What does it mean?
My trusty Nelson kanji dictionary defines the two kanji that make up the word as meaning “reason,” or ri- (“principle”, “truth”) with “coming together, meeting, or harmonizing” (-ai). In other words, in budo, riai are the underlying principles behind a technique. That’s as simple an explanation as I can give, and in most cases, that’s enough. Riai, in a way, is similar to the word bandied about frequently in karate-do schools: bunkai (“analysis,” “reduction,” “parsing”). However, as the Nelson translated meanings make clear, they are somewhat different.
In any case, on a superficial level, riai is simply an explanation of the “meaning” of a technique, or waza.
Okay, Grasshopper, you’re waiting for the other shoe to drop right now, right? It can’t be as simple as all that.
So here it is: that definition of riai is good enough for most students. Certainly, for the average middle-class, suburban kid taking a “kurrottee” class in a shopping mall dojo, it’s plenty sufficient. We’re talking about students whose willingness to alter his/her mental, emotional, and spiritual attitudes to delve further into the culture and ethos of combative arts as precariously limited, after all. There’s nothing wrong with stopping there and letting them enjoy the experience, if that’s what the dojo is aiming for.
Understand Riai, Get Certified in Martial Arts
If you’re committed to understanding the riai of your art, you can earn a martial arts certification at SMAA! To get started or ask questions, call (734) 720-0330 or submit a contact form here.
