Kiai
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
| Kiai | |
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| kanji | 気合 |
- Kiai is also a Persian family name.
Kiˑai (気合, 気合い) is a Japanese term that is a compound of ki (気) meaning mind, will, turn-of-mind or spirit and ai (合, 合い) being the contraction of the verb awasu (合わす), signifying "to unite"; literally "concentrated spirit". Kiai is a term used in martial arts and in the board game go where it describes fighting spirit. See go terms for its use in the context of the game go.
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[edit] Use of Kiai in martial arts
In martial arts, the term commonly refers to a short yell that some martial artists shout before or during a fight or technique. Korean martial arts may call this sound a Yatz or Kihap. In bujutsu (Japanese arts of war), it is usually linked to the inner amassing of energy released in a single explosive focus of will. Students of martial arts such as karate, taekwondo or judo (or related arts such as taiko drumming) use kiai to focus energy when executing a technique. It also refers to the shout that accompanies some techniques when performing kata. Kiaijutsu is the Japanese art of using kiai when performing martial arts. The proper use of kiaijutsu involves concentrating on the use of one's ki more than it does shouting.
Since the feeling of kiai can be preserved without making a noise, kiai can be silent; [1] it is the coordination of breathing with the physical activity which is important. This may be more accurately referred to as kokyu power. Kokyu and kiai are sometimes used interchangeably. The term kokyu is most often translated as breath power in English. Kokyu power, is essentially the same as Chinese nei jin. "Breath" and "timing" certainly come into the usage of kokyu power, but it is the ability to coordinate breathing with the execution of a jin movement which is important. A relaxed and powerful exhalation can add power to movement. A sound is just an audiable indication of good kiai (aligned body structure, focused intent, and good breathing). It's not the sound that is important.
The noise from a kiai is said to emit from the hara or tanden, and it invloves the abdominal muscles and diaphragm. It should not be sounded in the throat[2].
[edit] Typical usage
Kiai is used for:
- a psychological effect on your enemy.
- a psychological effect on yourself, so-called "amping yourself up".
- to provide an escape route for exhalation of air.
- to keep air pressure in your body balanced (holding your breath while taking impact – from a kick, punch or the ground – can cause injury).
- to rapidly contract the transverse abdominals and other core muscles to provide support for striking techniques and protection to the internal organs
[edit] Etymology
Frederick John Lovret notes, "One should note that ai, the conjunctive stem of the verb au, does not mean "to join" in this case: when used in the second position of a compound word, ai becomes an emphatic marker. Kiai, therefore, should be translated as "spirit!", not "spirit-joined".[3] However, care must be taken about the absolute meanings of words when discussing concepts derived from other cultures and expressed in different languages. This is particularly true when the words we use today have been derived from symbols, in this case Chinese and Japanese kanji, which represent ideas rather than literal translations of the components. Historical use of a term can influence meanings and be passed down by those wishing to illustrate ideas with the best word or phrase available to them. In this way, there may be a divergence of the meaning between arts or schools within the same art. In some schools kiai may refer to little more than a shout at appropriate moments, while in others it refers to subtle use of energies (ki).
[edit] Kiai and Aiki
 A classical aikido throw being practiced. Nage maintains balance and structure to throw uke, while uke safely takes a forward roll (zenpō kaiten). |
Kiai and aiki use the same kanji (transposed) and can be thought of as the inner and the outer aspect of the same principle. [4] Some martial arts schools use the term intechangeably. However it is useful to draw the following distinction.
A) Kiai - relates to the manifestation, emission or projection of ones own energy (internal strength)
B) Aiki - relates to the merging of one's energy with the energy emitted from an external source (blending)
Thus kiai is harmony with our own, internal energy while aiki is harmony with an attacker's energy. Kiai consists of all parts of the body being unified and directed to one intent. Aiki, ultimately has to do with a very good ability to manipulate kiai upon contact so that the practicioner blends his ki with the attacker’s ki instantaneously.
This use of kiai as a meaning of using internal strength, or using one's ki [5] is often used in aiki arts such as aikijujutsu and aikido.[6] In some schoools such as Ki Society, 'keeping one point' (awarness/using the tanden) as is described as kiai. [7] The tanden and internal strength are very closely related.
[edit] Examples of Kiai in other cultures
There are numerous examples of battle cry such as the rebel yell used by the confederacy during the American Civil War. Tennis coaches encourage players to make a noise as they serve the ball, to increase power.
[edit] Kiai in fiction
It is frequently associated with the representation of Asian martial arts in cinema and in animated cartoons. Kiais are often written as Hi-yah!, Aiyah!, or Hyah!.
[edit] Myth and legends
Legends abound regarding powerful kiai that verge on the supernatural. Colorful tales are told of powerful martial arts masters knocking over huge (and inanimate) objects with a shout. While some stories are plainly in the realm of the paranormal, others blur with abilities more plausible according to scientific worldviews. For instance, tigers and wolves have been supposedly frozen in their tracks by a samurai's kiai, sometimes just in the form of a glare. There are also records of kiai causing charging (human) opponents to stumble or fall.
The paranormal use of kiai is analogous to the chinese term ling kong jing or empty force.
[edit] References
- ^ Silent Kiai
- ^ Kiai emision
- ^ Kiai definition
- ^ Kiai vs aiki
- ^ Using one's Ki
- ^ Use in aiki arts
- ^ Kiai as 'Keeping One Point'
[edit] Sources
- E.J. Harrison, The Fighting Spirit of Japan Overlook TP; Reprint edition (1988) ISBN 0879511540
- Forrest E. Morgan, Living the Martial Way: A Manual for the Way a Modern Warrior Should Think,Barricade Books, 1992, ISBN 0942637763
