Anshu Christa Jacobson – Ashi Sabaki

Photo Taken – 4.20.2011
Photo & Video Shoot for Historical Ninjutsu Team Video

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Ashi Sabaki – Foot Movement or Foot Evasion

Ashi sabaki (足 さばき) or unsoku (运足)is a technique employed by a budoka in some Japanese martial arts.

Ashi-sabaki is the way of moving your feet to move your body or when you hit, including ayumi-ashi, okuri-ashi, hiraki-ashi and tsugi-ashi. Ayumi-ashi is moving your feet backwards and forwards in big steps to move quickly, okuri-ashi is moving quickly in various directions in small steps, hiraki-ashi can be used to hit your opponent or avoid their strike while moving to the side, and tsugi-ashi is used when you need to hit your opponent from a long distance.

In arts such as Ninjutsu, Ashi-Sabaki takes another definition than that of the sword arts. In Ninjutsu (aka shinobijutsu) we see foot technqies such as:

1 – Nuki Ashi …..(stealth step)
2 – Suri ashi …..(rub step)
3 – Shume ashi …..(tight step)
4 – Tobi ashi …..(flying step)
5 – Kata Ashi …..(one step)
6 – So Ashi …..(big step)
7 – Ko ashi …..(little step)
8 – Kakizami Ashi …..(small step)
9 – Wari Ashi …..(proper step)
10 – Tsune ashi …..(normal step)

These 10 steps above are found in the shoninki, and are the basics of all stealth movement; thus, these 10 should be taught in every “Ryu“.

However; In many different ninjutsu schools you see other steps as well. Some of the other walks that are also found in traditional Ninpo are as follows:

* Shinobi Ashi (toe walking/ ninja movement)
* Yoko Aruki (side stepping)
* Yoko Bashiri (side walk)
* Kitsune Bashiri (fox walk)
* Uki Ashi (floating foot)
* Inu Bashiri ( dog walk)
* Shin-so-toh-ho (deep grass rabbit walk)
* Ayumi Ashi (normal step)
* Hiraki Ashi (lateral stepping)
* Yori Ashi (simultaneous stepping)
* Sashi Ashi (cross stepping)
* Ashi Fumikae (foot change)
* Tenkan Ashi (trick step)
* Chakuchi Ashi (loss step)
* Sanshouo (salamander walking)

These are just some of the traditional ashi sabaki or foot skills of the ninja. Make sure if you are learning a real ninja tradition that they are completly teaching you all of the ways of the ashi sabaki at it is a basic and fundemental aspect to the art of ninjutsu.

Foot work is the basics of all marital arts, without the complete control of your foot movement, you cannot do any technique correctly in a real situation. Train your feet to go any where, any way!

I hope that this helps in your training in Budo.

Take Care, Be Safe and Good Luck in your Journey of Budo.
Anshu Christa Jacobson
Headmistress of the Budo Ryu – School of War
Founder of the Budo Ryu Online University
Headmistress of the Budo Ryu – School of War
Soke / Inheritor of the Tomo Ryu Tradition
Owner of the Ninjutsu Super Store
Chief Editor of the Shinobi no Mono Magazine
Founder of the Ninjutsu International Federation
Professional Model and Artist

April 22, 2011 | Categories: Uncategorized | Tags: Anshu Christa Jacobson, ashi sabaki, feet, fetish, Ninjutsu, Ninpo, shinobijutsu, stealth walking, yoko aruki | Leave a comment