A LOOK IN SIMONS MIND
Karate Jutsu as self defense.
The image of karate is usually white pajama wearing, deep stance, distance fighting with punches and kicks.
THIS WAS NOT HOW THE ‘ORIGINAL’ KARATE WAS PRACTICED.
A gi (karate uniform) came into use in karate less than 100 years ago.
Deep stances are for building strength in your legs, not for mobility in actual moving combat.
Distance fighting of modern karate tournaments are not the applications of the kata moves the ‘old masters’ taught.
Punches and kicks are practiced in most combat arts. Most schools teach these as distance tools, but these techniques from karate were originally taught as close quarter combat.
Its not that you cant kick someone in the head in ‘a street fight’….it is just difficult, and hand/arm techniques are very efficient and practical in Close Quarter Combat.
The Karate Lessons Ju Jutsu Taught Me
Karate kata teaches our bodies muscle memory and Ju Jutsu moves puts those movements into practice – exactly how they are taught in kata.
So Bunkai from kata can be seen in lots of standing takedowns and finishes that Ju Jutsu uses.
Mostly ‘traditional arts’ understood that combat happens close in, but in the 20th century this knowledge some how got lost in translation.
Close quarter frames, short distance power, closing the gap, grips, arm drags, leg sweeps, throws, elbows and headbutts were all part of the original karate.
Because that is what combat IS.
There is no ‘block’ in karate!!! The word used, uke, actually means to receive, not to block. Like when you use the term tori and uke when practicing randori or paired drills.
The Principals Of Movement
Karate often practices marching up and down the dojo throwing ‘punches, kicks and blocks’ and can create super powerful punches and kicks…but it hardly ever gives you the tools to survive in real street fight/combat…how to apply that power.
Sad but true.
They teach the movement, but not reasons behind the movement…and when ‘application’ is taught it is often total bullshit.
Why do you close your arms and open them again in an uke technique?
Why do I change angles when I practice kata?
Why does a hand sit ‘chambered’ by your hip or ribcage?
Why are 2 hands always in motion?
Why the connection between footwork and hand technique?
Conclusion
Karate is CQB from the 19th century – and earlier.
People are practicing karate wrong. (if you read my other posts I am not trashing other styles – because martial arts are practiced for personal reasons of your own, my opinion is just MY opinion).
EVERY movement out of kata has practical uses – you just have to work out what they are.
And a good instructor who can and will answer these questions is a rare thing.
I was lucky enough to find Sensei Mike of Bushin Ryu Health Martial Arts – Sijo Ian Waite of Ryu Kyu Kempo, Wing Chun Do and Tao Shield, and Sensei Paul Reti of Fuji Ryu Ju Jitsu.
These men (and more) shaped my understanding of the ‘martial arts’. They gave me a masters view on martial movement and I will be forever grateful.
I can teach them to you if you’re interested.
