Karate and Jujutsu Commonalities

Many people see the widening gaps between Karate and Jujutsu. Outside of the basic punch and kicks of Karate, many do not see the practicality that is commonly seen in Jujutsu. This is especially true of the katas in Karate.

I was watching some people in Tae Kwon Do spar (fight) on several occasions and noticed that the way they train is not the way they spar. I asked what about their kata, to which they replied, "that is just for tradition." I told them they need to look further into their kata to find the bunkai (self-defense application). In that, they will see the similarities to Jujutsu.

Karate came from Okinawa and migrated over to Japan with Funokoshi (Shotokan) and other reputable instructors. If you look closer to the source of Te, Tode, or Okinawan Karate, you will see the Jutsu techniques more clearly. It was also known as Karate Jutsu in some schools.

For me, kata is just good body mechanics from which you apply techniques. Good posture go hand-in-hand in Jujutsu and are commonly seen in kata forms. When training with a partner, especially in Jujitsu, you get caught up in the person - competitive spirit - and forget your technique. This is why some step back and work their techniques alone. They are refining their movements and then go back to the partner to apply the technique once more. Kata is just that. You are refining your technique for which you will apply in action.

Common blocks (ie. inside to outside) in karate can be used as joint locks. Try this with when someone cross grabs you. Common kicks can be used as throws. Front thrust kick is a Tomoe Nage (Circle throw) and side snap kick is a Hane Goshi (springing hip throw).

For those that practice Brazilian Jiu-jitsu, any technique you do on the ground can be used standing, and vice versa.

Where this kata is used more commonly is in self defense or in-fighting. It is a way of training, which both styles can benefit from. Karate should try to work the bunkai (practical application) and Jujutsu should work kata or shadow box to get their form and posture down.

With MMA (mixed martial arts) becoming more popular, cross training will continue to envelope the good qualities of all styles. Utlimately, you become without style and are simply looking inward at yourself and what you need to improve on.

Traditional martial arts are battlefield arts that have been tested. Most people that have been in combat or a fight will not waste their time on techniques that do not work. So, if something has lasted for several centuries, there is likely to be more there than meets the eye at first glance. They are like a old book that needs be dusted off and looked more closely at.