The Iron Horse riding Warrior

       

            Nai Hanchin is the original name of the Tekki Kata series. Nai Hanchin is popularly translated as “in the middle of the battle field”. Hirokazu Kanazawa Sensei, a known Karate master writes the name in two ways. One way, the character for Nai means “inside” or “inner” while Hanchi can mean “walk or progress”. The other way has the same meaning for Nai but the middle character means land between rice paddies and the last character means battle or war. “Inner Progress” is a translation that makes sense. Using this name is consistent to the principles of Karate-do of perfecting one’s character. Internal progress is the result of constant endeavor to gain wisdom, virtues and inner strength through the practice of Karate-Do.

People you know or may not know can be possible threats to your personal space or bubble. An encounter with an aggressive person, a harasser, a bully or being in a verbal conflict with a difficult person, these will usually happen in a very close distance; within your personal bubble. The meaning  “Inner Walk” or “A Battle inside the land between rice paddies”, these names may suggest a strategic interpretation of the Kata. Based on the compact and side to side movements of the Kata it is believed to be used for defending in tight spaces like hallways, rooms or alleys.

Tekki Shodan Kata

It suggests strategies for close quarter battles where you cannot easily escape or run. Its Bunkai or application is also believed to contain grabs, in order to use the weakened opponents as body cover or shield in order to defend in tight spaces against multiple attackers. Also, according to the book “Secret’s of Shotokan” by Bruce Clayton PhD, the Tekki Kata may have been used by body guards to protect and extract the emperor or a high ranking official from danger in palace grounds and hallways. So in his theory the Tekki Kata could be used as Third party Defense (protecting another person) in close quarters.

When confronted by an aggressor or a harasser; invades your personal space and engages you in a verbal conflict, stand in a confident posture in a relaxed open leg stance; just as in the opening of the Tekki Kata your hands are down, one over the other protecting your groin area. Try to talk and de-escalate the situation with a spirit of confidence and assertiveness. Should the situation escalate and the aggression turns to physical assault then use Tekki’s in-fighting techniques and strategies like elbow strikes, low kicks, hair pulls, grappling, stomp kicks and throws.

            From Naihanchin Master Gichin Funakoshi changed the name to Tekki which translates to Iron Horse riding. The first character is “Tetsu” for Iron and the other is “Ki” for Horse riding. Evident in the Kata is the use of horse riding stance or Kiba Dachi to strengthen the legs and lowering one’s center of gravity. This is also interpreted as Iron Horse riding warrior (Cavalry/Knight). Both names Nai Hanchin and Tekki suggest the same tactical strategy and spirit involved in the Kata. An Iron warrior on a horse is like a Cavalry that charges in the middle of the battle field overwhelming the foot soldiers. The mind of the Iron Knight is to be decisive, courageous and determined; to charge in the middle of the battle field and do what is necessary to overcome the adversary or to turn the outcome of the battle. Just as he thinks he has you cornered or he thinks you are vulnerable you turn the situation around and you escape while he is badly hurting.

Tameshi Gusoku one of the many metal armor worn by the Samurai.
Thus an Iron horse riding warrior 

In order to accomplish one’s tasks or goals one must be determined to do what one has to do. Do not hesitate or let the spirit wane down. The character implied by this Kata is iron will. Do not give up when you find yourself in a tight situation. Let strong will make you a hard target for anyone who wants to violate your personal space and impose aggressive behavior on you, have the strong will and the skill to survive if the threat escalates to physical assault. It is the same thing for our daily activities. We must have the will and the skill to achieve our goals.

A line from the Green Lantern movie said “The enemy of the will is fear”. We fear failure, we fear that we might get hurt, we fear the unknown future and we fear because of trauma of the past. We must overcome fear through education or learning. Learning gives us confidence. We train how to respond to threats. We learn how to defend ourselves, learn different modus of criminals. We learn from our past mistakes and improve ourselves. We learn bits of knowledge and skill sets that can help us achieve our success. Learn from wisdom literature and have faith. Because when there is uncertainty and your mind has reached its limits of understanding, your mind is in total darkness; we fear what may or may not happen, in pitch darkness it is the time to take a leap of faith. Faith and wisdom gives us confidence to face the unknown.

Karate training is hard and to earn a Shodan rank is very hard because we learn to forge our will through hardship. Our will and determination make our big dreams into reality. Life is a battlefield as they say. And we will charge through life as an iron knight on a horse.

Strong Will; Strong Faith