ELEMENTS OF ATTACK AND DEFENCE

by Gary O'Donnell

The following 18 virtues are taken from a treatise on hokushin itto ryu written by Chiba Shusaku sensei.

Uchikomi juttoku (ten virtues of offence)
1. Techniques become powerful and prompt.
2. The strike becomes strong.
3. Patience leads to perception of the opponents intent.
4. The arms move at will.
5. The body moves promptly and in good form.
6. The long sword is easily managed.
7. The lower half of the body becomes steady.
8. You see with the minds eye.
9. The timing of strikes is harmonised with the movement of the opponent.
10. The grip becomes light and skilful

Ukekata hattoku (eight virtues of defence)
1. You become calm and serene.
2. You see with the minds eye.
3. You read the opponents intent through his sword.
4. The body is managed at will.
5. The body becomes fit and steady.
6. The grip becomes firm and fixed.
7. Your defence becomes skilful and difficult to evade.
8. The arms become solid and stable.

Clearly there are some contradictions of form between defence and attack. However it is not good practice to choose to fence in a defensive or attacking method unless you are particularly trying to develop one of the elements. It is better to try to integrate and blend the two together in response to the actions of the opponent in such a way that he will be constantly unsure of what policy to adopt (attack or defence). This is obviously very difficult and will take a great deal of practice. To achieve this integration requires a totally open and unclouded mind (heiho shin). If this can be achieved, techniques should happen without conscious thought or planning in response to the actions of your opponent (mugo-mushin).