Shuhari

Shuhari (Kanji: 守破離 Hiragana: しゅはり) is a Japanese martial art concept which describes the stages of learning to mastery. It is sometimes applied to other disciplines, such as Go.

Shuhari written in kanji

Etymology

Shuhari roughly translates to "to keep, to fall, to break away".

  • shu (守) "protect", "obey"—traditional wisdom—learning fundamentals, techniques, heuristics, proverbs
  • ha (破) "detach", "digress"—breaking with tradition—detachment from the illusions of self
  • ri (離) "leave", "separate"—transcendence—there are no techniques or proverbs, all moves are natural, becoming one with spirit alone without clinging to forms; transcending the physical

Definition

Aikido master Endō Seishirō shihan stated:

"It is known that, when we learn or train in something, we pass through the stages of shu, ha, and ri. These stages are explained as follows. In shu, we repeat the forms and discipline ourselves so that our bodies absorb the forms that our forebears created. We remain faithful to these forms with no deviation. Next, in the stage of ha, once we have disciplined ourselves to acquire the forms and movements, we make innovations. In this process the forms may be broken and discarded. Finally, in ri, we completely depart from the forms, open the door to creative technique, and arrive in a place where we act in accordance with what our heart/mind desires, unhindered while not overstepping laws."[1]

History
Sen no Rikyū of the Japanese tea ceremony

The Shuhari concept was first presented by Fuhaku Kawakami as Jo-ha-kyū in Tao of Tea. Then, Zeami Motokiyo, the master of Noh, extended this concept to his dance as Shuhari, which then became a part of the philosophy of Aikido. Shuhari is part of the philosophy of Shorinji Kempo.

Shuhari can be considered as concentric circles, with Shu within Ha, and both Shu and Ha within Ri. The fundamental techniques and knowledge do not change.[2]

During the Shu phase the student should loyally follow the instruction of a single teacher; the student is not yet ready to explore and compare different paths.[3]

Some Chinese martial arts, popularly known as Wushu, have a similar three stage concept to Mastery:

  • 地 di (earth) Basics. To experience movements at the fundamental levels.
  • 人 ren (human) Ready to learn. (Some Chinese martial grandmasters equates the entry to this level as the Japanese belt system level of black belt 1st Dan (rank)
  • 天 tian (sky/heaven) No conscious thought, flows/moves like the elements. This stage takes years of training and coaching from other Grandmasters.

See also

References
  1. An Interview with Endô Seishirô Shihan Archived 2011-06-10 at the Wayback Machine Aiki News, Dou, No. 144 (2005). translated by Daniel Nishina and Akiya Hideo
  2. "The Meaning of Shuhari". Archived from the original on 19 November 2008. Retrieved 1 June 2006.
  3. McCarthy, Patrick, "The World within Karate & Kinjo Hiroshi" in Journal of Asian Martial Arts, V. 3 No. 2, 1994.
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