Perhaps one of the more unique and interesting aspects of Yoshukai Karate is the stance
referred to as Inoji. In other styles there are equivalent, or similar, stances referred to
variously as kakedachi, Kosadachi, bensokudachi and others. While, at least superficially
these stances appear similar, with the crossed legs usually, but not always, supported at the
knee, they undoubtedly have different interpretations placed upon them in different
styles.While a cross-legged stance is found in many styles, in most it appears to be paid scant
attention. This is somewhat surprising given that the stance offers a considerable range of
advantages and opportunities to the karateka. In Yoshukai Karate International, the Inoji
stance appears in many kata, and there can be little doubt, therefore, that this stance was
intended to be an integral component of the style and its’ teachings.
It is probably reasonable to consider Inoji as primarily a transitional stance. Although there
are some situations where it may be considered an end-point of a movement or technique, in
general it would be considered as part of a series of movements leading to a different endpoint.
The major advantages of the Inoji stance lie in the speed and ease with which it can be
adopted, in the range of directions and angles which it lends itself to, and in the opportunity
to generate rotational or straight line power. It also has a place when teaching basic principles
to students at all levels.
The Yoshukai student first encounters Inoji in Shi Ho Hai where the obvious instruction,
apart from the basic learning of the stance, revolves around the erect body positioning and the
elevation of the front hip in preparation for the front kick. We see a similar focus in Seisan,
except that the movement is now a transition through Inoji to the front kick and
subsequentpunches. In the Ro Hai kata, Inoji is used to change direction and the concept of
using the stance to change the leading leg without large movements exposing the chest to
attack. Also, in the Ro Hai kata we see the first use of Inoji to generate rotational power
moving into the stance with the shuto preceding the front kick, and also as an off-line
technique, using the back leg as a brake to stop forward movementas the opponents attack is
jammed. In Tenshin, the true power potential of rotating out of the stance (from the crossed
legged-hips rotated stance to an open zenkutsudachi) is emphasised along with the
importance of keeping the weight forward even when stepping behind. In Bassai we see a
repetition of these teachings in using the back leg as a break on forward momentum while
moving off line, and the latter rotating into shuto strikes. These themes continue in higher
kata.
In combat, Inoji appears to have almost limitless potential. As outlined above; the strengths
of this stance revolve around the potential to generate power, the ease and speed of
implementation and the range of directions/angles which are possible. In other disciplines we
see the stance (or one very similar) used in judo as a precursor to a number of throws and as
the opening movement in self-defence techniques against grabs from behind – thus
emphasising the potential to generate rotational torque from a position of low body weight. It
is also seen in jujitsu techniques where such a stance is used to generate rotational force in
joint locks. Although I have never heard it interpreted in this way, the Inoji position adopted
early in Bassai kata could be taken as a precursor to a throw (in just the way described in
judo) with body weight low, the left leg behind and to the side, the right fore-arm under uke’s
armpit and up his back, and the left hand as a grab to the lapel – from this position a hip throw
would seem intuitive. While clearly Yoshukai karate does not take such an interpretation of
the movement, this does demonstrate the potential of the stance to have many uses.
In more conventional karate fighting Inoji offers a range of uses. In straight line thinking
there are simple and obvious uses such as rotating the hips to add power to blocks and strikes,
changing the leading leg or leading an attack with a half step (perhaps with a lead hand
punch), or simply using the half step to adjust distance (perhaps preceding a side kick). One
example which has worked well for me is a defence against leg kicks. As the attacker opens
with a leg kick, drop the lead leg back behind (into Inoji) while maintaining weight forward
and extending the lead hand into a head high Atemi (not a strike as such, but a solid fist for
the attacker to run into – which has happened on more than one occasion). As the leg kick
finishes return immediately to a forward stance (zenkutsudachi) with a reverse punch to the
attacker’s chest. This rather simple combination has consistently worked for me, no doubt
because it encompasses sound underlying principles i.e. remove the leg from attack without
regressing one’s centre, distract the attacker with the Atemi and counter attack hard once the
opening occurs.
The more exciting opportunities almost certainly involve off-line movement. Opening an
attack by bringing the rear leg through without turning the hips (into Inoji) and then stepping
out with the front leg allows an offline angle across your opponent’s line – normally to their
open side. For me the more useful application is a 90-degree offline step (back leg moving
straight across behind) with a rear hand block in response to a straight line attack. This
emphasises the strengths of the stance, being a very quick easy movement, off line, with
maximum loading of the hips for a subsequent punch. An alternative to rotating out with a
punch is a short round-house kick with the rear leg, which is again fast due to the angle and
the hip already being in the loaded position.
The versatility of the Inoji stance allows more options for both on and offline moves than I
can describe here (or probably even conceive of). What I have tried to emphasise is the
strengths and versatility of this stance and the advantages that it brings to both teaching and
fighting. There can be little doubt that for the serious student of Yoshukai karate time spent
studying the Inoji stance and its uses will lead to benefits in understanding the principles of
the style and their uses in combat.
