Mabuni Kenwa’s comments:
- Rakka (dropping flower) intercepting an attack by dropping down onto it with such force, that if it was a tree being struck all the leaves or flowers would fall from it’s branches.
- Ryu shui (running water) the ability to respond to changing conditions with circular movement. In the same way that flowing water naturally confirms to its path.
- Kusshin (up and down) using vertical movement in order to subjugate an adersary).
- Teni (changing position) three principles:
a. Initiative
b. Combative engagement distance (ma-ai) and
c. The space between oneself and an opponent necessary for subjugation by shifting and pivoting (tai-sabaki). - Hangei (countering) the principles of brief but intelligent responses also encompasses the capability to overcome an adversary with or without physical confrontation.
From Patrick McCarthy’s Ancient Okinawan Martial Arts 2 Pages 23 and 24- Mabuni Kenwa’s – 5 principles of blocking