Karate or "Empty Hands"

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There is a good reason why the system of Okinawan karate is called empty hand in lieu of closed fist or something similar. Although the closed fist can be used it is well known by all expert karate-ka as well as other violence professionals both legal and not that using the closed fist in most cases is NOT the tool to rely on.

Literally, the best tool concerning the hands are the "OPEN and EMPTY hands," assuming in self-protection one cannot get a legal, logical and appropriate weapon to use for protection and defense. 

Alain Burrese wroth an email dated 12-02-18 about the bodies weaponry, a very good article as you probably already know because all of us are familiar with the credentials of Mr. Burrese including a lot of experience. He had a bit to say about hands in particular while covering other body weapons such as, "Elbows, kneew, feet, and teeth," while I would add forearms, shoulders, shins, heels, etc. just be be the picky guy I am.

Karate, or empty hands, are more about the open hands then fists. It is way too easy, even with extensive experience and conditioning of makiwara, heavy bag and competitive fights, for even professionals to injure and break bones in the hands. 

As Mr. Burrese tells in his email, and I concur for what that is worth, if you must use the fist make it a hammer fist, not the forefist/knuckles. Even a palm-heel strike or the edge of the hand to vulnerable spots around the neck area or the open hand "slavo slap" can be effective. 

All too often, as all karate-ka know, the focus is mostly on the fist and strikes, punches or thrust punches. The fist is most often given priority, so much so that systems/styles give certain accolades and such to the vertical or twist fist as unique traits of the system or style. There isn't anything wrong with that except it more often than one can imagine the fist is given legendary status as the go-to thing about karate or a style. 

We just have to remember that for kata or sport with protection using the fist is a point-getter so go for it. But if you can imagine being ambushed by a predator or even some joker in a bar then using other tools like the open hand are superior in getting 'r' done. 

Karate as empty hands assuming other weapons either carried or of convenience are not available then using the bodies tools including the open hands will go far in a clinch…assuming all other traits, factors and concepts are there. 

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