Discussion and investigation into selected judo topics by Ronald Désormeaux

JUDO RON 23 - About Kuzushi

I have talked about the general principles of judo during many of my

discussion groups or mondo held with my students over the past years. Even
today, I think it is imperative that we refresh our mind about the concept and
the application of Kuzushi as identified by the founder of Judo, the late
professor Jigoro Kano.
Such a concept or principle was introduced and perfected by Doctor Kano
around 1881 after his study of the Randori practices at the Kito Ryu and as a
result of his encounters with Iikudo Tsunetoshi sensei. Kano practiced and
perfected reading the opponents’ motion and developed several tactics to
break their postures. He introduced the eight directions (Happo Kuzushi) by
which an opponent’s posture can be broken.

The Kodokan judo Dictionary1 still defines Kuzushi as balance breaking:

“An action to unbalance your opponent in preparation for throwing him”
while the general Random House dictionary refers to Kuzureru as the verb to
collapse, to destroy or lose shape. Respecting the original definition of the
founder, it is appropriate that we link Kuzushi with the means of identifying
the right moment of opportunity for Tori (Debana) and the exact moment of
vulnerability on Uke’s part.

Expressing the early meaning of Kuzushi, and confirmed by Kano sensei as

a truthful adaptation of his teaching, one of the Kodokan pillars, Yokohama
Sakujiro sensei wrote in 1908 in his Judo Kyohan that:2

“In order to conquer your opponent you must of course be an adept at as many tricks as
possible (techniques). However dexterous you may be, you will find them useless if
applied at the wrong time…
By the right occasion to apply tricks, is meant the time when your opponent has fallen
into the condition in which your methods will take effect. Such condition is said to be in
his loose or broken posture.”
“Victory may be divided into three principal heads: Put you opponent into a broken
posture, (Kuzushi) place yourself in the right posture or place (Tsukuri), and perform the
tricks in the proper manner (Kake)”

1
Teizo Kawamura and Toshiro Daigo, Kodokan Dictionary of judo, Tokyo, 2000
2
Yokohama Sakujiro and Oshima Eisuke, Judo Kyohan, Fukui Japan, French version 1911 titled: Manuel
de Jiu-Jitsu de l’école Kano, English translation as Judo Kyohan, 1914

1
 Discussion and investigation into selected judo topics by Ronald Désormeaux

Tachi Waza and Kuzushi

These first references to Kuzushi implied that the principle was mostly
related to Tachi Waza or standing judo. For each technique in the Gokyo,
there was a proper Kuzushi or variation on the how to apply it since
professor Kano had first discovered these applications during Randori.
When he later refined his concept, he gave it a more universal definition to
encompass the Ne Waza or ground work. He saw the Kuzushi as the mean to
entice the opponent into a position of no return, as an undetectable
movement or surprise by which the opponent could be mastered with
minimum effort and which would offer the less chance to escape.
Hereunder are some illustrations of the general and physical applications of
Kuzushi as found in Tachi Waza.

2
 Discussion and investigation into selected judo topics by Ronald Désormeaux

As one can observe, these basic physical manoeuvres of lifting and pushing
with your entire body are aimed at making the opponent very uncomfortable
in his posture; unstable in his balance. They create the necessary distractions
that will extend his reaction time to your own mouvements. As judo is both
a mental and physical activity, one can assume that Kuzushi is also made up
of additional processes such as installing fear, doubts and uncertainties;
spreading confusions and allowing the introduction of selected shouts aimed
at distracting momentarily his mental ability and concentration.

The application of Kuzushi is one of the basic weapons found in the arsenal
of judo as I described them in my book Shin Gi Tai3.

The operating words associated with Kuzushi are: to disrupt, to outwit and
out skill the opponent by means of adjusting one’s action to the opponent’s
reaction and vice versa. Each action must therefore be wanted or desired.
Such a total approach to defining Kuzushi has been expressed by Professor
Koizumi Gunji of the London Budokwai when he said:

“Judo may be described as a science for the study of the potential powers of
the body and mind, and the way of applying them most efficiently in
combative activities”.4

Kuzushi begins by making use of the mind as a mental power to develop the
proper strategy and approach in accordance with the various situations
before us. It is almost a combination of two principle know as Sen whereby
you forestall your opponent by starting your action before he begins his
attack and the Sen No Sen principle where you are mentally capable of
discovering or anticipating his very first move. By doing so, one establishes
a higher degree of self confidence and is able to tackle the situation without
fear of what the opponent could do or not do. By being able to sense the
emotions and the mouvements of the opponent, one can better make use of
the other Judo technical principles dealing with non-resistance and the
application of the Ju principle.

3
Ronald Désormeaux, The Discovery of Judo’s Arsenal, Shin Gi Tai, 2008

4
Koizumi Gunji, My study of Judo, Cornerstone Library, New York, 1960

3
 Discussion and investigation into selected judo topics by Ronald Désormeaux

We know that physical and mechanical sciences define strength in terms of

resistance. Without resistance, strength is equal to zero. In such case, the
effect of strength/force is limited to its prime application; that of maintaining
the stability of the structure or object within its environment. Its stability is
generally determined by the material chosen, the weight, the size or form; by
the height, the balance of forces inside and out, the location of its centre of
gravity and by its base of support. External forces applied against the
structure are equal to the internal forces employed to hold the structure in
place.

Judo activities have similar requirements but since judo is a dynamic process
between two opposing persons, we have to understand and make use of the
three basic laws as expressed by Isaac Newton which could be applied:

1. An object at rest will remain at rest unless influenced by an external force.

2. When an object is moved by a force, it develops an acceleration

proportional to, and in the direction of that force.

3. To every action there is a reaction.

To maximize our judo efficiency, and gain from the influences produced by
the forces of gravity, friction, momentum, velocity, impulsion and
propulsion we require being truthful to natural and to judo principles. We
have already discussed these in earlier presentations pertaining to natural
posture, displacement, rhythm and Kokoro. They are key elements forming
the basis for the intelligent use of the energy principle. The manner in which
they are used or deployed will determine the levels of our flexible response
or application of the Ju principle.

When discussing the right natural posture, we have learned how we could
retain a balanced state of our body and gain from having a full view of the
opponent and the developing situation and are advantaged with greater
liberty of action. With displacement exercises, we emphasized common
tactics to avoid, neutralise external forces, render them ineffective or redirect
them to unbalance the opponent. With rhythm, we discovered that physical
strength and weakness are less important than equilibrium and coordination.
Kokoro has opened our mind to reveal the essence of will power and spirit.
We have thus established that maximum efficiency can be obtained with
minimum efforts.

4
 Discussion and investigation into selected judo topics by Ronald Désormeaux

Our body is not a solid entity as one would normally find in a physical
structure such as a skyscraper. When threatened, we react differently and try
to regain our stability by changing our posture or switching direction of
movement. Our body is composed of bones, flexible joints, tendons,
muscles, internal organs and water; it has several circulation mechanisms
and reservoirs that inflate, deflate or react to each other. Its efficiency
depends on the nervous system to properly command the coordination and
harmony of its composite parts and it is also depended upon its maintenance
of a relative state of stability.

In a standing posture, such stability is obtained by the constant adaptation of

the center of gravity (in the abdomen region) which oscillates its positions
directly over the base or space outlined by the position of the feet.
Maintaining such a fragile state depends on constant adjustments of the
muscular functions over the joints of the body, especially at the hips and legs
regions. Some of my former teachers emphasized that the trunk or Hara was
the primary source of both balance and power and that the other moving
parts were mostly instrumental tools involved in the transfer of the power
from the centre to the extremities. They recommended directing our power
from the Hara and transferring it into our hands and wrists, arms, head and
toes.

We understand that the action of Kuzushi, of disturbing or disrupting occurs

when one’s balance is threatened and that we are rendered temporarily
powerless. We are facing a willing opponent, he or she is not a dead weight
but a thinking person with a will power as strong as our. His speed of
reaction before a dangerous situation will be crucial. We therefore have to
sense and feel such a weak moment occurring within our opponent’s
movement path. While maintaining our own stability, we will need to move
quickly and place our self in an advantageous position (Hontai) before he
regains his composure by stepping in or away from the opponent and
applying subsequent action in the direction to which the opponent has
demonstrated this kind of weakness by offering the least or no resistance.

It was the great technician that was Mifune Kyuzo sensei 10th dan which
recommended that whatever we do, we should try to maintain freedom of
action and maintain balance when he said: “One must always keep his
balance and let the opponent lose his”5

5
Mifune Kyuzo, Canon of Judo, Seibundo-Shinkosha, Tokyo, 1963

5
 Discussion and investigation into selected judo topics by Ronald Désormeaux

In a judo contest, there are several instances where we may become at risk of
loosing our stability thus presenting a higher degree of vulnerability.
Hereunder is a partial list:
1. When we enter the respiratory phase of inhaling.
2. When we are careless with the displacement of our feet (Ayumi Ashi).
3. When we are incapable of observing the situation from a safe distance.
4. When we are mentally fatigued or preoccupied with other things.
5. When we focus on only one subject or direction.
6. When our body is tired and slow to move about.
7. When we become confused by right-left or multiple attacks or situations
8. When our reaction time is diminished by our own poor posture.
9. When we are not properly trained for dynamic and changing situations.
10. When we let the opponent guide and lure us in his rhythm.
11. When we are unable to change our body position because of the close
entanglement with the opponent.

You may find several other circumstances emanating from the study of the
next diagram depicting postural situations. Try to imagine the source, the
facility of making use of distance, speed, confusing attack, directional force
and the potential opportunity to place a Kuzushi in those four situations.

For our discussion, we have to remember two basic rules: Make use of
Uke’s strength first and foremost, then, you must synchronize the actions of
your Hara, head, hand and feet to induce UKE to make a move from which
he will be committed and have difficulty retrieving.

Kuzushi and Ne Waza

6
 Discussion and investigation into selected judo topics by Ronald Désormeaux

The principles applied to Tachi Waza are also present in Ne Waza, yet they
are expressed by different applications. Here, our aim is to attack the
weakest point. We need to maintain Uke’s centre of gravity in close
proximity to the ground while restricting his mobility or escape routes. By
making use of our own centre of gravity (located in the abdomen) we are
able to shift our weight around, on or about him. Mifune sensei tells us that
in both the throwing and floor techniques, the Kuzushi must remain the
essence of a victory.6

In his method of judo, sensei Kawaishi Mikinosuke emphasised that the

hold-down techniques are the corner stones of all ground work. He remarked
that the swift entry into a secured position is the doorway to impose the
maximum restriction to the opponent by preventing his escapes, restricting
his moves or taking advantages of his weaknesses through choking
techniques and arm lock lever actions.7

Inokuma Isao sensei expressed the continuity of Tachi Waza into Ne Waza
in his preface to Pelletier G and Urvoy C document on Ne Waza as follow:
“Following a throw with an immediate attack into Ne Waza without letting
go of the opportunity provided by the broken posture of the opponent
constitute a major advantage towards victory and represent a major asset in
judo.”8

6
Mifune Kyuzo, Canon of Judo, page 43
7
Kawaishi Mikinosuke, Ma méthode de judo, 1951, page 290
8
Pelletier G and Urvoy C, Ne Waza, Sedirep.1981

7
 Discussion and investigation into selected judo topics by Ronald Désormeaux

If an Ippon is not marked by throwing the opponent on his back and with
sufficient force, one must be prepared to follow the opponent to the ground.
The rules of contest require that his back be held to the ground without
escaping for the duration of 25 seconds. The opponent can abandon or
concede his defeat when choked or held in a dangerous arm lock. The prime
points of control are: the head, the torso, the abdomen, the elbow joint and
the shoulder areas. As we will note in the following graphics, such bodily
control must be sought while preserving as much as possible our own
freedom. We need to keep in mind that our positions are interchangeable,
that we have the freedom to move our base of support, and vary the
techniques used or change our control areas at will.

Of course the superior position presents better possibilities for control yet;
the lower and side positions have their distinct advantages as we need to
constantly readjust our postures and play on the angles to maximize the use
of the action-reaction principle with every move or tentative escape that will
be tried by the opponent.
The observations made by professor M.Feldenkrais 9 support the logic used
by the earlier Ne Waza specialists in that: when the opponent lays on his
9
Feldenkrais M, Higher judo groundwork, Frederick Warne, London, 1952

8
 Discussion and investigation into selected judo topics by Ronald Désormeaux

back, with all his members stretched, only two movements are possible:
rolling backward or forward or rolling from side to side. Should he flex his
members and lift his head from the ground, then many possibilities springs
out. He can twist, swing about, shoot out, roll, use the free space and change
the location of his center of gravity. When under, he will try to find a whole
in which to manoeuvre, remove himself from the direction he feels the more
restraint, reduce the area of friction with the ground as much as possible and
move away from the pressure points thus transferring the sliding friction into
an exit roll.

To avoid these possibilities, one must keep close contact with the opponent
and control the head, the shoulders and the trunk areas while applying as
much vertical pressure down to hold them closest to the ground. You have to
envelope his entire body like a wet rag placed over a ball, exercise the
maximum vertical pressure on its centre or apply additional pressure to other
areas along the length of his body.

Applying Kuzushi in Ne Waza is all in the preparation and displacement of

the opponent into a favourable position for us to take the initiative. It is to be
remembered that ground action is more subtle and not necessarily
accomplish at very high speed. All small gains are accumulated towards
securing the right moment to execute the control or the escape. Luring the
opponent into a disadvantageous situation is an art that must be worked upon
constantly. When the opponent is under control, secured into an Osaekomi
and the contact steady, the other techniques of choking and arm bars can be
executed with ease.

As with Kuzushi in the Tachi Waza, the steps are similar: First identify the
direction and decide what technique you will employ to lure him. Then,
verify the stability of his base, follow with an assessment of his potential
reactions, his response time and momentum to react. After which, apply
your technique swiftly using all your body. Make use of your Hara, your
torso, your hands, feet and toes to move faster and farther then Uke.

9
 Discussion and investigation into selected judo topics by Ronald Désormeaux

With practice and further guidance, you will be able to play on the Kuzushi
and improve your judo techniques. You can start your practice now by
considering the following:

Try to move freely both while standing or on the ground.

Analyse what and where restrictions are imposed on you.

On the ground: control the opponent’s legs; keep your head beyond reach.

Keep one leg free to manoeuvre.

Play on the corners and keep the small of your back in a concave form; focus
on the hips, the head, knees and elbows.

Try parting the elbows or knees away from Uke’s body to make openings;
always use the hip to start the movement of the legs, try to gain space
between both of you.

Continuously readjust your position and apply pressure on Uke when need
be.

That is the form of Kuzushi as I understand it.

Have a good work out.

Ronald Désormeaux
Chikara Dojo, Gatineau Québec

25 Octobre 2009

10