The Techniques of Striking on Old-style Jujutsu and Old-style Karate-jutsu

 

This came from a group of translations from a Japanese author which appeared monthy 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.

 

Using You Tube you can find many of the forms they discuss to see for your self what is being discussed.

 

This is but one of a very long list of articles Joe translated. Most of them are deep into the goju arts which I really do not concern us much.

 

 

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 competitve 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.