Build Your Own: Chiishi

Hello!

In an effort to make karate training even more accessible & affordable for everyone, we'll be showing our readers how to build their own training tools. This article is about building your own chiishi!

I've seen basic 10lb chiishi advertised for as much as $60 each. I've even seen some fancier models advertised for over $100! I don't know about you, but as a teacher working my way through grad school I certainly don't have that kind of money. Plus, it's difficult to find appropriate weights. Some students may need lighter and others may prefer heavier chiishi.

If you have $10 and some elbow grease, you can make your own chiishi customized to your specifications.

All you need are:

-Concrete mix (found at most hardware stores)

-Dowels (cut to your desired length)

-A few nails or screws per dowel

-Stirring tool

-Chiishi moulds (we used Dollar Store mixing bowls, a deep pie tin, & a small bucket)

-Cooking spray

-Water

-Drill or hammer

Directions

1. Insert the screws or nails into one end of your dowel sticking out of the side. This will provide additional support to eliminate the risk of your dowel sliding out of the concrete onto your toes while training. 

When choosing a dowel, choose a wider one. Not only will this provide additional strength to the chiishi, but it will make your training more realistic. Gripping the chiishi should mimic the gripping we do when we grab an opponent's clothing or wrist. Too thin and you're missing this training point.

2. Spray your mould with cooking spray. This will allow the concrete to pull out smoothly when it's set.

3. Mix the concrete and water in your mould. I prefer using slightly less water than concrete but nearly a 50/50 ratio. 

4. Slide the nail-end of the dowel into the concrete mixture. If the concrete was properly mixed it should be solid enough to hold the dowel up straight. 

5. Wait overnight for it to set and then voila! You're one step closer to your own hojo undo collection. You'll likely have plenty of concrete mix leftover and your moulds are reusable. Experiment with using smaller or larger moulds to find a weight that suits you.

When adjusting sizes, it's better to have a mould that is wide but thin, like a pie, rather than compact. By moving the weight out you will increase the amount of inertia due to the change in the chiishi's center of gravity. This increases the force needed for you to stabilize the chiishi's weight & will activate more muscles, even with a lighter weight. You'll decrease the amount of work needed by pulling the weight in; think about figure skaters pulling their arms in for a spin. Train smarter for a better workout!

History of the Chiishi

Ask the Makiwara is all about exploring different aspects of Goju-Ryu karate, as well as how other martial arts may relate to it. This month we'll be exploring the chiishi, a tool used in hojo undo training.

Hojo undo is defined as "supplementary exercises." These are exercises designed to build strength, stamina, & speed through movements which reflect how we use karate. While pumping iron at the gym will build strength, it will not train the nuanced movements found in our style. As such, training with these simple tools is a crucial activity for all karateka.

Chiishi, which literally translates to "strength stone," is a large stone or cement block with a long dowel attached to its center. Gripping the dowel develops finger and wrist strength for grabbing while carrying & adjusting the balance of the stone develops power in one's upper body. We'll cover several exercises which use the chiishi in future entries.

Higaonna Sensei demonstrating two exercises utilizing chiishi. Taken from the Internet.

Like most hojo undo, chiishi were not developed specifically for karate training. In Okinawa, devices similar to chiishi with spinning cross pieces at the top were used to wind thread for textile production. 

An example of an early weaving tool found in an Okinawan museum. Photo taken from The Art of Hojo Undo by Michael Clarke.

Another possibility for the chiishi's inspiration is a mortar tool used for grinding in food production. Everyday objects would have been easily accessible for even the poorest karateka looking to improve their skills.

While chiishi are Okinawan in nature, there is some thought that there may be a connection in usage between their training exercises and the exercises used in Persia, India, & other Near East areas. These weighted clubs have been used in that area since antiquity for strength training purposes and are still used in many areas by wrestlers. Many of the traditional exercises share similarities with our own chiishi exercises. Due to Okinawa's strong trade ties with China, it's possible that India brought over not just the Buddhist ideas found in our style but also training methods. There is nothing concrete on this however and it is just speculation. 

A modern wrestler training with meel. Note the similarities in placement & grip. Taken from the Internet.

Join us next week to learn how to make your own chiishi!