Seizing

Out of the ancient text of the Bubishi, there are 6 hand positions or weapons formed called the “6 Ji hands”. One particular hand posture is called the Iron Claw.

This weapon is not new to most in the arts as it is one of the more common weapons. However it is not typically employed as was intended, nor is it typically taught to target Kyusho or Dim Mak in modern times. This is a very versatile weapon that originally targeted the weaker anatomical structures of nerve and blood vessels. These Kyusho and Dim Mak targets can be located and attacked using this weapon on the wrist, forearm, upper arm, neck, face, even minimally on the leg.

When the “Claw” hand position is typically used it is either in a scratching action (to the eyes), or in a grabbing action to control the opponent. There are a few styles that do attack the muscles in an attempt to tear or dislodge them from the connected structures of tendon or bone. Or a few more that use it for joint manipulations like in Chin Na or Tuite. But there are deeper and more powerful possibilities for this common hand position.

To realize these potentials it is imperative to first understand some variation in Grabbing or “Seizing” action. Typically most will grab using the extended fingers to draw the objet into the palm for a full fist secured grabbing action. Again this is fine for control or for use in manipulations of the joints… but it lacks in penetrating aspects that are needed to reach and affect the deeper lying structures of the Nerve or Blood vessels.

As example, most people grab with fingers extended and squeeze, this generates less kinetic force transference as the strength is used across the entire hand. To affect the nerves and or blood vessels, we need to think of the claw like that of a Tiger, where the claws actually extend to pierce, then retract to secure or tear. This action is not using the entire hand (or foot of the tiger) as described above, but by using the finger tips themselves.
The correct application of the “Iron Claw” is to first use the fingers extending to push surrounding structures away and expose the true target. The fingers then compress and twist to set the fingers (the Claws) into the nerve or vascular structures. From there a twisting and compressing action can be utilized to stress, impede or damage the nerve or vascular tissues functionality.

There is a misconception that many have however is that the seized limb or target must be held is what lends questions to it’s usefulness in a combative or responsive action. Actually the quicker you “tear” at the structure by seizing as you quickly pull or twist, will have a far more damaging affect as the torque adds the strength and stress on that underlying target. So just like a cat snagging the target, so too is that the best utilization for this weapon and method. There will also be far reaching residual affects such as causing whiplash or joint separation (among many), which also in turn will have affect on the nerves or vascular system. The sudden attack will leave the opponent less likely to counter or adjust for, leaving them off balance as well as in confusion.

For the nerve targets we must remember that they translate information to the brain in a fraction of a second… so the time needed to be on a point or using the Seizing method should be at most that long. The idea of seizing as in “Seizing the moment” is not to hang onto the moment or opponent, but rather to weaken, off balance and overcome them. As you do the torque will internally weaken them far more than pressing and holding. We saw examples of this using compression, where we attacked a nerve or vascular structure and applied rapid pulsing action… seizing is about the same but faster yet. Because of this increase in time on target and intensity, we can also achieve an increase in affect.

As can be expected the Vascular tissue takes longer to have an affect even though the pain will be instant. This is because the blood pressure is affected causing a vaso vagal syncope (feinting due to a drop in blood pressure). Although not quite a medical or scientific explanation, when the blood vessels or organs are attacked, the body attempts to compensate and correct as opposed to reacting as under the nerve attack. However when seizing is done properly, we can affect both and having immediate (nerve) affect as well as deeper and longer affects of the vascular attack.
Conditioning

To achieve high skill with this hand position and Seizing method, we must train in several ways. First we must develop the dexterity and speed to be able to utilize the technique. This can be accomplished by starting with set hand drills to train various angle approaches. As we progress we can begin using double hand methods working through set, then spontaneous attacks. Once acclimated to this action we must train to seize not only the arms but also different areas of the neck, head, torso and even the legs.

Strength conditioning occurs naturally with practice of the weapon in hands on this type training as does accuracy. By then adding actual correct pressure and torque on Kyusho targets to realize the weakening affects we can achieve greater results. As example as you use the Iron Claw by grabbing wrists and other areas, when you use contact and force to solicit a neurological response, you are simultaneously training speed, timing, strength, proper grip and actions of torque along with developing the sensitivity and targeting. No longer do we need to mangle our hands as they did in ancient times as we now have refined beyond the destructive force of Dim Mak into the more subtle and yet effective art of Kyusho. However if you are a traditionalist you may appreciate the old style training with the Kami Jars.

Okinawan karate relies heavily on gripping, grabbing and tearing techniques, and another device that is wonderful in these aspects in the Kami, or gripping jar. The lip of the jar is gripped with all the fingers and the thumb is actually positioned underneath the lip (tip of thumb pointing backwards in your direction). By first rooting yourself in a solid stance, lift the Kami in front of you until it is horizontal to the ground, hold it out there then turn and roll the wrist as you rotate and lift the Kami Jar. As the jars were used at first in empty condition, as the practitioners strength increased, the Jars were then filled with sand or water for added weight. This not only conditioned the finger tips, but also tensile strength and rotational strength… perfect for Seizing.

Read more on Advanced Seizing - Click Here