Motobu Udundi is the secret Te of the kings of Ryukyu that was handed down through the Motobu Udun family. It was passed on only to the eldest sons and, after the abolition of the clans, it was

What is Motobu Udundi?

by Miyagi Takao

Motobu Udundi is the secret Te of the kings of Ryukyu that was handed down through the Motobu Udun family. It was passed on only to the eldest sons and, after the abolition of the clans, it was known only to Motobu Choyu, nicknamed Umei Anjikata.

The techniques of Motobu-ryu differ from those of regular karate katas and postures, for, to the utmost degree, the movements of the body are done with softness and opponents are thrown by using hand grappling techniques.

At a casual glance, it can be mistakenly thought that there is no real technique involved, but on engagement any man, whatever size, can be overpowered.

That is to say, it is such an uncanny martial art that it is possible, by utilising the martial strength in the hands, to achieve a submissive state without causing bodily injury to an opponent; but if more pressure is applied in the techniques, it can indeed result in a hidden death blow.

Takao Miyagi defends against 2 sword attackers

The techniques of Te start with moto-te (original hand), then go on to kihon-te (basic hand), tori-te (hand grappling), tori-te gaeshi (hand-grappling return), uragaeshi (reversal); others include: ogami-te (prayer-hand) kaeshi-te (return-hand), karami-te (tangled hands), nuki-te (draw hand), and nage-te (throw hand), all being techniques that could be used in an actual fight.

On top of these comes the deepest secret principle, known as Anjikata no Mai no Te (Dance method of the Lords), for techniques of this are truely truculent, as shown by the words in a Ryukyuan song, “Never think of just observing Anjikata no Me Kata (Dance Hand of the Lords), for technique compounds technique and the more the secrets come to light.”

In other words, the real techniques are not to be found so much in the outward form, but more in the internal dance and body movements that can manifest all the martial strength together,

combining it into a mortal blow.

All the punches and kicks of Motobu Udundi can be used in actual fight situations; in attack there is defence, while defence becomes attack. In any event the distinction is to place importance on technique rather than physical strength.

It can be said that, as an ancient form of Ryukyuan Bujutsu, Motobu Udundi does indeed have real cultural value. At present the nucleus dojo is the Seidokan at Ojana, with others at Shuri (Bugeikan), Gushikawa (the Shubukan), Goya Road (the Seidokan), and at Tetokon Village, Sashiki (the Shodokan).

Written by: Miyagi Takao former Editor of Okinawa Times

First Published: 1976

Translated: Mark D. Bishop

Дата добавления: 2015-09-29