Immobilize the terminus

Below is a sketch drawing from a German “grappling” (= unarmed combat) manual dated ca. AD 1545. The same technique is found in various others medieval combat manuals and was a standard application at the time.

Wouldn’t this be a piece for the next karate or (stand up) jujutsu class? Yes, because it can be interpreted as an application of moves found in various kata of Okinawa Karate.

Cod.I.6.2º.4, German manuscript ca. AD 1545

Cod.I.6.2º.4, German manuscript ca. AD 1545

For instance, it can be explained as an application for an action found at the end of Shisochin. Or in the following photos showing Taira Shinken and Mabuni Kenwa in the 1930s.

Taira Shinken and Mabuni Kenwa demonstrating applications. From Mabuni Kenwa: Karate Do Nyumon, 1938.

Taira Shinken and Mabuni Kenwa demonstrating applications. From Mabuni Kenwa: Karate Do Nyumon, 1938.

Even more obvious, it can serve as an explanation for what is sometimes referred to as the “dog-posture” (inu-kamae 犬構え) found at the end of both Sanseru and Suparinpei.

From: Higaonna Morio. Okinawa Goju-ryu. Application of the Kata. Part 2.

From: Higaonna Morio. Okinawa Goju-ryu. Application of the Kata. Part 2.


From. Zhao Da Yuan: Cin Na. 1993.

From. Zhao Da Yuan: Cin Na. 1993.

As can be understood from the above, technique is not limited to, restricted or even owned by a specific period in time, a place, or a race. In fact, it all follows the same principles. For example, and besides the medieval Western manuals, it is clearly formulated in Chinese Qinna. Heed number 3 and add it to practice.

  • First: strike.
  • Second: control.
  • Third: Take what you want and proceed from hooking, seizing, locking and immobilize the terminus.

Terminus here refers to the joint that you lock and which is the last joint in a movement chain. Imobilize refers to the action of immobilizing that terminus in such a way that the complete movement chain is locked. This is what you want when you aim to control a person.

The book examples above are from the end of the 20th century. On the other hand, the manuscript example is almost five centuries old.

© 2015 – 2020, Andreas Quast. All rights reserved.

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