Читать книгу Traditions. Essays on the Japanese Martial Arts and Ways онлайн

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Back in the sixties, one of the great competitors in Japanese karate was Tetsuhiko Asai, of the Japan Karate Association. One of Asai’s favorite techniques was to charge right at the front kick of an opponent. As the kicking leg extended, Asai would duck underneath, coming up behind his attacker and countering. It was a remarkable demonstration of uke-waza. (And not always successful; Asai lost an eye when he misjudged a kick once.) Asai had to be able to ascertain instantly and exactly the depth and level the kick was coming at, to “receive” it effectively. Uke-waza, performed at this level, is a different way of looking at toughness. It means being able to “take it” and to respond appropriately.

As I said, uke-waza is combined with kakari-waza, attacking techniques, to form a complete strategy. They must be balanced. It is easier to study and refine one’s attacking skills. Uke-waza takes more patience. Both, however, are necessary. Strengthening your attacks while neglecting uke-waza will result in a strategy that can be compromised or defeated when confronting an opponent who is stronger or more cunning and can get around your attack. Practice ukewaza exclusively and you will find yourself unable to initiate or to lead. You will always be responding and unnaturally passive. Learn to use and manipulate them both and you will begin to see what balance in the budo is all about . . . and the potential of its applications far beyond the confines of the training hall.