Where do we keep our eyes?

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[arvin m.]

hi all!!!
When executing technique, where does one keep his eyes? For example in iriminage, do u keep looking ahead, or at the ground in front your uke as u lead him or what?

Also, I would like to clarify something. How does one not get "drawn" into his or her opponents eyes? Someone previously mentioned on the forum about the traingle from shoulder up, but wouldnt it be a wee bit strange if, say, in a real confrontation, as u try to defuse the situation with verbal aiki, u arent really looking at the guy but somewhere else? Isnt it natural for us to look someone in the eyes? Or maybe its just an amateur blue belt speaking...take care guys keep training!

[akiy]

Hi Arvin,

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Originally posted by arvin m.
When executing technique, where does one keep his eyes? For example in iriminage, do u keep looking ahead, or at the ground in front your uke as u lead him or what?
It depends, of course, on the situation, but I usually try to keep a "soft focus" that's centered on the person's torso around the neck area.
Also, I would like to clarify something. How does one not get "drawn" into his or her opponents eyes? Someone previously mentioned on the forum about the traingle from shoulder up, but wouldnt it be a wee bit strange if, say, in a real confrontation, as u try to defuse the situation with verbal aiki, u arent really looking at the guy but somewhere else? Isnt it natural for us to look someone in the eyes?
It's not "natural" for a lot of people, especially shy folks, who find looking into someone's eyes very direct. I don't think a verbal conflict is really the same as a physical one in terms of martial strategy so I think it's fine to look into someone's eyes if you're going to only be talking with them. If the situation shifts to the physical, then I would hopefully be able to shift to it, too.

A tip to those who find looking into someone's eyes too direct, especially in situations like a job interview (in which eye contact is a "good thing") -- look between the other person's eyes or about an inch above that spot (the "third eye") as it's pretty much impossible to tell. Of course, getting used to looking into someone's eyes for this kind of purpose is good, too.

-- Jun

[lt-rentaroo]

Hello,

During Iriminage, the part of the technique where you are leading Uke around in a circular motion, I will "scan" the room. Meaning, I don't look at the floor in front of Uke, and I don't just look straight ahead, but rather I will look around the room to see if another attack is eminent. It also helps when establishing a safe spot to plop Uke onto his backside, especially if mat space is limited (like at seminars). Shihan Toyoda always said that it's important to be aware of your surroundings, by performing Iriminage in this fashion I believe that I'm making myself more aware of my surroundings. Have a good day!

[andrew]

Originally posted by arvin m.
hi all!!!
When executing technique, where does one keep his eyes? For example in iriminage, do u keep looking ahead, or at the ground in front your uke as u lead him or what?



There's a little shockwave reaction game at http://bodymindandmodem.com that helps this kindof. The seven samurai(minus three) is the name- basically four samurai in the corner of the screen draw weapons randomly and you must react by pulling the mouse over them. A bit like real life aikido, if you focus on one of them you'll miss the others. If you kind of relax and focus past them you can see them all at once.
You've got to watch uke without watching ONLY uke. See?

andrew

[Erik]

I don't know if anyone has done any of the weapon kata taught by Sugawara but the one thing I noticed, in my tiny bit of practice, is that they look directly into the eyes. I found it a touch uncomfortable.

[Nick]

"Don't look at the opponent's eyes, or your mind will be drawn into his eyes. Don't look at his sword, or you will be slain with his sword. Don't look at him, or your spirit will be distracted. True budo is the cultivation of attraction with which to draw the whole opponent to you."

So says "Da big boss".

Nick

[Chocolateuke]

ya nick the big boss did say that but where do you look to see the whole body of and uke?? my shizenkai sensi says that I sould look at the center of the belt to see the whole body while my yoshinkinain teacher says look at the eyes. me personally look at teh belt only because i have been in shizenkai for a long time ( lmost 6 years!)

[TheProdigy]

Well, I only have a very limited amount of experience in this art, but I do agree with what Nick quoted. I would think that looking at their belt is drawing too much focus on the person attacking... I more-less interpret the quote as meaning to be aware of everything, while not trying to be aware of anything.

-Jase