Are There Throws in Karate?

Published: 10/20/2022

By Spencer sensei

Throwing is part of the AOKK foundational philosophy. Our objective is to be able to fight in all three ranges of personal combat. Throwing techniques are not part of most karate school’s curriculum, so why is it part of what we teach? Throws can be found in many different system’s kata, but throws are not part of most karate classes. Ironically, Gichin Funakoshi taught throwing technique to his students. Slowly, this training was eliminated from Japanese karate. In Shotokan there were nine basic throws (Naga Waza). He taught a variation of O-soto-gari, Kata-guruma, Tai-otoshi, and Morote-gari, but he used different names for these throws. The AOKK has twenty-one basic throwing techniques. We believe throwing techniques must once again find their way into karate. Also, we believe these techniques already exist within our forms. The AOKK seeks to restore the throwing techniques that were lost over time.

For educational purposes in this article, we will use Judo terminology. The AOKK has always used Judo’s terminology for these techniques. We do this to facilitate the grappling discussion. Judo terminology is found all over the world and by using this standard, we can better facilitate the discussion between different systems.

What differentiates karate and Judo throws is in the method or way in which the throws are set-up. Judo and modern jujitsu use gripping the opponent while pushing, pulling, twisting, and lifting to break the opponent’s balance. In karate we use strikes, locks, and kicks. The Judo player pushes and pulls the opponent into a position necessary for the throw. A karateka utilizes punches and kicks to manipulate the opponent into position. These set-up techniques can be found in karate kata. This does not mean that the karateka cannot also push and pull his opponent to set-up a throw. Be open to what works in a self-defense situation. Because you study karate, don’t dismiss techniques from other martial arts.

You may ask,” Why were the throws removed from karate?” We do not know. It could be due to the cost of tatami or that not every student wants to grapple. Kicking, blocking, and punching can be taught in any open area, but you need specialized equipment to teach throwing. It could also have been that it placed karate in competition with Judo. Judo was a national treasure in Japan when karate was introduced into the culture. Remove the throws and karate finds its’ own niche within the Japanese martial arts community. We know throws were part of karate by what was written by Kenwa Mabuni sensei. He wrote, “The karate that has spread to Japan is incomplete. Those who believe that karate consists of only kicks and punches and think throws are exclusive to judo or jujitsu, have been misinformed. We should have an open mind and strive to study the complete art.” Not every student wants to learn grappling, but as karate instructors we must be able to give those that want to defend themselves, in all ranges of fighting, the ability to do so.

You might ask what led me to believe that throws were an integral part of karate. It took landing on my back to start my research. My research began after being thrown to the tatami (mat) by a skilled Judoka. For years, in two different styles of karate, I was forced to execute what we termed a forty-five-degree blade kick. This was the weakest technique in my kicking arsenal, yet it was part of every class’s practice. My first karate instructor explained the kick was used to knock a knife from an adversary’s hand. I always believed this was a poor interpretation of the technique, but I simply accepted it and continued to practice the kick. Painfully, I would discover another use for this arguably worthless kick. During randori, and shortly after the judoka grasp my sleeve and collar, he hit the inside of my thigh with a forty-five-degree blade kick. After the kick landed, my stance instinctually widened, and he quickly turned driving his hips backwards breaking my balance while throwing me with O-goshi (hip throw). I had practiced O-goshi since my dad first taught me at ten or eleven years old, but I was never taught this loosening technique. As I lay on my back, I gained a new appreciation for what I though was a weak kick. Shortly after that experience, I began examining my martial arts for techniques that I undervalued or simply misunderstood. I found a number of these odd techniques within the kata that I had been practicing for decades. The forty-five-degree blade kick is found in both Naihanchin and Wansu kata. It was too bad that getting slammed to the ground was the impetus to start my research. The old masters didn’t arbitrarily add useless technique to their arsenal, so the karateka must continue to search for understanding of the odd movements found within our forms.

So… how do we determine if there are hidden throws within a kata? Remember in karate we set-up throws via strikes and kicks, so look at the techniques surrounding what you believe is a possible throw. A series finishing with a low block can indicate a throw. Turning 180° and executing a low block is most likely a throw, but many instructors explain that it is a spinning low block. Why would you spin and low block? Turning into a cat stance and stacking your hands on your hip can also indicate a throw. A turn while executing low double shuto strikes could also be a throw. A middle block, while sitting in a horse stance, can indicate a locking technique followed by a throw. There are obvious throws in forms like Kata-Guruma (Fireman’s Carry) that is found in Wansu. Some instructors even refer to this form as The Dumping Throw kata, but it wasn’t until I began training in range two techniques that we practiced the throw. Just because you’re not rolling around on the ground, does not mean that throwing techniques are not present in your kata. Let’s now examine a few examples of what could possibly be throws in kata.

Chinto: (General Technique)

In a few kata you drop to one knee and punch to the ground. In the Isshin-ryu version, of this kata, the punch is horizontal. Some karate instructors claim this technique is a punch to the opponent’s groin, but that would place you in a vulnerable position. As mentioned already, the punch has been moved to a more horizontal position to reinforce this bunkai. Other instructors teach that it is a downward punch because it is considered a finishing technique once the opponent is on the ground. They’re just not clear on how the adversary got into that position. Very few teachers look at this technique in the context of a throw because karateka have been programed into the block, kick, and punch only philosophy of karate.

In this bunkai the attacker is either punching or reaching for you. Remember if you’re grabbed, it can set-up a punch or throw. In any event the grasp is to control your movement. If an attacker swings at you or grabs you, this is an assault and you can conterattack.

Seio-nage: (Shoulder Throw)

I believe this odd Chinto movement can be explained by interpreting the technique as a drop seio-nage (One Arm Shoulder Throw).  The only part of this interpretation, that I do not like, is once you’ve trapped the punch you must turn while dropping to make the throw, and it somewhat violates the direction of the kata. This is still a viable technique even if it steps out of the bounderies of the form, so do not dismiss this interpretation too quickly.

Kuchiki-otoshi: (Single Leg Takedown)

This same Chinto movement can also be interpreted as a single leg takedown. The drop to one knee and punch technique can be found in the isshin-ryu version of Chinto kata, but in our version of this technique the punch is made horizontally. The AOKK has interperted this throw as a single-leg takedown (Kuchiki-taoshi). Hook your lead foot behind the attacker’s ankle to facilitate the throw. Push the attacker backwards to complete the throw.

Seisan: (General Technique)

Let’s examine the middel block and low horse stance found in Seisan kata. This is an odd way to make a block, so we can assume that it is something other than a block. Why would you execute a middle block while dropping into a horse stance? You normally drop your center of gravity to throw an opponent or to prevent them from being thrown. Obviously this is not simply a blocking technique.

A bunkai must have an attack, so what is the attack? This bunkai could  be a counteratttack to either a punch or a grasps of your clothing. A simple middle block would remove the opponent’s grasp or block a punch in any stance. This response could be done without utilizing the horse stance, so why use a deep low stance? If we want to break an attacker’s balance, trapping the oppnent’s wrist and stepping back into a horse stance will serve this purpose. If we trap the opponent’s hand with our rear hand it allows us to attack with the lead hand.

Tani-otoshi: (Valley Drop)

I believe this middle block is an armbar, and the horse stance sets-up a throw. In my opinion this throw is Tani-otoshi (Valley Drop Throw).  Many instructors recognize the armbar portion of this bunkai, but they do not continue the bunkai to its’ conclusion which is the throw. To make the throw you must slide your lead leg behind the attacker. The armbar will cause the attacker to pull backwards. Once the opponent recoils backwards push them over your lead leg.

In kata when you see the hand placed on the obi (belt), it is because you’ve grasped the attacker’s wrist and pulled it to your waist. This can be done to break the attacker’s balance. This can also be a deceptive technique. You can pull an opponent forward if you desire to get them to pull backwards. Another interpretation, for the hand being placed upon the obi, is when the grasp is followed by a reverse punch.  This is done to keep the attacker in your circle of combat. In this bunkai, it is done to set-up an armbar. Placing the hand on the obi (belt) has purpose. A karateka does not do things without purpose. Examine every technique, even a ubiquitous one like placing the hand on the obi (belt).

Seisan: (General Technique)

Let’s examine the double shuto technique and trun found in Seisan kata. Again, you must determine the attack. In this instance the attack is a double laple grasp. Many instrucors see the grasp removal portion, but miss the meaning of the turn and lower double shutos. I was told by one high ranking instructor that it was a strike to the attacker’s groin as you turn your back the opponent. First you should never expose your back to the enemy, so if it is not a low groin strike, what is the real bunkai?

Tai-otoshi: (Body Drop)

This is another interpretation of the low double shuto strikes in Seisan kata. It is also an example where a choke can be used to facilitate a throw. This series starts with the attacker grasping your lapels. Remember when someone grabs you it is to control your movement or to throw you.  After driving your arms between the attacker’s arms to remove their grasp, strike them in the face with both fists. Next execute an X-choke or cross hand lapel choke. Step counterclockwise turning while pulling the attacker off balance. Once they’re off-balance use rear leg to trip the attacker. This throw is called Tai-otoshi. As the attacker is falling, pull your hands away from the choke and allow the attacker to tumble to the ground in front of you.

Kusanku: (General Technique)

In Kusanku there is an odd technique where you are basically on all fours. I’ve been told the bunkai for this was everything from a double mule kick to a sweep. Again, the double mule kick falls into the block, kick, and strike mentality. This is a difficult technique for most people, and there is one major rule for bunkai, “Keep it simple.” If it is too difficult it will not work when you need it. The palace guards were responsible for maintaining law and order, so their techniques had to work. If you get too flashy, you will get hurt.  

Morote-geri: (Double Leg Takedown)

The best explanation for this technique, in my opinion, is morote-gari. Morote-gari is what wrestlers call a double leg takedown. This is one of those odd techniques that every karateka questions the first time they see it. In most versions of this form the drop is done only once, but in the Isshin-ryu version it is done in both directions. Spinning the opponent to the ground is an advanced method of executing the double leg takedown. The spin while pressing the attacker’s knees together makes it almost impossible for the opponent to maintain his/her balance. Even if it is done only once in the kata, it still resembles the standard morote-gari throw.

Conclusion:                        

These are only a few examples where the karateka can find throws within their kata. All I ask is that you keep an open mind and listen to what Kenwa Mabuni wrote so long ago. Don’t let being compromised during an encounter be the catalyst that begins your examination of the bunkai in your kata. When you study throwing techniques their placement in kata becomes obvious. As karate students we must move past the block, punch, and kick mentality.