Muchimi is a
unique quality of traditional Okinawan karate by which a heavy, sticky feeling
is incorporated into any body movement. Good
examples include the movement of the arms during kakie and the opening hand techniques in the Seiyunchin kata. The ultimate
aim is to maintain control of an opponent, for if you don’t "stick" to the opponent,
you are not in control.
Muchimi is not
achieved with muscle power alone or with stiffness or tension. On the contrary,
the muscles should be relaxed.
Muchimi is not something that
can be verbally explained, but is learned through practice and application. A metaphor often given to
aid understanding is to imagine oneself moving in a giant vat of honey or glue
– strongly, slowly, smoothly, and with great power, deliberation
and economy.
As
is often the case, some hints regarding this concept can also be found in Miyamoto Musashi’s “The Book of Five Rings,” as seen in these two quotes:
The Body of Lacquer
and Glue
The heart of Lacquer
and Glue is that when you have come close to the body of your opponent, stick
to it without separating…stick to it with strength - head, body and feet.
Continue to apply
swords as if you were applying glue, and close in. The heart of this stickiness is to make it
difficult for your swords to separate, but you must be mindful not to use too
much strength…do so with great tranquility.
