Atemi-Waza - Vital Point Striking A vital point is that part of a body which, when struck with sufficient force, angle and accuracy, can render the opponent incapacitated, unconscious or even dead. The important point however, is the scientific and drastic effect they have on the nervous system. If improperly practised vital point manipulation can lead to headaches, nausea, unconsciousness, paralysis or death.

Atemi-waza has a long history in Wado Kai. Sensei Otsuka presented Funakoshi a chart of vital points in the early 1930’s as a gift to commemorate the publication of Funakoshi’s 1935 “Karatedo Kyohan” book. Apparently Sensei Otsuka received the chart as part of his training in Shindo Yoshinryu jujutsu.

36 Atemi-waza

Jodan 1. Tendo (coronal suture) 2. Tento (just above the forehead and

hairline) 3. Komekami (temples) 4. Gansei (eyes) 5. Mimi (ears) 6. Dokko (behind the ears) 7. Jinchu (region below the nose) 8. Gekon (below lower lip) 9. Shofu (side of neck) 10. Hichu (adam's apple) 11. Sonu (base of throat) 12. Clavicle fossa 13. Keichu (nape of neck)

Chudan 14. Soda (between shoulder blades) 15. Danchu (sternum) 16. Suigetsu (solar-plexus) 17. Kyoei (armpits) 18. 4th thoracic vertebra 19. Kodenko (1st lumbar vertebra) 20. Bitei (coccyx, tail bone) 21. Myojo (below navel) 22. Kinteki (testicles and prostrate nerve) 23. Denko (between 7th and 8th ribs) 24. Inazuma (side, tip of 11th rib) 25. Yako (inside upper thigh) 26. Outside bicep 27. Outside forearm 28. Sotojakuzawa (wrist edge above pulse) 29. Kote (inside wrist crease) 30. Shuko (back of the hand between thumb

and forefinger) 31. Web between the baby and ring finger

Gedan 32. Fukuto (outside lower thigh) 33. Hizakansetsu (knee joint) 34. Uchikurobushi (inside ankle joint) 35. Outside ankle joint 36. Kori (instep of big toe and 2nd toe)

36 Vital Points of Karate -36 Vital Points of Karate -36 Vital Points of Karate -36 Vital Points of Karate - AtemiAtemiAtemiAtemi----WazaWazaWazaWazaJodanJodanJodanJodan

4 Eyes

11 Sternal Fossa12 Clavicle Fossa

10 Throat

5 Ears13 Base of Skull

3 Temples

8 Chin

7 Philtrum

3 Temples

2 Frontal Fontanel

6 Mastoid

2 Fontal Fontanel

9 Neck

12 Clavicle Fossa

1 Coronal Suture

1 Coronal Suture

36 Vital Points of Karate -36 Vital Points of Karate -36 Vital Points of Karate -36 Vital Points of Karate - AtemiAtemiAtemiAtemi----WazaWazaWazaWazaFrontsideFrontsideFrontsideFrontside

11 Sternal Fossa

15 Breast Bone

16 Sternum17 Armpit

21 Below Button

22 Testicles

23 7th Intercostal24 11th Rib

25 Thigh Crease

26 Outside Bicep

29 Inside Wrist Crease

28 Outside Wrist Crease

27 Forearm

32 Lower Thigh

35 Outside Ankle 34 Inside Ankle36 Upper Big Toe Crease

36 Vital Points of Karate - Atemi-Waza36 Vital Points of Karate - Atemi-Waza36 Vital Points of Karate - Atemi-Waza36 Vital Points of Karate - Atemi-WazaBacksideBacksideBacksideBackside

13 Base of Skull

14 7th Cervical

18 4th Thoracic

19 1st Lumbar

20 Tip of Tail

32 Lower Thigh

33 Back of Knees

35 Outside Ankle

26 Outside Bicep

27 Forearm

30 Thumb Crease31 Pinky web