芦 Ashihara Karate Cheatsheet

Intro & Core Concepts

Ashihara Karate (芦原会館) is a modern, full-contact Japanese karate style founded by Kancho Hideyuki Ashihara (芦原英幸) in 1980. It evolved from Kyokushin karate, emphasizing practical application, circular movement, and the strategic principle of Sabaki.

• Founder: Kancho Hideyuki Ashihara (1944-1995).
• Origin: Developed from Kyokushin, with influences from boxing, Muay Thai, and Jujutsu. NIKO (New International Karate Organisation) established 1980.
• Goal: Effective self-defense in realistic situations, including multiple attackers, and fostering continued personal development.
• Sabaki (捌き) - The Core Principle

  Sabaki involves using circular movements to deflect or parry an attack, repositioning to the opponent's blind spot (Shikaku - 死角), and turning their power against them. It integrates offense and defense into one fluid motion. Key aspects include:

  • Moving to the outside of an attack.
  • Using the opponent's momentum.
  • Creating angles for counter-attacks.
  • "Punch without being punched, fell your opponent without going down yourself."

• Full Contact (Jissen Kumite - 実戦組手): Emphasis on realistic, full-contact sparring to test techniques and spirit.
• Rational & Logical Techniques: Focus on scientifically sound and efficient body mechanics.
• Circular Movement (Enkei Undo - 円形運動): Avoiding head-on clashes by moving circularly around the opponent.

Stances (Dachi), Movement & Ukemi

Stable stances (Dachi - 立), fluid footwork (Ashi Sabaki - 足捌き), body shifting (Tai Sabaki - 体捌き), and breakfalls (Ukemi - 受身) are crucial for applying Sabaki and executing techniques effectively and safely.

Common Stances (Dachi Waza - 立技):

• Kumite Dachi (組手立 - Sparring Stance)
• Zenkutsu Dachi (前屈立 - Forward Stance)
• Kokutsu Dachi (後屈立 - Back Stance)
• Kiba Dachi (騎馬立 - Horse Riding Stance)

Movement & Tai Sabaki (体捌き):

• Ayumi Ashi (歩み足): Natural stepping.
• Tsugi Ashi (継ぎ足): Following foot (shuffle step).
• Okuri Ashi (送り足): Sending foot (slide step).
• Mawari Ashi (廻り足): Pivoting/turning footwork, essential for Sabaki.
• Tai Sabaki (体捌き): Body evasion and management, including pivots and shifts to create angles.

Ukemi (受身 - Breakfalls):

• Ushiro Ukemi (後ろ受身 - Rear Breakfall)
• Yoko Ukemi (横受身 - Side Breakfall)
• Mae Mawari Ukemi (前方回転受身 - Forward Rolling Breakfall)

Stances & Movement

Striking Techniques (Atemi Waza)

Ashihara Karate employs a wide range of powerful strikes delivered with hands, elbows, feet, and knees. These are often combined with Sabaki for maximum effect.

Hand Strikes (Tsuki Waza - 突技 & Uchi Waza - 打技):

• Seiken Tsuki (正拳突 - Forefist Punch)
• Tate Tsuki (縦突 - Vertical Fist Punch)
• Uraken Uchi (裏拳打 - Backfist Strike)
• Shuto Uchi (手刀打 - Knife Hand Strike)
• Shita Tsuki (下突 - Inverted Punch / Uppercut to body)

Elbow Strikes (Hiji Ate - 肘当 / Empi Uchi - 猿臂打):

• Age Hiji Ate (上げ肘当 - Rising Elbow Strike)
• Yoko Hiji Ate (横肘当 - Side Elbow Strike)
• Mawashi Hiji Ate (廻肘当 - Roundhouse Elbow Strike)

Kicking Techniques (Keri Waza - 蹴技):

• Mae Geri (前蹴 - Front Kick)
• Mawashi Geri (廻蹴 - Roundhouse Kick - Chusoku/Haisoku)
• Yoko Geri (横蹴 - Side Kick)
• Ushiro Geri (後蹴 - Back Kick)
• Hiza Geri (膝蹴 - Knee Strike)
• Kakato Geri (踵蹴 - Axe Kick / Heel Kick)
• Kin Geri (金蹴 - Groin Kick)
• Gedan Mawashi Geri (下段廻蹴 - Low Roundhouse Kick)

Ashihara Strikes

Blocking (Uke Waza) & Sabaki Fundamentals

Blocks (Uke Waza - 受技) in Ashihara are not just passive defenses but are integrated with Sabaki to neutralize threats and create openings for counter-attacks.

Basic Blocks (Kihon Uke - 基本受):

• Jodan Uke (上段受 - Upper Block / Head Block)
• Soto Uke (外受 - Outside Block)
• Uchi Uke (内受 - Inside Block)
• Gedan Barai (下段払 - Low Sweep/Parry)
• Shuto Uke (手刀受 - Knife Hand Block)

Sabaki Positioning Drills (基本捌き - Kihon Sabaki):

• Mae Sabaki (前捌き): Forward Sabaki - stepping in and angling off.
• Ushiro Sabaki (後捌き): Backward Sabaki - stepping back and angling off.
• Yoko Sabaki (横捌き) / Mawari Komi (回り込み): Side Sabaki / Circular entry - moving to opponent's side/blind spot.
• Position 1 (Ichi - 一): Controlling the opponent's front hand.
• Position 2 (Ni - 二): Controlling the opponent's back hand.
• Position 3 (San - 三): Moving to the opponent's outside (back hand side).
• Position 4 (Shi - 四): Moving to the opponent's inside (front hand side, often leading to back).

Effective Sabaki involves combining blocks with footwork (Tai Sabaki) and immediate counter-attacks.

Blocks & Sabaki Drills

Throws (Nage Waza) & Basic Groundwork

Ashihara incorporates practical throws (Nage Waza - 投技) that flow from Sabaki and striking combinations. Basic groundwork (Ne Waza - 寝技) focuses on control and finishing after a takedown, or quickly returning to a standing position.

Common Ashihara Throws/Takedowns:

• Ashi Barai (足払 - Foot Sweep)
• Osoto Gari (大外刈 - Major Outer Reap - often adapted)
• Kouchi Gari (小内刈 - Minor Inner Reap - often adapted)
• Kubi Nage (首投 - Neck Throw / Guillotine Takedown)
• Throws from clinching positions after Sabaki.
• Leg hooking/tripping takedowns.

Basic Groundwork Concepts (Ne Waza - 寝技):

• Achieving a dominant position after a takedown (e.g., knee-on-belly, side control variation).
• Finishing with strikes on the ground (where rules permit).
• Basic escapes to regain standing position quickly.
• Simple joint locks or chokes if opportunity arises (less focus than grappling arts).

Ashihara's Nage Waza and Ne Waza are primarily for self-defense and to complement its striking and Sabaki, not for prolonged grappling exchanges.

Ashihara Throws

Ashihara Kata (Forms) & Purpose

Ashihara Kata (形) are unique and revolutionary. They are designed for practical application and directly relate to Sabaki and Kumite. They are often practiced solo and with partners (Bunkai) to understand their fighting applications.

Key Ashihara Kata:

• Shoshinsha no Kata (初心者の型)

  Beginner's Kata. Focuses on fundamental stances, blocks, strikes, and body movements.

• Kihon no Kata (基本の型)

  Basic Kata (series of three). Builds on Shoshinsha, introducing more complex combinations and Sabaki principles.

• Kumite no Kata (組手の型)

  Sparring Kata (series of five). Focuses on practical fighting combinations, Sabaki applications against various attacks, and continuous movement.

• Nage no Kata (投げの型)

  Throwing Kata (series of four). Teaches how to integrate throws with strikes and Sabaki.

• Jissen no Kata (実戦の型 - Real Fight Kata - advanced)
• Goshin no Kata (護身の型 - Self-Defense Kata - advanced)

Purpose of Ashihara Kata:

• To teach and drill practical fighting techniques and Sabaki.
• To develop coordination, balance, power, and flow.
• To serve as a "dictionary" of techniques that can be applied in Kumite.
• No influence from traditional Samurai-era Kata; every move is intended for combat.

Kumite (Sparring) & Advanced Sabaki

Kumite (組手 - Sparring) is a cornerstone of Ashihara training, allowing students to test and refine their techniques in a dynamic, full-contact environment. Advanced Sabaki application is key to success.

Types of Kumite:

• Yakusoku Kumite (約束組手): Pre-arranged sparring, often focusing on specific Sabaki sequences or combinations.
• Jiyu Kumite (自由組手): Free sparring. This is the full-contact application of Ashihara principles against a resisting opponent.
• Basic Kumite Rules & Targets

  Typically follows knockdown karate rules:

  • Full power strikes and kicks to the body and legs.
  • Kicks and knee strikes to the head are often allowed (depending on level/dojo).
  • Hand strikes to the head/face are generally prohibited (or light contact for children/beginners).
  • Throws, sweeps, and limited clinching are permitted.
  • Emphasis on continuous fighting and spirit.

Advanced Sabaki Application in Kumite:

• Reading the Opponent (Yomi - 読み): Anticipating attacks and opponent's reactions.
• Timing & Distance (Maai - 間合い): Mastering the engagement distance for effective offense and defense.
• Creating Blind Spots (Shikaku - 死角): Consistently moving to positions where the opponent cannot effectively attack or defend.
• Feints & Fakes (Kyojitsu - 虚実): Using deceptive movements to create openings.
• Combining Strikes, Blocks, Throws: Fluidly transitioning between techniques using Sabaki.
• Countering (Kaeshi Waza - 返し技): Using the opponent's attack to set up your own (e.g., parry and strike, slip and throw).

Ashihara Kumite

Ashihara Philosophy, Dojo & Etiquette

Ashihara Karate is not just a fighting system but a way (Do - 道) to cultivate character, discipline, and a strong spirit, embodied in its philosophy and dojo culture.

• "A Challenge for Change": Continuously striving for improvement and adapting to new challenges.
• Development of Body and Spirit: Training to build physical strength, mental fortitude, and resilience.
• Practicality and Realism: Techniques and training methods must be effective in real situations.
• The Sabaki Spirit: Mutual improvement, where students of all levels help each other progress. It emphasizes problem-solving and strategic thinking.
• "If you do not become mentally strong, you cannot carry out true kindness or care for other people." - Kancho Hideyuki Ashihara.

Progression is marked by Kyu (student) and Dan (black belt) grades. A common adult progression:

• White (Mukyu)
• Orange (10th & 9th Kyu)
• Blue (8th & 7th Kyu)
• Yellow (6th & 5th Kyu)
• Green (4th & 3rd Kyu)
• Brown (2nd & 1st Kyu)
• Black (Shodan 初段 onwards)

Focus on diligent training; rank is a recognition of progress.

• Bowing (Rei - 礼): Upon entering/leaving dojo, mat area (Tatami - 畳), and to instructors/partners. Osu! (押忍) is a common verbal affirmation of respect and effort.
• Hygiene (Seiketsu - 清潔): Clean Dogi (uniform), short nails, personal cleanliness.
• Punctuality & Focus: Be on time, minimize distractions, train earnestly.
• Respect (Sonkei - 尊敬): For instructors (Sensei, Shihan), seniors (Senpai), juniors (Kohai), and the training space.
• Safety (Anzen - 安全): Be mindful of partners, especially in full-contact training. Control techniques.

Tips for Ashihara Progress

Advice for navigating your Ashihara Karate journey effectively and enhancing your learning.

• Train Consistently (Keizoku - 継続): Regular, dedicated practice is paramount.
• Master Sabaki (捌き): This is the heart of Ashihara. Practice moving to blind spots in all drills and kumite.
• Develop Strong Kihon (基本): Solid fundamental strikes, blocks, and stances are the building blocks.
• Practice Ukemi (受身): Good breakfalls prevent injury and build confidence for dynamic training and throws.
• Understand the "Why": Seek to understand the principles behind techniques, not just memorize movements. Ask questions.
• Embrace Full Contact (Jissen Kumite - 実戦組手): Gradually build up intensity in sparring to test your skills under pressure. Conditioning is key.
• Study Your Kata (形): Understand their practical applications (Bunkai) and how they teach Sabaki.
• Learn from Everyone: Train with various partners and observe senior students and instructors.
• Control Your Ego: Be a good training partner. Focus on learning and mutual improvement, not just "winning."
• Study Ashihara Off the Mat: Watch videos of Kancho Ashihara and high-level practitioners. Read about the style's history and philosophy.
• Condition Your Body: Strength, stamina, flexibility, and impact conditioning are crucial for full-contact karate.
• Live the Dojo Kun (道場訓) (if applicable): Many dojos have precepts guiding conduct inside and outside the dojo.