Saturday, October 24, 2009

Describing a Dynamic Art

By Sven Person

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

Taido has its foundations in classical Okinawan Karate.

Fearing that Budo, particularly karate, were failing to meet the needs of modern society, Shukumine founded a school of Budo called Genseiryu in the early 1950s. 

Later, Shukumine saw karate as uninspired and unchanging. He became convinced that the limitations of karate lay in its linearity.

In 1964, he expanded his theories of motion beyond the confines of what could be considered karate and founded Taido. 

Shukumine thought about how to make defense movements more adaptable and applicable.

Taido's movements offered many innovations: the addition of spinning and twisting movements, acrobatic maneuvers, fast and effective footwork, and a changing body angle. The word Taido translates as "way of the body." 



So what makes Taido different from karate? Taido techniques use changes of the body's bearing in order to expedite simultaneous defense with attacking movements. Taido also relies on the use of footwork to take strategic angles and distance to the opponent. This footwork is functionally connected to the body mechanics that form the basis of each kick, punch, or other technique. Taido uses exciting body movement to create strong techniques and control the spatial relationship with the opponent. 

Taido's strategic element is based on appropriate reaction to changing challenges instead of preset algorithms of offensive maneuvers and defense. Taido's movements are also designed for improving health and longevity. 

Taido's original ideal was, and continues to be, the application of scientific methods and classical values to the future of the martial arts.



Taido's original objective was, and continues to be, the application of scientific methods and classical values to the evolution of the martial arts. According to its creator, Taido's ultimate objective is to equip its students to function at a high level in society. 



There are five main rules in Taido. Keep your thoughts as clear and calm as the polished surface of a mirror. This allows you to understand the heart of things. Having a responsive attitude will help you avoid confusion. Be confident. Body and spirit should be as one. Hold yourself correctly and you need never feel inferior. fill your spirit with proper breathing methods. With the right spirit you will never feel weak. In every action, follow the correct precepts you have been taught. By doing so, you cannot act wrongly. Be adaptable in your thought and maintain freedom of physical movement. The best methods will prevent you from being beaten.



Taido includes five classes of body movements: vertical spinning movement, ascending and descending wave-like movement, dropping movement characterized by tilting the body's axis, horizontal spinning movement, and rolling and tumbling movements. 

These movements are combined with strikes, kicks, and other techniques. The last category, called "tentai," includes acrobatic movements, for instance back-flips, which makes Taido spectacular to watch.

Taido has a special method of footwork, known as unsoku, as well as acrobatic locomotion, termed unshin. 

Competitions in Taido include sparring, forms, and Tenkai, which is a pre-arranged combat between one "hero" and five opponents. In Tenkai the judges award scores to the teams in a similar manner as is done in many Olympic sports. 





Even after this explanation, unless you've actually experienced Taido, you likely still won't have any solid idea of what Taido is about. Also, merely watching the techniques doesn't tell you what Taido is intended for. To truly understand any budo, you must get an idea of why the techniques are developed as they are. 



To really grok any martial art, you have to get an idea of why the techniques are performed as they are. 

Of course, Taido is an evolving art, so no definition can really encompass everything that Taido is. Each student eventually develops their own ways to apply Taido to what they do and skills. Taido itself emphasizes creativity and the development of new techniques.

It is not a martial art that will remain the same 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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