[5.3.0] Section-5 Kaishaku: Counter to Wrist Grab

[Source:] Isshin-ryu/Jujitsu Black Belt

[Rating:] Difficult

Comment: The lead hand is used several times in this bunkai. Too many karateka are locked into a one technique per arm defense. Truthfully, the lead arm can be used more often than our brain will accept. This bunkai forces the student out of the block them punch mentality found in many karate schools. We see this principle in Chart-1 upper-body technique ten. Shimabuku sensei must have thought this to be important because the technique is different than the one found in Ten-No-Kata. (Review Funakoshi’s Ten-No-Kata) Funakoshi took common Okinawan training drills like the techniques from chart-one and placed them in a kata.

Note: Too many blocks and strikes in a real confrontation can get you hurt. Keep it simple but know you can use the same arm and leg more often. This bunkai is an exaggeration of the one hand many uses principle.

Part-1 Attacker: Grabs Wrist

Note: If an attacker grabs your wrist, it will normally be followed by a punch.

Part-2 Defender: Remove Grasp

• Open your trapped hand into a shuto. Circle your hand over the opponent’s wrist loosening his/her grip. (RH)
• Shuto strike on top of the attacker’s wrist that has trapped your hand. (LH)

Part-3 Attacker: Reverse Punch

Part-4 Defender: Palm-Heel Strike and Knee

• Shuto block the attacker’s reverse punch. (LH)
• Trap the attacker’s wrist and break his/her balance. Pull the attacker’s hand to your hip. (LH)

Note: You may only be able to block the attackers’ second punch with your shuto block, but if you can gain control of the attacker’s limb you can prevent them from leaving your circle of combat.

• Slip sideways to avoid the attacker’s reverse paunch. (RH)
• Ridge hand the inside of the attacker’s grasping hand. (RH)
• Slide your hand down the inside of the attacker’s biceps and, palm-heel strike him/her under opponent’s jaw. (RH)
• Roll hand over and grasp the back of the attacker’s neck and pull the attacker forward into a knee strike. (RH)

Theory: At a seminar I attended, a noted Isshin-ryu master indicated that a knee strike could also be incorporated in this move in place of pulling the attacker over the front leg, but it is a suffix to the technique. In other words, in a real confrontation it is good self-defense, but he also emphasized that the kata should not be changed to reflect these minor variations.

Hidden Technique: As you’re pulling the attacker forward knee strike to solar plexus. In the kata you’re stepping forwards. The knee strike is the hidden technique.

[End Series