Jodan Uke - wrist exposed or not

[Deaken]

I have always been taught that you did not expose the inside of the wrist, that the bone blocked the attack. For the purpose above in the case of a knife or sword, but also because there is more strength blocking with bone than skin and in this position the two forearm bones are aligned to provide additional strength to the block.

I have trained with Kancho Matsui on several ocasions, but I can't say that I recall how he did this block, one way or the other. Now I will have to pay attention should I have another opportunity.

[ANTSAN]

Our sensei's say the same thing re knife etc, theres also tendons, nerves running down the inside.

[Dent]

Osu!

Originally Posted by Deaken

I have always been taught that you did not expose the inside of the wrist, that the bone blocked the attack. For the purpose above in the case of a knife or sword, but also because there is more strength blocking with bone than skin and in this position the two forearm bones are aligned to provide additional strength to the block.

Bone vs steel? I'll take using the blade over blocking it any day.

I think sometimes we forget that the blade doesn't stop when it touches the arm. It has the very real potential to slide down, and take a nice section with it. No small blood and nerve loss there.

I tried to take a picture of an old scar on my own arm. It's faded significantly over the 20+ years, and it's a bit hard to see. It's about 3.5-4 inches long, and is a reminder of what glass (Or any other very sharp object) can do.

When we got to the hospital, the holes in my back were first priority, but when they saw the arm, they thought that entire section had been left behind. Fortunately the flap had simply become matted to the rest of forearm, and some cleaning, stitching etc set most of it right.

This experience taught me a few things. Some for the Forum, and some not, but among those regarding SD: flesh is no match for edged weapons.

Osu!

[tmd]

Just out of interest I've been doing some research as to why the wrist grab as a starting point for Self Defense is so common and why we train so much against an over head attack and both have the same answer - the roots of our Karate go back to a time of feudal Japan, when sword and knife carrying was very common and the most common attack with a sword? an overhead strike. Why was the grab so common? to stop you reaching for your sword!

Now I'm not saying that as this is such old news we shouldn't teach it but it is interesting to teach it in context and not teach it as SD because we are told it's a common attack coz it just ain't.

[ANTSAN]

Originally Posted by Dent

<snip>
the blade doesn't stop when it touches the arm. It has the very real potential to slide down, and take a nice section with it. No small blood and nerve loss there.
</snip>

Interesting point, we're taught to hold the arm at 45 degrees to ensure the force is redirected away from the body and the weapon slides away. In the case that the weapon is a sword theres a sure chance it will slice down along the arm, but at the same time some of that force is re-directed into the direction change instead of being absorbed by the bluntness of the arm held at a horizontal position - more likely to chop straight through / hurt / break bones depending on said weapon.

[Dent]

Osu!

Originally Posted by tmd

Just out of interest I've been doing some research as to why the wrist grab as a starting point for Self Defense is so common and why we train so much against an over head attack and both have the same answer - the roots of our Karate go back to a time of feudal Japan, when sword and knife carrying was very common and the most common attack with a sword? an overhead strike. Why was the grab so common? to stop you reaching for your sword!

Now I'm not saying that as this is such old news we shouldn't teach it but it is interesting to teach it in context and not teach it as SD because we are told it's a common attack coz it just ain't.

Originally Posted by ANTSAN

Interesting point, we're taught to hold the arm at 45 degrees to ensure the force is redirected away from the body and the weapon slides away. In the case that the weapon is a sword theres a sure chance it will slice down along the arm, but at the same time some of that force is re-directed into the direction change instead of being absorbed by the bluntness of the arm held at a horizontal position - more likely to chop straight through / hurt / break bones depending on said weapon.

I think you're both correct, and it's also part of the reason I believe that many of the movements we now practice were originally inclusive of weapons.

Osu!

[tmd]

Originally Posted by ANTSAN

Interesting point, we're taught to hold the arm at 45 degrees to ensure the force is redirected away from the body and the weapon slides away. In the case that the weapon is a sword theres a sure chance it will slice down along the arm, but at the same time some of that force is re-directed into the direction change instead of being absorbed by the bluntness of the arm held at a horizontal position - more likely to chop straight through / hurt / break bones depending on said weapon.

We do teach this with an angle for the same reason - not sure I'd take on a sword with it - in the words of Monty Python - Run away, run away