Chinkuchi Questions

In response to Len's questions.

The questions Len asked open up several other doors for discussion. I will attempt to answer without getting too far off the subject. My responses are mixed in with the questions.

In a message dated 2/16/2004 10:29:48 AM Eastern Standard Time,

Subject: Chinkuchi Article

Hi, Dan,

>1. Shitabara means the lower stomach. The emphasis is on the area that connects the pelvic girdle. The Okinawan word that could be used is gamaku.

I'm familiar with "gamaku," but just a curiosity----Since "chinkuchi" is a strictly Okinawan term, why did you choose "shitabara" instead of gamaku todescribe this area?

>>>>

The reason I use shitabara is for emphasis to the lower stomach which there is no Okinawan word. Gamaku is for the muscles that are not only in the lower stomach but also in the lower back. The Japanese word that would be used to describe this area would be koshi. The use of Koshi IMO is overused and misunderstood in that it also describes the entire pelvic girdle vs. the specific muscles. While the pelvic girdle is important IMO it is more important to understand the supporting function of the pelvic girdle as the connection between the lower and upper body and the bi-ped functions than using "koshi" to describe the contraction of the gamaku "muscles in the lower stomach and back" and leading the body with the lower stomach (shitabara). The lower stomach leads and causes the rest to follow.

Also, in Okinawa during the late 60's and 70's there was a mixture of the Okinawan dialect and Japanese to describe techniques whereas today it is almost all Japanese unless you have a teacher who was raised to speak the Okinawan dialect of which there are few left. Unless you asked you could be using a mixture and not ever know it which was which. I have been working for several years with a few senior Okinawan teachers to develop the Uchinan gushi but due to the lack of words it is difficult to only use the Okinawan dialect.

 

>2. Jushin is referring to the center of gravity. Movement of the center of gravity to cause the whipping action from the waist area.

Does this have something to do with Arakaki's "Inner Physical Dynamic System?" He speaks about this in his book in some detail; I was wondering if you're talking about a similar thing.

>>>>> I have read sensei Arakaki's book and had some communication with him and I believe that it is similar but again due to the language barrier I cannot be certain. I am quite certain the "Inner Physical Dynamic System" and "Imaginary Center of Gravity" is not the way a senior Okinawan would describe this effort. Perhaps the same situation occurs with sensei Arakai that occurs with my teacher and I in that the concepts I understand are put into English that I can explain but if asked on Okinawa about such phrases they would not be understood. Word pictures are important in transmitting a physical art but at the same time you have to see the picture through the eyes or the writer.

I do not think the imaginary center of gravity is an Okinawan concept but more from Akido. The Okinawan method is not to become one with the opponent but to separate from the attacker and limit the attacker to single attacks versus a continuous movement. IMO Okinawan karate's strategy is to move the target and weapon as far away as possible.

One other point for discussion. I asked this on one of the Isshin lists I subscribe to, but don't remember the responses exactly; I thought I'd throw it out here. I've always understood "chinkuchi" to be the Naha-te, or Goju, method of power generation, as opposed to the "Whipping" system of power generation espoused by the Shuri-te folks. Since "Shimabuku (ru)'s" all (Tatsuo, Zenryo, etc) taught Shorin based systems for the most part, what purpose would you think there would be for incorporating the Goju method into the Shorin system?

 

>>>> Chinkuchi is not a term designated to only one system of karate.

Chinkuchi is used in any physcial activity to describe the "perfect" motion combining the mind, body and spirit. The use of whipping actions versus pushing actions does not limit the achievement of "chinkuchi".

Your question also brings up the subject of what is Naha Te and Shuri Te? The use of Naha Te to describe a certain type of karate can be misleading. For example, Uechi Ryu, Ruei Ryu and Goju Ryu are described as Naha Te. The basis for the use of Naha to describe anything during the late 1800s and early 1900s had nothing to do with the particular methods but more that it indicated it was new to Okinawa. Anything that was old was thought to be from Shuri and new things were thought to be of Okinawa therefore since the methods of Uechi, Nakaima and Higaonna were considered to be new they were described to be of Naha or a new thing. Shuri represents the old and Naha represented the new in not only karate but music, dress, etc. It is quite obvious that Shorin and Shorei Ryu was practiced in both the Shuri and Naha areas long before the newer Chinese methods arrived.

A further discussion of the importance of "Chinkuchi" is that through the proper application of the technique and intention of the mind you will prepare yourself for the next movement. Without the "chin, chin", springiness derived from "chinkuchi" the readiness for continuation will be lacking.

Gambatte

Dan Smith