the meaning of “abreviation” or “outline”. This means that the Tenchijin is not about techniques but is a group of outlined forms and model, leading to the understanding of the essence of techniques.

This is maybe why at the end of the Tenchijin it is said that “there are no fundamental techniques” in the Bujinkan.

Thinking deeper in the system we can also see that the three parts composing the programme are in fact defining a new Sanshin:
The Ten represents the learning of footwork;
the Chi exposes the biomechanical aspect of waza;
the Jin then being the mix of the first two parts and displayed in the form of Kata taken from the 9 ryūha.

The concept of Ryaku makes it much more easy to reach the natural flow shown by sensei.

Don’t make dead forms from the techniques and models of the Tenchijin, let them free to adjust naturally to the flow of things.

Author: kumablog

I share here on a regular basis my thoughts about the Bujinkan martial arts, training in Japan and all over the world, and View all posts by kumablog