Blog Article/Post Caveat (Read First Please: Click the Link)
Tameshiwari [試し割り] translates to mean in English, "breaking bricks, etc." The first character translates to English to mean, "test; try; attempt; experiment; ordeal," while the second, "proportion; comparatively; divide; cut; separate; split."
In just one source it is explained, "Breaking is a martial arts technique that is used in competition, demonstration and testing. Breaking is an action where a martial artist uses a striking surface to break one or more objects using the skills honed in their art form. The striking surface is usually a hand or a foot, but may also be a fingertip, toe, head, elbow, knuckle, or knee. The most common object is a piece of wood or brick."
Another source adds, "a test of will power, physical strength, technique, and mental focus." Then there is the thought that to break things in karate is about skill and understanding where skills are the technical aspects of proper breaking that involves a lot of "physics" and understanding that it is part skill and part trickery. One very famous tameshiwari proponent would not allow anyone to closely inspect his bricks when giving a demo at karate tournaments and seminars.
There are things like the materials you use because you really cannot just take any old piece of wood or brick off the shelf to use in tameshiwari. It reminds me of magicians who baffle us with misdirection and trickery where you really do have to know what is used, how to set it up and how to apply your skills to successfully achieve the desired results.
The biggest warning I gave to practitioners is:
- Learn from a professional, not just any karate sensei;
- Learn the physics involved;
- Start small and build to the level you are aiming for;
- Be smart, condition and train the body first before breaking even the first pine board;
- Slow is better, train and practice incrementally and slowly and don't let successes trigger a faster rate because that is when injuries occur;
- Allow adequate intervals between training and demonstrations so the body can heal and condition itself properly because over doing it always results in issues, problems and injuries that are often unnecessary;
- Tameshiwari is NOT indicative of the skills necessary to apply martial disciplines in self-protection because it is performed under controlled conditions using selected proper materials conducive to success rather than injury and because self-protection involves chaos;
Boards and bricks and other materials don't hit back and neither do speed-bags, heavy-bags or makiwara because they are tools to conditioning along with testing ones will power, focus, and physiokinetic’s; like structure and alignment, and psychological conditioning/focus.
Yes, makiwara and tameshiwari both have benefits in training and practice. It must be understood that assuming proficiency and skill in the art of tameshiwari along with makiwara are NOT indicative of one’s ability in self-protection for self-defense. Like fitness and health, they all have benefits that contribute to one’s abilities and skills and those described so far are indirect in their benefits. To gain a direct benefit there are other things far more important.
Tameshiwari and makiwara, along with other tools, are awesome for the preparation and testing of oneself in a violent world but they are not directly how we achieve skill and proficiency in the hands-on self-protection for self-defense we all hope to attain in training and practice.
Perspective, to achieve certain skills and proficiencies we must have proper intent and perspective along with how all things contribute and benefit the intent of our training and practice be it philosophical in nature, competitive or as a means of protection and defense in violent situations - as the last resort.
Other Articles on Tameshiwari:
For reference and sources and professionals go here: Bibliography (Click the link)
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