Chiri no Naki: use of Terrain

When training the practitioner must see all sides and hear everything with "chiri-no-naki" the practitioner shall practice such that he knows his environment. The terrain you enter can mean the difference between losing and not-losing in an attack.

One of the most important techniques a karate-man must learn as a part of their "kihon" is focus or kimi with emphasis on "seeing" all and "hearing" all (kenpo-gokui). When Sensei talks they must actively listen. When Sensei demonstrates their focus must be intense seeing every detail. When Sensei then requires you to do what he just demonstrated then you must put what you "see" and "hear" into action. This is important training.

This training then requires you to be "aware" of all your surroundings at all times. You never know when danger will rear its ugly head so when it does you will be "aware" of the terrain you will have to defend yourself in even if it is simply recognizing the danger, seeing a route to tactfully retreat, and then do it. We don't always have to fight. Fighting includes not fighting, something to consider.

Chakugan or to set eyes on your attacker/opponent also means to set your eyes on all directions of your environment so you know or sense the types of obstacles you may encounter during a confrontation. This also includes "seeing" possible accomplices who may come to your attackers side in battle.

Practice outside the dojo. If you also practice seriously and realistically such as in a park or the woods depending on your locale then be "aware" as you enter by turning and "seeing" your surroundings. Look for avenues of tactful retreat, look for obstacles that may hinder you movement or more importantly aid you in your tactics/strategy.

Some examples as to being "aware" of your terrain or "Chiri-no-maki":

In the street are there cars, curbs, trash cans, people, potholes, uneven sidewalks, is the terrain you are on either cement or asphalt (don't laugh as on a hot day asphalt can be sticky, etc.), are there trees or shrubs lining the sidewalk or street, are there avenues of tactful retreat that are not obstructed by any of the above, and are you "aware" of your position in relation to these obstacles/aids in your battle, i.e. five feet to my left is a trash can I can easily move to use as a shield, etc.

Others:

Are you fighting on uneven ground, are there rocks or holes, are there small shrubs below your line of sight, etc?
Are you fighting in an open space, is the space flat or uneven, are there obstacles, etc?
Are you fighting on stone stairs? wood stairs? stairs with rails? stairs with out rails, etc.?
Are you fighting in a field?
Are you fighting in a room with doors, walls, and/or screens?
Are you fighting in water be it heavy rain, beach side, in the surf, etc?
Are you fighting on bridge? does it have rails? is it narrow or wide? does it have a lot of traffic either foot or vehicular, etc?
Are you fighting on boat/ship/barge? is it calm? is it rough?


All the above are types of terrain or something that effects such terrain that you should be "aware" of when you enter into an environment. Everything you see, hear, feel, and/or sense can be either a help or hindrance in a self-defense situation.