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 1930s as a gift to commemorate the publication of Funakoshis 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. 4
th
thoracic vertebra
19. Kodenko (1
st
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 11
th
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 2
nd
toe)
36 Vital Points of Karate - 36 Vital Points of Karate - 36 Vital Points of Karate - 36 Vital Points of Karate - Atemi Atemi Atemi Atemi- -- -Waza Waza Waza Waza
J odan J odan J odan J odan
4 Eyes
11 Sternal Fossa
12 Clavicle Fossa
10 Throat
5 Ears
13 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 - Atemi Atemi Atemi Atemi- -- -Waza Waza Waza Waza
Frontside Frontside Frontside Frontside
11 Sternal Fossa
15 Breast Bone
16 Sternum
17 Armpit
21 Below Button
22 Testicles
23 7th Intercostal
24 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 Ankle
36 Upper Big Toe Crease
36 Vital Points of Karate - Atemi-Waza 36 Vital Points of Karate - Atemi-Waza 36 Vital Points of Karate - Atemi-Waza 36 Vital Points of Karate - Atemi-Waza
Backside Backside Backside Backside
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 Crease
31 Pinky web