Tori and Uke

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Tori [ toɺi ] ( Japanese 取 り ) - in Aikido also Nage - and Uke [ ɯkɛ ] ( Japanese 受 け ) are names for attackers and defenders in partner training in Japanese martial arts (Budō).

Translation and origin

The partner who carries out the main action at the decisive moment is called tori . The following expressions are synonymous with tori: Nage (Japanese 投 げ , throwing) or Shite (Japanese 仕 手 , performing). Tori ( Japanese 取 り ) is derived from the verb toru (Japanese 取 る ), which means something like grab, take, pick up, choose, grasp, grab.

The uke is the one who receives the main action. Uke ( Japanese 受 け ) is derived from the verb ukeru (Japanese 受 け る ) and means to catch, to catch, to get, to receive, to preserve, to save, to accept, to suffer. It also becomes clear that the term for the fall school - ukemi (Japanese 受 け 身 , receiving body) - is related to the word uke.

Inconsistent usage

Tori attacks with a judo throw. Uke is lifted and is thrown.
(Offensive definition)

The Budōka take on different roles during joint training - sometimes one attacks, sometimes one defends. The interpretation of the role, whether the active person is named Tori or Uke, varies from case to case. Depending on the way you think about a certain martial art, you can even contradict yourself as an attacker and defender in translation .

In any case, a focus is placed on a specific point in time or a specific technique in a partner exercise. This focus is crucial for role naming. Consequently, the partner who is active at the crucial moment is called Tori and his counterpart is called Uke .

Offensive definition

In most martial arts, the focus of attention in a partner exercise is on the initial attack, for example the case of judo and karate : Here, tori is usually identical to the attacker. If, however, the partner exercise contains a counterattack , a change in the names - by changing the perspective - at the time of the counterattack can be entirely justifiable. However, in order to maintain clarity and for better understanding, it is usually not used and the designation in a closed block is used consistently depending on the initial attack.

Defensive definition

Tori (right) was attacked and defended against Uke (left).
(Defensive definition)

In martial arts that focus on defending against attackers, such as Jiu Jitsu , Ju-Jutsu , Aikidō and Judo self-defense, the focus is on distracting the initial attack and then performing a defense technique. In this case the defender is referred to as Tori (in Aikido sometimes also as Shite or Nage ) because he performs the main action at the crucial moment . For example, Tori can counter the attack with a throw as a defense technique , and so the initial attacker receives the defense technique and at the decisive moment becomes the uke , the person thrown.

Holistic understanding and teaching

The fact that the roles Tori and Uke in the Asian understanding are not incompatible opposites or opponents in the dualistic sense is illustrated with the following example in the philosophical teachings on which many martial arts are based: From the two characters Uke and Tori , which seem to have contrary meanings when viewed superficially, are also composed of a Japanese verb which can be translated as “get”.

The verb uketoru ( 受 け 取 る ) is often used in various martial arts as a symbol for this only apparent contradiction, and is supposed to represent the principle of Ki musubi ( 気 結 び , union of energies, here from Uke and Tori), according to which, for example, Aikidō is taught . A direct linguistic connection, apart from the common characters and their literal meaning, does not exist beyond this symbolic interpretation.

See also

swell

Individual evidence

  1. Horst Wolf : Judo self-defense. Contains an article on the legal status of self-defense by Wilfried Friebel; Illustration: Otto Hartmann. Sportverlag , Berlin 1986, ISBN 3-328-00141-7 .