The Focus on Fists

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Why do we spend such great amounts of time and effort on the fist? In one article by Sensei Victor Smith, he discusses one such fist, i.e., “Secrets of the Old Okinawan Fist.” (http://www.fightingarts.com/reading/article.php?id=215) Nice and interesting article and I will admit right off that I have written many articles on the subject of the fist, Tate-kin, the vertical fist. 

My answer here comes from my personal perceptions, the fist is a subject of focus because it often talks about karate where karate is defined, classically and basically, as “Empty Hand.” Karate is predominately thought of as a striking system. It uses, predominately, the fist as its primary tool to strike another human. 

Is this focus valid? Not really because karate, empty hand, as I have mentioned lately in other articles is about the use of the hand in fighting or defending “hand-to-hand. (note: it also is about hand-to-weapons type stuff since an attacker or adversary may or may not be empty handed or have a weapon of some sort which will drive your use or not-use of empty hand.)” 

Empty hand has long since been accepted to mean, the fist. In reality empty hand means, “Empty hand.” As in a hand that does not contain any type of weapon be it a stick, knife or even (in modern times) gun. In this instance the hand can be formed in a variety of ways such as open as in a slap hand or closed as in fore fist or even hammer fist. 

It has become more accepted that the fist is not a really good weapon in a fight but my belief is its use comes from human instincts toward a more group communication and enforcement tool that results in less damage over a more physical way of communicating a group rule or law. It is also being made more known that the use of an open hand to cause damage, great bodily harm in defense when that force is necessary, is more effective vs. the closed fist. (clarity can be sought through reading the book by Marc MacYoung, “Writing Violence III: Getting Hit and Hitting.”)

Then add in reality that Multiple Methodologies [actual tactics and attack methodologies of impacts, drives (pushes), pulls, twists, takedowns/throws and compression, etc. are more effective than simply striking with the fist, etc. then we begin to understand, me anyway, that such a focus on the fist kind of detracts from using karate or any martial discipline from its very essence, to defend in some violent situation. 

To take up such discussions are informative and build understanding, understanding when it encompasses all possible aspects and intentions of the discussion. It is about distinctions especially if it is studied and practiced toward avoiding, deescalating or applying defense of conflict and/or violence. 

Needless to say that is why my articles have begun to take on a different perspective in trying to convey that principles are far more important than a technique based teaching. 

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