Martial Arts Gear
Stick Fighting: Techniques of Self-Defense
The ideal weapon for self-defense is a stick. To find a comprehensive system of techniques using the stick, we must turn to the East, for systems known to the West have fallen into disuse. In this book, the techniques of Kukishin Ryu - an ancient Japanese method - have been updated and adapted for use today. A thorough grounding in the fundamentals dealt with here will enable you to disarm and control any assailant.
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Fundamentals
There are numerous ways in which you can hold the stick; with it above your
head, or behind your back, held in one hand or two, with one foot forward, and
so on. The position shown overleaf has many advantages and unless otherwise
stated is the one used throughout this book. In Hira ichimonji no kamae you
stand holding the stick in both hands down in front of you. Your feet should be
approximately 18 inches and your hands a shoulder-width apart. You must be
relaxed and alert, but your alertness must be an inner alertness which is not
evident either in your stance or expression. From this position even if you are
short of space to maneuver, you can easily block an attack. You can also thrust,
strike, or push in any direction, and--most important--your elbows remain close
to your sides and below shoulder level. Another important feature of this kamae
("stance") is that it is not an aggressive fighting stance. It looks
perfectly harmless and can give offense to no one.
A weapon that is to be used in hand-to-hand combat must be felt to be an extension of one's own body and not a mere appendage. It follows, therefore, that correct body movement is essential to the successful execution of a technique. The most important movements to be studied are those that enable you to evade your adversary's attack. The eight basic movements are primarily evasive and only secondarily do they include retaliatory action. You would be well advised to practice them first of all without a stick to give yourself sufficient confidence in not relying upon a weapon for protection. These movements should be practiced many times until such proficiency is attained that your training partner can attack with full force and speed. These are exercises in timing and judgement of distance, and also in learning to strike correctly and to focus the weapon just short of the target. Although the more dangerous techniques of Kukishin ryu have been omitted there is still a very real element of danger, and the greatest care must be taken during practice to avoid injury to your training partner. At the same time your practice must be realistic; in other words if your partner does not feel pain or feels he need not submit, you must continue to apply the technique until he does. It is a grave mistake for him to submit too soon or for you to apply the technique too weakly, for in this way neither will learn its true application and capabilities.
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