Many systems have their own idea of what constitutes a properly formed fist. Isshinryu uses a vertically held fist that has the thumb on top which servers a purpose that is not in this post discussion. Just know that Isshinryu has reasons for using this form.
I was reading Marc MacYoungs book of Offense when he introduced me to the book by Jack Dempsey, "Championship Fighting: Explosive Punching and Aggressive Defense." A side note, I was disappointed to find that the book is out of print and not available yet got lucky and found a copy in PDF format on the Internet, ohrah! [p.s.s. found out that the publisher is not happy about the pdf, copyright issues, so I deleted it and do not recommend you downloading the pdf version due to this either. Respect the publisher and author even if no longer with us.]
I am not sure Mr. MacYoung goes into details as to the fist form when he discusses power in offense but Jack Dempsey does talk about it along with the "Power Line." Mr. Dempsey was a great fighter who apparently knows as much about street fist fights as well as "boxing." His chapter on the power line which talks about the formation of the fist leads to a lot of self reflection regarding the Isshinryu fist formation.
Let me be clear, this post is not to refute anyone's system that may form the fist in a unique way for effectiveness but merely a discussion of a form that may be more effective or not depending on the system you study. After all, each system has its own unique set of techniques as applied by that particular system that involves differing tactics, strategies, form, function, structure, etc.
In the karate circles I am familiar with the striking surface taught is the two knuckles of the index finger and the finger next to it. Some systems prefer the single knuckle of that second finger adjacent to the index. Yet, Mr. Dempsey says it should be the finger adjacent to the pinky finger. He says you should aim with that knuckle and let the pinky and middle finger knuckles take care of themselves since they will naturally support the knuckle of focus.
He goes further as to placement of the thumb. He says to get it out of the way, etc. He was a puncher and he states that to fight well one must learn to punch well before all other techniques, etc. (paraphrasing).
If Mr. Dempsey is correct then the various fists and strikes of karate may be less defensive in a real fight than one expects considering the recent history of karate. This also puts some question into the makiwara training method or does makiwara change the rules allowing for this punch to be effective.
If you can find the pdf version on the Internet it might be enlightening and applicable to your training, practice, and instruction. Another interesting tidbit is Mr. Dempsey talks about the "sport-ification" of boxing much like we talk about sport-ification of karate/martial systems.
In addition I just received a theory that was posed at a seminar by a highly regarded person in their field in regards to the fist formation. It will be interesting to receive more details as to his theory but in a nutshell it would seem the Okinawan Masters of the early 1900's, maybe as a prelude to incorporation into school systems, changed the form and application of the karate fist so that it would be less capable of "hard hitting." Interesting and when coupled with the changes of the times toward school age children it may have been watered down like the kata and kumite to reduce injuries, etc. You could look at it as the precursor to the sporting aspects that came about in the fifties and sixties, maybe even earlier.
If the data as to his theory is correct it may actually help validate the Isshinryu vertical rising punch we use in our system. At least it was a dominant feature in the fifties, sixties, and seventies (when I was introduced to Isshinryu on Okinawa).
The redeeming factor, yet to be validated, is the highly regarded person seems to agree with Tatsuo, i.e. "We call it a rising punch. It also comes from the hip area and comes up to the solar plexus, etc. The thumb is on top, pinky finger at the bottom or what we call the "vertical fist" which is a ninety degree turn from the twist punch which starts with palm up, rotates to target so the palm is toward the ground, etc. We also were taught to use the two bones in alignment not only to give structure to the vertical punch but in blocks, deflecting, etc. the bones aligned with musculature gives more support and less injury." - cejames
This may actually be another way to look at this "supposedly innovative change" by Tatsuo Sensei as nothing more than reincorporating the original and effective punching of Okinawa Te into Isshinryu. If the ancients used it, it was changed to a less effective one for schools and sport, and it was reinvented for Isshinryu, maybe. A Theory but no real way to prove it one way or the other.
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