Introduction

Before engaging in battle armies would shout and cry out and when running in to fight they would scream out in a continuous flow of energy putting fear into their enemy. This shout or cry involves no physical or visible contact between opponents, but is a method of combat using the voice as a weapon. This weapon known as “Kiai” is the Japanese term for expelling sound of various types to have an effect on oneself and the attacker.
Kiai is a compound of Ki, meaning internal energy, will, turn of mind, spirit and “ai” meaning unite.
By expelling sound of various types and application, it affects you and the attacker both in mind and body. Kiai is a deep abdominal breathing and mental projection in the channelled in a shout in a coordinated direction.
Kiai marks the point in Ju jitsu where the outer factors of the art (techniques) are subordinated to factors of an inner nature (control and power). The technique used to convey this power is the human voice. Any projection of the voice with Ki is kiai, whether loud or soft, spoken or shouted.
Ki was often used in the sense of energy, spirit, character and therefore, personality. A magnetic personality has always been able to call on strong powers of projection and suggestion, and these can often be used to prevent combat or win it.
Kiai is focusing your entire personality upon a single target. All your power fused and channelled through the pitch, tone and vibration of your voice. A kiai must possess emotional content in order to be effective.

Use of Kiai

In learning to use Kiai correctly you gain control over your respiratory, nervous, and muscular systems and can increase your Ki supply. The first part of kiai is winding up. This comprises of inhaling one full breath, which should be drawn steadily through the lungs to the abdomen, not into the chest so that there is no visual heavy rise of the chest.
The second part of kiai is the unwinding, which consists of exhaling one third of air together with a low guttural sound, followed by the “YA”, “YO” or “HAI-EET” sound, delivered with a faster expelling of air. The abdominal muscles and diaphragm propel it explosively. The abdominal region will automatically tense as the muscles propel the air upwards and out. Kiai directs and controls the energy of the conflict.
When executing striking techniques to a target, the body should be relaxed, except for the hand or foot in motion. At all times one third of the air should remain in the abdomen for continual flow of oxygen to the blood stream and to control the stomach muscles.

Effects of Kiai on the Attacker

The kiai used in a self-defence situation helps to confuse the senses so the attacker cannot concentrate, and be forced to decide whether to proceed or flee. The attacker has usually built his self up to a point where his whole body is tense and ready to attack. His mind and body are co-ordinated for this purpose. The kiai has the effect of breaking down this mind and body co-ordination, momentarily changing an opponent thought pattern and rapidly sapping confidence from him.
Kiai exploits this natural phenomenon of human physiology causing a rapid beating of the heart and a momentary break in his breathing rhythm. At the very least it will make him hesitate. This slight break is caused by the shock acting on the auditory nerve, which connects the ear to the brain, seizing the attackers reaction time for a moment. In this way, kiai affects the central nervous system, respiratory and muscular systems temporarily freezing an attacker’s thoughts and actions.
We can only attack strongly when exhaling. Our instinctive reflexive reaction when startled is to inhale.
Kyo is the unguarded moment between inhaling and exhaling. We must take advantage of the kyo our kiai provides.

Effects of Kiai on the Defender

The more fiercely and determined the kiai is used, the more confidence you will project to your attacker, lowering his ability and self-confidence. The kiai prepares the body for combat and stops the shaking and coordination problems caused by the rush of adrenaline. The kiai makes the body more resilient to blows, and channels energy such as fear and anger into defence and attack instead of dissipating it throughout the body.

The Three Types Of Kiai

Kiai consists of three variations, each with a specific use and reason. All are an extension of one's own Ki. They include stopping, focusing and winding Kiai.

Stopping Kiai:
This type is used in the initial stages of a single or multi attack to temporarily freeze the attacker's thoughts and actions. It is executed at an extremely high pitch – with the tongue resting on the top of the lower front teeth. It is important to shout and attack at the same time. The effect of this kiai is on the opponent’s nervous system, causing a delay in his reflexes and enabling penetration of his defences. This kiai is used to disrupt the attacker’s physical and mental balance by sending a severe shock to the middle ear.

Kime (Focusing) Kiai:
Focusing kiai is intended to make the user’s body react as a fully co-ordinating unit. The sound acts as a psychological stimulus, enabling the brain to concentrate all its responses on using the muscles together. Focusing kiai controls the power and limits waste by putting more energy into a blow where it is needed. This kiai is used in many situations, for example, when throwing as tori and falling as a uke. Boxers use this type of kiai to keep their rhythm when striking, and weight lifters to harness their power. Focusing Kiai may be used at anytime that requires Ki to be extended in a direction, even when loosening a lid on a jar. This kiai can be silent and contained within oneself.

Continuous (Winding) Kiai:
Used in multi attack situations the winding kiai keeps the flow of energy from subsiding between defender’s movements. It is projected through a high or soft pitch for a continuous movement. (The late Bruce Lee made this form of kiai well known in his movies!) This type of kiai is just like keeping your rev’s up in your car, a constant flow of energy ready to be used in an instant in a specified direction.
All these principles of kiai are interrelated and dependent upon one another at some time and should be practised earnestly to keep the art of kiai alive.

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