Friday, May 19, 2023

Mumichi, Reach Out and Touch somebody and Kake Uke

 

Lionel Ligbot on the derivation of Mumichi

 

Yesterday, I was talking about the "Uni-Muchi" treat in Japanese. ) the correct name in okinawaïen is " nantu." the nickname " Uni-Muchi / Mochi evil " is not usurped, this treat is evil! It sticks to the leaf of geto (like banana leaf) and then to the fingers it sticks and then to the teeth. Yeah, it's like caramel, let's say... but no, actually!


That's where the karate lesson comes from. In Karate Okinawaïen, we talk about " Muchidi or muchimi ". this is exactly the " Hand / sticky technique " or " sticky body " action to literally stick to the opponent to control it. The " Chisao " of wing chun or " Baihe-Quan " is exactly the same, the caactères who write it are the same.


In addition, there is in my karate / kobudo style (Kingai-Ryu) techniques of muchidi, muchimi, but the kanji of "Muchi" is different. It's the whip. Our hands, fingers, feet / legs are fouettées / released associated with " Hakkei " more known impressive the Chinese name of " Fajin (G).


So, in kingai-Ryu, our muchidi / mi incorporate du / mi and vice versa.

 

 



Reach and Touch Someone

 



 

About 14 years ago I stumbled across this answer. It was worth saving in my notes . It provides a different answer than just strike out.

 

We were working on a basic defensive principle that I teach and I'm not sure if we've discussed in the past.

 

Where one of my students was working grab and pop attack defenses (where the attacker grabs you with one hand and goes to pop you with their other hand - the grab and pop) and using a number of interesting responses the simplest answer came to mind.

 

 Simply reach out and touch your attacker, not strike them.

  

If you simply reach out and press against the middle of their chest they really can't hit you with their other hand. Don't belive me, try it in class next time.

 

Now doing so does root both your feet, but if they in turn try to counter-kick you, you can simply press forward and push them back.

 

Likewise from the press you can readily strike into their throat if a more dynamic response is required.

 

This then opened a line of drills where attacked you immediately press back, and/or slide the opposite foot back, angling yourself away from their attack too.

 

This opportunity allows you to respond to an attack with a less agressive counter, keeps you somewhat in control of your attacker and allows more agressive returns if required. A more proportionate response for some situations.

 

Of course if your hand holds a Chintzen Bo, or the equivalent, that will get a heck of a response too.

 

Off hand, this also could be an interpretation of Wandan (Wando?) where you have a left vertical knife hand block followed by a reverse punch. Hence the vertical knife hand block might simply be the press.  And of course if they can't touch you, by appropriate knee release and alignment you can still strike them with the other hand.

 



 

Kake uke

 

Shimabuku Shinsho (Ciso), Shimabuku Tatsuo Sensei 2nd son and me doing kake uke.

 

In this visit, Ciso said his father wanted to teach kake uke to the Marines but they did not have enough time to learn it. I told him I had learned it from his father and then we both did it together

 

 


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