TAIDO

History

Taido is a Japanese martial art created in 1965 by Grand Master Seiken Shukumine. "Taido" means "the way of body and spirit". Taido comes from Okinawan Karate.

Seiken Shukumine was born in Okinawa in  1925. He started studying Okinawan ancient style Karate, called "Ti", under Master Sadoyama Anko from 1933, and under Master Soko Kishimoto from 1937. He belonged to Japan Imperial Navy in 1945, and he was ordered to attacked US warship with human bomb "Koryu". He debated himself how to complete the mission. Fortunately, The war was over before his sortie. Through this experience, he got a tips on Taido's basic 5 techniques, Sen-gi, Un-gi, Hen-gi, Nen-gi and Ten-gi. 

After the war, he trained and studied Karate very hard in Okinawan island and a mountain in Oita. He named his Karate as Gensei-ryu and presented it at Ito City in 1953. He taught Gensei-ryu Karate to many students around the world. However, he was aware of the limitation of Karate. 

In 1965, he presented a new Japanese martial art and named Taido. In 1988, he published "Introduction to Taido"(Taido Gairon). He held the 3rd World Taido Championship in 2001 at Okinawa where was his hometown. 

On 26th November, 2001, he passed away at his home in Ito City. 



Definition

Taido is the Budo which offence and defense was created by changing the axis of the body (Taijiku).

In Taido techniques. you can see acrobatic movement like action movies. Mainly Taido techniques consist of punches and kicks, but also contain submission techniques and throwing techniques. 
Budo definitely consist of 3 factors, methods of breathing (Taiki), methods of efficient moving (Doukou) and methods of controlling confliction (Seigyo). Of course, Taido has all of them. 



System

1. Hokei

So-called "Kata" in other Budo. Hokei can devided into 4 categories, Tai- or In- no-hokei, Sei-no-Hokei, Mei-no-hokei, Gen-no-hokei. Usually, beginners start from Tai- (for males) or In- no-hokei (for females). Middle aged or old aged persons may start from Mei-no-hokei, which consist of methods of breathing and slow action. Mei-no-hokei looks like Tai Chi. 

In competition, there are 2 types matches, personal hokei and group hokei. In group hokei, a team consist of 5 members.  



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2. Jissen

So-called "Kumite" or "Randori" in other Budo. Unsoku (original Taido's foot works) must be done. Unsoku, Sotai (5 basic body axis movements) and Seihou (controlling a partner) before hitting, and Gentai after hitting required in Taido. 

In competition, Guarding with arms or legs is inhibited to train move Taijiku simultaneously with kick or punch.





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3. Tenkai

Each team make a scenario that 5 members attack a main cast (Shuyaku) and shuyaku defeat all 5 members within 30 seconds. The scenarios and techniques are competed. This is Taido original competition. 

Kids Tenkai making video