The eyes are often referred to as the windows to the soul, which means that intention can be seen. The eyes of your opponent will tell you what he is going to do. Depending on the level of your opponent it might be smarter not to look him in the eye as he will be able to read you as well. Instead, look through your opponent, about one or two meters behind him, this is ‘toyama no metsuke’. See the distant mountain very sharp, but all that is close blurry.
Never look at your target or just observe his hands or feet. If you look at his feet, you can’t see his hands and vice versa. So, you should see him as a whole.
In kata one is ‘obligated’ to look in a certain
direction. Don’t look in a direction because you should according to the kata, but look with spirit, because you are filled with sente and overcome the opponent.
Bottom line, always keep facing your opponent.
PRINCIPLES