Saturday, September 26, 2009

A Description of a Modern Budo

By Bill Williams

Taido is a martial art developed in Japan by Seiken Shukumine.

Taido has its roots in classical Okinawan Budo. Sensing that the martial arts, particularly karate, were failing to meet the needs of the post-War era, Shukumine founded a school of Karate called Genseiryu in 1953.

Eventually, Shukumine saw karate as simplistic and dead. He determined that the limitations of karate lay in its linearity. In 1965, he expanded his theories of motion beyond the confines of what could be considered karate and founded Taido.

Shukumine thought about how to make techniques more flexible and universal. Taido's movements offered many innovations: the addition of spinning and twisting movements, gymnastic maneuvers, speedy and effective footwork, and a changing body angle. The name Taido means "way of the body."

So what makes Taido different from karate? Taido techniques employ changes of the body's bearing in order to facilitate simultaneous defense and kicking techniques. Taido also emphasizes the use of footwork to take advantageous angles and distance to the opponent. This footwork is functionally connected to the body mechanics that launch each kick, punch, or other technique. Taido uses exciting body movement to create powerful strikes and determine the spatial relationship with the opponent.

Taido's strategic element is based on appropriate reaction to dynamic challenges instead of preset algorithms of attack and protection. Taido's movements are also designed for improving health and longevity.

Taido's original purpose was, and continues to be, the application of scientific methodology and traditional values to the evolution of the martial arts. According to its founder, Taido's ultimate objective is to enable its practitioners to perform at a high level in society.

There are five essential principles in Taido. Keep your thoughts as clear and calm as the reflective surface of a mirror. This way you will see the reality of your environment. Having the right attitude will help you make the best decisions. Be well-prepared. Body and spirit should be as one. Carry yourself with dignity and you need never doubt yourself. fill your spirit with proper breathing methods. With the right spirit you will never be threatened. In every action, follow the principles you have practiced. By doing so, you will decide easily. Be adaptable in your thought and maintain freedom of physical movement. The best methods will prevent you from being defeated.

Taido makes use of five classes of body movements: vertical spinning movement, rising and falling wave-like movement, lever-like movement achieved by tilting the body's axis, horizontal spinning movement, and acrobatic movements.

These movements are combined with strikes, kicks, and other techniques. The last category, called "tentai," includes acrobatic movements, for instance flips, which makes Taido exciting to watch. Taido has a unique method of footwork, which is called unsoku, and non-stepping locomotion, called unshin.

Competitions in Taido include sparring, Hokei, and Tenkai, which is a mock combat between one "hero" and five opponents. In Tenkai the judges award scores to the competing teams in a similar manner as is done in figure skating.

Even after this explanation, unless you've actually experienced Taido, you probably still won't have any solid idea of what Taido is about. Also, just seeing the techniques doesn't tell you what Taido is intended for. To truly grok any martial art, you have to get an idea of why the techniques are performed as they are.

Of course, Taido is changing martial art, so no explanation can really encapsulate all that Taido is. Everyone eventually forms their own ways to apply Taido to what they do and how they move. Taido itself emphasizes creativity and the development of new techniques. It is not a martial art that will stand in one place for long.

Taido is currently practiced in Japan, Sweden, Finland, Portugal, Denmark, France, Great Britain, the Netherlands, Australia, and the USA.

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