It is interesting to see that leg techniques were not considered very efficient. Support for this statement lies in fact that the attacker always loses when he tries to kick the opponent (illustrations #5, #13, #21 and #16). I think that kicks were thought of as supplemental, being done to ease the performance of the arms. Still, it could be concluded that knee (hiza geri) and front kick (mae geri) as well as different ways to put opponent out of balance (#3, #9, #20 and #31) were used. What can be observed with certainty is the absence of attractive kick such as mawashi, yoko and ushiro geri, so widespread presented in karate today.

Picture 6. Regardless of being shown explicitly in the article on "48 techniques" kicks are also mentioned in the article #16 "Grappling and Escapes" (#15, #17, #18 and #23), so it could be concluded that different variants of mae geri and hiza geri were two most important leg techniques. Beside this tote makes use of stomping kicks.

It is important to perceive that in tote jutsu there is a wide applying of techniques that are absent from karate sport today: joint locks, throws, chokes, grappling, ground fighting… Actually, the whole article on 48 techniques is some kind of recommended frame or concept of ancient fighting art, that is techniques, as well as situations and fighting principles, are shown. Regardless of the style, tradition or kata you are practicing, you can look in for bunkai (practical application of kata movements) in the article on 48 techniques or the article #16, "Grappling and Escapes". I think this is very important, because now we can positively see that joint locking, throwing and grappling are essential part of karate.
When talking of joint locking techniques there are: lock on the wrist (#2), lock on the elbow with pressure, over the shoulder or by twisting the arm (#8, #14, #28, #31 and #39) and lock on the knee (#18). A great number of techniques making use of specific vital points to cause pain to the opponent by pressing or tearing are being used (tuite[10]). Firstly, there is eye gouging (#19, #32 and #35), tearing of the larynx (#13 and #15), grabbing of testicles (#36, #33, #27 and #15). Also there are less dangerous, but equally painful actions: pinching by the skin on the triceps (#14), skin tearing on side of abdomen (#30), ribs below the nipples (#40), skin tearing of inner thigh (#12) and hair pulling (#4 and #33). There is substantial number of throwing usually done by taking opponents leg when he tries to kick (#5, #21 and #22) or by simple catching of the opponent's leg when it is possible (#12). Also, a few classic throws are demonstrated (sukui nage #11, osoto gari #17 and ashi barai #31), also sacrifice throw (tomoe nage #24) and entangling of the legs while laying on the ground - "scissors throw" (kani basami, #3 and #9). I would especially mention the technique of head manipulation, which can be used to knock the opponent down; but if done forcefully becomes a lethal technique - breaking of the neck (#4).

Picture 7. This is my personal interpretation of the illustration #2 ("White monkey stealing fruit - Black tiger rushing from the cage"). I think that the correct explanation of this technique is similar to the situation shown in the opening movement of the kata Patsai and that is escaping technique when opponent is holding your arm.

 

 

 

  


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