Authored by: Prof. Edward A. Brown, Sc.D. Photos by: Prof. Fran M.

Brown

The Do of Tameshiwari
(The Way of Breaking)
The breaking of different substances such as wood, concrete, glass, bricks and other material is not to show how devastating

one can be but how effective the martial artists techniques have developed. The ability to do breaking begins with one's training

from basic exercises such as push-ups, sit ups, stretching to basic kata (form) to kumite (sparring). Development of the karate

practitioner undergoes a metamorphosis from the time on entry into the martial arts system through the philosophical application

and growth of the karateka. Under the tutelage of a qualified martial arts instructor, the student develops the body, mind and spirit.

During the training periods growth develops in all these areas.

Through the continuous application and learning of techniques, the karateka begins to apply some of his/her knowledge to the

breaking of pine boards. Utilizing both hand and feet, employing a holder for the boards, the karate practitioner will break them

under the direction of his/her instructor. From a white belt (beginner) to the black belt advanced practitioner, all are capable of

breaking from one to multiple boards. Breaking of these boards demonstrates one's techniques as well as one's advancement in

the martial arts. It begins to instill confidence and accomplishment which further one's spirit to continue and advance in the

philosophic of being a true martial artist.

BREAKING DEVELOPMENT:

Anyone with enough strength can break a one inch pine board, or more, with little or no training. The point is not to bludgeon

through the object but to do it efficiently with exacting technique. To do breaking one must study the materials to be broken. The

composition, the hardness, how the grain of the board is positioned, and the inflection or curvature of the board must be taken into

account. Thus, a thorough understanding of materials is essential for success in breaking which cannot be acquired by one's self

but through one on one teaching by a qualified, advanced practitioner in the art of breaking.
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In order to break efficiently and effectively, one must train prior to the actual breaking episode. This means that exercises of

hand, feet, elbow and other striking points must be conditioned by striking padded boards (makiwara) to build callous, bone and

joint strength with proper bone alignment. Not only striking boards used for training but students working with each other

employing their bodies in the training process for increased strength, hardness and to endure pain in the training procedure. The

training period is long and arduous requiring patience, discipline and finally self-discipline together with proper form, timing,

breathing, eye contact, contraction and relaxation of muscles all working in concert.

The preparation and training and ultimately leading to breaking require many years to accomplish which seems impossibility.

One must set their goals and slowly proceed to effectively execute their technique to reflect precision in breaking. This goal is a

life long quest which has its something moments. Sometimes rapid progress is made followed by periods of time (months to years)

where it seems no progress has been made. This is the subconscious always working with one's spirit to a positive progression of

accomplishment. Thus patience is required for time to develop ones uniqueness with the goal of achieving an almost impossible,

limitless result.

Discipline comes only through repetitiveness of doing; or example, wearing a clean gi, attending class on a regular basis, good

conduct in and out of class. Responsibility and commitment are also essential ingredients to development of the karate

practitioner. Many of these factors build character in the individual which leads to a strong, determined and positive practitioner.

This discipline leads on to self-discipline since the karate instructor cannot always be with his/her student. The instillation of

good character is a learned trait coming from the source, one's karate instructor. Self-discipline means self-motivation applying the

leadership of the instructor is reflected in his carries his principles.

The kata plays a very important role in this development of the karate student to achieve a highly desired goal, tameshiwari

(breaking). Through kata, the timing, balance, breathing, focus, eye contact all comes together with continuous practice which

develops the very proficient karate practitioner. The blocks, punches, strikes and kicks are the foundation for breaking since these

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are the developed striking points which culminate in the precision needed for effectiveness. Kumite employs all of the basics plus

kata, enabling the practitioner Kumite further results in developing technique through breathing, muscle contraction, timing and

focus; besides the aforementioned factors help the practitioner onward to nutrition, rest and a sense of well-being. In other words,

the full or complete individual develops the mind, body and spirit under the tutelage of a master so the path of accomplishment can

be met. The student is like a seed in the eyes of a master that requires nutrients, soil, oxygen and water to grow.

To grow in harmony in nature requires cultivation (class attendance), pruning and fertilization, which is continuous instruction.

As the seed grows to full maturity, for example, the acorn growing into an oak tree, strength, resilience and longevity are its

common traits. Leaves`grow and acorns (the fruit) sprout from the tree. Tameshiwari is like the fruit of the karateka development.

Years of training, preparation and guidance from experts will result in a practitioner who has become almost super human in one's

ability to break.

SPECIFIC TRAINING TECHNIQUE:

(1) HAND-CONDITIONING: To begin with, one must develop the intensifying technique by using, for instance, a one-

inch pine board; holding the board on its edge, one would begin to develop the knife hand by striking the edge repetitiously in

series. This begins to develop hardening of the edge of the hand from internal to external hardness. As one continues with the

training of this technique, the practitioner will increase the difficulty and intensity to develop the striking edge of the hand by striking

the corner of the board many times. After each series of training, the hand must be rubbed out to get the blood flow moving and

for neurological reasons.

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Other striking materials can be used for hand conditioning. For example, other natural substances such as trees, gravel, a tree

stump concrete and stone can be used.

The previously mentioned hand-conditioning techniques and striking materials can be used to forge other parts of the hand,

including the knuckles, palm heel, finger tip, bent wrist, etc.

(2) FOOT-CONDITIONING; Using four one-inch pine boards ( 7&7/8" X 12" ) stacked one upon the other, the edge of

the foot using a well executed downward thrust, repetitiously will develop callous and bone hardness. Again, after each session,

the foot should be rubbed out for rejuvenating circulation. If the technique is very accurate, the four boards will stay in a stack and

not move. This helps determine proper execution for foot conditioning.

Other parts of the foot can be used for conditioning. The toe, ball of the foot, and side can be developed.

CAUTION! IT IS IMPERATIVE THAT THE INSTEP NOT BE CONDITIONED OR ATTEMPTED TO BE CONDITIONED

BECAUSE OF THE NUMEROUS NERVES, ARTERIES, VEINS, AND SUPERFICIAL BLOOD FLOW TO THOSE AREAS

WHICH COULD BE DAMAGED.

The final result could be a serious detriment to one's mind and body, thereby impairing further training.

(3) CONDITIONING OTHER STRIKING POINTS:

A/ Elbow (Empi): There are many ways to condition the elbow. For instance, using a partner, back to back, left elbow to left

elbow and then right to right, thrusting one elbow against the opponent's elbow. The hand once again must be rubbed out to get

the blood flow moving and for neurological reasons, at the end of the training session.

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B/ Knee (Hiza): The knee may be conditioned on many of the natural makiwara to develop the dermis and epidermis which

microscopically causes contusions of the skin. This hardening process must always be under the tutelage of a master breaker.

The reason for this is that every practitioner has different limits that should not be exceeded in a series of training that could cause

tissue damage leading to possible blood clots and strokes.

C/ Ox-jaw (Seiryuto): The Ox-Jaw, by definition, utilizes the lower edge of the hand and part of the palm heel.

This striking point is the trademark of Professor Brown's system "Chairo-Kan Bushi Shindo".

(4) METHODOLOGY OF BREAKING UTILIZING STRIKING POINTS:

A/ Preparation: Prior to breaking with any appropriate part of the body, conditioning of the dermis,

muscles, joints, tendons, ligaments, etc., will require various exercises, including pushups for the knuckles, finger tip push-ups for

the thrust, bent-wrist push ups; elbow conditioning and foot conditioning.

B/ Makiwara Selection: Many types of makiwara are commercially available, however to condition the dermis,

muscles and joints utilizing the back of a rug mounted on an oak board which will cut into the bone, causing chips to occur into the

body fluid, eventually forging the bone like a blacksmith forging a horseshoe.

Another type of makiwara which is padded with coarse material and mounted on an oak board, utilizes engine valve springs

mounted on a tree. This causes the spring-back muscles in the body; and is designed for shock and resiliency.

A third type of makiwara is the butcher block. This makiwara is tapered from bottom to top. This allows the practitioner to

develop snap and retraction in the technique.

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A seldom thought of makiwara is the HUMAN MAKIWARA. This puts one student working with or against another. For

example, to develop the elbow, the students will face each other, and use elbow to elbow strikes. This allows the practitioner to

actually feel the pain which develops the cartilage, joints, and bones, resulting in a forging and hardening process. This requires

many repetitions in a planned, sequential, training plan; under professional direction. As the student progresses with these

techniques, a mental and physical process begins to develop which further increases one's ability to repeat this process and go

into a deeper cycle of training. This entire process, which is called Koteki-tai, translated means arm and body conditioning.

Another example would include THREE STAR BLOCKING; which puts one student opposite another, feet reverse of each other,

which strengthens the arm and forearm by using blocks against each other for the low block and middle block breaking technique.

Koteki-tai is an advanced method of practice used in the martial arts to develop all striking parts of the body. The methodology

used is consistent with the practice, training, and work out processes of the dojo. These prescribed sequences must be

supervised by a qualified master instructor of breaking to prevent any illnesses or permanent damage to one's cartilage, joints or

bones.

Many of these makiwara and training disciplines were created and innovated by Professor Edward A. Brown; Sok, in the art of

"Chairo-Kan Bushi Shindo".

As we look back in the ancient world of the martial arts, we see many individuals who have performed incredible feats. These

masters have passed down their secrets to their students and many karateka today employ these secrets and traits in their

training. As we travel the globe, many excellent martial arts systems continue to evolve. These systems are not stagnant but

continuously evolve and become more refined. As a student in the martial arts one cannot help it but to admire the modern

practitioner. The culmination of breaking utilizing all of the factors accumulated throughout his training deserve some admonition

and respect. The photos speak for themselves.

PLEASE NOTE For a break to be considered VALID, it is mandatory that the chosen material not have any

airspace (i.e. Spacers) of any type. Breaking this way is much more difficult, but is the only way to measure the actual strength

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and energy required to break such material. Also, in as far as those amazing fire breaks, the ones made by the material being

ignited by a chemical prior to the break to show an even more impressive, dangerous feat, theyre actually easier and in most

cases much easier to accomplish. We know that the fire only makes the karateka concentrate harder, focus deeper and allow his

blow to be faster and swifter to avoid burns for a clean break. Unfortunately, people have been burned more times than once due

to loose fitting uniforms and or long hair after the break has been performed and accomplished by the fire dispersing throughout

the broken material in the arena.

About the author: Sok, Professor Edward A. Brown, Sc.D., Founder of the art of "Chairo-Kan Bushi Shindo" (Brown Style

Warrior Heart Way), whose credentials include four time world record breaking holder, has received professorships in kinesiology

of martial arts sciences, as well as been inducted into several Martial Arts Hall of Fames. He is on the board of directors for the

USMAA and the founder and director of the "Martial Arts Masters, Pioneers & Legends Hall of Fame" held in

Norwalk, Ct. each year.

About the photographer; Professor Fran Brown is the wife of Sok Brown, being in the martial arts since 1966.

She has also been inducted into several martial arts Hall of Fames. She is a Ku-dan (9th.dan) and the Soke-Dai (Heir Apparent) in

the art of Chairo-Kan Bushi Shindo. She also serves as the business manager of the hombu dojo which resides in Norwalk, Ct..

She is also a USMAA member and the co-founder and co-director of the "Martial Arts Masters, Pioneers & Legends

Hall of Fame".

2/23/08 2:48 PM