This came from a group of translations from a Japanese author which appeared monthly in a Japanese martial arts magazine. That was in 2005. It was a discussion between Japanese atemi (as striking in aikido and jujutsu) and the Okinawan striking arts. It might be useful. But I caution that his experiences forming him opinions are not necessarily correct, just tools we might use or not.
This
is but one of a very long list of articles Joe Swift translated.
The Techniques of Striking on Old-style Jujutsu
and Old-style Karate-jutsu
by
Hirakami Nobuyuki
In
modern martial arts, most of the techniques of impact used are those of western
boxing, or Muay Thai. Even in karate,
which is supposed to be a traditional martial art, save for a few older
traditions, the techniques of striking
are more like boxing. We can deduce that one reason for this is that even the
so-called traditional karate
styles of Japan that were introduced in the Taisho era (1912-1926) and later
were re-interpreted as systems
of
physical education. Because of this, we can probably say that the techniques of
striking found in old-style Jujutsu
and old-school Karate-jutsu are fairly unique, and are rarely seen in modern
martial arts. Let us now take a look
at some of the major characteristics of this old-style "atemi-jutsu."
1. Old style atemi-jutsu makes abundant
use of techniques which grab or trap the opponent, momentarily freezing his
movement, in order to strike.
This
dangerously powerful technique is often used in order to "finish" the
opponent off. Even in the non-contact and armoured
sparring contest rules, the atheletes are allowed to grab each other
momentarily, so vistiges of this method can
be found in modern competetive martial arts, but the stringent rules and the
danger of this technique make it
difficult
to actually use in such an arena.
In
Ryukyu Kenpo, especially in the Nafadi lineages, this technique is used often.
However, the withn the methods of trapping
the opponent in Nafadi, there are some rather unique hidden techniques
transmitted. Trapping the opponent
in order to strike him is also used in the Sui-di traditions as well. The
method of trapping or grabbing the opponent
seems more natural, and more in line with Japanese jujutsu, but there are some
traditions that also
emphasize
unique methods of using the fingers. In any case, this technique of trapping
the opponent's body and striking
him is one of the basic styles of old-school martial arts.
2. When striking to the Temple, when
unable to trap the opponent, there is a technique of striking into the Temple very
quickly.
This
is akin to the boxer's jab, so this technique can be said to exist in modern
martial arts as well. However, in the
case of old-school Jujutsu, the basic premise is that one will be striking with
the bare hand, so there are various
unique hand formations one can use, such as the back-hand or the back-fist
strike. Because this strike is performed
when the opponent has a lapse of concentration, and is performed from a natural
posture, it is very difficult
for the opponent to read the strike. Moreover, if this strike connects, it is
powerful enough to drop the opponent
with this technique alone. With the advent of protective gear or rules that
prohibit contact to the face,
this technique is difficult to use in a sporting arena (the real problem is
probably in determining whether or
not the blow would have been effective). In the old style, this technique is
used more for leading into techniques
of restraint (grappling), and there are other techniques for using it at a
longer range.
3. Because the strike is performed after
trapping the opponent and limiting his mobility, one can strike with precision, thus the special vital
areas are often targeted.
When
fighting from a distance with strikes, there is always a kind of imprecision to
the strikes. However, by trapping
the opponent and then striking, the precision increases many-fold. By holding
the opponent still, it becomes
possible to aim at small areas, and hand gestures like the one-knuckle fist and
the nukite are developed for this
purpose. The hand formations which one rarely sees in sports competition were
actually developed for martial
arts
purposes.
4. The targets for old-style atemi-jutsu
are many, as are the weapons with which to attack them. In Koryu jujutsu and
Ryukyu Kenpo, such dangerous techniques include the use of the elbow.
The
use of the entire body as a weapon is common sense in martial arts, but one of
the most powerful weapons is the elbow
strike. One of the most common uses is to trap the opponent, then strike into
him with the elbow by moving your
center of gravity into the opponent. A very powerful, dangerous tehcnique.
Other uses include thrusting back into
the torso of an opponent who grabs from behind, or to smash down on an arm that
has grabbed you. Of course it goes
without saying that there are strict rules applied to the use of the elbow in
sports matches.
5. In old-style martial arts, not only
is the body used as a weapon, but many other tools are also used in striking the
opponent.
This
is exactly as it sounds. Hilts of swords and the ends of long-handled weapons
are some examples. Short sticks are
also very effective in delivering blows. These are all only natural for a
martial artist, but the issue quickly gets
clouded so I will leave the discussion only to the empty hand arts.
6. The twisting punch is not seen very
often in Jujutsu, but it is used quite a bit in Ryukyu Kenpo.
Only
speaking of modern competative martial arts, the methods of striking seem to be
more along the lines of jujutsu.
The so-called traditional karate styles often use the twisting punch in
practice and as a sport technique, but
they rarely if ever know how to use the true old-style twisting punch.
7. The kicks of Koryu Jujutsu are
usually only the front kick, and rarely do they use the elegant round-house kicks, back kicks or spinning
kicks.
This
is the usual trend in jujutsu, but that is not to say that other kicks do not
exist. Roundhouse-like kicks are often
used to the torso after trapping the opponent's sword with a chained weapon.
Side kicks to the knees, and back
kicks to opponents who have grabbed from behind are also sometimes used.
However, I have yet to see a spinning kick in old-style Jujutsu. It is a bit
over-action.
8. Atemi also inclusde special
techniques of striking that physycally destroy the opponent's anatomically weak points.
This
is of course looking at it from the martial arts point of view, and this type
of technique is rarely if ever
found in sports matches. These deadly techniques can be said to only be found
in the old style of Jujutsu or Karate-jutsu.
Old
Style Ryukyu Karate Atemi-Jutsu
Hirakami
Nobuyuki Sofue
Toshihisa (Shiraishi-ha Shitoryu 7-dan)
- Old Style Atemi-jutsu is for Close In
Attack and Defense
HIRAKAMI
(H)
Thank
you very much for showing me some rather rare old-style Ryukyu kata and their
corresponding Hen-di (old-style
kumite). I was deeply impressed by the unique features of this ancient martial
art. I would like to ask you
many questions today about atemi in the old Ryukyu Karate traditions.
First of all, how are the atemi
techniques different between modern Japanese karate and old style Ryukyu Karate?
SOFUE
(S)
Hrmmm...
Well, even in the so-called traditional karate styles, they have been changed
in the direction of physical
education, or competitive sports, so I think that it is true that the
techniques also differ a bit from the old-style
Ryukyu Karate. The image of modern sports karate is that the competitors jump
in at each other with punches
and kicks from a long range. The techniques of
Ryukyu Karate, however, are centered on attack and defense from a close
range.
(H)
In
other words, close-in fighting means not to merely kick and punch at each other
from afar, but it also includes grabbing,
joint locks and the like from more of a grappling range?
...
Of course the kata applications you showed me today were not unlike Japanese
jujutsu, wrapping up the opponent's
arms or legs, grabbing, trapping the hand in the armpit, etc, before moving the
center of gravity in to strike.
Also, the defenses were not against merely punching and kicking, but also
contained escapes from various
grabs, as well as throws and joint locks...
(S)
The
kata applications of Ryukyu Karate contain many jujutsu-like techniques. One
thing that surprised me was the
fact that many techniques identical to the Aiki-jujutsu arts are hidden in the
kata. Techniques such as
Ippon-dori, Nikajo (Nikyo), Kote-gaeshi, Shiho-nage, etc. Although they don't
often end with the opponent actually
flying through the air, techniques such as Kaiten-nage and Irimi-nage are also
present.
(H)
These
jujutsu-like techniques seem to be especially prevalent in thr Nafadi
traditions. The tora-guchi so prevalant
in the kata can be applied as the Juji-garami from Daitoryu. The appliactions
for Kururunfa that you showed
me also include escapes from rear grabs, as well as throws. I also noticed many
escapes and traps into strikes in the crane kata Nipaipo. In the Sui-di kata,
there are also many Jujutsu-like striking techniques as well. I also saw many
of the principles of old-style atemi-jutsu as well, such as subtle weight
shifts to add power to the strikes,
or opening the body to increase power, or subtle torque to add power, as well.
(S)
There
are also many techniques that make use of the Aiki as well. Especially in the
crane kata, the hand escapes are
akin to the so-called "aiki-age."
(H)
I
think that if we go in search of martial effectiveness, we all probably end up
at the same kinds of techniques in the
end. However, I believe that the Ryukyu Karate tradition also transmits several
unique aspects of atemi that
are not seen in Jujutsu.
(S)
Yes,
the twisting punch is probably not found that often in Jujutsu, is it. This is
a high-level technique that allows
one to re-direct the opponent's attack while countering simultaneously. The
Ryukyu karate tradition has
developed
this unique fist form that is not found in Jujutsu.
(H)
There
are similar fist forms in Jujutsu, but the area with which you make impact is
different. In karate, the impact is
made mainly with the big knuckles of the index and middle fingers. On top of
that, the fist is twisted upon impact,
sending a unique kind of shock wave through the target. The makiwara-tsuki is
the unique method of conditioning
the fist to be able to withstand making such blows. This kind of conditioning
is not commonly found in
Jujutsu,
and can be called a kind of unique "atemi culture." However, this
seiken-centered atemi method seems a
bit stiff when compared to Jujutsu's methods... Actually, the spiraling motion
is a very skillful method of
striking, but it seems very linear on the surface. But the fact that many try
and violently portray karate's "ikken-hissatsu"
in their kata performance, they end up looking stiff. However, the kata that
you performed for me today
were not only hard and linear, but also expressed the pliable aspects of the
art as well. I was a bit
surprised,
actually... They were a perfect combination of GO and JU. This is something
that seems to be missing from modern karate.
- "Secret" Kata of Ryukyu Karate
(S)
I
performed some pretty rare White Crane kata along with old style ('Nkashi-di)
Ryukyu kata. There are actually many
different kinds of kata in Ryukyu karate. Compared with Chinese traditions such
as Taijiquan they may seem a bit hard and linear, but I believe this is because
the mainland Japanese styles have been greatly modified into a kind
of physical education. Most of the old-style Shuri-ti kata are performed from
natural stances, and can be easily performed
even when one gets older. This can be seen in the kata performance of not only
the elders in Okinawa, but
also those elder practitioners in mainland Japan who have studied deeply. For
example, Inoue Kazutoshi of Tani-ha
Shitoryu, Tomoyose Ryuichiro of Kenyuryu, Zaha Ninkichi of Shindoryu, Shiraishi
Kokei of Shitoryu Kenkyukai,
Yamaguchi Goshi of Gojuryu, etc., all have beautifully pliable kata
performances. The sharp, snappy
movements
of the young kata atheletes are also wonderful, but when the elders perform the
same kata the quality is so
much different. They can take a "stiff linear" kata and express it in
a soft and pliable way.
(H)
Hrmmm...
So there are different ways to perform the same kata, GO and JU. There is even
a level in Gojuryu that stresses
the JU aspect, something that seems to have been lost in the transmission to
mainland Japan. There are said to
be three levels of performance in kata such as Suparinpei and Tensho. In other
words, if one delves deep enough
into Gojuryu, which is said to be the epitome of GO, then one will find the
secrets of JU. The White Crane
kata
you performed also were very beautiful and flowing, the JU within the GO, no,
make that the GO within the JU...
(S)
The
various White Crane kata I performed are said to have been introduced into
Okinawa by Go Kenki, a Crane boxing master who immigrated to Ryukyu before
WWII, and are very rare. Crane kata such as Nipaipo and Yantsu are found throughout
mainland Japanese styles as well, but there are about three others that are not
very well known, and can be considered "secret" kata of sorts. These
express the advanced levels of the martial arts through the movements of the
crane.
- Ryukyu Martial Arts and Chinese
Martial Arts
(H)
The
Nipaipo you showed me was not the commonly known version, but the rare
old-style version of Nipaipo <*>. Nipaipo
is said to be from the Chinese white crane tradition, but what I saw today
looked a lot like Ryukyu karate.
The other crane kata you performed for me today also contain characteristics of
Ryukyu karate. I felt as if
they were not actually the same as the Fujian White Crane boxing systems as
practiced in China.
(S)
Ummmmmm,
this is a very difficult issue indeed. The southern Chinese systems have
changed greatly over the generations,
and even in the Northern systems such as Taijiquan, the original versions are
not very clear, so comparative
analysis with the old style Ryukyu Karate kata is difficult. So, even though
these kata are said to be from
the Chinese White Crane systems, they were probably modified to fit the
Ryukyuan way of doing things.
(H)
Even
the Nafadi kata are said to be direct imports from China, but it is not as if the exact same
kata can be found
in China today. They are more in line with the characteristics of Ryukyu Kenpo.
While each individual movement
has its own "kime," the minute movements and breathing patterns
combine to make strong, heavy kata. Isn't
it true that kata as heavy in feeling as these are very rarely seen in China
these days...? And the biggest
difference
is that in the Southern Chinese boxing systems, each movement has a specific
name, whereas in Ryukyu Kenpo,
the only real names are for the entire kata themselves. I believe that this is
the biggest
inconsistency
in the commonly accepted idea that Karate, especially Nafadi, was created by
those who learned
directly
in China.
(S)
It
is rahter mysterious, isn't it. Many of the Nafadi kata existed in Okinawa
before the mid-Meiji era when Higashionna
Kanryo traveled to Fuzhou, and historical documents show that they were
actually publically demonstrated
at the end of the Edo era at the Uchaya-Udun (Ochaya-Goten) in Shuri's
Sakiyama. I believe this to be an
excellent cultural heritage developed over a long period of time by the boxers
of Ryukyu,
(H)
Besides
karate, there are also rare weapons traditions such as the Sai, Tonfa,
Suruchin, Nunchaku, Rochin, etc., that
have been passed down from days gone by, and their use is classical, as
illustrated in the "Kiko Shinsho," enough
to make my think that ancient Chinese martial arts may actually be alive and
well in Ryukyu in their original
form.
I believe that the martial arts of Ryukyu are very old and retain their
classical form...
Thank
you for your time, excellent discussions on the Atemi of Ryukyu Kenpo, and your
demonstrations of the rare
kata
and advanced principles.
--------------------------
*
Mr. Sofue learned this version from P. McCarthy - JS
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