Ukemi Waza
by Hatsumi Sensei
(from Ninja Magazine,
Dec 1986)
In order to become a ninja, one must learn and fully
comprehend the unique concept of ukemi. Although it is extremely difficult
to translate, ukemi involves rolling or falling movements in different
directions in response to an attack. This is done not only to escape danger,
but to assume a new position that will confuse or distract your opponent.
In ancient Japan the ninja were always in danger, no
matter what the environment or the situation. If they did not totally
understand the real meaning of ukemi they could not have survived nor left
the legacy of their extraordinary accomplishments to posterity. In the old
days the ninja were referred to as masters of escape, sometimes thought of
as superhuman beings because of their awesome ability to avoid danger and,
whenever possible, elude confrontation completely. Today, however, there are
those who do not have a true understanding of the ninja; they have the wrong
impression that ninja are weak, afraid and run away from danger. This is
most unfortunate because, in reality, it is just the other way around. It
takes courage and cunning and great wisdom to know just when and when not to
fight . If you know only winning and you do not know losing, there is much
to learn. Samurai who know only attacking, moving forward with aggression,
are called inoshishi musha (boar samurai), because they only know how to go
forward like mindless animals. If you do not know the essence of ukemi, you
might as well be a mindless animal for you will not survive many combat
situations that require more than just brute strength. Even budo masters,
when attacking. will lose in the end without this knowledge.
Our school of ninja stands on 900 years of history and,
unlike those who knew only how to go forward and ultimately lost like
Napoleon, for instance. we have survived all these centuries because we
understand and have mastered the principle of ukemi and, with that, the
truth.
In the following photographs and text, I will illustrate
and explain some of the concepts and techniques of ukemi, one step at a
time.
All rolling/tumbling techniques must be executed
silently and painlessly. Whether rolling forward, backward, to the right or
left, if there is sound, it not only alerts the opponent, it also means you
are making hard contact with the ground. You are therefore subjecting your
body to pain. These techniques must be practiced again and again until they
can be performed without sound or pain, even on concrete or other rough
terrain.
1. |
2. |
3. |
4. |
5. |
6. |
7. |
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The action of this technique is extremely
swift. Accuracy and control, as a result of countless hours of practice,
is absolutely essential. As the opponent begins his downward strike (1),
Dr. Hatsumi quickly falls backward, blocking the sword at its hilt with
his right foot and striking his opponent's right knee with his left knee.
Hatsumi lets the attacker's momentum carry him just a little forward and
off balance(2,3) at which point Hatsumi slaps the side of the sword,
guiding it away from him, while pushing his left knee against the
attacker's right leg (4). Hatsumi lunges with his left shoulder/elbow
against the man's sword arm and body (5), causing him to fall backward
while Hatsumi grasps the sword (6). His left leg pinning the opponent's
right, Hatsumi, with sword in hand, is now in complete control (7). |
KATA NO OSHASITE ZENPO KAITEN (tumbling with sword).
This article reprinted from the
Mahoutsukai Dojo, with permission.
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