The Six Strategy - For an effective Kumite.

​🥋 The Strategy of Six Concepts

​The goal of this strategy is to seize Sente (先手)—the initiative—by using pressure to create an opening that you can exploit immediately.

​Phase 1: Establishing the Battlefield (Ma-ai)

​The strategy begins by mastering the spatial relationship.

• ​Ma-ai (間合い): Your first task is to establish the optimal distance, typically Chūma (medium distance), where you can strike with one quick sliding step (suri ashi) and the opponent is equally vulnerable. You must move slightly to keep this distance advantageous to your speed and technique.
• ​The Key Target: Mazakai (間境): You must constantly identify where the Mazakai (the critical boundary) lies. Your entire strategy is focused on pushing the opponent's Mazakai toward their center or forcing them to cross their own line of safety.

​Phase 2: Applying Pressure (Seme)

​Once the distance is set, you apply the psychological and physical attack.

• ​Seme (攻め): Use Seme to actively attack the opponent's Ma-ai and mind. This is done through subtle movements, strong eye contact, unwavering posture, and focused spirit (Ki). The pressure is meant to be like "water, a fluid that penetrates" their defense, unsettling their Kamae (guard).
• ​Seme’s Goal: The immediate goal of Seme is to push the opponent to the point where they are faced with a choice: retreat, attack, or freeze.

​Phase 3: Creating the Opening (Itsuki & Suki)

​This is the decisive moment where Seme either succeeds or fails.

• ​Forcing Itsuki (居着き): By skillfully applying Seme at the Mazakai, you force the opponent to pause or hesitate. If they freeze—even for a split second—their mind and body become Itsuki. They are committed to the distance but not the action.
• ​Creating Suki (隙): The moment the opponent falls into a state of Itsuki, a Suki (opening) is created. This opening is not just physical (like an exposed shoulder), but temporal and psychological (a break in their will or rhythm). This Suki exists at the Mazakai.

​Phase 4: Seizing the Initiative (Sente)

​The final step is the committed action that capitalizes on the opponent's error.

• ​Sente (先手): You must recognize the Suki created by the Itsuki instantly and launch your attack—taking Sente—before the opponent can recover their spirit or adjust their distance.
• ​The Attack: This is a committed, decisive strike or technique launched from your advantageous Ma-ai, aimed at the Suki that you generated. Because you won the battle of Seme and forced the Itsuki, the attack is virtually guaranteed to succeed.
• Three kinds of sen-te: Sen sen no sen 先先の先- Premptive, Sen no sen 先の先 - Simultaneous and Go no sen 後の先手- Reactive

Strategic Cycle Summary

​This combined strategy operates in a loop:

Maai ➡️Seme➡️Mazakai➡️ pressure ➡️Itsuki 🟰Suki➡️Sente - Attack. 

​"Win first, then strike."

​You use Seme to win the mind battle and control the Mazakai, creating a Suki via Itsuki. Only then do you take Sente and deliver the technique.

Peace and harmony,

Sensei Maharaj 😊 

Sitting postures

Sitting Postures in Wadōryu 

​Seiza, Kiza, and Aguraza focusing on the kanji, meaning, and technique details.

​1. Seiza (正座)

• ​Kanji: 正座
• ​Meaning: The kanji 正 (sei) means Correct or Proper, and 座 (za) means To sit or Seat. Therefore, Seiza literally means "Correct Sitting" or "Proper Seating."
• ​Technique: This is the formal, traditional kneeling posture. You kneel down, resting your buttocks directly on your heels. The tops of your feet are flat against the floor. For traditional etiquette, the big toes are typically overlapped (right over left is common). But in Wadō we keep it together. The back is kept straight.
• ​Context: It is used in all formal situations, such as the tea ceremony (chanoyu), at the beginning and end of martial arts practice, and when addressing a superior in a traditional setting.

​2. Kiza (跪座)

• ​Kanji: 跪座 (sometimes written as 跪坐)
• ​Meaning: The kanji 跪 (ki) means Kneel, and 座 (za) means To sit. Kiza literally means "Kneeling Seat."
• ​Technique: This is the ready or transitional kneeling posture. The buttocks still rest on the heels, but unlike Seiza, the balls of the feet are on the floor, and the toes are flexed forward (tucked under). This position raises the hips slightly higher than Seiza.
• ​Context: It is often used in martial arts (e.g., Wad, Iaido or Aikido) because it allows for a much quicker and more active transition to standing or a forward motion than Seiza. It is also the temporary posture taken just before sitting down into Seiza or just after rising from it.

​3. Aguraza / Agura (胡座)

• ​Kanji: 胡座 (often shortened to Agura, using just 胡坐)
• ​Meaning: The kanji 胡 (a-gu) historically referred to Foreign or Barbarian people, particularly those from the North and West who sat this way. 座 (za) means To sit. Thus, the literal meaning is "Foreign Sitting" or "Barbarian Seat," indicating its informal, non-native origin.
• ​Technique: This is the simple cross-legged posture, often called "criss-cross applesauce" in English. The legs are crossed in front of the body, and the feet are typically tucked under the opposite thighs or knees.
• ​Context: It is a casual and informal sitting position used by men in relaxed settings, such as at home or during informal gatherings. It is generally considered highly inappropriate for women in formal traditional settings.

Peace and harmony,

Sensei Maharaj 😊