Guest Columnists - Nu-Ki
Nuki translates as 'stealth' and/or 'pierce'. However, if we refer to the concepts of 'Nuki' within Wado movement, this can be explained quite easily (I hope).
If we look at say Shotokan (I have to compare with Shotokan, nothing personal, but they do seem to perform with the extreme, almost opposite, concepts of the way we move and practise). Each move is emphasised separately, and has very little, if any flow. Power is held and there are many long pauses, especially after and during a delivery at a Kiai point. When observing other styles while they practise their Kata techniques, when each 'individual' technique is performed, it seems to almost finish at that technique. In the 'extreme' cases, as I mentioned, during the point of any Kiai. When they have the Kiai there is a 'holding' of the power within that technique to almost over-emphasise the strike, etc.
However, in Wado, we do not 'hold' onto the Kime or overemphasise any technique, during Kiai or normal practise (this is known as 'disconnecting your power'). We attempt to move in a flowing manner from technique to technique in the same way as normal training, when the Kiai is expressed do not hold onto the Kime, but just simply move on as if there were no Kiai. Ohtsuka Meijin rarely (if ever) expressed Kiai at certain techniques, this is because he did not want the 'false power' to be reflected, or the flow to be 'deliberately interrupted' by a 'false' pause due to an ‘emphasis’ of power. All Wado Kata should flow from move to move without the use of unnecessary amounts of power or tension. Do not hold onto your power, but release this power prior to finalisation of each technique, this would then allow you the freedom of movement to the next technique without tension or restraint.
Nuki is probably one of the most complicated aspects of Wado-ryu Karate. The method of striking, in order not to generate over exertion of power is very difficult. Additionally, to create power and release this power ‘prior’ to the extension of the technique takes a lot of skill and timing to perfect.
As you use your 'initial' power to generate your technique, release fractionally 'prior' to the finalisation of the technique. This then releases the momentum. From here you can decide what you want to do with it - next move, pull back, etc.
In respect to the Kiai correct ‘timing’ is important; in this situation, Kiai at this initial point of the technique, rather than at the point of ‘final delivery’.
My interpretation of Nuki is this - It is almost like pushing a car whilst in a Junzuki stance - use your strength to push the car until it moves then let go of the car (retaining a Junzuki posture rather than leaning forward) - the car would then continue to move slightly until it came to a standstill. To continually push the car forward in Junzuki-dachi you would repeat the process. You would release the power, momentarily, during a step in order to move forward, and then continue to use spontaneous power to inert the force again. Think of your Chi pushing the car (initial element of technique), then release and watch your efforts continue through. Spontaneous energy release followed by continual motion.
Now think of a bucket full of water.. Punch the surface of the water and pushing the technique through to the bottom creates a lot of splash. Alternatively, punch the surface of the water and allow the fist to stop, or pull back, very quickly after just touching the surface, this then creates the desired 'ripple effect'. We create a ripple effect on the opponent's body with our strikes. If we have Nuki we can also start a 'pull-back' process earlier. Using this concept to cause more injury would only require a slightly deeper striking technique. The deeper the strike, the more damaging the effect on the opponent.
The thing about Wado is that we should use 'spontaneous' energy as opposed to 'continual energy’. Continual 'motion’ can be achieved through ‘spontaneous energy’.
Also, power is achieved through speed and focus, rather than strength.
Gary E Swift, 7th Dan, Kyoshi
President of the Alliance of International Wado-ryu (AIWa). AIWa
Chief Instructor to the British Wadokai Karate-do. British Wadokai
General Secretary to the JKF-Wadokai England. Wadokai England
