Blog Article/Post Caveat (Read First Please: Click the Link)
In recent postings about the naming of Okinawan Karate, i.e., as named initially “Ti,” then “Toudi,” and then “Karate (using charcters meaning China Hand) and finally in the early 1900’s as Karate (using characters meaning empty hand) I wrote about the use of karate for, “Karate.” In recent video presentations on karate from an Okinawan Karate-ka of note it presented the why of calling this system of defense, “Ti/Te.” The following are my personal thoughts on what this karate-ka mentioned being the essence and principles of Okinawan Ti/Karate.
Read also “Why Karate? (Why Empty Hand) http://isshindo.blogspot.com/2014/02/why-karate-why-empty-hand.html
In the old days if you go down to the ground in traditional karate it meant death. Today it means winning or losing, not death. In self-defense death returns to the realm of possibility therefore foot techniques are meant to remain controlled below the waist, etc., maintaing stability, structure and control of your body.
Historically the system was referred to as Ti (te in Japanese) because it was known that in combat the fist was of primary importance and that legs allowed take downs meaning death. The importance of hands in karate for combat in life and death situations made it critical and higher in importance thus the naming, Ti. Hitting with hands, etc., is more important than kicking ergo naming of karate.
The true importance of legs in karate is not kicking, it is about stability, balance and rooting when applying hands in combat. Due to the importance of life and death struggles the feet keep the balance, the stability of the body and the overall structure and alignment that provides application of principles necessary to achieve power and strength when hitting. Loss of balance and structure meant going to ground and in a life and death struggle - you face death.
This means the true nature of karate is not about hands and feet, it is about the utilization of hands through a body applying force and power through it and the arms to the hands whether empty fists or fists with weapons are applied. In truth kicks were meant, in combat, as finishing techniques applied to an adversary who was taken down to the ground because they lost structure, balance, centeredness, etc. allowing leg techniques, closer to targets of a person on the ground, while maintaining upright structure, balance and ability with hands now in wait for the next attacker.
Power and force of karate can only be applied through the movement of the entire body as created through movement in the tanden/hara and that movement comes from legs rooted properly while remaining stable in movement (ergo, why the system is referred to as Te/Ti, the hands are primary fighting tools while the legs are more supportive/enhancing tools). If legs are used to kick then movement is hindered causing force and power to be lost in applications therefore effort and focus remains on stability, structure and alignments while in motion taking root when necessary to transfer force and power to a target.
Making the assumption that the original “Name” for the indigenous hand fighting system of Okinawan is “Ti/Te (for hand)” and that the above explanation for using the “Hand” as a designation for this system it actually makes sense. Explaining the distinctions down to this level, i.e., using hands dominantly with the body vs. the legs, actually helps to understand the roots and beginnings that made Ti, Ti! Now I feel comfortable calling the system or style I practice, Ti/Te or even Karate (still don’t like the use of empty here vs. just hand) with a stretch in understanding the distinctions.
Bibliography (Click the link)
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