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BASIC PRINCIPLES OF MIDORI RYU JUJITSU
by
Hal Zeidman
Midori Ryu jujitsu is a system built around principles rather than techniques.
The student learns to understand techniques by emphasizing their underlying
principles.
Principle Number One: Use the assailant’s kuzushi. When the assailant
attacks, the attack has both direction and energy. For example, if the attack is
a fast and hard straight punch, the direction is towards you and the attack
carries a lot of energy. This direction and energy, or kuzushi, in Midori Ryu is
maintained or enhanced. We do not seek to stop the attack so that we can
initiate our own; rather we allow the assailant’s kuzushi to continue so that
his or her own attack is self-defeating. This brings us to our next principle.
Principle Number Two: Extend the assailant’s attack. We continue the
attacker’s motion (both direction and energy) until he or she will fall unless
undertaking another action to regain balance. To do this we fully must accept
the attack. The assailant’s speed drives the speed of our acceptance. We do not
seek to add speed or power; attempting to add, we only end up subtracting.
Principle Number Three: Gake occurs the moment the assailant attempts to
regain balance. We accomplish this either by placing our body as a barrier so
the assailant cannot regain balance or by using the assailant’s physiological
limitations so that he or she, in essence, creates his or her own barrier while
we continue to direct the assailant in the circular line that all attacks follow
until the line (and therefore the assailant) intersects with the ground or
another obstacle. Many students have ended up attacking my fist with their solar
plexus.
Principle Number Four: The assailant’s body must be “overloaded.” In
order to foster the assailant’s fervent efforts to violently intersect with an
obstacle, such as the ground or my fist, we “overload” his or her balance. An
assailant often can regain balance despite our efforts to continue his or her
motion if we only seek to continue that motion in a straight line. However the
assailant’s motion is circular, so we must continue that motion simultaneously
in two directions to continue the circle. Many times I can help the assailant
continue this circular motion by overloading key muscle groups with motion in
two directions. Many joint locking or breaking techniques use this principle, in
addition to certain throwing techniques.
Principle Number Five: Control yourself. Let’s end at the beginning. From
the beginning of the attack through its conclusion we must control ourselves.
This means relaxing through our hara, moving from our hara rather than our
limbs, and breathing through our hara. We cannot accept the assailant’s attack
until we can control self. In fact an advanced Midori Ryu technique involves
extending control of self to controlling the assailant, forming an unbreakable
connection.
These principles are enough for a lifetime of study. As I focus on them during
practice I continually am amazed at insights they bring in my efforts to master
the gentle art of jujitsu.
2008-10-12
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