is a
Japaneseis a language spoken by over 130 million people in Japan and in Japanese emigrant communities. It is a member of the Japonic language family. There are a number of proposed relationships with other languages, but none have gained general acceptance...
term meaning "basics" or "fundamentals." The term is used to refer to the basic techniques that are taught and practised as the foundation of most
Japanese martial artsJapanese martial arts refers to the enormous variety of martial arts native to Japan. At least three Japanese terms are often used interchangeably with the English phrase "Japanese martial arts": "budō", literally meaning "martial way", , which has no perfect translation but means something like...
.
The practice and mastery of kihon is essential to all advanced training, and includes the practice of correct body form and breathing, while practising basics such as stances, punches, kicks, blocks, and thrusts, but it also includes basic representative
katais a Japanese word describing detailed choreographed patterns of movements practiced either solo or in pairs. Kata are used in many traditional Japanese arts such as theater forms like kabuki and schools of tea ceremony , but are most commonly known for the presence in the martial arts...
.
Kihon is not only practising of techniques, it is also the
karatekaKarateka may refer to:*Karateka *Karateka , the Japanese word for a practitioner of karate...
fostering the correct spirit and attitude at all times.
Kihon techniques tend to be practiced often, in many cases during each practice session.
is a
Japaneseis a language spoken by over 130 million people in Japan and in Japanese emigrant communities. It is a member of the Japonic language family. There are a number of proposed relationships with other languages, but none have gained general acceptance...
term meaning "basics" or "fundamentals." The term is used to refer to the basic techniques that are taught and practised as the foundation of most
Japanese martial artsJapanese martial arts refers to the enormous variety of martial arts native to Japan. At least three Japanese terms are often used interchangeably with the English phrase "Japanese martial arts": "budō", literally meaning "martial way", , which has no perfect translation but means something like...
.
The practice and mastery of kihon is essential to all advanced training, and includes the practice of correct body form and breathing, while practising basics such as stances, punches, kicks, blocks, and thrusts, but it also includes basic representative
katais a Japanese word describing detailed choreographed patterns of movements practiced either solo or in pairs. Kata are used in many traditional Japanese arts such as theater forms like kabuki and schools of tea ceremony , but are most commonly known for the presence in the martial arts...
.
Kihon is not only practising of techniques, it is also the
karatekaKarateka may refer to:*Karateka *Karateka , the Japanese word for a practitioner of karate...
fostering the correct spirit and attitude at all times.
Kihon techniques tend to be practiced often, in many cases during each practice session. They are considered fundamental to mastery and improvement of all movements of greater complexity. Kihon in martial arts can be seen as analogous to basic skills in, for example,
basketballBasketball is a team sport in which two teams of 5 players try to score points against one another by placing a ball through a
10 foot high hoop under organized rules...
. Professional NBA players continue to practice dribbling, passing, free throws, jump shots, etc. in an effort to maintain and perfect the more complex skills used during a basketball game.
In Karate
Styles of
karateis a martial art developed in the Ryukyu Islands from indigenous fighting methods called and Chinese kenpō. Karate is a striking art using punching, kicking, knee and elbow strikes, and open-handed techniques such as knife-hands...
differ greatly in the emphasis placed on kihon. Kihon may be practiced as "floor exercises", where the same technique or combination is repeated multiple times as the students move back and forth across the floor. Japanese kihon training is notorious for extended periods of kihon training. This style of practice is believed to ingrain the techniques into the muscle memory of the
karatekaKarateka may refer to:*Karateka *Karateka , the Japanese word for a practitioner of karate...
.
Some styles employ "kihon
katais a Japanese word describing detailed choreographed patterns of movements practiced either solo or in pairs. Kata are used in many traditional Japanese arts such as theater forms like kabuki and schools of tea ceremony , but are most commonly known for the presence in the martial arts...
" in teaching beginners. Additionally, kihon may take the form of prearranged partner drills whereby two students face each other and alternate execution of a technique. This approach combines repetition with training in distancing. Targets for punching and kicking, such as bags, shields, or dummies, are generally used at more advanced stages of kihon training to strengthen muscles, bones, and skin.
Some styles have a small set of basic techniques that are practiced consistently every single class. Others might have scores of techniques that are each only practiced every couple of months.
In Kendo
In
kendo, meaning "Way of the Sword", is a modern Japanese martial art of sword-fighting based on traditional Japanese swordsmanship, or Kenjutsu.Kendo is a physically and mentally challenging activity that combines strong martial arts values with sport-like physical elements.-Practitioners:Practitioners...
there are various kihon systems. Two of such systems are the "Dai Ichi Kihon" (first major kihon) and the "Dai Ni Kihon" (second major kihon) developed by Japanese police forces.
In 2005 the
All Japan Kendo FederationThe All Japan Kendo Federation or Zen Nihon Kendō Renmei was founded in 1952. The federation is a non-governmental organization, and its aim is to promote and popularize kendo, iaido and jodo.-See also:...
presented the new methodology "Bokuto Ni Yoru Kendo Kihon-waza Keiko-ho". The aim of the methodology was to develop a form of training that could be included into standard kendo practice for the following purposes:
- Help beginners learn the concept that the shinai
is a weapon used for practice and competition in kendo and are meant to represent a Japanese sword. Shinai are also used in other martial arts, but may be styled differently from kendo shinai, and represented with different characters....
is the representation of the katanaA Japanese sword, or , is one of the traditional bladed weapons of Japan. These are categorised in several types according to size and method of manufacture...
.
- Develop solid basics and techniques that are directly translatable into bōgu
is specially developed protective armour used in Japanese martial arts, kendo and naginatajutsu.A set of bogu consists of: facemask and shoulder protector ;: torso protector ;: hand and forearm protectors ;: leg and groin protector ;: shin protectors .The men protects the face, neck, and...
practice.
- Develop the student's abilities and understanding for later practice of the kendo kata.
- Develop reihō (manners).
In Aikido
In
aikidois a Japanese martial art developed by Morihei Ueshiba as a synthesis of his martial studies, philosophy, and religious beliefs. Aikido is often translated as "the Way of unifying life energy" or as "the Way of harmonious spirit." Ueshiba's goal was to create an art that practitioners could use to...
there are also assorted kihon systems depending on the style.
Iwama styleis a name for the style of aikido that was taught by the Founder at the Iwama dojo, the birthplace of aikido. It is often used to describe the aikido in the lineage of Morihiro Saito, a close disciple of the founder of aikido Morihei Ueshiba for 23 years...
kihon tends to be from a static powerful grab, whereas
Shodokanis the style of aikido founded by Kenji Tomiki （富木 謙治 Tomiki Kenji, 1900–1979). It is sometimes referred to as Sport Aikido because it is the only style of aikido to hold regular competitions, and also referred to as Tomiki Aikido, after its founder. It places more emphasis on free-form...
kihon starts with two people separated by a defined distance. In all cases the role of both participants is strictly defined.
Yoshinkanis a style of aikido founded by Gozo Shioda after World War II. Yoshinkan Aikido is occasionally called a "hard" style because the training methods are a product of the gruelling period that Shioda spent as a student of Morihei Ueshiba before the war.-Style:As a style of aikido, yoshinkan is...
aikido also places a strong emphasis on kihon techniques.