9 Traditional Okinawan Karate Throws

The 9 moves of this booklet are described in the book Karate-Do Kyohan by Gichin Funakoshi. Variations of them – and other moves - are described in “Kempo Karate Do” of Dr Tsuyoshi Chitose. Master Funakoshi was very instrumental in introducing Karate to Japan. In Okinawa, he was teaching school during the day, and Karate at night. Among his students was Tsuyoshi Chitose Sensei who founded Chito Ryu Karate, and was himself the instructor of Mamoru Yamamoto, founder of our Yoshukai Karate All these moves are traditional Okinawan Karate moves. Although some of them resemble some Judo, Ju Jitsu and Aikido waza, they are also different from them. The way Tori puts Uke off balance to be able to throw him more efficiently is called Kuzushi. In Judo, this is generally done by pulling or pushing the opponent. Here, in most case, Kuzushi is achieved by a strike. Try to work timing, distance and Kuzuchi, so you can perform these waza with little strength. Later, you can use your strength of course, but remember – you won't always have it, so you might as well try to do without it : 1. Byobu Daoshi (Toppling a folding screen) 2. Koma Nage (Spinning top Throw) 3. Kubi Wa (Encircling the neck) 4. Katawa guruma (Half wheel) 5. Tsubamegaeshi (Returning swallow) 6. Yaridama (Spearing through) 7. Taniotoshi (Pushing off a cliff) 8. Udewa (Encircling with the arm) 9. Sakasutchi (Hammering upside down). I have described all the waza with Uke attacking with a right punch. They also could be practiced with a left attack, although it is my experience that very often, the same waza can be applied in the same manner on either a right and a left attack… Actually, if you move your body in the same way, no matter how Uke attacks, one move becomes another move… You should research that Most of these throws can be practiced from Seisan or Bassai Kata…