Ukemi
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
U·ke·mi (受身?), or "receiving the throw/attack", is the art of knowing how to land or fall and recover correctly from a martial arts technique with minimal impact. Furthermore, a martial arts practitioner is said to 'receive ukemi' when they are the recipient of an attack, even if they do not fall. Within a jujitsu, judo or aikido context, ukemi often refers to falling and getting up again in a fighting stance. Ukemi is most useful when being thrown or after powerful atemi but is also valid as an exercise in itself. Many classes begin with ukemi training as it conditions the body and mind. Ukemi, after all, literally means "receiving body" in Japanese, and it is in this spirit that a martial artist should begin training.
There are various forms of ukemi:
- Mae ukemi - a forward roll. There are subtleties in the different types of forward roll but the principle is that when being thrown forwards the uke (attackee, person being thrown) is able to roll out of danger in preference to sustaining an injury.
- Ushiro ukemi - a backwards roll or fall.
- Yoko ukemi - a sideways fall accompanied by hard tatami slap.
- Tombe ukemi - more of a forward flip than a roll, a cross between yoko (landing) and mae ukemi (initiation), often used to escape from wrist throws.
An essential component of ukemi is awareness. The uke is able, with experience, to anticipate what the nage or shite (the thrower) is going to do. This allows the uke to respond accordingly so as to prevent injury. Truly graceful ukemi derives from serious training and an often syncretic balance between partners.
There is something of a paradox in the relationship between uke and shite: One must attack with vigor and commitment but then immediately must prepare him/herself to receive whatever technique is chosen by shite. It is this complex dynamic which makes ukemi such an important part of martial arts.
An ukemi move is available in the Viewtiful Joe video game, which allows the player to minimise damage taken, using diligent timing when thrown back by an enemy's attack.
