In a recent e-post to Michael Clarke, and others, I was reminded that I seem to come back to this subject matter. It is because I am trying to put into words something that seemingly is only understood through a tactual training session. Hands on instruction that is both action and word seems to be the best yet when the words come they often don't measure up to match what is conveyed under tactual teaching methods. Mr. Clarke reminded me of this yet I still have the urge to attempt to put into words for those who have not experienced chinkuchi but mostly for those who wish to experience it so they may seek out someone who actually knows and has chinkuchi.
I feel that both words and actions are the best teachers. You still need to know something of the subject so when you actually practice it you can make connections where often the words being inadequate and incomplete become more because of the physical experience. Much like the fight, you cannot begin to understand what it means to be on the receiving end of violence if you don't actually experience it to one level or another. Talking or reading about being hit is not adequate to the experience. Chinkuchi is similar to this experience.
I understand the remarks from Mr. Clarke and other martial art luminaries but in the end I cannot accept that there is no adequate explanation that truly conveys why chinkuchi is important to the practice and application of martial arts with specificity to Okinawa Ti or today's karate. I believe that words both spoken and written are what stimulates curiosity and later spurs the research necessary to learn. I also believe in the case of all teaching of physical disciplines that those words will assume greater meaning once the tactual/physical/action teachings are added.
It is this pairing of word and deed that makes things whole and complete. A lack of adequate words to explain a concept in modern martial arts especially for westerner’s means they will often discount the concept similar to the current status of kata in the west where kata is ignored simply because of a lack of understanding as to the purpose of kata. This is also true of other aspects of traditional karate of Okinawa.
Understanding the concept of chinkuchi means more who have not been exposed to it may seek out instruction so they can achieve true karate of Okinawa. Many of the older karate-ka of Okinawa believes that without chinkuchi you are not practicing true karate. It is much easier to believe in something if you can get a fundamental understanding as to what that concept is and means. In the west the spoken or written word usually leads to training and practice. Westerners and many other folks today tend to seek out answers before committing to actions. Good or bad, but true, and relevant to seeking out an explanation that gives the most understanding of this concept is important - I seek a solid, relevant and instructional way to convey the concept in words, spoken and written.
So, I keep returning to this term and its conceptual meaning in words simply to provide the best words to inspire others to see it if they already have it and to seek out instruction to learn it if they do not have it. To seek out those who can see it and either explain it or teach it properly. So with this in mind, I provide the following as my latest attempt to put into words, that which seems elusive.
Chinkuchi is the application of the fundamental principles of marital arts to the jutsu of karate whereby you achieve concentrated power at any given moment into a single point under any circumstance with maximum energy and maximum power.
Chinkuchi: Literally the term means, sinew, bone, and energy. This cannot be confirmed through sources other than documented conversations between American practitioners and Okinawan experts, i.e. Shimabuku Tatsuo, Shimabuku Cisco, etc. and leading Okinawan students of Tatsuo-san. Another source at the Shinjinbukan System web site states that, "chinkuchi is that exact point in which a joint can resist a force in two opposite directions (pulling and pushing). This is a unique aspect of the body mechanics that facilitates stability and leverage without wasting muscular force. This concept is unique to Ti, the ancient Okinawan Martial Art.
Chinkuchi can only be learned by allowing the teacher to touch and guide the movement of the student during the execution of a technique. Chinkuchi cannot be learned by reading a book on the subject, because without the physical experience and muscle memory it is impossible to develop, embody and produce a chinkuchi quality. Chinkuchi could also be defined as a state-of-mind, because it requires that both mind and body remain in total balance. Nowadays, most Karate teachers who speak and write about chinkuchi do not understand it and are only able to produce stiff mechanical movements with no real-life applications."
Although both explain it the explanation is too limited to truly convey the meaning and its significance to the practice of karate. Others add in such things as having the following elements:
1. Intention of Zanshin.
2. Perfection of Technique.
3. Fluid Movement.
4. Speed of Movement.
5. Power of Movement.
6. Ki as an essential ingredient.
7. Proper tensing.
8. Proper breathing.
9. Accompanying of technique with mind-control.
10. Being loose until the moment of contact.
11. Allowing your ki to flow through the movement.
12. Exhalation makes the strike stronger.
13. Capability to stun your adversary.
14. Tighten abdominal muscles as you strike.
15. Kiai.
16. Mind Control.
17. Focused strength and power.
etc.
These all provide some limited insight but fail to convey how the concept is applied to the individual to give them chinkuchi. As you can see and as I explain in the following this can be misleading or simply fails to provide an explanation that makes sense. This occurs due to the tendency to assume the person speaking or writing knows what they know and also the tendency to not question due to a belief we cannot look stupid by asking such questions. A few examples of the issues I have with the above elements.
Intention of Zanshin: Impossible to understand because zanshin like chinkuchi is one of those terms that is hard to explain in words and the explanations vary as much as the quantity of techniques taught in martial arts.
Ki is an essential ingredient: No one can fully and adequately explains what Ki really is and if it even truly exists. Ki is one of those terms that is used often to deflect honest questions for a variety of reasons including the sensei just doesn't know and understand what Ki is.
Accompany technique with mind-control: This one is left to interpretation. No one actually explains mind control and not many if any address this in training and practice. It is one of those "assumption" topics.
If you explain something with other inexplicable things you have not explained the original thing to begin with. This is deflection due to lack of knowledge.
So, how do we explain chinkuchi. Let us begin with the definition given, i.e. sinew, bone and energy. These words merely provide a type of introduction similar to karate being empty hand. The simplicity of both open the door to depth and breadth of complexities and simplicities that make up the martial arts, i.e. in this case karate. It is merely a lead in to more.
When you take in the explanation of the shinjinbukan you get additional information, i.e. "body mechanics," "stability and leverage," "economy of motion," "muscular force," "muscle memory," "state-of-mind," and "tactual teaching methods." This too is only a means to introduce the concept to practitioners.
A few examples of these concepts:
Body Mechanics: Actually there is no such thing but the concept that is used as the basis of this is actually the fundamentally principles of martial systems as provided by the author of the book, "The Book of Martial Power: The Universal Guide to the Combative Arts." Steven J. Pearlman. I use this book because it connects with the concept of chinkuchi as provided by concepts like body mechanics, muscle memory, and stability and leverage, etc.
Economy of motion: speaks to the concept of the same as explained in the fundamental principles of martial systems. A comprehensive tome of what it takes to produce power though what you practice and train as karate-ka. The underlying foundation that makes it work at its most efficient and powerful.
Tactual training methods: this speaks to the yang of the yin-yang of chinkuchi. The yin being what I am trying to do here while the yang is the need to learn by doing concept. It is the participation in the practice of karate to feel and sense the body as it achieves chinkuchi so that the mind can comprehend it as a whole achieving chinkuchi.
The rules that require you to practice a certain way with certain concepts and certain beliefs lead you to chinkuchi. It is the whole of all the parts that make it work and along with tactual training one must understand and know what underlies chinkuchi, the fundamental principles of martial systems as achieved by basics, kata, kumite, makiwara, hojo-undo, kumite, etc. The principles are the yin and the practice of karate as described is the yang making a whole one.
Chinkuchi, in part, can be how we manifest this whole one though the yin-yang of developing chinkuchi. Chinkuchi is also a concept that results in the maximization of energy and power transference from one body to another. Chinkuchi is how that happens. If you apply fundamental principles of marital arts to the jutsu of karate whereby you achieve concentrated power at any given moment into a single point under any circumstance with maximum energy and maximum power you have chinkuchi.
Fundamental Principles of Martial Systems:
PRINCIPLES OF THEORY
Universality, control, efficiency, lengthen our line, percentage principle, std of infinite measure, power paradox, ratio, simplicity, natural action, Michelangelo principle, reciprocity, opponents as illusions, reflexive action, training truth, imperceptions and deception.
PRINCIPLES OF PHYSIOKINETIC
Breathing, Posture, Triangle guard, Centerline, Primary Gate, Spinal Alignment, Axis, Minor Axis, Structure, Heaviness, Relaxation, Wave Energy, Convergence, Centeredness, Triangulation Point, The Dynamic Sphere, Body-Mind, Void, Centripetal Force, Centrifugal Force, Sequential Locking & Sequential Relaxation, Peripheral Vision, Tactile Sensitivity, Rooting.
PRINCIPLES OF TECHNIQUE
Techniques vs. Technique, Equal Rights, Compliment, Kobo Ichi, Economical Motion, Active Movement, Positioning, Angling, Leading Control, Complex Forces, Indirect Pressure, Live Energy & Dead Energy, Torsion & Pinning, Speed, Timing, Rhythm, Balance, Reactive Control, Natural & Unnatural Motion, Weak Link, Non-Telegraphing, Extension and Penetration.
PRINCIPLES OF PHILOSOPHY
Mind, Mushin, Kime, Non-intention, Yin-Yang, Oneness, Zanshin & Being, Non-action, Character, The Empty Cup.
PRINCIPLE FIVE: PRINCIPLES OF SELF-DEFENSE(“Conflict communications; Emotional Intelligence; Lines/square/circle of SD, Three brains (human, monkey, lizard), JAM/AOJ and five stages, Adrenal stress (stress induced reality based), Violence (Social and Asocial), Pre-Attack indicators, Weapons, Predator process and predator resource, Force levels, Repercussions (medical, legal, civil, personal), Go-NoGo, Win-Loss Ratio, etc. (still working on the core sub-principles for this one)”Attitude, Socio-emotional, Diplomacy, Speed [get-er done fast], Redirected aggression, Dual Time Clocks, Awareness, Initiative, Permission, )
PRINCIPLE SIX: CHEMICAL COCKTAIL: (Attacked Mind, Train It, Breath It Away, Visualize It Away, Sparring vs. Fighting, Degradation of Technique/skills, Peripheral Vision Loss, Tunnel Vision, Depth Perception Loss/Altered, Auditory Exclusion, Weakened legs/arms, Loss of Extremity Feeling, Loss of Fine Motor Skills, Distorted Memory/perceptions, Tachypsychia (time slows), Freeze, Perception of Slow Motion, Irrelevant Thought Intrusion, Behavioral Looping, Pain Blocked, Male vs. Female Adrenaline Curve, Victim vs. Predator, The Professional, Levels of Hormonal Stimulation, ???)
As can be seen these principles and the sub-concepts drive how we learn, practice and apply karate as well as other martial arts. As you look at the sub-concepts you will see those that relate directly to the concept of chinkuchi, i.e. the transference of energy and power, etc. When some attempt to explain chinkuchi they speak of some of these sub-concepts such as breathing, posture, alignments, efficiency, etc. and that is limiting the concept to the few sub-concepts in a few principles.
Looking, reading and then practicing/learning of the principles builds the foundation of the system as a true traditional combative art, karate. When you see these principles you can then see how chinkuchi at is base meaning of sinew, bone and energy can be connected directly to all the principles. These principles build and connect one another into one wholehearted practice of a system. That system is fundamental to the concept, learning and teaching of chinkuchi.
In addition to understand such terms as this you have to connect yourself to those who discovered chinkuchi in karate-do. You need to put yourself in their shoes for the time in which they lived and according to the culture, belief and practices of the peoples of Okinawa. By extension understanding the culture and beliefs of martial arts and the people who influenced the evolution of karate as well, i.e. the Chinese, the Japanese and other Asian societies of the times.
Chinkuchi is still hard to convey in words both spoken and written. It still needs to be taught on the dojo floor where you can feel, see, and sense it within the body. This then connects the words into the concept and by that action of learning, practice and application solidifies it within each of us and it is then hoped that those practitioners can learn the words to explain and convey this concept.
Chinkuchi is the application of the fundamental principles of marital arts to the jutsu of karate whereby you achieve concentrated power at any given moment into a single point under any circumstance with maximum energy and maximum power.
Chinkuchi, again and again and again and again
This subject comes up and time and again the explanation of this concept remains with the definition that chinkuchi is, “Power skills stem from chinkuchi, where the joints are stiffened and locked when a limb is thrown and hits a target at the moment of impact. This is to prevent the limb from being knocked-back when it impacts the target. Chinkuchi helps drive through the target.”
When learning and teaching about Chinkuchi you should understand the fundamental principles of martial systems involved. It is fine to understand that it is about power, locking joints, muscles, tendons, etc., and hitting the target at a specific impact point but there is a bit more to it than that. It is best learned under the tutelage of a qualified and experienced teacher.
The first principle is under the heading or primary principle of “theory.” There has to be control, efficiency, simplicity, natural action, and reflexive action. Since these are theories you also understand that these are the underlying principles that interconnect and support the application of chinkuchi.
The second principle is under the heading or primary principle of “physiokinetic’s.” This is a more direct and applicable set of sub-principles. It starts with breathing. Breathing is in all probability the most important of all principles. Without the proper breathing methods most if not all of the other principles will either fail or be impacted negatively depending on many factors. Posture is the next sub-principle. Proper posture along with the other sub-principles contributes greatly to proper application of chinkuchi let alone any and all other applications of martial systems. The next is spinal alignment, axis both major and minor, structure, i.e. the alignment of major limbs, joints, etc., heaviness, relaxation, i.e., of which without you cannot achieve proper chinkuchi let alone other applications, wave energy, convergence, centeredness, triangulation point, body mind, then another sub-principle very close to chinkuchi, i.e., centripetal and centrifugal force.
Lets not forget the sub-principles that are most obvious from the terse explanation of what it takes to apply chinkuchi, i.e. the joints stiffen and lock, etc. This is the sub-principal of sequential locking and sequential relaxation. Finally, rooting.
Note: although I provide the above principles and sub-principles you have to remember that to apply chinkuchi or any martial arts you have to understand and apply “all the fundamental principles” holistically and wholeheartedly because to achieve efficiency and proficiency along with proper power, etc., you need them all. This is about pointing the practitioner in the right direction to study, learn and understand those underlying principles that actually drive the application of martial concepts like chinkuchi.
The third principle is under the heading or primary principle of “technique.” Looking at only the more applicable principles you have to have economical motion, active movement, positioning, angling, live and dead energy, speed, timing, rhythm, natural and unnatural motion, non-telegraphing and finally extension and penetration.
Note: again, repeat reading the above note.
These are those fundamental principles of martial systems that support an understanding of what chinkuchi is and how it is applicable toward the type of power in application of techniques that Isshinryu’ist speak of when talking about its importance in Isshinryu karate.
Everyone keeps touting about its importance but few, other than the simplistic definition given in the quote at the beginning of this article, provide an in depth explanation of what it is and how it works and most important, “why it is important and works.” I say this because the excuse that you have to experience it to understand and apply it is only partially true. I personally feel it is just an excuse because many can demonstrate it with simple physical examples that really don’t provide a true understanding that often cannot be achieved until it is applied in a real violent physical encounter much like understanding the chemical release in stress induced dumps when in the fight.
I wholeheartedly support the concept that true understanding is best achieved by “doing it” but to understand it fully and completely and to teach it adequately is from a full, complete and detailed understanding of those principles that are fundamental to the entire spectrum of martial systems.
Having the ability to articulate what it is that makes it work and what is missing that makes it not work are important. Many cannot adequately articulate it when teaching and that is an obstacle to efficiency, proficiency and a full and complete understanding.
It is like the self-defense teacher who simply teaches a practitioner the techniques and combinations while ignoring all the stuff that comes before the fight and the more critically important stuff that comes after the fight. When there is something missing then you cannot be assured that what you know will work when you are in the conflict.
So, as I explain here and hope to inspire in others is the need to seek out answers and then learn the whole or entire understanding of martial principles that drive things like “chinkuchi.” If this chinkuchi is that important to martial arts then it is only proper those who are going to teach it, teach it completely and entirely. This type of understanding contributes to such things as “self-confidence, etc.” Like those who spend so much time learning history, if you understand history you are less apt to repeat it so if you understand the principles underlying a concept, model or technique, etc. you are less apt to apply it inefficiently. Inefficiency is about not winning, not achieving safety and not achieving security in life.
Maybe a lack of sufficient understanding even with the masters who teach is why they resist talking about it and always tell practitioners to practice, practice, and practice in the hopes that by example and practice they will learn to apply it naturally. I dislike hearing the answer to “why does it work” with “because it does, go practice.”
Chinkuchi - and again and again till I get it right :-)
Chinkuchi (チンクチ) chin (チンmuscle/ sinew); ku (クbone); chi (チenergy “気” “氣”) vital energy
ki Jp; chi Ch = air, breath; gas, steam, vapor; spirit; atmosphere; mood
Chinkuchi can be written using kanji (一寸力: issun-ryoku; an inch force) and can be translated as “short power” but more typically its written in katakana (チンクチ) because it is Okinawa dialect.
“waki wo shimeru” (脇を締める) which is poorly translated sometimes as “keep the elbows in” but means more along the lines of “tighten your lats (side)”. It captures some of the meaning of chinkuchi, but not all of it. I wonder if something got “lost in translation” when Okinawa Karate came to the Japanese mainland?
No one to date has provided a equal or relevant term in Japanese or even Chinese to mean the same as chinkuchi. This is an important distinction when trying to translate and convey meaning to the American mind. This is compounded by the differences in culture, beliefs and the time and education of those who taught us Okinawan karate.
One of the dictionaries I find accurate in martial arts terminologies is the Shinjinbukan.com site. They use the characters (チンクチ), i.e. katakana, to explain the concept, i.e. Chinkuchiis the exact point in which a joint can resist a force in two opposite directions (pulling and pushing). This is a unique aspect of the body mechanics (physiokinetic principles) that facilitates stability and leverage without wasting muscular force. It is leaned through touch and physical guidance of movement of technique execution by a sensei. It requires a type of physical and mental encoding that is first and foremost a physical or tactile teaching method. It takes physical experience and what some call muscle memory, i.e. a mind-body connection of encoding into the lizard brain, etc. It is this that achieves development of chinkuchi, embodiment of chinkuchi, and the production of chinkuchi. It is also a state of mind, i.e. therefore the mind-body connection as a principle of martial systems, as it requires both body and mind in balance. It is also a matter of reality based applications.
Others explaining Chinkuchi:
Higaonna Morio, 10th dan Goju-ryu Karate has this to say about chinkuchi:
“This expression [chinkuchi] is used to describe the tension or stability of the joints in the body for a firm stance, a powerful punch, or a strong block. For example, when punching or blocking, the joints of the body are momentarily locked for an instant and concentration is focused on the point of contact; the stance is made firm by locking the joints of the lower body – the ankles, the knees and the hips – and by gripping the floor with the feet.
Thus a rapid free-flowing movement is suddenly checked for an instant, on striking or blocking, as power is transferred or absorbed. Then the tension is released immediately in order to prepare for the next movement.”
Arakaki Kiyoshi, Karate writer, said this:
“A simple explanation is, when punching for instance, to contract the muscles used when punching (especially the triceps and the trapezius), increasing the speed of the punch or block from within your own body.”
Karate historian (and practitioner) Tokashiki Iken had to say about chinkuchi:
“When punching, the most important thing is that the “koshi” [hips] are in it, and that chinkuchi is being utilized. Chinkuchi, in a word, means to contract the trapezius, the triceps, the pectorals major, etc. when thrusting the fist out. At that time, the armpit must also be closed when punching or blocking.
This means that a punch with chinkuchi has an instantaneous increase in power. This is called “one cun power” [one inch punch] and causes a great destructive power upon the opponent’s body.”
"Chinkuchi is both a system of ‘conscious’ internal energy management and an experience of moving in sync with a confluence of subtle energies." Hayashi Tomio
"Chinkuchi is synonymous with internal energy cultivation. There are degrees of Chinkuchi control. There are different methods of exerting or expressing this ability. " Hayashi Tomio
Learning Chinkuchi
There are always questions regarding chinkuchi and how a person learns to use it in martial arts, i.e. specifically in Isshinryu since this system tends to stress chinkuchi more than others - at least in my experience. There are those who insist that one cannot learn chinkuchi without a qualified sensei teaching them using a more tactile approach. I disagree, to a point.
The point is that to implement it properly the tactile approach is the best method of teaching and yet where I disagree is kyu level students can learn about the process and practice a method on their own to help them learn and apply chinkuchi. So, how is this done? Well, I ain’t going to give that away for nothing mind you so you will have to go a bit on your own to find out what method to which I speak.
Now, as I have written in the past, chinkuchi is all about the fundamental principles and this chinkuchi thing is a great way to learn and apply principles. I just don’t want anyone thinking that the learning process that I am about to reference is a stand alone one but rather one that will get a novice started. Call it a pre-requisite to learning more about both principles and chinkuchi.
Ok the answer is: Marc MacYoung’s book, “Taking It to the Street: Making Your Martial Art Street Effective.” Yep, I was reading this book when I came across a section that just kind of jumped out at me saying, “Wait a minute, that sounds a lot like learning chinkuchi!” So, get the book and go to page 138 and start reading. When you get to Phase 1 you will be there. It has four phases of training and practice. This is critical to learning to be a bit more street effective while leaning about the dynamic tensioning or sequential locking and unlocking principles, etc., that when applied properly provide that chinkuchi that Isshinryu’ists understand to mean “power.”
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