In Wadō-ryū karate, Mahanmi no Neko Ashi Dachi is a sophisticated and highly functional stance. Unlike the deeper cat stances found in Shotokan, the Wadō version is typically higher and more "alive," reflecting the style’s roots in Shindo Yoshin-ryu Jujutsu.
1. Breaking Down the Kanji
The name translates literally to "Full Half-Body Cat Foot Stance."
- Ma (真): True or Pure.
- Hanmi (半身): Half-body. This refers to the torso being turned at an angle (usually 45 to 90 degrees) relative to the opponent, reducing the target area.
- No (の): Possessive particle (of).
- Neko (猫): Cat.
- Ashi (足): Foot/Leg.
- Dachi (立ち): Stance.
2. Purpose of the Stance
The primary purpose is loaded readiness. In Wadō-ryū, this stance is about weight distribution—typically 90-95% on the back leg and only 5-10% on the front ball of the foot. It mimics a cat ready to spring.
- Mobility: Because the front foot is light, it can kick, parry, or shift instantly without a weight transfer.
- Evasion (Tenshin): It is the ideal platform for Nagashi (flowing) movements, allowing you to slip an attack while remaining close enough to counter.
- Distance Management (Ma-ai): It allows you to "shrink" or "expand" your reach very quickly by just dropping the front heel or pushing off the back leg.
3. Key Benefits
- Fast Kicking: The lead leg is "pre-loaded." Since there is no weight on it, you can execute a Maegeri (front kick) or Ashibarai (sweep) with zero telegraphing.
- Protection of Vitals: The Hanmi (angled body) position hides the centerline, protecting the groin, solar plexus, and throat.
- Spring-Loaded Power: The compressed back leg acts like a coiled spring. You can explode forward into a Jun-zuki or Mahanmi no Neko Ashi can transition into a strike instantly.
- Structural Integrity: It teaches you to find your center of gravity and balance on one leg, which is essential for advanced grappling and striking.
4. Real-Life Application
In a self-defense or "street" context, you wouldn't stand in a rigid, formal Neko Ashi Dachi, but you would use its principles:
The "Hidden" Stance
If you are in a de-escalation posture (hands up, palms open), shifting your weight to the back leg mimics this stance. It looks natural but prepares you to:
- Stop a Charge: Use the light front leg to "teep" or push-kick an aggressor's hip or knee if they rush in.
- Avoid a Tackle: By being in Hanmi, you are harder to grab. You can pivot your hips away from a clinch more easily than if your feet were parallel.
- The "Check": In a crowded or tight space, the front foot acts as a sensor. You can "check" the opponent's lead foot to prevent them from stepping in to punch.
Tactical Retreat and Counter
If someone swings a wide "haymaker" punch, you don't back away in a straight line. You use the Neko Ashi weight distribution to "sit back" just out of range while your hands remain in the fight, then immediately spring forward using the back leg's tension as they overextend.
Alignment and Positioning
To perform Mahanmi no Neko Ashi Dachi correctly in the Wadō-ryū style, you need to focus on vertical alignment and "internal" tension rather than just sitting low.
Here is the technical breakdown of the footwork and body mechanics.
1. Foot Alignment and Positioning
In Wadō-ryū, the stance is narrower and more upright than in other styles. Imagine you are standing on a single line (though some schools prefer a slight width for stability).
- The Back Foot: Turn your back foot out at an angle of roughly 45° to 90° (depending on your hip flexibility). The heel is firmly planted. This is your anchor.
- The Front Foot: Place the front foot about one-and-a-half "foot-lengths" in front of the back heel.
- The "Cat" Heel: Lift the front heel. Only the Koshi (ball of the foot) should touch the ground.
- Tip: You should be able to slide a piece of paper under your front heel, but don't lift it so high that your ankle becomes unstable.
2. The Knees and Weight Distribution
This is where the "spring" is created.
- Weight: 90% to 95% of your weight is on the back leg. If you lift your front foot, you shouldn't have to shift your torso at all to maintain balance.
- The Back Knee: It must be bent and tracked directly over the toes of the back foot. Do not let the knee collapse inward, as this ruins your structure and leaves the joint vulnerable.
- The "Squeeze": Pull your knees slightly toward each other (isometrically). This creates Uchi-Kura-Anza (internal tension), which protects the groin and stabilizes the pelvis.
3. The Hips and Torso (Mahanmi)
The "Ma" in Mahanmi implies a "pure" or "total" side-on profile.
- Torso Rotation: Unlike a basic cat stance where the chest might face forward, in Mahanmi, you turn your hips and shoulders so you are almost completely side-on to your opponent.
- The Spine: Keep your back straight and shoulders relaxed. Do not lean forward. Your head should be directly over your back heel.
- The Pelvis: Tuck your pelvis slightly (avoiding a "duck tail" posture). This engages the core and connects your upper body to the floor.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
- Leaning Forward: If your head moves past your center of gravity, you lose the ability to kick with the front leg.
- Flat-Footed Front Leg: If you put weight on the front heel, you become "stuck" (rooted) and lose the mobility that defines Wadō-ryū.
- "Leaking" Energy: Letting the back knee "sag" outward. Keep the tension in the inner thigh to ensure you can explode forward instantly.
Practical Drill: Stand in the stance and have a partner try to tap your front foot. If you can lift it and move it without your head or shoulders bobbing up and down, your weight distribution is perfect.
The Breakdown of Kanji 真 (Ma)
It is fascinating how kanji can be broken down like a puzzle! You are looking at the character 真 (Ma), which means "truth," "reality," or "pure."
If you carefully observe the components: one (一), eight (八), ten (十), and eye (目). Here is the breakdown of why those parts are there and how they fit into the "cat foot" (Neko-ashi) style.
While it looks like a collection of numbers today, the "why" comes from how the character evolved from ancient Chinese script.
- 十 (Ten) + 目 (Eye): In ancient forms, these two together represented a "straight eye" or a "keen look." It symbolizes looking directly at something without distraction—seeing the truth.
- 一 (One) + 八 (Eight): This bottom section is actually a pedestal or a stand (historically a variation of the character 鼎, a ritual vessel). It signifies that the "truth" is placed on a solid foundation.
In the context of the mnemonic for 真 (Truth/Ma), the "Eight Paths" is a symbolic way to interpret the 八 (eight) at the bottom of the character.
While the ancient origin of those two strokes represents a pedestal or stand, the spiritual and philosophical interpretation often links it to the Noble Eightfold Path (or Hasshōdō in Japanese).
The Noble Eightfold Path (八正道)
In many Japanese arts (Budō) and philosophies, "Truth" is not just an abstract concept; it is something you practice. To reach the "True" state, one follows eight specific areas of self-improvement:
- Right View: Understanding things as they truly are.
- Right Resolve: Having the right intention and mental energy.
- Right Speech: Avoiding lies or harsh words.
- Right Action: Behaving morally and naturally.
- Right Livelihood: Earning a living without harming others.
- Right Effort: Putting energy into the right things.
- Right Mindfulness: Being aware of your body and mind.
- Right Concentration: Proper focus or meditation.
Connecting it to the Kanji
The "One" (一) and "Eight" (八) at the bottom of the kanji are often taught to students as the foundation.
- The Eye (目) and Ten (十) on top represent "Seeing the full truth/All-seeing."
- The One and Eight at the bottom represent the "One foundation built on the Eight paths."
Essentially, the kanji tells a story: To have a "True" (真) perspective, your "Eye" must be supported by a solid, disciplined "Foundation."
Figure ten (十):
In Japanese culture and kanji symbolism, the number ten (十) is much more than just a digit; it represents totality, perfection, and the universe.
When you see 十 at the top of the "Eye" in the kanji for Truth (真), it carries a very specific philosophical meaning.
1. The Ten Directions (Jippō - 十方)
In Eastern philosophy, "all directions" isn't just North, South, East, and West. It refers to the Ten Directions:
- The 4 Cardinal points (N, S, E, W)
- The 4 Intermediate points (NE, NW, SE, SW)
- Up and Down (Zenith and Nadir)
When 十 is combined with the Eye (目), it creates a concept of "Seeing in all ten directions." This means having a 360-degree awareness—seeing the world without blind spots. To find "Truth," you cannot just look forward; you must see the whole reality.
2. The Intersection of Heaven and Earth
Visually, the kanji 十 is a cross:
- The horizontal line (一) represents the earth or the horizon (the physical world).
- The vertical line (丨) represents the connection between heaven and the ground (the spiritual or "true" axis).
Where they cross is the center point. In martial arts like your Neko-ashi stance, this "Ten" represents your center of gravity and your alignment. If your vertical axis is tilted, your "Truth" is skewed.
3. "Complete" or "Full"
In Japanese, the word for "enough" or "full" is juubun or Juppun often written with the kanji for ten (十分).
- Ten = The maximum single-digit cycle is completed at 10.
- Therefore, the Ten on top of the Eye suggests a "Full Eye" or a "Complete Vision."
|
十 (Ten) |
All Directions |
Be aware of everything around you (360°). |
|
目 (Eye) |
Vision |
Look directly at reality without blinking or lying. |
|
一 (One) |
Unity |
Keep your mind and body focused as one. |
|
八 (Eight) |
The Path |
Stay grounded on the ethical/correct foundation. |
In your Neko-ashi stance, this means your eyes are alert to all directions (十 + 目), your body is a single unit (一), and your legs are positioned in a stable, balanced base (八).
In Martial Arts (Neko-ashi)
When your instructor speaks of Mahanmi No Neko-ashi, they are asking for that same "Truth" in your legs. The 八 (eight) shape is actually mimicked by the way the knees or feet might distribute weight and balance in certain stances—it provides the stability needed to see and react to an opponent clearly.
Why "Neko-ashi"?
The term Mahanmi No Neko-ashi (真半身の猫足) usually appears in martial arts, like Karate.
- Mahanmi: "Full half-body" (a side-facing stance).
- Neko-ashi: "Cat foot" (a stance where the weight is on the back leg and the front heel is raised).
In this context, the kanji 真 (Ma) is used to mean "True" or "Pure." So, a Mahanmi No Neko-ashi is a "True Half-Body Cat Stance." It implies that your alignment and weight distribution are perfectly in accordance with the "true" form of the technique.
The Symbolic Meaning
Even if the "numbers" are a result of how the script was simplified over thousands of years, many people use them as a mnemonic (memory aid):
To see the Truth (真), one must look with their Eye (目) at Ten (十) directions, standing as One (一) on the Eight (八) paths.
MI 身: The Kanji, origin and etymology.
In the context of Mahanmi (真半身), the focus on Mi (身) is essential. While "Tai" (体) refers to the physical body as an object, Mi (身) refers to the "living body" or the "self."
1. The Kanji: 身 (Mi)
The Kanji 身 is fascinating because its origin is literal and biological.
-
Origin (Etymology): The character is a pictograph of a pregnant woman.
- The top part represents the head.
- The large middle section represents a swollen belly (containing a fetus).
- The stroke through the middle represents the life or contents within.
- The bottom stroke represents the leg/base.
- Evolution of Meaning: Because it originally depicted a person carrying life, the meaning evolved from "pregnancy" to "the person themselves," "one's station in life," and finally "the body" in a holistic sense (physical, mental, and spiritual).
2. The Martial Arts "Outlier": Mi vs. Tai
In Japanese martial arts (Budo), there is a distinct difference between Tai and Mi.
- Tai (体): Refers to the "Physical Hull." When you do Tai-sabaki (body movement), you are moving your mass. It is a mechanical term.
- Mi (身): Refers to "Subjective Being." When Wadō-ryū uses the term Hanmi (Half-body) or Mahanmi (Full-half-body), it implies more than just a hip turn; it implies hiding your life-force or "self" from the opponent.
- The "Hidden" Self: Just as the original kanji hides the fetus inside the belly, Mahanmi hides your centerline (the "soft" part of your existence) behind the "hard" edge of your lead shoulder and hip.
- Unity of Action: In Wadō-ryū, Mi implies that the mind and body move as one. You don't "move your arm" to block; you move your Mi (your whole being) to change the relationship between you and the attack.
- The "Blade" Profile: By standing in Mahanmi, you become "thin." You are no longer a wide target (a square); you are a vertical line (a triangle or blade). This makes you "empty"—there is nothing for the opponent to hit.
The Outlier Concept: In many other styles (like Shotokan), the term Shomen (Front-facing) is the default. Wadō-ryū is an outlier because it prioritizes Mi (the body as a blade-edge). By turning into Mahanmi, you aren't just moving your "Tai" (meat and bone); you are placing your "Mi" (your life/vitals) into a state of total protection.
3. Why "Mi" Matters in Mahanmi
In Mahanmi no Neko Ashi Dachi, the use of the word Mi tells you how to "feel" the stance:
NEKKO 猫 - The Cat: The Kanji, origin and etymology.
It is a common source of confusion for students of Japanese! To understand why the kanji for cat (猫) looks like a "dog in a grassy rice field," we have to look at how kanji were constructed in ancient China before they ever reached Japan.
The character is broken down into two main parts: the Semantic (meaning) part and the Phonetic (sound) part.
1. The "Dog" Radical: 犭 (Kemono-hen)
On the left, you see 犭. While this is technically the "dog radical" (Inu), in kanji construction, it is used as a general category for beasts or four-legged animals.
- Why a dog? In ancient times, the dog was the most common domestic animal, so its shape became the shorthand "symbol" for the entire animal kingdom.
- Examples: You will see this same "dog" radical in the kanji for Lion (獅), Wolf (狼), Monkey (猿), and Fox (狐).
2. The "Grass" and "Rice Field": 苗 (Nae / Miáo)
The right side of the kanji is 苗, which by itself means "seedling" (grass 艹 growing in a rice field 田). This part serves two purposes:
- The Sound (Phonetic): In ancient Chinese, the word for "seedling" was pronounced miáo. This sounds almost exactly like the sound a cat makes (meow). So, the ancients chose the character for "seedling" simply because it told the reader: "Pronounce this word like a cat's meow."
- The Legend (Mnemonic): There is a beautiful, traditional explanation often taught to students: "Mice eat the seedlings (苗) in the rice fields (田); the animal (犭) that protects the fields by catching the mice is the cat (猫)."
"Mice eat the seedlings (苗) in the rice fields (田); the animal (犭) that protects the fields by catching the mice is the cat (猫)."
Connection to Neko Ashi Dachi - As a personal observation
When you perform your Wadō-ryū stance, you can think of this kanji breakdown: you are the animal (犭) protecting your territory (田), standing as light and flexible as a young seedling (苗).
I tried my level best to cover the most important points of the cat stance and i avoided other Kanji characters for a reason.
Peace and harmony,
Sensei Maharaj 😊
