Kakatebiki, or "Kakiya"

While much of Karate practice is done in the air, a very important point to remember is that for your practice to be effective "you have to hit stuff."  Sometimes this is done with a partner, and sometimes this is done using training equipment such as a bag or makiwara.  Recently, I was made aware of a rather esoteric piece of equipment called kakatebiki, or more commonly, kakiya.  This is a counterweighted (or spring loaded) arm connected to a striking post similar to a makiwara: 





source:  https://www.chrisdenwood.com/blog/kakiya-the-okinawan-wooden-man


The idea is to perform a blocking/grasping/striking action against the lever arm and post.  This is a very Okinawan idea reflected in much of our intermediate and advanced kata, such as the three outside haito strikes and grasps in Seisan, the te hedoki grasp and punch into a "T" stance in Chinto, and the double hand grasp and kick in Passai, to name a few.


Most of the drawings of kakatebiki I have seen only have a wrapping for a strike below the lever arm.  This would indicate the importance of using leg and foot techniques.  As the wrapping is shown going around the entire lower portion of the post, it would stand to reason that the leg and foot techniques could be performed from any angle, suggesting a movement around the outside or to the inside of the opponent.  The leg/foot technique could be a strike or kick, or a trip or sweeping movement.


Many possibilities exist for using this piece of equipment, and it is unfortunate that it is not as common as the makiwara.