Article 5: Seme and Zanshin

Andy Watson, an Iaidoka, Jodoka and original inspiration for writing this blog wrote a fantastic article based on an interview with Ogura Sensei which you can read below:

http://iaidojodotraining.blogspot.com/search?updated-min=2010-12-01T00:00:00Z&updated-max=2011-01-01T00:00:00Z&max-results=1

With this in mind, I wanted to reflect on the use of these mental elements in taijutsu kata (unarmed combative forms).

I was first introduced to the ideas of seme and zanshin when I started Iaido and Jodo.  I think the level of concentration and focus required in weapons based systems, is instantly apparent.  You might argue that a mistake with a bokken, jo, iaito or even a shinken is far less desirable than a slightly awkward fall.  However, the feeling of seme and zanshin are as important in taijutsu as they are in weapons work, but sadly the concentration on it is far less.

I was lucky enough to be teaching again on Monday night, and as usual I get very excited about what I can do with our class.  We started with looking at Hiyaku Ukemi:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HxpymTgcvSM

I want to spend sometime in a separate blog looking at each ukemi type, but other than the technical elements of falling the focus was on uke getting up and re-engaging with shite as quickly as possible.  I've used this clip before (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sVbd4x4EdUg), but we can clearly appreciate the 'battle connection' between the two practitioners.  We owe it to ourselves to aspire to the combative heritage that all Japanese Budo share.

Mustard Sensei often says that he practices Aikido like a 'Koryu' or old martial system, when we watch Mustard Sensei throw (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_QHG0Esuntk), we can see the connection between him and his uke.  The question is how to do we establish this:

1. Create the right atmosphere of discipline and concentration in the dojo
2. Uke behaves in a way that applies mental and physical pressure on shite
3. Uke shouldn't act and put on an 'angry' face, but should really feel that if they see a gap in shite that they would rip into him.  Uke and Shite should be able to train so close to insanity, that the technique is really tested, but as the end of the session both Aikidoka leave the dojo stronger.

The way that I see it is that Seme is the combative intent during the movement and Zanshin is the awareness at the end.  Once the throw has been completed, shite should not just walk away casually tidying their keikogi, but apply this psychological pressure to uke, slowing them down perhaps...... the force....perhaps.....