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1. Wooden post covered with straw used as a target for kicking or punching.
2. Punching or kicking board.
The makiwara is used by karate practitioners to practice strikes in much the same way as a heavy bag. However, the makiwara develops ones' striking ability by letting them experience resistance to punches, kicks and other strikes. A poor punch will bounce off of the makiwara if the body is not in a position to support the energy generated by the strike. It also develops targeting, and focus, which is the ability to penetrate the target (i.e., opponent) to varying degrees of force.
The makiwara is very versatile, and can accommodate practice of open/closed hand strikes, kicks, knee strikes and elbow strikes. Most sources recommend a regimen of hitting the makiwara 50-100 times per day, with each hand. It is especially important to train the weaker side of the body as hard as, or harder than the dominant side.
Misconceptions and Notes on Usage
Many Western Karate practitioners do not include the makiwara as a part of their training, citing the damage that they believe it will cause to the structures of the hand over time. Others train in the "sport" oriented styles that have become popular, which do not emphasize practicality in their training. Improper use of the makiwara can result in damage and deformity, however, proper use will not cause these results.
The purpose of hitting the makiwara is not to 'strengthen the bones' over time, as many gung-ho 'traditionalists' maintain. Rather, proper usage will condition the hands/feet for delivering force, and train the hips, legs and shoulders to function in a way that generates the most power, and allows the practitioner to maintain a stable position throughout the motion. Contrary to popular belief, large calluses on the knuckles are to be avoided, as they are not a sign of anything but overzealous training.
Persons under 15 years of age should avoid hitting the makiwara, as the bones of the hand are not fully developed until the middle teen years. To begin with, start training with a lower number of repetitions, and use common sense. If any swelling, bruising, laceration/tearing of the skin or loss of function occurs, do not train on the makiwara again until fully healed, or after consulting a physician.
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