| Karate is the art of self-defense and | | | | compressed struck or pinched, cause |
| counter attack without weapons. It is a | | | | temporary paralysis of a more or less |
| Japanese word and in its native language | | | | complete nature. Such places as the arm |
| means literally "empty hands". Karate as | | | | pit, the ankle and wrist bones, the |
| a method of self-defense originated | | | | tendon running downward from the ear, |
| hundreds of years ago in Japan. | | | | the "Adam's apple," and the nerves of |
| Originally, Karate (or earlier ju-jitsu) | | | | the upper arm. In serious fighting |
| was practiced only by the nobility in | | | | almost any hold or attack is resorted |
| Japan and especially by the Samurai. The | | | | to, and a broken or badly sprained limb |
| techniques were kept secret. The hoi | | | | is the least that can befall the victim |
| polloi were denied the knowledge. It was | | | | ..." |
| a form of superiority that the upper | | | | Karate was taught to the special |
| class could demonstrate to the commoners | | | | imperial guards who protected the |
| to prove that they were superior | | | | Emperor of Japan. During World War II, |
| physically - even without weapons! | | | | special Japanese shock troops were |
| This art of self-defense may be defined | | | | taught the secrets of Karate. Toward the |
| as "an application of anatomical | | | | end of the global conflict, thousands |
| knowledge to the purpose of offense and | | | | upon thousands of Japanese line troops |
| defense. It differs from wrestling in | | | | were given accelerated courses in |
| that it does not depend upon muscular | | | | Karate, to help them overcome their |
| strength. It differs from the other | | | | physical and weight handicaps in |
| forms of attack in that it uses no | | | | hand-to-hand combat with the enemy. Many |
| weapon. Its feat consists in clutching | | | | an ex-GI who served in the Pacific |
| or striking that part of an enemy's body | | | | Theatre of Operations can tell you how |
| as will make him numb, and incapable of | | | | even a puny Japanese soldier could |
| resistance. Its object is not to kill, | | | | perform superhuman feats. Karate is |
| but to incapacitate one for action for | | | | faster than judo, quicker than ju-jitsu |
| the time being." (Inazo Nitobe, | | | | and more deadly than both! That is why |
| Bushido'. the Soul of Japan) | | | | Karate, when mastered, should be used |
| The size and weight of your opponent may | | | | with reservation and restraint. Karate |
| be used against him. Even a big 250-lb. | | | | never should be employed as an |
| brute can be toppled by a smaller, | | | | aggressive action, but only to defend |
| lighter man who employs the principles | | | | yourself against an assailant. |
| of Karate. The Karate man knows the | | | | Karate is highly dynamic and makes use |
| pressure points and focal nerve centers | | | | of hundreds of body muscles. It helps |
| of his bigger, heavier adversary - and | | | | develop body balance, posture, agility, |
| strikes at these pressure point. | | | | coordination and grace. In fact, Karate |
| To quote from the Encyclopedia | | | | is so popular in Japan today that |
| Brittanica "Several of these sensitive | | | | thousands upon thousands of women and |
| places, for instance the partially | | | | teenagers are studying it. In addition |
| exposed nerve in the elbow popularly | | | | to its defensive qualities, it's ideal |
| known as the "funny-bone" and the | | | | exercise for their figures; keeps them |
| complex of nerves over the stomach | | | | trim and lean. Many schools and colleges |
| called the solar plexus, are familiar to | | | | in America today are considering adding |
| the European, but the ju-jitsu expert is | | | | Karate to the curriculum. |
| acquainted with many others which, when | | | | |