Northwest Karate Clubs
Makiwara: Punching Board
A makiwara board consists of a straight board with the top portion fitted for punching. It is considered an essential piece of equipment and can assist in toughening the hands, strengthening the wrists, and giving training in hand techniques.
Traditionally, the striking surface of the makiwara consisted
of a bundle of straw with rope tightly wound around it at the
top foot of the board. A piece of sponge rubber, two inches
thick, four inches wide and one foot long, covered with canvas
or leather, is widely used. Anything that cushions the shock of
impact can be used. For example, a tightly bundled piece of
cloth (like a t-shirt) attached with duct tape would work just
as well. To protect your striking surface from the elements,
place a bucket over the top.
Regular use of a makiwara will develop strong technique and is an excellent way to get the feel of karate techniques applied to an actual target, rather than into the empty air. It gives practice in focusing, muscular control, breathe control, and as a by-product, will toughen the skin of the knuckles and other striking points. Because it is difficult to master the technique of focus (concentration of strength at the moment of impact), many karate experts feel that the techniques of those who do not use the makiwara are bound to lack power.
How to make and install using four-by-four
Cut a seven or eight foot long four-by-four, diagonally so that
the very top is about half an inch thick. Dig a hole in the
ground three or four feet deep. Place the wide end of the board
in it so that the top is at a height near the top of your
chest. Pack the bottom of the hole with stones, bricks, or
concrete. Place 2 two-by-fours horizontally, as shown in the
diagram to brace the makiwara. Fill in the rest of the hole
with dirt. The top of the board should move five or six inches
without exerting too much pressure. Having a board too flexible
is better than not flexible enough. Attach the striking surface
near the top of the board so that the center of the striking
surface comes to a height even with your solar plexus.
How to make and install using one-by-four
Use a 1' x 4' board with a simple leather wrap over the
striking surface. A stiffer board is required to support the
weight of a heavy striking pad then is necessary with a thin
wrap. If the board is too thin you get too much whipping motion
from the extra weight at the top and not enough resistance for
correct action.
An eight foot board is frequently used, with roughly four to
five feet sticking out above the ground. Dig a hole in the
ground, dump in some quick drying concrete, then place the
makiwara post inside along with a secondary board behind it
that is about a foot taller than the depth of the
partially-filled hole. Then fill in the hole with concrete and
hold everything in place while it begins to dry.
Indoor Makiwara
If you would rather have your makiwara indoors you can build a
wooden bracket or purchase a metal one to mount your makiwara
post to the dojo floor. If you do not like putting holes in
your floor, mount the bracket to a half sheet of plywood to
create a portable stand. Your weight should be sufficient to
keep the stand from moving around while you use the
makiwara.
How to use
A common nickname for a makiwara is the “board of wisdom.” This is because it provides immediate and accurate feedback with each blow. The makiwara is used mainly for practicing hand techniques, although foot techniques are sometimes practiced as well. Pay strict attention to good form, including proper balance and hip rotation. In most cases, the point of focus is about two inches on the other side of the board when it is stationary. At the point of impact, sharply let out a short breath, breathing in while withdrawing. This gives good training in breath control. In hand techniques, take care to strike correctly with the knuckles of the fist while keeping the wrist straight.
Use at your own risk!