Essay: The Technical Sub-Arts of Ryukyu Kempo: Tuite-jutsu and Kyusho-jutsu
Ryukyu Kempo, as taught by Taika Seiyu Oyata and his direct students, has a very comprehensive curriculum. Students initially train in the basic 12 unarmed kata. Soon, they begin weapons training as well (the weapons curriculum itself is quite extensive). And they begin training in technique also. The art is so vast that even after decades of training, there is still more to learn. This is an art you can practice for your entire life, even into old age (especially if you start and develop basic and intermediate skills at an early age or as a middle-aged adult).
What are the techniques of Ryukyu Kempo? And what do they consist of?
There are two main “sub-arts” of our style regarding technique. Those are Tuite-jutsu and Kyusho-jutsu. Tuite-jutsu is perhaps best translated as “Grappling Hand arts”. And Kyusho-jutsu means “Vital Point arts”. Taika Oyata also used the term Atemi-jutsu. Atemi-jutsu refers to the use of vital points or pressure points to stun or distract an opponent. Kyusho-jutsu is the art of striking or accessing vital points. There is some overlap between Atemi-jutsu and Kyusho-jutsu.
Although they are not the exact same, here I will use the term Kyusho-jutsu to refer to both Todome strikes (finishing strikes) and Atemi-jutsu (warning or stunning strikes).
Tuite-jutsu and Kyusho-jutsu go very well together. If you are able to apply grappling maneuvers, this can create openings for your Ate-waza (punching or striking techniques). And, your Kyusho-jutsu strikes can create openings for grappling maneuvers.
A Tuite technique can control or guide the opponent temporarily so that you can access a vital point strike (Kyusho-jutsu). Alternatively, if you use Ate-waza (striking techniques) or Kyusho-jutsu (vital point striking arts) to create a distraction or opening, you may be able to apply a Tuite technique on the opponent.
Tuite can be used to control an opponent, or in more serious situations, Tuite can be used to dislocate joints and break bones.
Kyusho-jutsu (as applied in Atemi) can be used to simply stun or distract. Or, in some instances Kyusho-jutsu (as applied as Todome) can create a knockout-like effect, making the opponent lose their balance or equilibrium. In some cases, the Kyusho techniques can cause unconsciousness (resulting in a “knockout” or TKO). Taika Oyata was famous for demonstrating the effectiveness of such techniques. Some people would doubt Oyata’s ability to do these techniques effectively. Oyata Sensei would then offer to demonstrate their effectiveness. These kinds of demonstrations would silence his critics. But Kyusho-jutsu is not magic. And to make some of the techniques work, you must develop a certain quality in the power of your strikes. But basically, if you hit the right place in the right way, the opponent’s body reacts.
Be sure to find authentic Ryukyu Kempo if you’re interested in studying the art, as some people have been known to misuse or misrepresent the name.
Even though Kyusho-jutsu can enhance a striking technique, making it more painful or more effective, it is not a magic solution to all problems. You still need to develop solid ‘basics’ and learn to hit properly. Then if you want to add some pressure point knowledge, you can benefit and perhaps enhance your results. If you miss the pressure point (or even hit the pressure point), you still need to be hitting properly. Plus, the location of a pressure point is not the only thing that matters when applying your striking technique. How and when you hit can be as important as where you hit.
In addition, some people rely too heavily on pressure points, without developing solid basics and proper form. Vital point strikes and pressure point hitting (or pressing) can amplify a technique, but you still need proper basics and form to be a good martial artist.
Some people use pressure point techniques for pain-compliance. That is fine and we also have some such techniques, but the downside is that if the person is drunk or high on drugs, pressure point compliance is often no longer effective.
I have experienced kyusho-jutsu technique from some of Taika Oyata’s direct students. The techniques were quite effective. Taika Oyata was very successful with these types of techniques because of his immense skill and heavy hands. He was a highly trained martial arts expert (privy to family styles or lineage), and also a renowned fighter. He could make some high-level techniques work that most people could not. He not only had vast knowledge, he was highly skilled as a fighter and as a martial artist. He was able to hit you virtually anywhere and make it feel like a pressure point strike. The man could pack a punch. Coupling that with vulnerable areas on the body resulted in some very effective striking maneuvers.
These high-level skills are not to be studied in place of solid basics or fundamental fighting techniques. They act as an excellent addition to your technical repertoire, but you still need to develop a good foundation. Tuite-jutsu and Kyusho-jutsu are considered to be “advanced” methods of life-protection. They are part of what makes Oyata’s art unique among Karate styles and they work together with other aspects to develop a complete system of Goshin-jutsu (life-protection art).
Learning Tuite-jutsu and Kyusho-jutsu makes for a very interesting study. Coupling these two sub-arts with standard Ate-waza (striking techniques), Kata (forms), Bunkai (kata interpretation), Kobudo (classical weaponry), and various partnered drills, and you have a winning formula for a classical martial art. All the parts work together to form a comprehensive lifelong study.
