Uke (martial arts)

Tori [ toɺi ] (Japanese取り) and Uke [ ɯkɛ ] (Japanese受け) are designations for attackers and defenders at the Partner training in Japanese martial arts ( Budo ).

Translation and origin

As Tori partner is called, which performs the main action at the crucial moment. Thus, the following expressions are synonymous to Tori familiar: Nage (Japanese投げ, throwing ) or Shite (Japanese仕 手, executive ). Tori (Japanese取り) is derived from the verb toru (Japanese取る), which means to take, take, take, select, grasp, grab.

As Uke the one is called that receives the main plot. Uke (Japanese受け) is derived from the verb ukeru (Japanese受ける), and is called catch, catch, get, get, keep, save, accept suffering. It is also clear that the expression for the case of school - Ukemi (Japanese受け身, receiving body ) - with the word Uke is used.

Inconsistent use of

The Budoka take different roles in the common pub - sometimes picks the one on, same also once defended. To vary the interpretation of the role that the Active is now named Tori or Uke, from case to case. You can, depending on the approach in a particular martial art, even contradict in the translation as an attacker and defender.

In any case, an observation focus is set to a specific time or a specific technique in a partner exercise. This focus is critical to the role of naming. Consequently, the partner who is active at the crucial moment, Tori is called and his counterpart Uke.

Offensive definition

In most martial arts, the consideration focuses on a partner exercise on the initial attack, such as the case with judo and karate: Here Tori is usually identical to the attacker. However, if the partner exercise contains a counterattack, a change of names - by changing the approach - at the time of the counterattack be quite justifiable. However, to preserve the uniqueness and for better understanding usually waived and the designation in a closed block used depending on the initial attack consistently.

Defensive definition

In martial arts, where the defense against attackers is paramount, such as in Jiu Jitsu and Aikido, meditation focus is on the deflection of the initial attack and the subsequent implementation of a defense technique. In this case, the defender is ( occasionally in Aikido as Shite or rodent ) called Tori, because he performs the main action at the crucial moment. For example, Tori can counter the attack with a cast as Verteidigungstechik, and so the initial attacker receives the defense technology and is the crucial moment for Uke, the outcasts.

Holistic understanding and teaching

The fact that it is not to be mutually incompatible or opponent, in a dualistic sense in the rolls Tori and Uke in the Asian understanding, is in the philosophical tenets upon which many martial arts are founded, like illustrated by the following example: From the two characters 受Uke and Tori取that seem to wear contrasting importance on superficial examination, also a Japanese verb is composed, which you can " get " to translate.

The verb uketoru (受け取る) is like mentioned in various martial arts as a symbol for this only apparent contradiction, and to the principle of Ki musubi (気 結び, unification of the energies here of uke and tori ) represent, after the taught for example in Aikido. A direct linguistic context, apart from the two instances of common characters and their literal meaning, but it does not exist beyond this symbolic interpretation.