MAKIWARA & TAMASHIWARA
"The Lost Art of Breaking"
by George
W. Alexander, 9th Degree Black Belt
The word
Makiwara means a target or a striking device that is made
specifically out of sheaved rice straw. The word tamashiwara means
breaking or testing of strength by breaking various types of
objects. The training methodology of the makiwara and the concept of the
test of
strength has long been used in Okinawa as part of karate’s curriculum.
There is however one
special type of tamashiwara technique. This is called shi-ho-wari
breaking in four different directions with the last board breaking
before the pieces of the other broken boards hit the floor.
Difficult, yes, but not
impossible, as great speed and a tremendous amount
of focus is required to
perform this amazing feat.
The makiwara is of utmost importance in developing one's hands, feet and
other striking areas. It will strengthen the fist and the other striking
surfaces and eventually refine them. The common misconception by most
students in their early years of training is that they must beat their
hands
on inanimate objects to develop huge calluses and knuckles.
The subject of makiwara and tamashiwara is almost a complete science in
itself. Makiwara discussions among karateka invariably are a subject of
controversy. Each style of karate and each individual will have a
singular
opinion as to the best way to utilize the makiwara. Developing with it
empirically is, in the final analysis, the best.
The makiwara forces one to develop his kime (focus) to a high level.
Kime is
the focusing of physical and mental energy into a single point at a
split second
in time followed by an
immediate relaxation of muscular contractions.
It is a highly
cultivated dynamic force in which the summation of joint forces
come together at a
specific time. Physically the large and small muscle groups
contract exactly at the
same instant.
Mentally ones mind must not deter or be distracted even
for a millisecond
otherwise ones total focus of body and mind cannot be used together to
create the ultimate impact of the specific technique. An excellent
simile
is that kime is to a punch or kick as gunpowder is to a bullet. In
everyday
language it can be said that a person who has kime has the ability of a
knockout punch. Kime is not the sole property of karateka alone as
modern
day boxers most certainly understand this intrinsic energy. Some people
believe that certain people are born with this power, but no matter
where it
comes from kime is the essence of karate.
A modern practitioner and advocate of the makiwara is Sensei Mike
Reeves.
Mike is the World
Breaking Champion and three-time Guinness Book of Records
all-time breaking
champion. He punches the makiwara over one thousand times everyday.
In addition to his strength-training
regime, he swears makiwara training is the source of
his tremendous breaking
power. Results don't lie. The fact is Sensei Reeves won the World
Championship and broke 400 boards in one minute! Sensei Reeves says,
"For every strike,
for every block there is a point of impact. In karate, we
prepare ourselves for this eventuality by conditioning our bodies and
minds."
The makiwara in a good
karate dojo is of utmost importance in the
development of kime. It must be the very best available. It must be able
to withstand the strongest punches and kicks. It must be flexible enough
in
design to accommodate the white belt but yet strong enough to challenge
the
black belt. A good makiwara in a karate dojo will set an example for the
beginners when they see the seniors striking the makiwara with terrific
force. These students will eventually come to realize the value of the
makiwara and either build one of there own or begin conscientiously
using
the one at the dojo. Any student who is serious about developing as a
martial artist will use the makiwara daily, as it embraces the spirit of
karate training.
It is important to realize that the fist along with the wrist is what is
developed when striking the straw pad. The wrist and the fist will never
develop properly without awareness of making the fist hard through
concentration on every muscle in the hand and the sinew in the wrist.
Many karate students
will waste a great deal of time if they don’t
understand that it is
the mind that contracts the muscles in the hand to
form the fist. A “Fist
of Iron” is the result of mentally concentrating on
the contraction of every
single muscle in your hand, wrist and forearm
as well as all the
supporting muscle groups from the legs on up during
your makiwara training.
The phrase “ones own iron will, will win out
in the end” is one you
should contemplate when training with the makiwara.
This shows the
relationship between karate and Zen. So in essence, the
makiwara is used to
train your mind as much as your punch or kick, so
that it becomes as hard
as steel but yet as flexible and light as the straw
that makes up the
makiwara pad.
It is the intensity of the concentration that develops ordinary men and
women into what a real black belt is, in a real karate dojo. The main
method of developing this attitude is the use of the makiwara. Your mind
overcomes the pain and the desire to quit and when you overcome these
obstacles you become a psychologically stronger person.
Over training in any one area is just as profitless as under training.
The
makiwara eventually becomes a very personal possession and when used
properly develops one’s body into a powerful weapon.
There are also psychological benefits from makiwara training. You are
able
to unleash built up anger and frustrations and as well as your own
hostilities and emotional rage. Consistent and careful training with the
makiwara often leads to mental state of blissful earnestness, wherein
one
can literally meditate while punching the straw pad.
Some have asked why a straw pad? The Okinawan karate masters I have
interviewed about the makiwara believe that straw has chemical
properties in
it to help heal the hand and the wounds that will invariably happen.
Although there is no proof to this fact, I can attest to the fact that
striking a straw makiwara is less brutal and it offers a resistance more
similar to hitting a body then does a simple leather pad. Hemp rope is
also
often used as a striking
surface. The only problem in using a straw pad or wound
hemp rope in the dojo is
the obvious problem that modern diseases that can be
transmitted through our
body fluids. Therefore, unless you change the straw pad
every time a new person
uses it you run the risk of transmitting disease. Hence
the leather pad has
become in vogue as it can be changed very quickly.
Additionally, hitting and twisting at the same time against a
leather-covered makiwara
seems to produce the
more ominous looking calluses on the knuckles. Alternatively,
hitting a rubber pad
will not produce as much of a callous but will strengthen the
muscles and sinew
associated with building hand strength and the ultimate goal
of producing a strong
fist. Interestingly, Maasaki Ueki, one of Shotokan’s instructor’s
in the 1960s used to rub
hand lotion on his knuckles to prevent them from callusing after
punching the makiwara.
A common misconception is that the
makiwara should be stiff. Actually, it should be flexible so that force
is transmitted forward when it is struck and not back into the shoulder,
which could result in an injury. I can remember many a young macho black
belt coming into my dojo and testing my makiwara. Afterwards they would
invariably say, "My makiwara is much stiffer than this one." I would
always respond with, "Oh really! Let me see you hit it a thousand
times." The point being it is better to hit something flexible with more
repetitions than hit
something really hard only once or twice.
A suggested routine for beginners is to hit the makiwara
about ten times
a day with each hand until you can build this up to at least 50 times a
day. Remember there is no hurry and this is something that can and
should take a couple of years at least to develop. There is no quick
easy method of developing the makiwara and itsbenefits. To overcome the
boredom of training on the makiwara, you can train using a partner.
Oftentimes this will stimulate you to keep going as the competitiveness
in us as well as our own ego will make us keep going.
TAMASHIWARA
There are many feats of breaking that have become legendary like the
ones
of Master Mas Oyama who reportedly was able to knock out a bull with
a single reverse punch. Reputedly, he did this more then once. Sensei
Mike Reeves,
who was mentioned earlier, can break
four hundred boards in one minute! Other karate legends have smashed
hundreds of pounds of ice with a single blow. And other feats of
strength that include breaking rocks, bottles, bricks, boards and
concrete have all become synonymous with karate. Oh! You’re a black
belt! Can you break a board?
This is the usual query from those
outside the art. However, what is often missed by the uninitiated is
that tamashiwara training is also very useful in developing one’s
confidence. When you are
able to overcome inanimate objects by smashing them with a single strike
something that ordinary people are unable to do you will attain a new
found sense of confidence, which hopefully will carry over into your
everyday life.
Another benefit of
tamashiwara is that it gives the practitioner a way of
testing or measuring his power and the progression of this power. He is
able to see that in the beginning he could break only one board; then
possibly after a year or so he is able to break two boards. After
another
year or so and after consistent and intense training he can possibly
break
three or four boards. The strength it takes to break one board is the
same
amount of power to break one rib so can you imagine the damage that
could
be created by someone who is able to break three or four boards with a
single punch or kick.
It can be said that a makiwara is a tremendous method of developing the
power of your karate techniques to the fullest. And that by practicing
tamashiwara feats you are able to test these techniques without injuring
someone. The true power of karate lies in the proper use of these
age-old
tools.
George W. Alexander, 9th
Dan is the president of the International Shorin Ryu Karate Kobudo
Federation and is the author of Okinawa Island of Karate, The
Bubishi Martial Art Spirit and Warrior Jujitsu. He can be
contacted at (423) 338-4972.
SIDE BAR #1
TOP 10 SAFETY TIPS WHILE TRAINING WITH THE MAKIWARA:
1. Make sure that your wrist is straight.
2. Make sure that you hit with the first two knuckles only.
3. It is not necessary to hit it with full power in the beginning.
4. Makiwara Training takes years to develop. Do not be in a hurry. Your
body and mind will tell you when to go harder.
5. Make sure the pad whether it be straw or leather does have some
padding
on it to prevent breaking the skin open.
6. Make sure that the post is flexible enough to give enough of a
cushion when
hitting it. This will prevent a shoulder injury.
7. Remember to use Dit Da Jow, Zen Gu Shui or any other medicine
designed
for
toughing the skin.
8. Do not lock your elbows out at the end of the punch.
9. Do not drive the shoulder too far forward when punching.
10. Lock your back leg solidly upon impact and simultaneously
tense the abdominal and chest muscles. The latt and deltoid
muscles must also be locked down upon impact.
TOP TEN TRAINING TIPS
1. Remember to train both left and right sides equally.
2. As a beginner it is a good idea to use a sponge on the striking surface
and graduate up to hemp rope.
3. Train a wide variety of techniques not just a punch.
4. Training with a partner is a good idea as it will motivate you both to
keep up with each other.
5. The goal is not to break the makiwara but rather to condition your hands
and body so that you technique will be stronger and more effective.
6. Train after class is over. This way it is a supplement to your training.
7. Pick a certain number of times you will hit the makiwara every time you
use it. In the beginning maybe only 25 times with each technique and
graduate up to 50 times.
8. Remember to stay focused on the makiwara mentally.
9. Each time you hit the makiwara remember to tense up and focus your body.
10. Consistency is the best way to develop your skills on the makiwara.