‘Karate Essence’ Reality Check ‘Mawashi Uke/Circular Blocking’
- tdmckinnon0
- Sep 28
- 10 min read
Karate Essence
'Reality Check'
Mawashi Uke
Editing by Zoё Lake
Almost every technique seen in one style or system will have a counterpart in almost every other style or system; although perhaps by a different name, and Mawashi Uke is no exception.
As is usual, with the ‘Reality Check’, I will be presenting a number of arts’ and styles’ versions, before presenting an offering of a number of Torakan’s practical, self-defence uses of the technique being ‘Reality Checked’.
Quite apart from the difference in performance and delivery of this particular technique. The other thing that varies, from system to system, is where and when it is taught. Mawashi Uke, or the Circular Block, is considered a basic technique in some arts, and an advanced technique in other arts, so ‘when it is taught’ varies quite considerably.
Table of Contents
Fighting or Self-Defence
Goju Ryu, Mawashi Uke
Shotokan, Mawashi Uke
Wu-Wei Dao, Mawashi Uke
Kyokushin, Mawashi Uke
Northern Shaolin, Circular Block
Kenshukai, Mawashi Uke
Torakan Eye View
Conclusion
Fighting or Self-Defence
To be honest, I don’t see this technique as a fighting technique. I’m not saying that it would never be used in a fight; just that I have rarely, if ever, seen it used in an agreed upon fight, in the manner previously defined as a fight. That is either:
a) A reason of sport, to compete, with definite, agreed upon rules and contingencies.
b) To settle a grievance between two or more parties with, perhaps, a tacit agreement on general rules of engagement; or no rules, even to the death.
However, for self-defence, in a close-quarter confrontation, I have not only seen this technique used, I have also used it effectively myself.
In regard to self-defence, which we have covered on many occasions, and as yet no one has challenged my suppositions in regard to my working assumption that, ‘if a technique is used in a Kata’ it was originally designed for self-defence. Mawashi Uke appears in so many Kata, Taolu, Forms or Patterns that it is impossible to repudiate the fact that this technique is indeed a self-defence tool.
Goju Ryu, Mawashi Uke
Mawashi Uke (round/wheel block) technique appears in many Goju kata, including, but not exclusive to, Tensho, Gekisai Dai Ichi, and Gekisai Dai Ni. Mawashi Uke is a circular block and deflection technique that is meant to protect the upper body, from the groin to the face. This technique involves a round, pulling motion, which can be used to deflect attacks and set up counterattacks.
It doesn’t take a lot of imagination to conclude that – because there are many Mawashi Uke in their Kata – this is a close-quarter self-defence system that utilises Mawashi Uke quite early in their basic training.
Shotokan, Mawashi Uke
Mawashi Uke does not appear in the Shotokan Kata until you reach quite advanced Kata; and Mawashi Uke is pretty much not dealt with in Shotokan basic kihon. Consequently, it is regarded as an advanced technique that is not taught until well after Shodan in the majority of Shotokan organisations.
You certainly would not see Mawashi Uke in their fighting, or even in most of their self-defence training either. So, we are left with Shotokan Kata; and within several of their more advanced Kata, you will see Mawashi Uke. Remember the general rules; if it’s in the Kata it is a self-defence tool. Remember also that the techniques in the Kata, mostly from Okinawa, were originally designed for very close combat self-defence. The Kata Bunkai needs to be studied with a different view than tournament acclaim… the Bunkai needs to be studied with a realistic, self-defence bias.
Wu-Wei Dao, Mawashi Uke
I have introduced ‘The Academy of Traditional Fighting Arts’ previously in my ‘Reality Check’ Blog posts, in regard to Uraken.
This time, through the various arts that make up Wu-Wei Dao, from Japan, China and the Philippines, they are deconstructing Mawashi Uke, as they present a scientific breakdown of this circular blocking system.
From all the tutorials I have observed on this technique, I find this one to be the most satisfactorily, technically detailed.
Kyokushin, Mawashi Uke
According to Mas Oyama Sensei, “It is essential for the karateka to learn the kata totally, with split-second accuracy.” In Mas Oyama’s view, you need to practice a Kata from 3,000 to 10,000 times, in order to make sure the Bunkai from that Kata is an effective, self-defence reaction. Apparently, he also said, “It is better to know one Kata, exceptionally well, than to know many Kata, superficially.”
There you have it in a nutshell: 3,000 to 10,000 times to make your Mawashi Uke an automatic response. Or, in words that should be familiar to all advanced Budōka and karateka, especially those who follow my ‘Karate Essence’ Blog: practice enough so that the technique earns a place in your Mushin.
Northern Shaolin, Circular Blocking
The windmill blocks of the Northern Shaolin Kung Fu are designed to redirect the energy and weaponry of a stronger, more powerful aggressor.
One of the philosophies of this martial art, which fosters the hard, ridged training regimes of the traditional Shaolin ethos, seems quite paradoxical:
“One doesn’t receive karmic credit for never harming anyone just because you are too weak and unskilled to do so… you must make yourself as dangerous as possible and then be kind to everyone. This could be termed a Constrained Malevolence.”
Kenshukai, Mawashi Uke
Kenshukai, not unlike several modern styles, has its origins in Shotokan and Goju Ryu, and therefore utilises Kata from both styles. It comes as no surprise then, that they also do a version of Mawashi Uke.
Kenshukai's Mawashi Uke is a circular blocking technique; often with one hand blocking and the other taking away or supporting, and involves repeated movements to build muscle memory. As I stated earlier, the technique varies between arts and styles, but the circular motion defines this type of soft blocking, as opposed to hard blocking e.g. Soto Uke or Uchi Uke as taught to beginners. Kenshukai, Mawashi Uke is taught, as with Shotokan, as an advanced technique.
Karate, Jesse Enkamp, Mawashi Uke
Jesse Enkamp, now practices no specific type or individual characteristic that sets his form apart from others; however, he is graded in several systems and cognisant in and of most styles of Karate, and indeed of most martial arts.
I came across his take on Mawashi Uke when I was researching for the various concepts and practices of the aforementioned technique for this month’s, ‘Karate Essence, Reality Check’, article. As you might expect from the ‘Karate Nerd’ himself, he delivers a comprehensive Bunkai tutorial.
Torakan Eye View
Whenever I select a technique for the monthly ‘Reality Check’, at some point, I am reminded of when I first began practicing that technique. With Mawashi Uke, it was quite some time into my classical martial arts training; and, although I was learning it for Kata, it was considerably longer before I saw the value of the technique. However, when I did eventually recognise its worth, I realised that I had learned a form of it in my close-quarter-combat training days, which I then used for many years in my Crowd-Control work.
Following that epiphany, I used variations of Mawashi Uke much more; and I improvised the technique to suit the high-risk security work that I grew to specialise in. Later, when I was running my own ‘high-risk security company’, I taught those variations of Mawashi Uke to my operatives. In an industry that is sometimes forced to deal with extremely close-quarter attacks; if and when it became necessary to subdue violent malefactors, this technique helped to avoid a lot of preventable physical damage.
It is fairly obvious, throughout these ‘Reality Check’, Karate Essence Blogs, that I favour the softer, more deflective, flowing blocks, for various reasons. First and foremost, they are natural set-ups for counter attacks; either in a ‘Go no sen’ or a ‘Sen no sen’ tactical element.
I also take full advantage of those hard blocks too, of course… by using them as simultaneous blocking-attacking strikes; which would come under the ‘Sen no sen’ tactic.
Now that Torakan is a ‘self-defence’, in and of itself, we practice all of our Karate as self-defence, at self-defence distancing, for obvious reasons of practicality.
The following video clips highlight a few self-defence applications. On those clips where the third arm-movement is across the chest of the antagonist, that technique would actually be an arm-bar (or coat hanger) across the throat.
Conclusion
In conclusion, I believe that Mawashi Uke, or Circular Blocking techniques, are the most practical Uke methods. Remember that we call them ‘Blocks’ for simplicity’s sake, but Uke does not translate to ‘Block’. ‘Uke translates to ‘Receive’. If you missed some of those earlier ‘Karate Essence’ Blog posts, where we discussed the technical, philosophical, and psychological aspects of Karate, please check them out from the links provided.
I also conclude that, although this month’s ‘Reality Check’ subject most definitely could be used effectively in a fight (MMA competition, for instance), Mawashi Uke is more suited as a self-defence tool.
Thank You
A big thank you to our demonstrators from the Torakan Karateka; without whose assistance, of course, the ‘Reality Check’ Blog would be sadly lacking. Assisting me this month were Tyler, Alan, and Anthony.
And as always, a special thank you to Kelly, our technical wiz.
Thank You to the Readers
As always, thank you for following the Karate Essence 'Reality Check' Blog post.
Thank you also for continuing to support my latest book, ‘A Budōka Odyssey’. The reviews continue to be excellent!
Top reviews from Australia
Reviewed in Australia on 8 April 2025
Verified Purchase
This book is easy to read in short or long sessions - such an inspirational life story of an amazing guy. Well worth the read.
5.0 out of 5 stars
Reviewed in Australia on 28 May 2024
Written by a man who has lived the life of a modern warrior. His ability to recognise the lessons and gifts in any situation and the having the humility to seek out those who can help you better yourself are important traits we should all endeavour to achieve not just in our own martial arts’ odyssey but in life.
Top reviews from the United Kingdom
Carl Slee
5.0 out of 5 stars
‘A Fascinating Book’
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on 23 October 2024
Verified Purchase
A fascinating book, and not just for those interested in martial arts. Although if you are, this is one of those rare books that will help in not just the development of karate skills but in the facilitation of those psychological states (rarely discussed) of the true karateka.
From early childhood to the present day, Shihan McKinnon shares his adventures as, Truant, Soldier, Nightclub bouncer and Bodyguard as well as Business man but always as a fighter. And in this book he shares with us the ‘gifts’ and ‘Lessons’ that come from such a ‘life worth lived’.
A rare book, in that I found myself re-reading pages, chapters or passages over and over to further understand how such insights related to my own life. And this is the ‘gift’ of this book, I think that each person, whatever gender, age or interest will find something at some point within it, that is very personal and that will reverberate for them, long after reading.
Thank you Shihan
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on 20 July 2024
I have to say that I found this book to be compulsive reading. For someone who was born and raised in the West of Scotland I was immediately drawn to T.D. McKinnon’s Scottish roots. He writes in such a concise and realistic manner. As someone with no knowledge of karate and martial arts, I have nevertheless found the main themes of the book easy to follow and this has made me review experiences drawn from my own life. The concept of ‘gifts and lessons’ applies to all life, not just karate. I would recommend this book to anyone, particularly those who are deeply involved in a sport of any kind, and who is striving to be the best person they can be. Read, learn and enjoy.
Thank you for this book, T.D. McKinnon.
Top review from the United States
Minimal shopper
5.1 out of 5 stars
‘A Fine Man Shares a Life of Budō’
Reviewed in the United States on May 18, 2024
Verified Purchase
At over 500 pages there is a lot of content in this autobiographical journey. A quick overview is as follows:
Author Shihan TD McKinnon has had ALOT of fights in his life; starting under the age of 6! He tells the narrative of his life through all those fights and what he learned about himself and life along the way. I appreciate that he doesn’t make self-defense fighting seem glamorous and one sided. He talks about injuries, dangers, and making alternate choices to physical violence as a reality.
This book emphasizes lessons like ‘never quit’, ‘move on to the next venture’, ‘stay in the moment and learn what you can along the way’. I recommend it for young and old, karate people and non-karate folks. He carries the journey into today with a very relevant subject - training and aging. Take it on your next plane trip, or beach vacation. And if you’re a karate instructor, you can work it into your teaching. This book does not disappoint!
Comments