Articles

A Karate Student’s Guide to Finding Throws in Kata:

When I first was introduced to the concept that our kata contained throws was in the late eighties. We began an in-depth examination of the bunkai or breaking apart of our kata (forms) to get to the self-defense. Kata is range-two or in-close fighting with a singular opponent. Yes… some schools believe that it is fighting against multiple opponents but that is not the philosophy of the AOKK (American Okinawan Karate Kobudo) organization. Normally, kata’s bunkai is one-on-one self-defense. The study of kata is one dimensional if you do not or cannot extract useful self-defense. I understand this may seem to be a redundant theme lately but if is an important topic.

This paper is by no means an exhaustive list of kata techniques that represent throws. It is merely a sample. A karateka must closely examine their forms to glean these techniques. It also helps to study jujitsu or Judo to be able to associate the movement in kata with throwing techniques.

Kata, in its’ day, was the unwritten text of self-defense used by the palace guards, military, and law enforcement on Okinawa to maintain order. It was developed so the karateka could remember a plethora of responses to a certain type of attack. Throws were part of their training, so it is a good assumption they would be found in their kata. We get caught up in making the bunkai fit the movement within the kata precisely, but the manipulation of the throw was up to the karateka. For example, the throw in Naihanchin can be a sweep of the ankle or a reap of the knee. It can be to the inside of the leg or the outside of the leg. The focus is not on the execution of the throw but the viability of the technique available to counter the attack. Each karateka had his own preference as to the delivery of the throw, so just understand it is a throwing of the opponent and not an in-depth explanation of how to execute the technique.

Why were throwing techniques removed from modern karate? There are many possible reasons. In the Isshin-ryu karate that was taught to the American servicemen it would have been difficult. Their training was on the hard bare earth outside, and not on the soft tatami (mats) found in modern dojos. This made teaching the throwing techniques difficult, but there are old films of Tatsuo Shimabuku teaching the basics of grappling. Also, the time these servicemen had to train with the Master was limited, so throws were neglected. Some instructors believe that the throwing techniques were removed so karate would not be in competition with Judo when it immigrated to Japan. We know that throwing techniques once existed within karate and were removed by reading a statement by Mabuni sensei on the subject. Kenwa Mabuni founder of Shito-ryu wrote, “The karate that has spread to Japan is incomplete. Those who believe that karate consists of only kicks and punches and think throws and joint locks are exclusive to Judo and jujitsu have been misinformed. We should have an open mind and strive to study the complete art.” Even though Isshin-ryu is our foundation, the AOKK strives to make our karate complete again.

Isshin-ryu is our Okinawan foundation, but I’ve had the good fortune to train with instructors from various different styles. Not all throws are represented in the Isshin-ryu kata, but many of them are. There are throws that can be found in other kata, so we do not limit our throwing techniques to only those we see in our Isshin-ryu forms.

Why do we use Japanese terminology when describing our throwing techniques? We use Japanese terminology because it is a universal grappling language. If I use Japanese terminology people from all around the world that have studied the grappling arts will have somewhat of an understanding of the technique being discussed. If we used the English description, there would be countess differing terms for similar throws and the water would get too muddied. Judo is a sport/martial art that has a great organizing body and they have standardized the language, so why reinvent the wheel?

Karate throws differ from their Judo and jujitsu counterparts. Our kuzushi or breaking of the opponent’s balance is more violent. We throw by using locks, chokes, and strikes. In karate we have a rule:” Wherever the head goes, the body will follow.” Judo pulls pushes and lifts to break the opponent’s balance. Karate may accomplish this by driving a horizonal elbow to the opponent’s chin while pulling the adversary forwards after grasping their arm. Judo throws have style points and a certain elegance. Karate throws are simply practical. We do not care how it looks as long as the opponent hits the ground hard. This is not to say that in practice with a partner (uke) we do not control their fall. If you break your toys you cannot continue to play.

Examples of throws in our kata:

Morote-gari (Two Handed Reap)

    1. Judo: (Te-waza)
    2. AOKK: (Takedown)
    3. Wrestling; (Double leg takedown)
    4. Kata: Chinto

Osoto-otoshi (Major Outside Body Drop)

    1. Judo: (Ashi-waza)
    2. AOKK: (Dropping Throw)
    3. Wrestling: (N/A)
    4. Kata: Wansu

Note: In karate we step in half-moons. This is to build the body-mind connection to make this throw. It drives the opponent (uke) straight backwards. The key to this throw is to place the foot on the floor to trip the opponent.

Note: Osoto-otoshi (Major Outside Body Drop) and Osoto-gari (Major Outside Reap) can look the same in kata. In the body drop technique the foot is placed firmly on the ground to trip the opponent, but in the (Major Outside Reap) the leg is swept backwards to trip the opponent. In kata they would look like the same technique.

Note: The advanced karateka must move past the belief that every technique is some type of strike.                               

Osoto-gari (Major Outside Reap)

    1. Judo: (Ashi-waza)
    2. AOKK: (Dropping Throw)
    3. Wrestling: (N/A)
    4. Kata: Wansu

Note: In karate this can be interpreted as a knee strike, but it can also be Osoto-gari. The mawashi gari (circular block) portion is an elbow lock made by wrapping your arm around the opponent’s arm. The rear leg moves forward and behind the adversary and reaps backwards while the left hand pushes backwards. This motion coupled with pulling on the elbow-lock, twists the opponent’s upper body breaking their balance. Once an opponent is on one leg they can be thrown in any direction.

Tai-otoshi (Body Drop)

    1. Judo: (Te-waza)
    2. AOKK: (Dropping Throw)
    3. Wrestling: (N/A)
    4. Kata: Seisan

Note: In this example the throw is made by a choke.

Note: The body drop is made by tripping the opponent over your leg. In the body drop the opponent is tripped. The difference between Osoto-otoshi and Tai-otoshi is in Osoto-otoshi the opponent is throw straight backwards and in Tai-otoshi the opponent is pulled forwards as your body turns tripping them over your leg throwing them to the front.

Ippon Seoi-otoshi (One Arm Shoulder Drop)

    1. Judo: (Te-waza)
    2. AOKK: (Shoulder Throw)
    3. Wrestling: (N/A)
    4. Kata: Chinto

Note: Seoi-otoshi can be with one knee on the tatami or both knees on the tatami. We also call this throw Drop Ippon Seoi nage (Drop Shoulder Technique).

Note: Many karateka believe this is a punch to the groin. I’m not sure why you would drop to one knee and punch the groin, but if that is your bunkai that’s okay with me.

Note: This could be two different throws. In some katas the punch is downward to the ground while on one knee. That is a clear indication of Ippon Seoi-otoshi but, in our version of Chinto the punch is straight, so this could be a single leg takedown or Seoi-otoshi.

Kuchiki-taoshi (One Hand Drop)

    1. Judo: (Te-waza)
    2. AOKK: (Takedown)
    3. Wrestling: (Single Leg Takedown)
    4. Kata: Chinto

Ippon-Seoi-Nage (Shoulder Throw Technique)

    1. Judo: (Te-waza)
    2. AOKK: (Shoulder Throw)
    3. Wrestling: (N/A)
    4. Kata: Chinto (The 360° turn)

Note: No one turns three hundred and sixty degrees to make a down block.

Note: The low block indicates you’ve hung onto the opponent. An open hand means you’ve released the opponent after the throw.

Note: It is not a good idea to turn your back to the attacker, but when you’re in a clinch you can use your hips and shoulders for leverage.

Kata-guruma (Shoulder Wheel)

    1. Judo: (Te-waza)
    2. AOKK: (Shoulder Throw)
    3. Wrestling: (N/A)
    4. Kata: Wansu

Sukui-nage (Scooping Technique)

    1. Judo: (Te-waza)
    2. AOKK: (Leg Throw)
    3. Wrestling: (Single Leg)
    4. Kata: Chinto & Seisan

Note:  This is the bread and butter throwing technique of karate. In Judo it is the scooping of one or both of the opponenet’s legs. In karate we use this when the opponent throws a knee strike or a kick. We trap the leg and make the throw.

Note: This is karate’s bread and butter throw. It counters both knee strikes and kicks. 

Rule: When the opponent is on one leg they can be thrown in any direction with a simple rotation of the hips.

Warning:

If the opponent can tie-off to you after you trap the kick, you cannot throw then until their grasp has been released. We see this clearly in Seisan kata.

Bunkai Example from Seisan:

  1. The opponent kicks.
  2. Trap the kick and pull the trapped limb behind you. (Breaks Balance)

Note: The trap can be by the heel or over and around the calf. It can also be under the calf. The key is to trap the rear leg and remove the adversary’s grasp so they can be thrown. The method is up to the individual karateka.

     3. The opponent reaches for your clothing to tie-off, so you push his/her grasp away with a shuto block, and step forward throwing the opponent backwards.

Kibisu-gaeshi (One hand Counter) or Leg Whip (Takedown)

    1. Judo: (Te-Waza)
    2. AOKK: (Takedown)
    3. Wrestling: (N/A)
    4. Kata: Kusanku

Note: The first time I experienced this throw was when I got into a fight with another football player during a practice. One of the line coaches took us both out with this throw or sweep. I also used it to break up two black belts that would not separate during kumite at a tournament.

Note: Second variation

Kibisu-gaeshi (Double leg Spinning Heel Pick)

Kibisu-gaeshi is the closest Judo terminology for this throw. The technique is more karate than Judo or jujitsu. Kibisu-gaseshi in Judo is performed by grasping only one of the opponent’s heels. In Kusanku you grasp both heels and spin your body 180◦ throwing the opponent to the ground by lifting and pulling forwards on their heels.

Post Views: 494
Copyright © 2021 AOKK Karate Association — Primer WordPress theme by GoDaddy