This year, Soke would like us to apply our ‘no theme’ theme (think limitless) to the use of rope. I like to include any number of flexible weapons in that group as well, such as scarves and belts and anything that can be wrapped, twisted, knotted, and bound.
As soon as we try to capture the opponent with rope or force a technique, it fails, unable to withstand the pressure. It’s a timing thing. In fact, going back in time to save Lincoln at Ford’s Theater is probably easier than controlling something the opponent has already done. Yet many people seem fascinated in trying to prevent something they’ve just seen happen. The very same is true in trying to stop or control the ‘now’ of the opponent, especially when ‘now’ turns so quickly into ‘then.’ It seems the only part of time that can be reasonably controlled is that which has not occurred yet, the future.
By shaping ourselves in the Kukan we can direct the opponent’s will – the one malleable part of them that exists ‘in the beforehand’ and controls their current self to act. By efficiently closing the space around their will, like a mouse running loose inside a room, we limit their options, making them realize only what they see – our past or current self (an illusion).
Trying to capture the opponent is an effort in futility; one can only allow them to wrap themselves up as they close in on a ‘vulnerable’ defender. The rope itself becomes a trail - the tracks of Taijutsu as they occurred – used to wrap an opponent inside its twisting trails, loops, and binds that are the inevitable consequence of spontaneous creativity.
