Yūyo [猶予]

Yūyo no kankaku [猶予の間隔]

Interpreted to mean, “interval of grace,” being the space that literally separates life and death in ancient Japanese sword duels.

One sun [寸], the approximate distance from the second knuckle to the third of the first finger.

Yuyo is developed through prearranged sequences of practice, attack, and defense. Karate calls this yakusoku kumite, an exchange of strikes and responses. It is also referred to as, “sotai renshi,” training with a partner in multiple methods or kata. 

You punch; your partner does not move; he must accept the attack without flinching, trusting you will stop at the correct distance.   He learns courage and composure; you learn to focus attacks exactly where you want them. Both are exploring Yuyo!

Yuyo is a concept of a confrontation where the fine line between life and death that is the essence of the martial way.

In karate 🥋 for self defense you can look upon this fine line as your state between avoidance and grave harm or death. The concept is to seek out the best methodological path to avoid, deescalate or escape and evade one trying to harm or kill you.