Umbrella In Yo Face!

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This demonstration looks very similar to Shioda sensei’s typical one.  When uke powerfully approaches, the intended victim suddenly opens their carried umbrella in uke’s face seemingly knocking uke backwards. 

In my opinion this is normally more of an act than an actual throw, but that is largely because uke knows ahead of time what is coming.   

In this case, again, the kasa wielding “victim” shortens the “castle step.”  However, this time instead making physical contact with uke, the important part is making quick and unexpected visual contact. Human beings are highly visual centered.  Much of our proprioception is visually dependent.  Also, we evolved to react strongly to sudden movements, especially in our peripheral vision.  This was so we could spot movement from our next potential meal.   

This disruption of dynamic equilibrium takes advantage of both facts.  Uke approaches in an established walking rhythm.  Our would-be victim interrupts that rhythm unexpectedly opening a visual barrier in their face.  If done well, this will cause several things to happen.  First there is a startle response.  Uke will momentarily stiffen rendering them less able to adapt dynamically, their priority will suddenly shift from attack to re-assessment of the situation, their head will snap back sending several pounds of weight in the opposite direction while their momentum will continue to carry their body forward.   

The kasa should fill the attacker’s entire field of vision depriving them of visual information with regards to much of their surroundings.  The sudden even hopefully will also cause momentary tunnel vision and temporary vertigo.   

Secondly, the kasa is not withdrawn.  If wielded well, it is also not pushed forcefully into the attacker’s face.  There is a good reason for this.  If strong contact is made there is the possibility of inertial resistance.  Humans tend to register resistance feedback easily and quickly.  If that were to happen, our attacker stands a much better chance of regaining dynamic equilibrium.  Therefore, the kasa fills the space vacated by the attacker, but does no more.   

Even though it is only a light paper umbrella, our instinct is to do everything possible to avoid running headlong into a seemingly solid wall.  Therefore, more effort is applied toward avoiding impact with the umbrella then simply plowing through it.   

It is at this point that the net effect of disrupted equilibrium takes its toll, and a fall occurs. 

This often ends the demonstration.  However, and please remember I never took an oath of secrecy with regards to such “secrets,” that is not all that would happen in actual application.  Those permitted to carry a sword would know to carry their umbrella in their left hand, thus freeing their dominant sword hand should the occasion arise.  This might be just such an occasion.  Without going into a lot of verbal detail, suffice it to say that our “victim” could not only draw their short sword.  But could easily thrust it through their own umbrella from an angle unknown to the attacker.  Many, many Daito Ryu techniques happen to lend themselves to short sword usage. 

On a related point, our would-be victim could also apply force from an unexpected and anticipated force vector.  I will discuss this in our next segment where I relate Ueshiba Morihei’s prevalent one – handed, or occasional “no handed” throws to this series studying some examples of dynamic equilibrium disruption. 

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