Six Principles of Training
By Katsuyuki Kondo

Daito-ryu is built upon a foundation of six basic elements. These are extremely deep and complex and mastery of even one of them requires a great deal of time and effort. One’s ability to perform Daito-ryu techniques correctly and fully will only develop through constant and strenuous efforts to take all six into account at all times.

Rei – “Correct Formal Personal Conduct”

The term “rei” has been translated variously with words such as etiquette, manners, courtesy, decorum, respect, or propriety. However, rei may be generally understood to mean the rules of “correct formal personal conduct”. Historically in Japan such rules have served in lubricating social and interpersonal relationships and preventing strife among people. Daito-ryu preserves historical forms of correct personal conduct, not because they have any particular relevance to the performance of techniques per se, but because they contain and continue the spiritual mind-set of the traditional warrior that pervades and informs the Daito-ryu tradition even today.

Metsuke – “Eye Contact”

Metsuke refers to the use of the eyes. Essentially there are two types of metsuke training in Daito-ryu, one called mokushin (lit. “the eye of the mind”), and the other called ganriki (lit. “eye power”). Mokushin involves seeing with the “eyes of the mind”, often to enclose and envelope an opponent. Ganriki, on the other hand, is a sharp, penetrating gaze that sees an opponent’s intentions and can be used to dominate and control him.

Maai – “Distancing”

Maai refers to the physical distance of “interval” between things. Maai is often the single most important factor in determining the outcome of a combative encounter. It sometimes happens, for instance, that a combatant thinks he has established a favorable maai only to have it suddenly turn out to be to his opponents advantage. Primarily a form of unarmed combat, Daito-ryu focuses on the diligent study of the closer maai characteristic of striking and grappling techniques, although other maai also come into play in some situations.

Kokyu – “Breathing”

Kokyu refers to “breath” or “breathing”. We generate physical power and movement more easily when exhaling or in some cases when stopping our breath, both of which are states of “yang”. The opposite is true of inhaling, a “yin” state. Thus, techniques are usually performed while exhaling, often with one breath from start to finish. Simularly, it is considered ideal to time any attack to an instant when your opponent has just exhaled and has just started to inhale again. We take advantage of the openings in an opponents defenses offered by yin states, with many counterattacks and defenses timed to coincide with the instant your opponent enters – or is made to enter – a yin state.

Kuzushi – “Unbalancing”

From ancient times the admonishment to “attack where the opponent has been unbalanced” has been a fundamental axiom of Japanese combative theory. In the name, “Daito-ryu Aikijujutsu”, we see that the term “aiki” has been placed before the word jujutsu, and it would not be an exaggeration to say that this aiki refers mainly (though not exclusively) to the principle of kuzushi, or “unbalancing”, the opponent. Indeed a great many of Daito-ryu’s oral transmissions and inner teaching pertain to the various subtle aspects of kuzushi.

Zanshin – “Remaining Mind and Full Effort”

The character for “zanshin” have the general meanings of “remain” (zan-) and “mind” (-shin). The term is usually interpreted as referring to a mental state in which you continue to focus your attention on your opponent and the surrounding environment. I have another interpretation, however, which is that the characters for zanshin can also refer to the phrase “Kokoro wo nokosazu” (lit. “Leave nothing of the spirit behind”). This means giving of yourself so completely that nothing remains to be given and so that nothing is held back. When practicing Daito-ryu this means giving your absolute all to the performance of each and every technique.

On Strikes (Atemi)

Since Daito-ryu is essentially a grappling tradition, most strikes (atemi) with the hands and feet are done to assist in throwing and pinning techniques. Two of the most common strikes are done with the nakadaka ipponken, or a fist with the middle knuckle raised to a point, and the shuto, or the blade-edge of the hand. Also, wherever possible strikes should be done with the right hand, in keeping with the Daito-ryu tradition of wielding weapons such as the dagger and short sword with the right hand.

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