In Junomichi, uke and tori work together to achieve a delicate balance, what you might call the “crest line.” This crest line symbolises perfect balance, the point where all forces harmonise. It is here that the ippon can be created, not as an act of domination, but as a moment of purity and connection between two beings.
Tori does not act alone. He does not apply the technique with the aim of conquering, but to contribute to a shared creative process. His role is to propose an intention, to perform an action that can be welcomed by uke. Tori must be attentive, sensitive to uke’s response, in constant search of that crest line where the action is just, where the ippon can naturally emerge. He must act with clarity of mind, a pure intention, while remaining ready to adapt and adjust based on uke’s energy.
Uke does not simply receive. His role is active, participative. He responds to tori with total openness, ready to welcome tori’s action and to contribute to the balance of the exchange. Uke also seeks that crest line, that tipping point where the ippon becomes possible. He does not merely follow; he engages his own energy, his own intention, so that the movement is complete and harmonious. It is a form of reciprocal giving, where uke and tori agree to reach this moment of truth.
The Crest Line: The Art of Creating Together
The “crest line” represents that state of perfect balance, where uke and tori are in symbiosis. They are neither in opposition nor in simple interaction. They are two aspects of the same process, two partners collaborating to allow the ippon to emerge. In this context, the ippon is not a goal to be achieved, but the fruit of mutual understanding, a shared exploration.
On this crest line, each movement, each gesture, is an expression of unity. Uke and tori do not seek to impose their will, but to listen, to feel, to adapt to one another so that the truth of the moment can be expressed. The ippon thus created is a manifestation of kokorozashi: a pure intention, borne by the wisdom of the heart and will, realised in the present moment.
In Junomichi, the roles of uke and tori go far beyond a simple practice relationship. They are co-creators, engaged in a shared quest on the crest line, that subtle boundary where harmony is possible. Their collaboration is not just an exchange, but a profound search for the ippon, where each movement is imbued with the wisdom of kokorozashi. Thus, they together embody a living practice, where the essence of Junomichi reveals itself in the fragile and perfect balance of each moment.