Vince Morris is a Karateka that has become world renowned for his no-nonsense approach to martial arts and fighting. He is also the founder of the Kissaki Kai.

I feel that I have to reply to the writer of such uninformed views regarding the effectiveness of Kyusho & Tuite techniques in actual combat situations.

As a trainer of Law Enforcement officers amongst others, I have many opportunities to get feedback from street situations and actual occurrences. This knowledge is then used to refine the teaching of the techniques.

Such statements are positively damaging, not only in their effect of questioning the validity of work of some very fine teachers, but in creating a doubt in the minds of the students. Now a certain cynicism is fine, but and healthy, but ill-informed remarks which seem founded on very little research can only be damaging.

I give below than extract from the latest IIKR newsletter:

"On a more serious note, I would like to draw your attention to a letter which was awaiting me on my return. Whist respecting the anonymity of the writer, I feel the content to be so important that it is worthwhile giving a brief synopsis here. I say this because all over the world there is a recognisable growth of dissatisfaction with much that is taught as applications of technique, particularly of the Kata. Indeed, it was just such a feeling that originally led me to question the received dogma of 'unworkable' bunkai.

Essentially, then, this started the in-depth study of the Kata, the results of which I now present in the Seminars, and which I teach as a member of the American Society of Law Enforcement Trainers.

The letter concerns the effectiveness of two of the Kata applications which form part of the Seminars; it is written by a black belt with some 20 years experience. He is not a large person, about 10 stone and 5'6" tall.

He writes that:

"But for your...instruction and guidance in Kyusho-jutsu Kata bunkai I would probably be either blind or dead right now!...it is with the deepest sense of gratitude that I write to thank you for being instrumental in saving my life!"

"I can confirm that Choki Motobu is right! One can indeed break a leg with Nami-Gaeshi. Also the first move in Kanku-Dai is more than just 'viewing the sky! Let me say that I do not revel in these facts, but just let's say I'm glad they are true!"

He had the misfortune to be in a petrol station shop when it was raided by four armed attackers, carrying ammonia and firearms. One sprayed ammonia in the face of one assistant, whilst another clubbed the cashier with a gunbut. Seeing him, one attacked him and he writes:

"The guy with the ammonia closed me down so quickly that I didn't have time to run.He levelled the bottle at my face. Luckily for me I wear glasses for driving.that fact, and Kanku-Dai saved my sight. I managed to knock him back and drop the bottle."

Seeing this, the other three attackers fled, but the remaining one:

"..picked himself up and had gone mad. He caught me in a double-handed choke hold...at this point I let loose Nami-Gaeshi (From Tekki\Naihanchi Kata). Thank God it worked! I was told by the Police later that this blow made a clean break of his femur!"

"I do not write this letter to boast, but simply to let you know that Kyusho-Jutsu works. I've been practising Shotokan for 20 years but it is only in the last three years that I have found it to be the art of self-defence I wanted it to be. This is contrary to my old instructor saying" You can't Kata someone to death! Good old Gyaku-zuki will save your life!"

Leaving aside any question of thanks, I believe that all karate-ka have the right to be able to defend themselves against attacks by thugs, bullies and the scum of the world. Such a story should help to convince any doubters that they too can be effective in such terrifying situations. Of course the Kyusho techniques are by no means the only ways of interpreting the bunkai. Having said that, they are founded on centuries of history, and they were prized secrets of the masters. I see no need to re-invent the wheel now such knowledge is available to all of us, and such testimony can only encourage us to study the principles harder and train, train, train!"

I think that this should help dispel the strange notion that Kyusho (bunkai) as taught in seminars cannot work in the 'real' world!