受け技 (ukewaza): A simple analysis to 'begin' receiving correctly

Rapid and compact chambering of the five core foundational 受け技 (ukewaza) of Shotokan-ryu is of ultimate importance.

 

This is because this initial action is the prime defense; that is, the reactive movement. Clearly, the second action of a two-motion waza will inherently fail against a single motion attack such a 突き技 (tsukiwaza).

 

Once this is fully understood, both of the main aspects of the ukewaza can be physically expressed and pragmatically applied. The first point here is that 決め (Kime) can be achieved: via an initially sharp reflexive action followed by an explosive rebound or expansion—体の伸縮 (tai no shinshuku—‘the contraction and expansion of the body’). The second point is that one can follow the initial reactive defense with a secondary defense or, more often, “…use the completion of the ‘uke’ as a counterattack”.

 

Let’s look at both actions—‘the one/two—in the five core ukewaza (please note — to be concise in my descriptions I’ve only covered waza ‘completed’ on the right side).

 

 

上段揚げ受け (Joudan age uke) — Upper level rising reception

1.  Sasho jodan age-uke doji ni uken migi koshi.

2.  Uken jodan age-uke doji ni saken hidari koshi.

 

 

中段外受け (Chuudan soto uke) — Middle level outside reception

1. Saken chudan hiji suri-uke doji ni migi hiji jodan yoko age-uke.

2. Uken chudan soto-uke doji ni saken hidari koshi.

 

 

中段内受け (Chuudan uchi uke) — Middle level inside reception

 1. Saken chudan hiji suri-uke doji ni migi wanto gedan soto nagashi-uke.

2.  Uken chudan uchi-uke doji ni saken hidari koshi.

 

 

 

下段払い (Gedan barai) — Lower level sweep

1. Uken jodan soto nagashi-uke doji ni saken gedan gamae

2. Uken gedan barai doji ni saken hidari koshi.

 

 

手刀中段受け (Shuto chuudan uke) — Sword hand middle level reception

 

1. Hidari chudan yoko shihon nukite doji ni usho jodan soto nagashi uke.

2.  Migi shuto chudan uke (uchi) doji ni sasho suigetsu mae gamae.

 

 Understanding and individually, and collectively, practicing both actions in each of these five ukewaza is imperative fundamental karate training; furthermore, this practice unambiguously highlights karate “…not as a dueling art, but a defensive one”.

  

To conclude, irrespective of these generic points of Shotokan karate, via 'dissecting the waza in this way' one can begin to travel down the rabbit hole of the greats here in Japan: in regards to the core ukewaza. Of course, this is just the beginning, however and needless to say, “…the beginning is a very important place to really begin”. 

© André Bertel. Oita City, Japan (2023).