Karamidi

 

The following post was originally

On Mario McKenna’s old blog.

Karamidi

I thought I would post photos of Tomarite master Nakasone Seiyu demonstrating karamidi - locking and restraining techniques - on a young Tokashiki Iken (Gohakukai). This technique, and similar techniques, were apparently a specialty of Nakasone.

Karamidi is of course the Okinawa pronunciation of the two kanji Karamu (緘) meaning entangle, or entwine and te 手 meaning hand. A nice definition of Karamidi is presented on page 122 of The Secret Royal Martial Arts of Ryukyu by Kanenori Sakon Matsuo, and translated by my good friend Joe Swift: These are the secret techniques of grabbing, twisting, or bending the opponent's joints to control without serious injury. Of course the di/te kanji does literally mean "hand", but it is important to point out that this is a sort of short-hand used in Karate to refer to techniques.

My Tou'on-ryu, Gohakukai, and Kobudo teachers would sometimes use this term when teaching. For example Kanzaki sensei would say something (literally) like, Do it like that hand from Sesan kata (Ano te wa Sesan no yo ni yatte goran).

 

Yes, it can be confusing as you're not sure sometimes which specific section of a kata your teacher was referring to, but at the same time it helped the student avoid labels.

Karamidi is an integral part of a complete Okinawa Karatedo syllabus, and are rarely practiced in modern sports Karatedo. I am pleased that in recent years, more and more students are studying these techniques. My only concern is that they study them with a competent and patient teacher.