Tsukuri 作りin Seal Script

To continue the series of an in depth look at the seal script kanji that define the parts of a throw we look at tsukuri.

The Judo philosophers divided the the actions of a throwing motion in to three parts. They called these parts kuzushi, tsukuri, and kake. Simplified it is the balance break, entry, and execution of the throw. However upon deeper analysis we find the Chinese characters that make up these words offer deeper clues into the meaning of the parts of the throwing actions.

Some of the Japanese words that use this symbol 作りare: make, produce, manufacture, shape, build, construct, building, developing, fabricate, fashion, MAKE (as an object that requires time and skill)

I found in my calligrapher's dictionary some 10 different ways to write this kanji in it's ancient Chinese form. This one called out to me. The line along the left edge and bottom represents a road or a path. The pictographic idea behind this symbol this symbol is made up of two part.  It shows "action of a person 亻人 = make."

Kanji Etymology 











Tsukuri is about building the structure of the technique. I don't think I have really understood this premise at higher levels until I watched Sloan Sensei  practicing Judo nage komi. He moves in and builds the dysfunctional relationship that causes catastrophic effects to uke's balance. He builds the throw and it effortlessly happens.Here we see tsukuri in action.  Good stuff.



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