“Hmm. What is Jo-Ka-Kyu?” These were the thoughts I find myself thinking about from time to time.
I guess a bit of context is in order: my first exposure to the concept of Jo-Ha-Kyu was to calibrate the speed of nukitsuke (regardless of using bokuto or iaito). The waza involved was a seiza waza, Mae. My basic understanding back then (about 10? years ago) was to start slow, then gradually accelerate into the horizontal cut, yoko-ichi monji. There’s limited success, as one finds oneself easily caught up with over-exertion of force and over-anticipation in the waza. “It’s all in the mind.” I told myself and made mental notes to re-visit this topic when I developed a better understanding of other areas.
Over time my understanding evolved with continued exploration of the topic. From the perspective of the bystander, Jo-Ha-Kyu may look like slow, deliberate practice. I thought it was so; culminating in the initial article published here. Yet, after years of study, I realized that it wasn’t so —the former’s description already indicates the slowness involved while in the latter (Jo-Ha-Kyu), there are elements of fast actions.
Fast forward a couple more years, I collected a bunch of various other concepts and organised them as such (see diagram below). It is by no means the official presentation of how this topic is to be taught and learnt. Rather, I packaged the following as a learning aid to help other learners studying in our dojo, navigate and organise their learning regarding this topic. It is still a work in progress and would possibly be updated as more study is done in this area. We’ll visit these concepts briefly later in the article.
Indeed, isn’t this the nature of learning? For example, when one first encounters an apple; one would think it is a round, red fruit. Over time, as one deepens the understanding of an apple, one discovers that the apple fruit came from flowering trees; one learns about flowering trees, the various species of apples, and more.
As indicated earlier, my introduction to Jo-Ha-Kyu was to calibrate the action of nukitsuke. Others may have different experiences, but I think it is okay, as it should all lead to the same end goal of performing a waza properly. As one gets acquainted with other concepts, one may start to connect the dots and see how each of these concepts fits together.
I had two other interesting experiences. One was concerning an advanced waza - the guidance given was I was too fast in the lead-up to the cut. That made me re-examine the course (duration) of Jo-Ha-Kyu in the waza. As I hadn’t actively considered the other concepts in the diagram, it took some time to sink in ( it’s still sinking in to this day). But the guidance was like a key towards something more profound. The best I could do back then was to first try to replicate the intended waza motion consistently (sort of like an image capture, I think). Then comes the reflections and study on the rationale behind the motions.
The other experience (fairly recent) concerns how another waza, ukenagashi (receiving block) was done. It prompted my rethink of Jo-Ha-Kyu.
“Could Jo-Ha-Kyu involve more? Like a lead-up of actions in the scenario?”
I could google, but hey, since ChatGPT is the rage these days, I gave it a try:
The pervasive nature of Jo-ha-kyu is interesting. Yet it should come as no surprise; since it could also be thought of as being the inherent rhythm involved in a phenomena.
I understand Jo now as referring to the setup of the waza… (note my understanding is still limited and is by no means complete). Depending on the circumstances in the waza, how one reacts differs. There is a moment to perceive the situation, process the options available, and then create the opportunity to achieve victory. Each of these phases differs in duration for each waza.
The other general concepts (i.e. posture, metsuke, breathing, technique) seem to fit nicely together in the broader picture of the Bunkai (waza scenario). A closer study and appreciation of the underlying bunkai, combined with the foundation of kihon would help refine the understanding and action of Jo-Ha-Kyu.
Unfortunately, the finer details such as transitions, hasuji, tenouchi, Sen, and Maa, could not be properly nor sufficiently covered within this short article. I hope this article would spark curiosity and encourage explorations in the study of Iaido or at the very least an interesting read. Til then, good health and stay safe!
The views expressed within this article are at best, an introductory explanation of the topic. It does not represent a full understanding of the topic.
