Nawasuji is not a word in the strict sense, but a concept developed by Yagami Ren to designate one of the areas of study of his style. It is made up of two components:
- 繩 (nawa): “rope”.
- 筋 (suji): “muscle” or “tendon” and, in a more poetic sense, “story”.
Both come together in the technical principle of “the same tension in body and rope” (choryoku, 張力), the foundation that defines all rope handling in sekibaku.
The translation we adopt is “the technique of managing the body from the rope”, because in this style rope technique is not about executing figures, reproducing patterns or memorizing sequences: the rope is a tool for managing the body of the person being tied.
That management requires adapting to the body and the moment, which is by definition incompatible with rigid, predetermined patterns.
EN