The Art of Makiwara

The variety of sources on the Internet and in the written materials regarding the makiwara, striking board/post, vary and appear limited. This post hopes to provide that list of benefits and then comment as to my perception toward what I believe are the benefits of the makiwara. In a previous post I gave my general opinion as to its use in teaching karate-ka the fundamental principles of martial systems as it would apply to the system's technique applications.

First Statement: "The makiwara develops ones' striking ability by letting them experience resistance to punches, kicks and other strikes?"

Comment: The makiwara, properly installed and of proper design, will provide resistance as well as rapid feedback as to proper application of a technique as it is applied to the makiwara. The biggest concern here and in all of the following statements/comments is that the practitioners must not lose site of the tools purpose and mistakenly strive to simply develop callousness, large knuckles or what I have determined as window dressing of the hands as a perceived mark of a karate-ka.

Second Statement: "Usage will condition the hands/feet for delivering force, and train the hips, legs and shoulders to function in a way that generates the most power, and allows the practitioner to maintain a stable position throughout the motion?"

Comment: This is generally a true statement with the caveat's that it is incumbent upon the practitioner's knowledge and application of the principles and thier proper application in makiwara training. Then add in the need to have a properly implemented makiwara tool station, i.e. a station where one applies the principles through technique application to a hard, close and resistant target - the makiwara.

Third Statement: "Makiwara is traditionally used for hand strengthening?"

Comment: A misleading statement from my viewpoint. The strengthening of the hand is more a byproduct of the proper training of makiwara. This would apply to those large calloused knuckles as well. Neither are necessary to the art of makiwara and are just byproducts dependent on whether a practitioner applied the art properly or hurried to fill a need other than the principles and the natural law of makiwara training.

In this particular post we covered three distinct areas of concern when researching whether a person would utilize the karate tool, the makiwara. The answers here and in following posts will help karate-ka determine their needs in pursuing the art of the makiwara.