Kihon Waza: Fundamental Movements of Nihon Taijutsu Self defense

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 crucial for five reasons:

1. Establishing a solid foundation to learn advanced self-defense techniques.

   

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

   

3. Preventing injuries by starting with the fundamentals of the martial art and preparing the body for future adaptations to higher physical demands.

   

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

   

5. Adapting and applying self-defense techniques effectively in practical situations.

The Kihon waza or Fundamental Movements of Nihon Taijutsu - Self-Defense consists of 15 technical series. Each series is made up of 4 movements. In the examination, only the movements from series nº 7 to nº 15 are presented.

Soto uke

SERIES 1: TAI SABAKI, individual movement techniques.

1. Lateral movement, left and right.

2. Forward movement, left and right.

3. Backward movement, left and right.

4. Circular movement, left and right.

SERIES 2: Same as above but with arm control.

SERIES 3: TAI SABAKI and ATEMI, movements with strikes.

1. Lateral movement left | Mae Geri (Right: migi).

   Lateral movement right | Mae Geri (Left: hidari).

   

2. Irimi, forward movement left | Hiza Ate or Me Uchi (Right).

   Forward movement right | Hiza Ate or Me Uchi (Left).

   

3. Backward movement left | Oi Mae Geri (Left).

   Backward movement right | Oi Mae Geri (Right).

   

4. Tenkan, circular movement left | Empi Uchi (Left).

   Circular movement right | Empi Uchi (Right).

SERIES 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 / Left).

3. Ushiro Kaiten Ukemi, backward rolling.

4. Forward with guard on the ground.

SERIES 5: ATEMI, strikes (Uke in Heiko dachi: parallel feet position).

1. Left guard: Oi Tsuki advancing right foot.

2. Right guard: Gyaku Tsuki advancing left foot.

3. Left guard: Mae Geri (with back leg).

4. Right guard: Oi Mae Geri.

SERIES 5 bis: ATEMI, strikes from the left.

SERIES 6: Partner practice (Tori in Yoi Dachi).

TAI SABAKI: Uke attacks Migi Oi Tsuki.

1. Left lateral.

2. Left forward.

3. Left circular.

4. Left backward.

SERIES 6 bis: Uke attacks Hidari Oi Tsuki.

Empi uchi

Series 7: ATEMI. Defense: Soto Tai Sabaki.

1. Oi Tsuki (Right) / Lateral Tai Sabaki (right hand control) + Left Tsuki.

2. Right Tsuki / Forward Tai Sabaki (right hand control) + Left Empi Uchi.

3. Mae Geri (O Tsuki) Right / Circular Tai Sabaki (left arm control) + Right Empi Uchi to the back.

4. Right Mae Geri / Backward Tai Sabaki (two-hand control) + Right or Left Mae Geri.

Series 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. Mae Geri (or Tsuki) right / Circular Tai Sabaki (right arm control) + Left Empi Uchi.

4. Right Mae Geri / Right Tai Sabaki backward + Right or Left Mae Geri.

Kote gatame

Series 9: SOTO KANSETSU WAZA. Joint locks from the outside.

1. Robuse.

2. Kote - Gaeshi.

3. Yuki Chigae.

4. Tenbin Gatame.

SERIES 10: UCHI KANSETSU WAZA. Joint lock: Internal form.

1. Kote Gatame.

2. Ude Gatame.

3. Ude Garami.

4. Yama Arashi.

O soto gari

SERIES 11: SOTO NAGE WAZA · Throws from the outside.

1. O - soto - Gari.

2. Mukae - Daoshi.

3. Hachi Mawashi.

4. Ko - Soto - Gari.

SERIES 12: UCHI NAGE WAZA · Throws. Internal form.

1. Ippon - Seoi - Nage.

2. O - Goshi.

3. Kubi - Nage or Tai Otoshi.

4. Shiho Nage.

Hadaka jime (nikajo)

SERIES 13: SHIME - WAZA: Strangulations

1. Hadaka Jime.

2. Sode Guruma Jime.

3. Kata - ha - Jime.

4. Eri - Jime.

Kote gaeshi gatame

SERIES 14: KATAME - WAZA: Immobilizations

1. Kote Gaeshi Gatame.

2. Tate - Gasso - Gatame.

3. Kote - Mawashi - Gatame.

4. Sankaku - Gatame.

SERIES 15: ASHI KANSETSU WAZA: Joint locks to the leg

1. Kata Ashi Hishigi.

2. Kata Ashi Hishigi.

3. Hiza Hishigi.

4. Ashi Dori Garami.