Portugal
Taido
Principles
In Taido, all techniques are based on five main principles:
1. Sen
Meaning: Rotating movement around the centre of the body.
Power source: Rotation generates power.
Nature analogy: Like a whirlwind.
2. Un
-
Meaning: Rising and falling movement.
-
Power source: Up-down motion.
-
Nature analogy: Like a wave crashing onto rocks.
-
Example: All jumping techniques belong here.
3. Hen
-
Meaning: Dropping the body while raising another part (often a foot) to attack.
-
Power source: Evasion + counterattack.
-
Nature analogy: Like a cloud evading strong wind.
4. Nen
-
Meaning: Rotating movement, similar to sen but at a different angle.
-
Power source: Twisting and dropping.
-
Nature analogy: Spiral-like motions; mainly leg techniques or body drops.
5. Ten
-
Meaning: Acrobatic movements such as somersaults or cartwheels.
-
Power source: Momentum and dynamic body rotation.
-
Nature analogy: Aerial spins or flips, adding strength and unpredictability.
Learning Principle
To ease understanding, Seiken Shukumine associated each group of techniques with natural phenomena, encouraging practitioners to feel the essence of the technique by visualising nature’s movements.
Naming Techniques
Technique names vary depending on which part of the foot is used.
For example:
-
If performing senjio geri (a type of kick) with your heel, it is called:
Hentai ensho senjio geri
-
If performed with the sole of the foot, it is called:
Hentai sokuto senjio geri