The Postures of Eight Directions for Dodging, Countering & Off Balancing

Through out Kyokushin Karate the concept of Happo kuzushi is continually used. A frequently ignored and misunderstood concept, it is so fundamental to budo karate and the successful execution of its techniques that its importance cannot be over-estimated or over-emphasized.

This concept is found in all the kumite, goshin jitsu and kata of Kyokushin Karate. An understanding of how it got into Kyokushin Karate is important in understanding its place and its integration with circle and point theory. The happo kuzushi is in fact the simplest, while being the most complex expression of the circle & point theory in the movements of the body, which is the foundation of Kyokushin Karate.

This particular area of training came as a result of Sosai’s training in daito-ryu aiki-jutsu, also known as Takeda Ryu, and is mentioned in “This is Karate” - Chapter 12; Oyama, Masutatsu, ? 1965, Japan Publications Trading Company”

The happo kuzushi is an integral part of Kyokushin Karate, and the understanding, practice & integration of it cannot be separated from the kyokushin karate as the heart and lungs can not be separated from the human body without the body dying. This concept is used in all Japanese martial arts. So it is important for the student to study it thoroughly until it is mastered and an understanding of the theory is developed; otherwise the student will find himself or herself confused and totally frustrated when trying to move outside of the front/back linear movement of technique attempted in training.

At the beginner's level it is best to think of the Happo in one dimension only, literally a pattern on the floor in the eight basic directions. But in fact there are eight directions for each dimension so that at higher belt levels need to think in 3 dimensions, 3 levels for each basic direction. However, knowing the basic directions is not enough to be able to utilize this concept in practice. It must be integrated with the concept of ma-ai, the spatial relationship of position, movement and time in relation to the opponent. A clear understanding and ability to judge distance is a necessary part of the eight directions to allow the defender to not only block or avoid an attack but also counter effectively against it.

At the most advanced levels we must progress to thinking of eight directions in 3 dimensions plus time. This means that there are several dynamic dimensions or shifts of direction of the attacker & defender;