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Mark B
Mark B's picture
Application for the six Ji Hands of the Shaolin

In a frightening and unwanted physical conflict the aim is always to apply techniques which will allow the individual to neutralise the attacker by the shortest, simplest and most efficient manner possible. Regards

Iain Abernethy
Iain Abernethy's picture

Thanks for sharing Mark. These hand positions are an interesting part of the Bubishi.  

On a historical point, is anyone aware of any styles claiming Shaolin origins that subscribe to the same six hands? Or is this set of six unique to the Bubishi? I don’t mean the hand positions themselves (they are common in many systems), but the idea of specific set of six said to have Shaolin origins.

It’s an irrelevance in terms of function. However, the alleged link between Bodhidharma and the Shaolin Temple is known the be false (based entirely on a forged text called “Yi Jin Jing” written 1000 years after Bodhidharma is said to have visited the temple). I therefore wonder if the Bubishi is asserting a link between the hand positions and the Shaolin Temple in order to falsely claim a “noble lineage” … as countless other arts, systems and individuals did at the time? Or does the Bubishi reflect a wider practise of the time in attributing those six hand positions to the Shaolin Temple?

Obviously, you will find the actual hand positions in just about any system of unarmed combat that you can think of. However, do we know of any source outside the Bubishi that attribute this set of six hand positions to Shaolin methods?

Personally, I only know of the Bubishi. I therefore suspect that they may have no historical link to Shaolin, and the hand positions have been falsely labelled as such for cultural reasons. Any of our members that know more about such systems able to comment?

The hand positions are effective and widely utilised. And while, “a rose by any other name would smell as sweet”, it’s the alleged historical origin and the resulting nomenclature I question.

All the best,

Iain

Marc
Marc's picture

Nice video and explanation, Mark. Thanks for sharing.

It reminds me of last few moves from Gojushiho-Dai (the one with the extended index finger), where you stand in Neko-Ashi-Dachi as you bring both your hands up, then slide forward again into Neko-Ashi-Dachi and whipping the hands forward. Like in this example:

 

There a lot of really annoying and painful things you can do with these pointy hands. Mark's video shows one fine example.

Just take a partner, let them double-grab you by the lapels and pull you in a bit. Now bring your hands close to their neck/face area and start playing with all the available options.

Use any part of your hands to make contact. Turn, push, grip, pull, press, snap, strike, whip, poke with the index-finger or the thumb, squeeze, and don't forget to include your wrists, lower arms and elbows as a weapon. Also slide forward as per the kata.

It's a great time to spend a few minutes with a training partner who likes to be "mistreated" for the sake of analysing kata. :)

Take care,

Marc

Iain Abernethy
Iain Abernethy's picture

Marc wrote:
It reminds me of last few moves from Gojushiho-Dai (the one with the extended index finger)

Definitely. The opening moves of Unsu too. Here is a video from a few years ago where I look at the “blade of grass hand” / ippon-nukite from the start of that form.

All the best,

Iain

Mark B
Mark B's picture

Hi Marc. Thanks for your comment. The six Ji hands provide many excellent close quarter exercises, I'm teaching a 4 hour seminar on the subject in March. My partner on the video, Mark, is actually 2nd Dan Shotokan, however he petitioned to learn my system based around Naihanchi and the Six Ji Hands, starting, obviously, at white belt. I'm actually not "mistreating" a new starter to karate:-) That said, I was being very gentle on this clip, and practicing the six Ji Hands requires the partner to accept it's gonna hurt...a lot, but without being gratuitous, which is unacceptable. Iain - that's exactly how I position my hand, but instead of thumb into the eye I go deep under the cheekbone. I do place the last three fingers at the back of the jawline. The third middle finger accesses behind the ear lobe, the ring and pinky fingers behind the jawbone itself. The first finger creates the energy, it determines the angle at which the energy will travel. A very effective close quarter option. As I say on the clip, just one of many application concepts I have for these six Ji Hands. If anyone is interested in the upcoming seminar (Leeds, 4th of March) please message me. Regards