Kuzushi: An Aiki Perspective by Francis Takahashi

“In Aikido practice today, the application of “kuzushi” is quite often more subtle, and “hinted at” rather than explicitly applied.”

Francis Takahashi and Stanley Pranin

The Japanese verb “kuzusu” may mean to “pull down (a building), break down, destroy or level (as in a hill). It can signal a “break” or a “change” in the status or condition of an object or a concept. In Jiu Jitsu, Judo and Aikido, the noun “kuzushi “ normally refers to the breaking of the balance of the opponent, and thus the integrity of his positioning and thus, his stability.

It is no secret that Aikido was the third in a line of modern Japanese martial arts that have their genesis in “koryu” or old style arts. Just preceding Aikido was Judo, and while similarities in philosophy may exist, they have very distinctive features that allow them to stand apart from each other. Then there is “Jiu Jitsu,” of which it seems a myriad of styles and interpretations exist, and have existed over several hundred years. It is also acknowledged that Morihei Ueshiba utilized as a foundation for his art form, Daito-ryu Aikijujutsu, his teacher being the famed Sokaku Takeda. The debate can be made as to whether Takeda’s Daito-ryu Aikijutsu is a representative of a gendai (modern) or a koryu (old style) martial art. I leave it to modern scholars to duke it out.

A genuine representative of both Kano of Judo, and Ueshiba of Aikido, was Kenji Tomiki, a direct student of both historical legends, who later introduced a form of Aikido to the Kodokan. Tomiki Sensei was quoted as saying “old-school jujutsu consists in breaking the condition of the body which has lost equilibrium. It is called kuzure-no-jotai (state of broken balance). Sometimes the opponent himself loses the balance, and at other times you positively destroy the opponent’s balance, leading him to a vulnerable posture. In Judo, preparing of the opponent consists in destroying the opponent’s balance before performing a technique and putting him in a posture where it will be easy to apply it.”

From my experience, I find that the above description of “kuzushi” does apply to the way that Aikido techniques were originally designed to achieve their authenticity, validity, and their efficacy. Yet, in Aikido practice today, the application of “kuzushi” is quite often more subtle, and “hinted at” rather than explicitly applied. It is not all that unusual for the nage to begin a “kuzushi” maneuver, and for the uke to finish it. Of course, this smacks of “collusion,” and demonstrates a serious loss of credibility, as well as widespread lack of knowledge or understanding in the Aikido training community of what kuzushi really is all about. It sadly illustrates what these otherwise sincere students of aikido unfortunately lack by ignoring kuzushi’s critical role in making mainstream aikido real, credible, and workable.

The horses appear to have left the barn, so it is no longer a simple matter of righting the course for all of modern aikido with an easy “no foul” return to yesterday. Nonetheless, for those who truly care, we can individually, and in dedicated groups, commit to re-introducing many of the forgotten or carelessly ignored components of O Sensei’s original creation. It is a daunting task, but if the sincerity and willingness to do what it takes still exist, we will find the time.

I can personally attest to the fact that venues like Stanley Pranin’s recent and innovative Las Vegas workshop, the Friendship Bridge Seminars made popular by Hiroshi Ikeda Shihan, regional attempts to assemble talent from distinctly different styles of aikido as in Seattle, Florida and New Jersey, to name a few, a new wave of thinking outside the tatami has definitely begun. What an excellent example of applying proper kuzushi to the outdated misconception of “why bother, our aikido is good enough as it is.” As the Founder proclaimed, we are merely at the beginning of an indefinite pursuit of true Aiki, and of the Aikido chosen, best defined and practiced by anyone as a sovereign individual. In due time, we will be able to accomplish our individual goals without any requirement or need of established style, organizational affiliation or proof of authenticity to parties inconsequential.

Josh Gold

Executive Editor of Aikido Journal, CEO of Budo Accelerator, and Chief Instructor of Ikazuchi Dojo.

9 comments

  • Thank you for another interesting article Takahashi Sensei.

    I think that Kuzushi is one of the main points for those of us who are in disadvantage in relation of physical conditions like women, children or smaller men to develop a technique and control our partner with success.

    I found the Workshop in Las Vegas and the other Friendship Bridge Seminars you mentioned worth to be copied by others, I hope we will soon have that kind also in Europe.

  • I think the foundational error in correcting and hence discovering – Kuzushi on contact- is to stop thinking of doing something to the uke. The real fix is in creating aiki first in you, as a balance of yin and yang as noted repeatedly be the founder.

    Were one to train, just in line with what Ueshiba wrote about, one would clearly see a path to developing Aiki as a power first in you as a stable platform that is difficult to move, then it’s cause and effect on someone putting forces into you.

    Ueshiba’s continued admonishing that aiki was “The two ki’s (in/yo) in you…and then the manipulation of them was what produced his power and skill.
    One common misconception of this we see in the use of Takemusu aiki;

    Quote Ueshiba:

    上にア下にオ声と対照で気を結び、そこに引力が発生するのである。
    Above the sound “A” and below the sound “O” – opposites connected with Ki, there Attractive Force (“Inryoku”) is created.
    武産とは引力の錬磨であります。
    “Take Musu is the training of Attractive Force.”
    End quote.
    (translation; Chris Li)

    In other places, when asked what aiki is?
    Ueshiba states “It is the working of the two ki’s as opposing forces (in you) best expressed in Haven/earth/man.”
    For readers unfamiliar with these concepts they are not Ueshiba’s. In keeping with the thrust of this article outlining outside influences to understand kuzshi, his many quotes were anything but original. They were borrowed from Chinese and Daito ryu sources.

    So, if you think of it this way, Ueshiba was saying that
    [b][i]”Aikido is a continued working of the attraction point to manifest yin and yang.” [/i] [/b]
    (Ki…making duality (yin and yang) and this is what gives raise to Spontaneous techniques.)
    This is far different from Uke and Nage being yin and yang.
    When one builds a stable platform with yin and yang, putting forces in, or pulling force out, gets negated. Think of putting forces into a statue-you get moved in and out for your efforts. The stature remains. This creates…well…Kuzushi on contact without the statue thinking much about it. 🙂
    Now imagine that the statue can move like lighting while retaining that immovable quality…while in motion. This in itself can allow the person trained this way to produce unusual openings in those attacking him that creates even more opportunities for kuzushi. This concept is expressed in an interview with Shirata:
    “Place the immovable body
    In an invincible position
    Release metsubushi
    Until the opponent becomes non resistant.”

    Again, First there is Aiki as the working and manipulation of the two kis (yin/yang) in you- produces an effect in your body that is stable and extremely difficult to move.
    Second, Ueshiba’s manipulation of any contact point that is now supported by this immovable body. The contact point being the attractive force that balances yin and yang is what is producing or is supposed to be producing takemusu aiki.
    “When I move…techniques are born.”…Ueshiba.

    There are many more quotes from Ueshiba that do exactly as the article here suggests; they borrow from outside sources, a method thousands of years old in Asia. A method known far and wide for producing the founders legendary power and ability to make…kuzushi on contact.
    Dan

    • Before meeting Dan & listening to him my warped sense of kuzushi was basically brute force. The concept of kuzushi through aiki is so important yet so few understand it much less can do it.

  • Osu Sensei,

    Thanks for another great reminder of an important concept to stay mindful of during training. (and for being such an important influence in my Aikido foundation)

    IMHO, balance is important. I often suggest that people develop and maintain their own while connecting and controling the balance of their training partner.

    I too attended all three Aiki-Expos and have been to many Friendship Bridge seminars. All generative and transformative.

    Compliments and appreciation.

    Rei, Domo.

    Until again,
    Lynn

  • Thank you sensei ,

    For this knowledge . I will be very thankful to you if you please make application video on kuzushi I mean how the kuzushi is apply and where should be use ,how to use . i love to here your kind knowledgeable about Aikido waiting for more about wonderful Aikido articles . Regarding .

  • There is nothing mystical about Kuzushi, nor is it something exclusive to aikido. If you can be as immovable as a statue, then, great. Otherwise you might do well to employ some technique. There is, I recently discovered, an interesting book devoted to this subject — Aikido and Kuzushi by Nick Waites, Koteikan Press, 2017.

  • Thank you Josh for reposting this great article by Takahashi Sensei. As Roger comments, there is nothing mystical or complex about achieving kuzushi, but how we achieve it in
    O-Sensei’s aikido is unique among martial arts. The riai (synergy) of sword based movement – timing – distraction – and nonresistance is brilliant. Takahashi rightly urges kuzushi to be a more “explicit” component of aikido practice. I go farther – in my experience kuzushi is not just a means to an end, it often IS the best end.

    When aikido is practiced as recreation or acrobatic performance, the focus becomes throwing. But, if your focus is protection of self and others, throwing is not the best focus. Why? In police work and on psych units when full speed/full force attacks have come my way – the moment they lose balance they are already falling! I don’t have to “throw.” This happens with fully committed aggressive attacks, rarely with the moderate force/speed of most aikido practice. So in the dojo, all manner of embellishments have been added to get our partner down, or launch them into acrobatic falls.

    It addition to tactical, there are ethical and legal benefits to focusing on kuzushi exclusively. Being thrown on concrete, asphalt, tile etc. often results in catastrophic head and spinal injury. If you think an aikido throw outside the dojo with end in “harmony”
    – I know a bridge near here in Brooklyn I can sell you. You are in a dangerous dream world.

    Most out of control people are not trying to kill you, they are momentarily out of control – so we provide the control. Replace the throw with protecting them: preventing or at least moderating their fall. KuzushinIS control. So we usually practice – kuzushi as finish.

    This makes aiki a faster, simpler and a far more practical tool for violence management.
    Another advantage – mats are no long essential to our practice! It may not look as artistically impressive as the aikido I learned at Hombu Dojo forty years ago, but it is more useful. If our aiki were more useful, perhaps the art would not be in such decline. My old teachers might not approve, but I don’t care – I know O-Sensei would !

    Tom Collings
    Long Island Asian Studies Ctr.

  • As a junior (kyu) level practitioner with experience in sport Judo, I read this article with interest. I hope I can make a comment without sounding too ignorant of the Aikido attitude, which is quite a bit different than that of Judo. Aikido is a markedly different game (and we like it that way!)

    Kuzushi as a skill set is not easy to learn even in Judo, which cites unbalancing as a fundamental part of a throw. Some are good at it – “it” being timing, no telegraphing of intent, and the ability to predict the opponent’s movement and weaknesses – and that is how you see picture-perfect throws in competition. Sport Judo does not include atemi and generally does not plan for a pain-inducing technique ahead of a takedown. Other than kiai there’s no overt distraction strategy available to be directed against uke.

    In my much more limited Jujutsu experience, techniques are practiced more like in Aikido: cooperative practice to avoid injury. In regards to throws and kuzushi, an instructor put it this way: “We soften them up first,” meaning an atemi will precede the final technique. Some Aikido schools include atemi directed against uke, and some do not. Applying a wrist-lock – with its accompanying pain – ahead of a takedown seems to be a regular part of the curriculum, and an effective one if all goes well.

    Certainly I’d like to feel I’m in complete control over uke in response to whatever the attack happens to be, and ideally that means taking their balance. So it puzzled me when I first heard that kuzushi was an advanced topic in the Aikido world.

    Darrell Craig’s book Japan’s Ultimate Martial Art describes how to delineate one’s “working circle.” This circle represents the limit of how far one can reach from a hanmi position without undermining one’s balance. I created my circle and felt this for myself. But I don’t know where to take this knowledge.

    I have Mr. Waite’s book. It’s appears to be a very thorough treatise, but I’d need significant dojo time to apply and understand the ideas and movements. Maybe someday.

    In the comments here, and elsewhere, I read of unbalancing or initiative being taken or surrendered from the moment of first contact. This too is different from Judo, which generally assumes both players have, in one fashion or another, achieved a grip on the gi jacket, and usually a standard grip. However, in competition some players will make an effort for an unfamiliar grip to put the opponent at a disadvantage and “undermine” them that way. (Judo practice always includes some friendly competition.)

    I will stop here. I hope I’ve added something, because I’d like to learn more about kuzushi in Aikido!

    • Gary Weiss here, adding something to my own comment.

      First, regarding Nick Waite’s “Aikido and Kuzushi” book: having taken a second look, I find some very simple and straightforward approaches on reacting to various attacks. The photos sequences may not continue the technique to ukemi, or even into a particular technique, but that is fine. Some of the material I’ve purchased for my aikido reference library does not include any katate kosa dori (cross hand grabs to the wrist) but this one does; that’s important because my class uses this attack model to illustrate its most basic techniques. So I think it’s a worthwhile book. (All books have their limitations!)

      Second, I’ve picked up in a couple of places (e.g. Aikido Chuseikan video on YouTube) that when the head is maneuvered beyond one’s foot placement (head is no longer over one’s feet), that person’s balance is greatly undermined if not lost. Try it right now. Not only is it easy to feel, it’s easy to see. It’s a much simpler guideline than how kuzushi is usually discussed.

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