Taijitu, the traditional symbol representing the forces of Yin and Yang. These opposites can represent hard and soft

Hard and soft in martial arts refer to the way techniques deal with the force of an attack. Image File history File links Yin_yang. ... Image File history File links Yin_yang. ... A commonly used version of the Taijitu The Taijitu of Zhou Dun-yi. ... Hawaiian State Grappling Championships. ... In physics, force is an influence that may cause a body to accelerate. ...

Techniques

Martial arts techniques can be effected in a 'hard' or a 'soft' manner. This applies to both unarmed combat and to the use of martial arts weapons. Hawaiian State Grappling Championships. ... Hawaiian State Grappling Championships. ... A weapon is a tool used to kill or incapacitate a person or animal, or destroy a military target. ...

Examples of techniques used in unarmed combat include strikes such as punches and kicks, along with traps, locks (see chin na), footsweeps, throws and takedowns, used in grappling. Examples of martial arts weaponry include knives, swords, and spears. In use these may be thrust, swept, hooked, etc. See a list of martial arts weapons for more details. This does not cite its references or sources. ... A taekwondo sidekick. ... Chin Na or Qinna (擒拿, pinyin: qín ná, Wade-Giles: chin2 na2) is a Chinese term describing joint-manipulation techniques for self defense used in the Chinese martial arts. ... Look up throw, throwing in Wiktionary, the free dictionary. ... A takedown is a martial arts and combat sports term for a technique that involves using the arms to grab the legs or body of an opponent, off-balancing the opponent, and causing him or her to fall to the ground, with the combatant performing the takedown landing on top. ... Hawaiian State Grappling Championships. ... traditional Norse knife A knife is a sharp-edged hand tool used for cutting. ... The word swords can refer to: Swords, Dublin swords (blades) Swords, a suit in the Tarot SWORDS, a ground-based military robot This is a disambiguation page: a list of articles associated with the same title. ... A spear is an ancient weapon, used for hunting and war. ... This is a partial list of martial arts weapons. ...

Soft techniques

Taijiquan Pushing Hands, Shanghai, circa 1930

In a soft technique the receiver uses the aggressor's force and momentum against him by leading the attack in a direction where the receiver will be positioned in advantage, then, in a seamless movement, effects an appropriate martial arts technique. In some styles, a series of progressively difficult training drills such as pushing hands or sticky hands teach students to exercise this concept. Pushing Hands This image has been released into the public domain by the copyright holder, its copyright has expired, or it is ineligible for copyright. ... Pushing Hands This image has been released into the public domain by the copyright holder, its copyright has expired, or it is ineligible for copyright. ... This article or section does not adequately cite its references or sources. ... 1930 (MCMXXX) was a common year starting on Wednesday (link is to a full 1930 calendar). ... In physics, force is an influence that may cause a body to accelerate. ... In classical mechanics, momentum (pl. ... Alternative spellings: taisabaki, tai sabaki, tai-sabaki Tai sabaki is a term from Japanese martial arts and which relates to whole body movement, or repositioning. ... For other uses of the term, see Pushing Hands Pushing hands, (推手, Wade-Giles tui1 shou3, pinyin tuī shǒu), is a name for two-person training routines practiced in internal Chinese martial arts such as Pa Kua Chang (Baguazhang), Hsing-i Chuan (Xingyiquan), Tai Chi Chuan... Chi Sao (黐手 literally, sticky arm) is a Wing Chun term for the principle, and drills based on the principle, of sticking to an opponent. ...

Note following points.

1) The receipt of the incoming force is dealt with in a soft manner thus: This 'leading' of the incoming attack redirects forces from the aggressor either back at the aggressor or away from the defender instead of meeting the force with a block. Soft defenses are usually circular: The way this works is similar to the way a projectile may glance off a round or slanted surface without damaging it. The lack of resistance while meeting of the incoming force is usually referred to as yielding, (see the The Principle of Ju). A block is a technique in martial arts such as karate or Taekwon-Do that prevents an attack from making contact with the body. ... The principle of Jū (柔) underlies all classical Bujutsu (武術 martial arts) methods and was adopted by the developers of the Budō (武道 martial ways) disciplines. ...

A front sacrifice throw (probably tomoenage) used against an assailant pushing from the front

2) The final application of a technique is soft: A technique applied in a soft manner is often applied when the person is off-balance (see kuzushi) which makes it easy for the person effecting the technique. This ‘ease’ of application was termed ‘maximum efficiency’ by Jigoro Kano, who founded judo. The Taijiquan classics report a concept known as "a force of four taels being able to move a thousand catties" which refers to the Taiji principle that a mass in motion can seem weightless. Techniques applied in this manner may superficially appear similar to those used in hard martial arts, e.g. throws, armlocks, etc. but it is the softness in their application which makes them different. No more force than is needed should be applied. Image File history File linksMetadata Size of this preview: 684 × 600 pixelsFull resolution (1202 × 1054 pixel, file size: 66 KB, MIME type: image/jpeg) A sacrifice throw in jiu-jitsu. ... Image File history File linksMetadata Size of this preview: 684 × 600 pixelsFull resolution (1202 × 1054 pixel, file size: 66 KB, MIME type: image/jpeg) A sacrifice throw in jiu-jitsu. ... Kuzushi (崩し) is a Japanese term for unbalancing an opponent in the martial arts. ... Dr. Jigorō Kanō (嘉納 治五郎 Kanō Jigorō, 1860 in Kobe, Japan - 1938) is the founder of Judo. ... Judo ), meaning gentle way, is a modern Japanese martial art (gendai budō) and combat sport, that originated in Japan in the late nineteenth century. ... Tai Chi Chuan or Taijiquan (from Chinese 太极拳 Tàijíquán, literally supreme ultimate fist), commonly known as Tai Chi or Taiji, is a nei chia (internal) Chinese martial art which is known for the claims of health and longevity benefits made by its... The tael (兩), PY: Liang, was part of the Chinese system of weights and currency. ... A catty (æ–¤) is a measurement of weight from the European colonial times in the far east, commonly found in wet markets and in supermarkets in Hong Kong. ...

• In Fencing a parry is an example where the opponent's blade is guided away rather than a clash of forces in a block. This is likely to be immediately followed by a riposte and that by a counter-riposte.

• When an aggressor (uke) pushes towards the recipient (tori), tori drops under uke while lifting uke over him with one of his legs to effect the throw Tomoe Nage. The technique is categorized as a front sacrifice technique, and is used in judo and other forms of jujutsu. The push from uke can come directly, or in response to a push from tori. If tori pulled uke over by sheer strength, then it would not be a soft technique.

Fencing advertisement for the 1900 Summer Olympic Games This article is about the sport, which is distinguished from stage fencing and academic fencing (mensur). ... Parry may refer to: A parry, a manoeuvre in fencing. ... In fencing, the riposte is an offensive action made by the fencer who has just parried an attack. ... This page is a candidate to be copied to Wiktionary. ... Tori may refer to: People Tori, a professional wrestler Tori Amos, pop/rock musician Tori Busshi, a Japanese sculptor of Chinese ancestry active around 600 AD Tori Hanson, the blue Wind Power Ranger from Power Rangers Ninja Storm, played by Sally Martin Tori Spelling, actress Places Tori Commune, a municipality... Tomoe Nage is one of the traditional forty throws of Judo as developed by Jigaro Kano. ... Judo ), meaning gentle way, is a modern Japanese martial art (gendai budō) and combat sport, that originated in Japan in the late nineteenth century. ... This article or section does not cite its references or sources. ...

Hard techniques

A hard technique by contrast meets force with force, either by directly blocking the technique with a head-on force or by cutting through at an angle with one's own force. This can also serve as an example of the receiver using the aggressor's force and momentum against them, but usually relies on superior strength or conditioning to be successful.

• A Taekwondo kick to break the arm of a person throwing an incoming punch.
• Perhaps "hardest" of all is Shotokai with low, lunging attacks and brush blocks, all committed to the most vigorous, straight-line attack possible.

Taekwondo (also spelled tae kwon do or taekwon-do) is a martial art and combat sport originating in Korea. ... A taekwondo sidekick. ... Look up Punch in Wiktionary, the free dictionary Punch can refer to: Punch from Punch and Judy Punch (magazine) Punch (drink), various mixed drinks often containing fruit or fruit juice, sometimes alcoholic Punch (strike), blow made with a fist. ... Shotokai is the organisation formed in 1936 by Gichin Funakoshi to teach karate. ...

Hard and soft styles or arts

Some martial artists refer to styles or arts as being hard or soft.

A hard style or hard martial art, such as Shotokan karate, employs predominantly or exclusively hard techniques. Shotokan is a school of karate, developed from various martial arts by master Gichin Funakoshi (1868-1957) and his son Yoshitaka. ... Karate ) ( ) or karate-dō ) is a martial art that developed from a synthesis of indigenous Ryukyuan fighting methods and Chinese kempo [1]. Karate originally meant Tang hand, i. ...

Soft styles or soft martial arts, such as Aikido and the Chinese internal martial arts, employ many soft techniques. For example, in Yin Style Baguazhang, a Chinese internal martial art, which derives its philosophy from the I-Ching, the Kun trigram represents pure yin and it tends to yield to force. However, the Qian trigram represents pure yang and its techniques tend to be very hard. For instance, one might use a sweeping strike (an attack method of the Qian trigram) to block and break the arm of an incoming punch. Thus, while some might consider Baguazhang to be a "soft" martial art, it includes "soft" and "hard" techniques. Aikido ), translated as the way of harmonious spirit, is a modern Japanese martial art (gendai budō) developed by Morihei Ueshiba as a synthesis of his martial studies, philosophy, and religious beliefs. ... Nèijiā (Chinese: 內家; Pinyin: nèi jÄ«a; Wade-Giles: nei4 chia1) denotes the internal or soft styles of Chinese martial arts, as opposed to wàijiā (外家; external family), the external or hard styles, which are associated with Shaolinquan and its many derivatives. ... Along with Tai Chi Chüan and Xíngyìquán, BāguàzhÇŽng is one of the three major internal Chinese martial arts. ... The I Ching (often spelled as I Jing, Yi Ching, Yi King, or Yi Jing ; also called Book of Changes or Classic of Changes) is the oldest of the Chinese classic texts. ... The bagua (Chinese: 八卦; pinyin: ; Wade-Giles: pa kua; literally eight trigrams) is a fundamental philosophical concept in ancient China. ...

Many martial arts combine 'hard' and 'soft' techniques, such as Goju Ryu karate. (The name of Goju Ryu is derived from 'gō' (剛 Hard) and 'jū' (柔 Soft) in Japanese ). Such arts are usually called 'hard/soft'. The Chinese martial arts emphasize a balance of yin and yang. In some styles these represent softness and hardness, respectively. One should yield (yin) to hard force (yang); inversely, one should attack (yang) a soft (yin) opponent. Other uses of this doctrine state the study of yin and yang involve offensive and defensive responses; if one is struck on the left, one can effectively counterstrike from the right, if a low kick comes in, strike high, if a high punch comes in, kick low. As well, if one initiates these sorts of attacks, one should be aware of the simultaneous defensive liabilities involved. Goju Ryu (Japanese for Hard-soft style) is a style of karate, so called as it allows a combination of hard and soft techniques. ... Karate ) ( ) or karate-dō ) is a martial art that developed from a synthesis of indigenous Ryukyuan fighting methods and Chinese kempo [1]. Karate originally meant Tang hand, i. ... Chinese martial arts describes the enormous variety of martial art styles originating in China. ... Taijitu, the traditional symbol representing the forces of yin and yang The dual concepts of yin and yang – or the single concept yin-yang – originate in ancient Chinese philosophy and metaphysics, which describe two primal opposing but complementary principles said to be found in all non-static objects and processes...

"Hard/Soft" vs "External/Internal"

There is disagreement among different schools how they use the two concepts of "Hard/Soft" and "External/Internal" applied to their styles. Among styles that this terminology is applied to, traditional Taijiquan equates the terms while maintaining several finer shades of distinction (see quotes below) while students of some other styles consider the two concepts distinct. In the latter case you will hear that "internal arts" tend to be "soft" but "soft" arts are not necessarily "internal"^[1]. Differences in opinion may be influenced by the national origins of a particular martial art and the use of the terms by those schools or nationalities - but in any case the debate can be quite fierce. An example of a soft martial art not generally acknowledged to be internal is judo. Nèijiā (Chinese: 內家; Pinyin: nèi jīa; Wade-Giles: nei4 chia1) denotes the internal or soft styles of Chinese martial arts, as opposed to wàijiā (外家; external family), the external or hard styles, which are associated with Shaolinquan and its many derivatives. ... Judo ), meaning gentle way, is a modern Japanese martial art (gendai budō) and combat sport, that originated in Japan in the late nineteenth century. ...

Quotes about the application of hardness and softness

• "As a martial art, Taijiquan is externally a soft exercise, but internally hard, even as it seeks softness. If we are externally soft, after a long time we will naturally develop internal hardness. It’s not that we consciously cultivate hardness, for in reality our mind is on softness. What is difficult is to remain internally reserved, to possess hardness without expressing it, always externally meeting the opponent with softness. Meeting hardness with softness causes the opponent’s hardness to be transformed and disappear into nothingness..." From chapter twenty of the "Forty Chapters" preserved by Taijiquan's Yang family.

• "The greatest taboo when practicing Taijiquan is to use force. If one can make the entire body loose and open, and be absorbed in the circulation of blood and qi, then after a while one's practice will naturally develop inner jing. This inner energy is extremely soft, so when encountering an opponent one doesn't need to resist at all. The ability to extend and contract in order to follow the opponent's energy is referred to as elastic power within softness. Taijiquan theory states: "From the greatest softness comes the greatest hardness." This is what is meant by softness." Wu Jianquan in chapter four of his essay Features of Taijiquan:

• "In Randori we teach the pupil to act on the fundamental principles of Judo, no matter how physically inferior his opponent may seem to him, and even if by sheer strength he can easily overcome him; because if he acts contrary to principle his opponent will never be convinced of defeat, no matter what brute strength he may have used." Jigoro Kano ^[2]

• "I may venture to say, loosely, that in Judo there is a sort of counter for every twist, wrench, pull, push or bend. Only the Judo expert does not oppose such movements at all. No, he yields to them. But he does much more than yield to them. He aids them with a wicked sleight that causes the assailant to put out his own shoulder, to fracture his own arm, or in a desperate case, even to break his own neck or back." Lafcadio Hearn ^[2]

• "True spirit of Judo is nothing but the gentle and diligent free spirit. Judo rests on flexible action of mind and body. The word flexible however never means weakness but something more like adaptability and openmindedness. Gentleness always overcomes strength." Kyuzo Mifune ^[2]

• "Do not think of attack and defense as two separate things. An attack will be a defense, and a defense must be an attack." Kazuzo Kudo ^[2]

• "Another tenet of randori is to apply just the right amount of force--never too much, never too little." Jigoro Kano ^[3]

Yang style (楊家) Tai Chi Chüan in its many variations is the most popular and widely practised style in the world today and the second in terms of seniority among the primary five family styles of Tai Chi. ... JÄ«ng (Chinese: ; Wade-Giles: ching1) is the Chinese word for essence, specifically kidney essence. ... Wu Jianquan 吳鑑泉 Wú Jiànquán or (Wade-Giles) Wu Chien-chüan, 吳鑑泉 (1870-1942), was a famous teacher of Tai Chi Chuan (Taijiquan) in late Imperial and early Republican China. ... Dr. Jigorō Kanō (嘉納 治五郎 Kanō Jigorō, 1860 in Kobe, Japan - 1938) is the founder of Judo. ... Lafcadio Hearn, aka Koizumi Yakumo. ... Kyuzo Mifune Kyuzo Mifune (三船久蔵 Mifune Kyuzo 1883-1964) has been categorized as one of the greatest exponents of the Art of Judo after the Founder, Jigoro Kano. ... Randori (乱取り) is a term used in Japanese martial arts to describe free-style practice or sparring, sometimes with multiple attackers. ... Dr. Jigorō Kanō (嘉納 治五郎 Kanō Jigorō, 1860 in Kobe, Japan - 1938) is the founder of Judo. ...

See also

• List of martial arts
• The Principle of Ju
• Aiki (martial arts principle)

This is a list of martial arts, broken down by region and style. ... The principle of Jū (柔) underlies all classical Bujutsu (武術 martial arts) methods and was adopted by the developers of the Budō (武道 martial ways) disciplines. ... Aiki is a martial arts principle or tactic. ...

References

1. ^ *The martial arts FAQ was built up over years of discussion on rec.martial.arts. In part one, there is an entry for hard vs soft and internal vs external.
2. ^ ^{a b c d} Judo Quotes 1
3. ^ Judo Quotes 2

Sources

• Wile, Douglas Lost T'ai-chi Classics from the late Ch'ing Dynasty State University of New York Press, Albany, 1996. ISBN 978-0-7914-2653-1
• Wu Kung-tsao. Wu Family T'ai Chi Ch'uan (吳家太極拳), Hong Kong, 1980.

Wu Kung-tsao 吳公藻 Wu Kung-tsao 吳公藻 (1902-1983) whose name is also spelled Wu Gongzao, Wu Kung Cho or Wu Kung Jo, was a famous Chinese teacher of Tai Chi Chuan in Beijing, Shanghai and Hong Kong. ...

External links

• Ezine article re hard and soft martial arts
• Stanford Jujitsu class information FAQ.