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