Makiwara
   HOME

TheInfoList



OR:

The makiwara () is a padded striking post used as a training tool in various styles of traditional
karate (; ; Okinawan language, Okinawan pronunciation: ), also , is a martial arts, martial art developed in the Ryukyu Kingdom. It developed from the Okinawan martial arts, indigenous Ryukyuan martial arts (called , "hand"; ''tī'' in Okinawan) un ...
. It is thought to be uniquely Okinawan in origin. The makiwara is one form of '' hojo undō'', a method of supplementary conditioning used by Okinawan
martial artists Martial arts are codified systems and traditions of combat practiced for a number of reasons such as self-defence; military and law enforcement applications; competition; physical, mental, and spiritual development; entertainment; and the prese ...
.


Use

The makiwara is used by karate practitioners to practice strikes in much the same way as a boxer uses a
heavy bag A punching bag (or British English punchbag) is a sturdy bag designed to be repeatedly Punch (combat), punched. A punching bag is usually cylindrical and filled with various materials of suitable hardness. History Punching bags have been used i ...
. The makiwara develops one's striking ability by letting them experience resistance to punches, kicks and other strikes. A poor punch will bounce off the makiwara if the body is not in a position to support the energy generated by the strike. It also develops targeting, and focus, which is the ability to penetrate the target (i.e., opponent) to varying degrees of force. The makiwara is very versatile, and can accommodate practice of open/closed hand strikes,
kick A kick is a physical strike using the leg, in unison usually with an area of the knee or lower using the foot, heel, tibia (shin), ball of the foot, blade of the foot, toes or knee (the latter is also known as a knee strike). This type of ...
s, knee strikes and elbow strikes. Okinawan methods emphasize striking from different angles. Most
sources Source may refer to: Research * Historical document * Historical source * Source (intelligence) or sub source, typically a confidential provider of non open-source intelligence * Source (journalism), a person, publication, publishing institute ...
recommend a regimen of hitting the makiwara 50–100 times per day, with each hand. It is especially important to train the weaker side of the body as hard as, or harder than the dominant side.Karate Do Kyohan. Funakoshi Gichin. Page 18

/ref> It is important to note that one should not use the makiwara so much that it causes them harm. While abrasions or soreness may be expected in early stages of training, like all good training, there should be no lasting damage. A round elongated makiwara, traditionally made from rice straw bound with rope, is used by practitioners of
kyūdō ''Kyūdō'' () is the Japanese martial art of archery. Kyūdō is based on ''kyūjutsu'' ("art of archery"), which originated with the samurai class of feudal Japan. In 1919, the name of kyūjutsu was officially changed to kyūdō, and following ...
, Japanese archery. This makiwara is placed on a stand so that it is near shoulder height, and is used for close range practice from about 5–8 feet away. The archer is practically unable to miss the target from that range, affording the
kyūdō ''Kyūdō'' () is the Japanese martial art of archery. Kyūdō is based on ''kyūjutsu'' ("art of archery"), which originated with the samurai class of feudal Japan. In 1919, the name of kyūjutsu was officially changed to kyūdō, and following ...
practitioner the opportunity to practice his form, without thought for the target.


Construction

Historically, the most common type consists of a single post driven into the ground, so that it is approximately shoulder height. The post is tapered from the bottom to a thickness of 1 cm at the top. Traditionally, a pad of rice straw (巻 maki "roll" + 藁 wara "straw") was bound to the top with rope to form a striking surface. More modern variations of the standing makiwara use a metal or other base;A metal mounted makiwara at makiwara.com
/ref> or in some cases a concreted recess into the floor of the dojo. These bases may be constructed to affix the makiwara with through bolts; or capture the makiwara in a clamping action. Today the pad is less often made of straw, and more likely to be leather; often with a layer of rubber, duct tape or other tape over foam rubber; and in some cases black palm rope is used. Modern materials may last longer outdoors.


Soft makiwara construction and use

Soft makiwara are the type of makiwara that beginners use, but they are still essential for daily speed training for both beginners and experts alike. Soft makiwara are often positioned at a greater angle from vertical and an average punch will straighten the makiwara to a vertical position.


Stiff makiwara construction and use

After the user is well conditioned from using the soft makiwara, they often add additional training on the stiff makiwara to work on power training. The stiff makiwara is constructed by positioning the wood at a small angle from vertical. The average training punch to push the makiwara to a vertical position, or 90 degrees from the ground.


Types of makiwara


Standing Makiwara


Shuri makiwara

The shuri makiwara is a flat board, measured to be as high as the instructor's breast bone. This makiwara is used when punching from a short stance.Interview with Seikichi Iha
/ref>


Naha makiwara

The naha makiwara is also a flat board, but measured to be as high as the instructor's
solar plexus The celiac plexus, also known as the solar plexus because of its radiating nerve fibers, is a complex network of nerves located in the abdomen, near where the celiac trunk, superior mesenteric artery, and renal arteries branch from the abdomi ...
. This makiwara is used traditionally by Goju Ryu practitioners, who train in a deep stance(Shiko dachi). Goju Ryu students are far more likely to use sanchin dachi in using the makiwara. The common makiwara in the Jundokan dojo in Naha, of Eiichi Miyazato are closer to shoulder height.


Ude makiwara

The ude makiwara differs in that it is round on all sides. This allows for the practitioner to use a variety of strikes and kicks on the makiwara, that could not be used on flat boards.


Hand Held Makiwara

Many martial artists use portable or hand held makiwara. Some are pocket sized, some may be mounted temporarily (in a Okinawa Taxi for instance). These makiwara are usually held in one hand and struck with the other. These makiwara allows the practitioner to condition other parts of the hand such as shuto, nukite (finger tips). This provides the capability of hand conditioning and training outside the dojo.Hand held Makiwara at fightingarts.com
/ref>


See also

*
Wolff's law Wolff's law, developed by the German anatomist and surgeon Julius Wolff (surgeon), Julius Wolff (1836–1902) in the 19th century, states that bone in a healthy animal will adapt to the loads under which it is placed. If loading on a particular ...
(a possible explanation why bones strengthen with daily makiwara use) * Stress fracture *
Boxer's fracture A boxer's fracture is the break of the fifth metacarpal bone of the hand near the knuckle. Occasionally, it is used to refer to fractures of the fourth metacarpal as well. Symptoms include pain and a depressed knuckle. Classically, it occurs a ...
*
Mu ren zhuang ''Mu ren zhuang'' () or Mook Yan Jong (also known as ''The Wing-Chun Dummy'' or simply ''The Wooden Dummy'' internationally), is a training tool used in various styles of Chinese martial arts, most notably that of Wing Chun and other kung fu sty ...


References

{{reflist


External links

*Detailed instructions o
how to build a makiwara and makiwara padMore detailed instructions on how to make one
(
Wayback Machine The Wayback Machine is a digital archive of the World Wide Web founded by Internet Archive, an American nonprofit organization based in San Francisco, California. Launched for public access in 2001, the service allows users to go "back in ...
copy) *Makiwara Guide
Makiwara Training: The Time Honoured Way to Develop Fight-Ending Power
Karate Martial arts equipment Okinawan karate