Kihon Waza: Fundamental movements of Nihon Taijutsu

Kihon, 基本, in Japanese is translated into Spanish as "fundamentals" or "basic principles." In the context of Nihon Taijutsu, "kihon" refers to the basic movements, techniques, and essential principles that form the foundation of practice and training. Learning "kihon" is fundamental for five reasons:

1. To establish a solid foundation for learning advanced self-defense techniques.

2. To develop basic skills such as coordination in movement, balance in throws, and agility in striking techniques, among others.

3. To prevent injuries by starting with the fundamentals of the martial art and gradually adapting the body to higher physical demands.

4. To gain a deep understanding of the fundamental movements and underlying principles of Nihon Taijutsu to effectively apply advanced self-defense techniques.

5. To adapt and apply them effectively in functional self-defense situations.

Kihon waza, or Fundamental Movements of Nihon Taijutsu - Self-Defense, consists of 15 technical series. Each of these series is made up of 4 movements. In the exam, only the movements from series number 7 to number 15 are tested.

Soto Uke

SERIE 1: TAI SABAKI, individual movement techniques.

1.Lateral movement, to the left and right.
2. Forward movement, to the left and right.
3. Backward movement, to the left  and right.
4. Circular movement, to the left and right.

SERIE 2: Same but with arm control.

SERIE 3: TAI SABAKI and ATEMI, movement with strikes.

1. Lateral movement to the left | Mae Geri (Right: Migi). Lateral movement to the right | Mae Geri (Left: Hidari).
2. Irimi, forward movement to the left | Hiza Ate or Me Uchi (Right: Migi). Forward movement to the right | Hiza Ate or Me Uchi (Left: Hidari).
3. Backward movement to the left | Oi Mae Geri (Left: Hidari). Backward movement to the right | Oi Mae Geri (Right: Migi).

4. Tenkan, circular movement to the left | Empi Uchi (Left: Hidari). Circular movement to the right | Empi Uchi (Right: Migi).

SERIE 4: UKEMI – WAZA, falls and rolls.

1. Mae Ukemi, front fall. Ushiro Ukemi, back fall. Yoko Ukemi, side fall.
2. Zenpo Kaiten Ukemi, forward rolling (Right: Migi / Left: Hidari).
3. Ushiro Kaiten Ukemi, backward rolling.
4. Forward guard on the ground.

SERIE 5: ATEMI, strikes (Uke in Heiko Dachi: parallel feet position).

1. Left guard: Oi Tsuki advancing with the right foot.
2. Right guard: Gyaku Tsuki advancing with the left foot.
3. Left guard: Mae Geri (with the rear leg).
4. Right guard: Oi Mae Geri.

SERIE 5 bis: ATEMI, strikes from the left.

SERIE 6: In pairs (Tori in Yoi Dachi).

TAI SABAKI: Uke attacks with Migi Oi Tsuki.

1. Left lateral.
2. Left forward.
3. Left circular.
4. Left backward.

SERIE 6 bis: Uke attacks with Hidari Oi Tsuki.

 

Empi uchi

Serie 7: ATEMI. Defense: Soto Tai Sabaki.

1. Oi Tsuki (Right: Migi) / Lateral Tai Sabaki (right hand control) + Tsuki Left.
2. Right Tsuki / Forward Tai Sabaki (right hand control) + Left Empi Uchi.
3. Right Mae Geri (or Tsuki) / Circular Tai Sabaki (left arm control) + Right Empi Uchi to the back.
4. Right Mae Geri / Backward Tai Sabaki (two hands control) + Right or Left Mae Geri.

Serie 8: ATEMI. Responses in Interior Tai Sabaki.

1. Right Tsuki / Lateral Tai Sabaki (left hand control) + Left Mawashi Geri or Mae Geri or Sokuto.
2. Right Tsuki / Forward Tai Sabaki (right hand control) + Right Empi Uchi.
3. Right Mae Geri (or Tsuki) / Circular Tai Sabaki (right arm control) + Left Empi Uchi.
4. Right Mae Geri / Backward Tai Sabaki (right side) + Right or Left Mae Geri.

 

Kote gatame

Serie 9: SOTO KANSETSU WAZA. Joint Locks from the Outside.

1. Robuse.
2. Kote - Gaeshi.
3. Yuki Chigae.
4. Tenbin Gatame.

Serie 10: UCHI KANSETSU WAZA. Joint Locks: Inner Form.

1. Kote Gatame.
2. Ude Gatame.
3. Ude Garami.
4. Yama Arashi.

 

O soto gari

SERIE 11: SOTO NAGE WAZA · Projections from the Outside

1. O - Soto - Gari.
2. Mukae - Daoshi.
3. Hachi Mawashi.
4. Ko - Soto - Gari.

SERIE 12: UCHI NAGE WAZA · Projections. Inner Form

1. Ippon - Seoi - Nage.
2. O - Goshi.
3. Kubi - Nage or Tai Otoshi.
4. Shiho Nage.

Hadaka jime (nikajo)

SERIE 13: SHIME-WAZA: Chokes

1. Hadaka Jime.
2. Sode Guruma Jime.
3. Kata-ha Jime.
4. Eri Jime.

Kote gaeshi gatame

SERIE 14: KATAME-WAZA: Immobilizations

1. Kote Gaeshi Gatame.
2. Tate-Gasso Gatame.
3. Kote Mawashi Gatame.
4. Sankaku Gatame.

SERIE 15: ASHI KANSETSU WAZA: Leg Joint Locks

1. Kata Ashi Hishigi.
2. Kata Ashi Hishigi.
3. Hiza Hishigi.
4. Ashi Dori Garami.