Well, thank you for explaining kiai to me. I've never really considered what it means, and, training in the UK, I've always been told it's about deterring the opponent and impairing his ability to attack you.
I was reading Tokitsu Kenji's "Ki and Martial Arts" (he also has a good annotated translation of The Book of Five Rings) a while ago. He explains how, in pre-modern times, people had a sense of the numinous in nature, in themselves and in everyday things. "Ki" in Japanese language, he says, is/was intended to cover "sensations and impressions that are mysterious and vague".
Is this an example of mystifying things for a Western audience or is there some truth to it?
I think it's a common misconception because yelling at someone does throw them off. But just like there is more than one form of strike there is also more than one way vocalization can be used. The main purpose of a kiai is to match your intentions and your actions.
In Shinto there is a belief that there are gods in everything. What you mentioned could be related to that. I do think that Japan is treated with more mystery than it needs to be. The word superstition in Japanese is 迷信 (meishin) which literally means, lost/astray truth (or faith). Finding your way to reality is a way to understand things more clearly.
I will never see shouting and screams during the fight the same after hearing that song. 😂
Loved how well and simply you explained the idea of Kiai! 🙏😊
That song is catchy. lol
Thank you very much. I'm glad my article is a straightforward (and amusing) explanation. :)
Well, thank you for explaining kiai to me. I've never really considered what it means, and, training in the UK, I've always been told it's about deterring the opponent and impairing his ability to attack you.
I was reading Tokitsu Kenji's "Ki and Martial Arts" (he also has a good annotated translation of The Book of Five Rings) a while ago. He explains how, in pre-modern times, people had a sense of the numinous in nature, in themselves and in everyday things. "Ki" in Japanese language, he says, is/was intended to cover "sensations and impressions that are mysterious and vague".
Is this an example of mystifying things for a Western audience or is there some truth to it?
I think it's a common misconception because yelling at someone does throw them off. But just like there is more than one form of strike there is also more than one way vocalization can be used. The main purpose of a kiai is to match your intentions and your actions.
In Shinto there is a belief that there are gods in everything. What you mentioned could be related to that. I do think that Japan is treated with more mystery than it needs to be. The word superstition in Japanese is 迷信 (meishin) which literally means, lost/astray truth (or faith). Finding your way to reality is a way to understand things more clearly.