PRINCIPLES - TECHNIQUES

Ma-ai - Distancing

Ma-ai refers to the physical distance of “interval” between things. Ma-ai is often the single most important factor in determining the outcome of a combative encounter. It sometimes happens, for instance, that a combatant thinks he has established a favorable maai only to have it suddenly turn out to be to his opponents advantage.

Ma-ai can also be described as space-time. After all, it is not only the space the you have to control, but the time that you are controlling the space is just as important. Distance and timing therefore can't be seperated from each other.

If you observe somebodies or your own mistakes it is often these two not corporating. In such a case, "distance is not good" would be a point to note. Always understand that distance and timing are one. If they are not, then you are not controlling space-time.

Also, It can be seen that students who often train together start to correct each others mistakes. One must be aware of this.

Apart from the physical ma-ai, there is also a mental ma-ai. Imagine a big empty hall and somebody will stand next to you. Probably you will think he stands to close to you, after all.. there is enough space left. This same distance can feel very normal when you visit a very busy pub or discotheque. This mental
ma-ai changes according to the constantly changing envorinment. In the dojo you should use this mental ma-ai to put pressure on the opponent. With this pressure, you can dominate and control him. Force the opponent off-guard or force him to do something that you want him to do. Forcing the opponent is to manipulate the ma-ai.

I remember having a discussion with one of my fellow students about defending a knife. I said to him that it depended on the angle of the attack. I got intervened, "no, distance".

Mr. Ashihara shows ma-ai.