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