"This is a unique mechanism, which operates in total stability and zero muscle tension."
[It is not unique in any way. It does not operate with zero tension. The only way to achieve zero tension is to be "dead." There is always a certain amount of tension. As to stability, it can only achieve that when utilized if it is used along with all the fundamental principles of the martial systems. Actually, my view, this term is very limited and only covers a couple, if that, of the principles of martial systems.]
"This concept is unique to Ti, the ancient Okinawan Martial Art."
[It is not unique in any way. Ti is the Okinawan reference to its original indigenous system of self defense. It is not unique to Ti, it is applicable to all martial systems as it refers to a small part of the fundamental principles of martial systems.]
"Chinkuchi can only be learned by allowing the teacher to touch and guide the movement of the student during the execution of the technique."
[Chinkuchi is not a technique. It is a principle that can be applied to any and all techniques. I do believe this person is actually referring to the Sanchin kata where sanchin-shime is the Sensei checking for good sanchin which has the principle of chinkuchi within its practice. The Sensei may correct a move in sanchin but they do not guide the movement. Again, sanchin, chinkuchi is a concept and not a technique.]
"Chinkuchi can not be learned by reading a book on the subject because without the physical experience and muscle memory it is impossible to develop, embody, and produce a chinkuchi quality."
[Wow, a mouth full. Lets break it up. Yes, you cannot learn to apply chinkuchi by reading a book yet you can learn about chinkuchi by reading a book. Yes, to apply any and all of the fundamental principles of martial systems you have to "do it" and that is where sanchin and sanchin-shime come into play in learning how to apply the concept into reality. There is no such thing as muscle memory. The muscles have nothing to do with it. You are actually encoding the process deeply in the brain so it becomes natural, instinctive, and available with out conscious thought - some day. There is no chinkuchi quality. You either are able to apply the concept or not - there is not observable quality of chinkuchi to develop, embody and produce. The concept leads to many things of which can be other principles that when applied provide certain benefits that can be seen, sometimes and in some circumstances, felt through sanchin-shime, etc.]
"Chinkuchi could also be defined as a state-of-mind because it requires that both mind and body remain in total balance."
[It can not be defined as state-of-mind. State-of-mind is another concept and not a manifestation of anything chinkuchi since it is also merely a concept to describe other fundamental principles of martial systems. The practice of kata, sanchin, etc. help us to manifest the benefits described by the term chinkuchi as well as the other principles but it has nothing to do with a state-of-mind. The mind benefits from martial practices and other more esoteric studies but not.]
"Nowadays, most karate teachers who speak and write about chinkuchi do not understand it and are only able to produce stiff mechanical movements with no real-life applications."
[real-life vs. not-real-life. Life is life and it is real in all its many instances. If you can read and write about something them you can understand it at least its rudiments. If one does some stiff mechanical movement that has nothing to do with chinkuchi concepts and its manifestations in the fundamental principles of martial systems. It can't. Chinkuchi has nothing to do with applications. It is a principal that can either enhance a given technique or application or it cannot enhance it. Finally, in a sense this statement is true that many do not understand either chinkuchi or the fundamental principles of martial systems because all these statements are flawed and only allude to some understanding. Sorry :-( ]
Final comment: we in some Isshinryu circles like to throw around such terms as some great enlightening thing that makes us special or a lack of knowledge toward this terms perceived meaning that no one else can get - ain't we special. It is a word. It is an inadequate term with an inadequate meaning that does not begin to describe what it alludes to inadequately. Go back to the fundamental principles of martial systems and you will find reference to what some in Isshinryu believe is the answer to find that its term and usage is only a partial/incomplete description of much more.
Yes, I am being catty but I am trying to convey that we must not just accept something simply because it comes from any one source no matter the reputation, age, and experience. Get a fact, work it out, and report on it. Lets get the facts straight.
Now, I may be totally off base and I look forward to hearing comments that will refute what I am saying...bring it on... :-)
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