Atemi Waza: Fighting like the Wind

    Unlike Karate or Tae Kwon Do, in Judo strikes are not central to the art. Striking is auxiliary, something used in combination with a throw, a groundhold or a lock. Its purpose is to stun the opponent long enough to add another technique as one neutralizes an attack. Judo strikes are not based on muscular strength or the hardening of one’s hands or knuckles or 50 elbows. Rather, Judo strikes aim at vital spots. It is not the force of the strike, but where and how it lands that makes the difference. The reason I associate striking with the wind is because in Taoism the wind is never permanent, never sufficient for accomplishing the task. Winds may have the strength of a storm, but storms are not long lasting (“High winds do not last all morning. Heavy rain does not last all day,” chapter 23).

    So, for a Judoka engaging in a fist fight is inviting trouble. The outcomes of fist fights are hard to control. Furthermore, they tend to exacerbate negative emotions and use up a whole lot more of the body’s natural energy. “If too much energy is used,” says the Tao “exhaustion follows” (chapter 55). Great use of force is always “followed by loss of strength” (chapter 30).So, striking on an ongoing basis depletes the body. It requires a greater amount of muscular strength and lots of conditioning to be adequately done. That is not the traditional way in Judo. Our strikes are small, well-placed, and employed sparingly. The reaction of a spectator to a Judo strike would be similar to the description in chapter 14 of the Tao, “look, it cannot be seen – it is beyond form. Listen, it cannot be heard – it is beyond sound. Grasp, it cannot be held – it is intangible.”

    Judo strikes are quick and done from the hara, from one’s center of strength. Whether a punch or a hand knife or an elbow strike, the power comes from the abdomen. The energy is flexible and flowing until the instant of contact. Once the blow is delivered, the energy is fluid again. Needless to say, effective delivery depends a great deal on breath control, distancing and timing.

    Strikes are divided into upper and lower limb (ude ate and ashi ate). Upper limb strikes include finger (yubisaki ate), knife hand (tegatana ate), fist (kobushi ate) and elbow strikes (hiji ate). Lower limb strikes include knee (hiza-gashira ate), ball of foot (sekito ate) and heel strikes (kakato ate). The techniques include fingertips, fists (striking in direct or inverted blows, using the back of fingers or knuckles), hand-edges (slanting or downward cuts), elbows, knees and feet.

    The aim of striking is to deliver stunning blow to the right place. The human body contains many vital spots. Senior students are quite familiar with them. Among the head points studied by students are the tendo (area slightly above the forehead), the uto (the nasion point, in the middle of the forehead, between the eyes), the kasumi (the temples), the jinchu (spot directly under the nose), and the kachikake (chin).

    Body points include the suigetsu (the lower part of the solar plexus), the getsuei/denko (the hypochondrium, area to the left or right of the stomach) the myojo (area between the navel and the genitals), the tsurigane (genital area), and the shitsu (kneecap area). Strikes are used as stunning techniques, always followed up by a throw; or as finishing techniques, employed after the completion of a throw. In such instances, the fist, hand, elbow, or foot are pulled back once the blow is delivered. Remember, however, that strikes are used sparingly in Judo. “Heavy winds do not last all morning.” The idea is to employ them wisely. Judo is training for life. Not only does it generate self-confidence, it helps with elements of self-control such as patience, controlled temper, and understanding others. The spirit of traditional Judo can be said to be the art of fighting without fighting. Sensei McCarthy always stressed the peaceful settlement of any disagreement or dispute. For him the arts described in this section were of no use if a peaceful settlement was achieved. And that is ultimately the real master’s goal. To avoid unnecessary pain or injury.

Keo Cavalcanti
The Tao of JUDO
Eastern Wisdom for
Western Practice