Bassai dai bunkai wanted

[AngelaG]

The problem with calling morote uke an augmented block is that it gives out the wrong impression. Firstly blocking a punch is a very risky business, it gives the attacker time to put in another attack. It is best to shift and parry and the strike should be instantaneous with any sort of avoidance technique.

Secondly if you do decide to block a punch with an uchi uke then placing your other arm down at your elbow would not make your block any stronger (and anyway, isn't karate about technique, not pitting strength against strength?). Even for a female like me it is pathetically easy for me to soft block a large bloke's hookpunch. I would not need to augment that block - and if I did I would do it by using my body weight, rather than providing a pivot for the arm to collapse in on. Putting my other hand to my elbow does not make the strike any harder!


A

[Petek]

OK 2 things - morote uke is japanese for augmented block.

I wouldn' t block a punch with a morote uke, either, because it does tie both hands up. As I said in my last post you have to position/set yourself up to use it, it isn't a stand alone technique. No technique in karate is.

One other thing, try striking someone by moving forward, and striking them using your forearm, try it without the support of the other hand,(on the forearm - not the elbow), & then with. See how you get on. As per the start of Bassai-dai.

Morote-uke - the position of the fist at the elbow, I suspect is a stylised postion - maybe a sleeve grab ? I personally do find it stronger, especially if the forearms from a tight triangle. The position is a good guard position one hand points to jodan one pointing to the solar plexus.

Getting back to Bassai-dai, how do you interpratate the double ude-uke's at the start ? I use either set as an arm bar/break/restraint against a lapel grab. Same with the triple gedan barai later in the kata.

This is proving to be a great thread.

[AngelaG]

Talking about a lapel grab, that is also a great application for morote uke. Alm one arm horizontally into their forearms which collapses their knees and brings their head and chest fast down and in towards you. At the same time slam the other fist up into their rapidly decsending chin....

The double uchi uke is quite nice as an arm lock - the triple low "blocks" I quite like as a potential neck break ;D

A

[Petek]

Potential neck break- I shall have to suss that one out - ta

[Sionnagh]

The Japanese seem to have had a penchant for naming things as it appears many of the terms simply did not exist prior to karate being exported to Japan.

Take for example "morote uke". "Morote" simply means "both hands" and the morote uke in the Itosu-ha kata (Pinan, Bassai etc) differ between Hayashi-ha and Tani-ha schools. From what I have seen Hayashi-ha press the fist against the elbow of the other arm while Tani-ha press the open hand against the side of the fist of the other arm. In either case this often represents a simultaneous defence and counter-attack although the flexibility of it is that other applications can be extrapolated from the same movements.


Mick

[Aefibird]

Petek said:

Getting back to Bassai-dai, how do you interpratate the double ude-uke's at the start ? I use either set as an arm bar/break/restraint against a lapel grab. Same with the triple gedan barai later in the kata.

Usually as a break from or restrain against a grab. I've also tried it as a counter-grab and forearm smash moevent.

[AngelaG]

<shameless plug>

If you are interested in Bassai Dai and the history, bunkai etc. behind it, you can buy a rather nice book on it, written by my sensei (searcher2), on Karate Resource. Myself and Martyn Harris sensei have both written a review on the book, which will be uploaded within a day or two, when I have time.

</Shameless plug>

Regards
Angela