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The term musubi refers to a knot or tie; a union or two ends into one knot. In aikido, we use the term to describe the connection between uke and nage. In truth, musubi is a communication between uke and nage that allows each to interpret the other's movement. Musubi is a difficult concept to understand, and therefore few people know how to use musubi to their advantage.
In war, intercepting and interpreting the communications of the enemy is very important to predicting the movement and intentions of the enemy. The ability to know the enemy's intentions and anticipate their plans is power so great it can, and has, turned the tide of war. Musubi is physically intercepting the intentions of your partner and using that information to your advantage.
Musubi is not magical; it certainly appears so when you correctly interpret the connection between uke and nage. Musubi allows students to train with greater intensity because each understands their obligations to each other. Musubi allows students to train with greater understanding because each understands how technique affects each other. Musubi allows students to train with greater respect for each other because each feels the suki, or vulnerability, of each other's body.
Musubi is a relationship between uke and nage. Typically, nage establishes musubi and blends with uke in the application of physical technique. The relationship ranges from a very spiritual level, with uke and nage in complete cooperation to establish musubi, to a physical level, with nage using atemi to coerce musubi. Early in training, students use physical technique to coerce musubi. Later in training, students use cooperation to create musubi. This sliding scale is a rudimentary way to think about the complex nature of musubi and the relationship of uke and nage.
Musubi is simply the ability to relax your body and mind to interpret the movement and intentions of your partner. The application of musubi is awase, to blend with your partner and move as one.
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