Some random thoughts on the knife.

07-18-2001

 

Agree about the Tang Soo Do double knife grab, I saw that myself when I studied that art a quarter century ago. I honestly believe the source of that was the kung fu flic, 'The Five Fingers of Death'.

As for Aikido and Japanese Knife Defenses, yes as we view the knife today, they appear unrealistic. But I believe you also have to consider the context in which they were grounded.



I believe the source was the way the knife (Tanto) developed in Japan.  Apparently in close quarters the straight thrust with the Tanto was an actual attack. I also understand Tanto was among the most advanced studies offered in kenjutsu. Apparently teaching somebody to dismember an enemy as a beginner was ok, but teaching the same person to use a knife was reserved only for those students you really trusted.

Trevor Leggett in his book 'Zen and the Ways' refers to deaths due to straight thrusts attacks with the knife.  Nakasone Genwa in his magnificent work "Karatedo Taikan" (1938) demonstrates those specific linear attack defenses against the knife.

https://isshin-concentration.blogspot.com/2009/05/knife-self-defense-kata-by-otsuka.html

Aikido training I've received (empty hand) becomes magnified against the same attack with a knife in the opponent’s hand. That being due to the leverage and pain of a grab applied to someone holding a knife and using that static event against their fingers and wrist.  My own opinion those defenses work quite well if the opponent agrees to only thrust.



On the other hand, we are well aware of the wider range of knife attacks out there, and frankly stepping out of the attack zone is definitely the better response.

As for myself, we use the study of Bando's form "The Hidden Stick" both as a tool to understand how to pick anything up for self-defense, and as a textbook of possible applications of the stick as a knife, to add to our awareness of the danger of these attacks.

Frankly I think the Chinese with their 19' spears had an adequate defense against knife attacks in mind with their development <Grin>



Victor Smith
Bushi No Te Isshinryu