[7.3.1] Section-7 Kaishaku: Counter to an Attacker’s Charge

[Source:] [Jujitsu Black Belt]

Rating: AOKK Preferred Bunkai

Information: This bunkai does always not follow the letter of the movements in the kata. This series is to show you that these same movements can be adapted to a fluid situation by  a simple alteration. Not everything goes as planned. You may not land the twin shutos. You may not be able to lift and throw with Morote-gari (Double Leg Takedown) or trip the opponent with Tai-otoshi, so you use the attacker’s momentum. Master Harold Mitchum once said that you can add prefixes and suffixes to the bunkai. This means you change the beginning or the ending when the situation requires you to do so. He was also adamant that the movements within the kata not be altered. Kata is the unwritten book of a masters self-defense response to a certain situation. The responses were catenated so they could be committed to memory. This way you could have several responses to a single similar attack at your finger tips. The palace guards understood things do not always happen in a certain way, so their training prepared them the  best it could. The series of move would be practiced with a partner and all what-ifs were evaluated, so when placed in that situation they were not surprised. Today black belt students continue to discuss the meaning of the ancient movements. To me listening to my students argue which way the application is best applied makes me smile. This has been going on for hundreds of years and is the bond that present day students share with those of the past. This bunkai is a variant that little resembles the hard and fast technique series of the kata, but it has its roots in that very form. What do I do if they lunge at me trying to grasp my clothing, so that they can throw me to the ground?  If you’ve not asked this question of your kata, you should.  Kata is a guideline for a self-defense that could save your life. By exploring your kata and understanding the bunkai, you take a library of self-defense responses where ever you go. Having this knowledge is not enough. It must be practiced and discussed with a partner until you find what works for you. 

Part-1 Attacker: Charges You

Theory: An adversary can and will charge you if they believe escape is possible. They may simply believe they can overpower you. This is a response to that type of attack.

Part-2 Defender: Shuto Strikes, Wraps up the Attacker, and Throw (Ura-nage)

• Turn your shoulders into Seisan dachi.
• Double shuto strikes to the attacker’s arms when they reach you.
• Drop and wrap up the attacker’s legs.
• Step backwards CW into a horse stance while picking up the attacker throwing them over your shoulder with (Ura-nage).