Tomiki’s Principles for Budo

Author: Eddy Wolput °1948 – 7th dan Aikido (JAA-Tokyo/Japan) – 5th dan Iaido – 5th dan Jodo.
Part of the material in this article is not directly linked to the Japan Aikido Association (NPO) program or Shodokan approach. Other concepts are incorporated into the study of the subject presented.

The word “principle”

The word “principle” has many explanations and this can create some confusion. Also in martial arts.
Some explanations found in Merriam Webster.

• a moral rule or belief that helps you know what is right and wrong and that influences your actions
• a basic truth or theory : an idea that forms the basis of something
• a law or fact of nature that explains how something works or why something happens

Not all martial arts principles are in accord with physical and/or mechanical principles.
The real meaning behind martial arts is less about fighting and more about developing oneself at its ultimate potential, physically and mentally is achieved. The principles are the same for young people as for the old one. The difference is about balancing the physical and the mental.

Eddy Wolput

陰陽の理 – Onmyō no ri – Yin-Yang principle – Ju and Go

The interaction of both gentle and firm forces

Our existence is regulated by the interaction between Yin and Yang (Yn and Yo). Some refer to this as a dualistic concept. But I think this is not true, it is a concept of monism with 2 fundamental energies acting as a whole. Balance is a lifelong challenge.
Refusing gentleness or firmness will lead to separation and separation goes to the extreme. Remember, gentleness versus firmness is not the situation, but gentleness/firmness as a oneness is the Michi or Dō.
You may be wondering how the main principle of Ju-Go relates to martial arts, especially Aikido.
It is a good opportunity to review a few ideas put forward by Kenji Tomiki.

Tomiki’s Theory

Kenji Tomiki has written a lot of books about martial arts. Perhaps most famous for Westerners is “Judo and Aikido”. But I think “Budo Ron” is the best book he’s ever written. Unfortunately, this book is not translated completely. However, part of it is used and translated, for example by Fumiaki Shishida, retired professor at the University of Waseda.

Kenji Tomiki has always insisted on the use of “principles” in its training programmes for Judo and Aikido. These principles are based mainly upon the work of Jigoro Kano. See more in “On jujutsu and its modernization”.

What is a principle in Martial Arts?

A martial art principle is a law of physics or a property of physiology that makes your techniques work. As such, they are universal and apply to all styles and systems. Find here some examples

1. Leverage: the longer the lever arm, the more power you can apply.
2. Structure: Using bone instead of muscle to keep a strong structure. Bone doesn’t get tired.
3. Balance: Understand the elements of balance (Base and Center of Gravity).
4. Gravity: Gravity is always there. Whenever possible, use gravity and let your weight goes down.
5. More…..

Most of these principles are very fundamental and may be found in the applications of our daily life. For example, lifting a heavy box according to principles is safe for the body. Using bad posture can damage your body.

But not all martial arts principles are in accord with physical and/or mechanical principles.
The real meaning behind martial arts is less about fighting and more about developing oneself at its ultimate potential, physically and mentally is achieved. The principles are the same for young people as for the old one. The difference is about balancing the physical and the mental.

理 (Ri) – Principle – reason – logic

Kenji Tomiki took inspiration from Jigoro Kano’s Kodokan Judo principles to formulate his Aiki method. The principles according to Kenji Tomiki are fundamental elements and are the essential characteristics of the system. But are these “principles” the same as the word “principle” that was referenced earlier?
The Japanese word “RI” in the case of Tomiki Aikido may be very confusing, particularly if we translate into a non-English language. Translation in French gives us: “logique” or “sens” or logic and reason. In Spanish we have: “lógica” and “principio”, and if translated into English: logic and start or principle. And in Dutch: rede; redelijkheid; (gezond) verstand. In English provides the Dutch translation: reason; reasonableness; (good sense).

Yōso-fundamental elements – 要素‎

Aikido follows the laws of nature, and without the link with these universal laws a system becomes a delusion.
There are laws specific to the human body, rules specific to the relations between human bodies, as well as rules proper to the relations between the human beings within the framework of martial arts. All these laws are real and concrete realities useful for Eastern and Western people..

On this blog you will find many “fundamental elements” based upon his ideas how the body and mind function in modern society.

*Yōso – 要素‎: literally translated as “element or principle.

Principles according Kenji Tomiki

1. The principle of natural body (shizentai no ri – 自然体 の 理), which concerns posture. This is a natural, unrestricted posture from which it is possible to attack and defend, adapting to any kind of assault.
2. The principle of gentleness (ju no ri), which concerns the position of defense. It says, do not oppose the offensive power of any kind of antagonist with force. Rather, render that force ineffective by moving your body out of the way (taisabaki).
3. The principle of breaking balance (kuzushi no ri), which concerns the position of attack. This says to go and build a chance of winning by taking advantage of the breaking of your opponent’s balance or by adhering to his body.

Shizentai no ri

Shizentai is mostly translated as “natural body”. But in the context of Tomiki Aikido, shizentai is holding the body posture according the laws of nature. We must consider our skeletal structure as something to give shape to our body and give support to our movement system. The muscles and tendons are needed to do our movements. Gravity, balance….are elements to keep our structure according natural laws, or in Tomiki Aikido language: shizentai

Ju no ri

Ju no ri is not a principle in the sense of a natural law, but it is a kind of tactical concept. By using the concept of a natural body, we can understand and apply how to use power generated according natural laws. These powers act according 陰陽の理 – Onmyō no ri – Yin-Yang – Ju and Go.

Why it is not a principle? “Ju” is part of the Ju-Go principle, the interaction of the two forces of gentleness and firmness. We cannot separate Ju-Go because it is fundamental to our existence.
The Ju and Go energies are conceived as essentially one, or as two co-existing forces of an indivisible whole.

I think, if there is too much focus on Ju or the concept of gentleness, the concept of Go becomes an almost forbidden idea although we can see often the concept of Go as a skill during randori and shiai.

Kuzushi no ri

Kuzushi or disturbing the equilibrium is an important element in the training. It is an application that teaches you to destroy shizentai. Kuzushi is created using the strength derived from our body and/or the power of the adversary. Remember what Tomiki said:

This says to go and build a chance of winning by taking advantage of the breaking of your opponent’s balance or by adhering to his body.

Kenji Tomiki

There are many methods how to generate power for balance breaking. Basically we can divide them in 2 categories:

• Rotational power – expressed by the skill of tenshikei
• Gravitational power – jūryoku (重力) – expressed by the skills of taijū no idō & taijū no dendō

Both powers can be seen in the exercises of 7-hon no kuzushi

Rendo – Whole body movement

Whole body movement is made of linked movement segments and it is called “rendo”. Although it is not only a physical action, the brain (and its functions) plays also an important role.

Rendo is more than a link between the movements of the body. Rendo may also be considered as connecting the “principles” to create whole body movements. Particularly the 3 major principles mentioned by Kenji Tomiki cannot be considered as separate elements. They must be merged before a “waza” may be used on the opponent. To do so, the logical sequence of the training method should be followed. Randori or sparring can be fun, but making it effective is only possible if we see the mind and the body as a whole.

A final word

There are many things to say about “Budō Principles” and other important elements. But I think everyone should follow their own path, and martial arts can help you find the essentials of life.
Kenji Tomiki created a training system based on an martial arts which has an origin in Japanese society.
Kano was a person who organised some traditional martial arts in a training system for ordinary people. Using Kano’s thinking, Tomiki followed in Kano’s footsteps to use older systems, methods which are not completely included in Kodokan Judo.
Aikido was a method developed by Morihei Ueshiba and his students, of which Tomiki one of the earliest.
With a lot of respect for Kano and Ueshiba, Tomiki gave a new dimension to some aspects of martial arts.
It is a challenge for all involved in Tomiki Aikido to walk in the footsteps of these teachers and find a suitable way to live in our multicultural society.