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Subj: 36 Vital Points (Bubishi Part 2) - LONG
Part Two: Vital Points
Victor-san made some important observations when he noted that both the Alexander translation and the McCarthy translation make use of different sets of 36 vital points, and that by cross referencing other texts (Yang, Montague, etc) found that they too had different sets of points. I too have found differing opinions on the 36 points. It seems as if nearly every system or teacher has their own set.
However, looking at my 3 "source" Bubishi:
Otsuka Tadahiko (Miyagi-Higa-Izumikawa-Ichikawa-Otsuka lineage)
Tokashiki Iken (Miyagi-Higa-Fukuchi-Tokashiki lineage)
Mabuni Kenwa (Itosu-Mabuni lineage)
the only one that shows the diagram for the 36 points was again the Mabuni version. Thus once again suggesting that not all Bubishi versions are alike <G>
Anyway, my view on vital points is that they should not be viewed as a silver bullet that reduces the sweat equity in training. To me they are but another tool in the box, but they should be implicit in the basic techniques (which in turn comprise the kata). With this in mind, I'd like to share my own musings on the Bubishi and vital point striking.
First of all, Tokashiki Iken tells us that the Bronze Man diagram Bubishi gives not only the location (name) of specific vital points, but also general anatomically vulnerable zones as well (Footnote #1).
It is interesting to note that the two Miyagi Chojun lineage Bubishi I have personally seen also do not include the Shichen diagrams either. The 36 Points and the Shichen only seem to appear in the Mabuni lineage version that I have seen. Nor do the Miyagi Bubishi versions contain the "hand/foot postures (kata?)" found at the end. Speculate if you will, I just thought it an interesting point.
After all, there are several "versions" of the Okinawan Bubishi :-) (Footnote #2)
Next, as you have all no doubt noticed by now, the Bubishi text itself gives NO explicit instructions on how to attack the vital points it describes. The commentaries by the translators, however, often do go into detail about the striking processes and effects.
This, I believe, helps in facilitating the information. I, as do many others, believe that this work was an anthology of sorts, a kind of training journal, compiled by one or more individuals. If this is indeed the case, then it was probably written by someone with prior knowledge of the phenomenon, as a kind of reminder. This journal or personal log seems to have then somehow gotten handed down from teacher to desciple.
Anyway, on to a "quick" section on the 36 vital points. I looked in several books on vital points, and 36 is a number that keeps cropping up everywhere. I would like to give you all a couple of lists of vital points for your reference. However, no indication shall be made here of how to attack these points...
These lists are from "Orthodox Dian Xue for Real Combat" by Sato Kinbei. Sato Sensei, one of Japan's most senior authorities on the Chinese boxing traditions, gives us the following lists for the "36 fatal points" and the "18 Non-fatal Points." The descriptions are meant to be general and not "too" involved with the anatomical jargon.
"36 Shaolin Fatal Points"
1. Coronal Suture (GV 20)
2. Frontal Fontanael (GV 24)
3. Temple (GB 3)
4. Ear (TW 21)
5. Bridge of Nose (BL 1)
6. Philtrum (GV 26)
7. Above Adam's Apple (CV 23)
8. Carotid Area (St 9)
9. Side of Neck (SI 17)
10. Back of Neck (GV 15)
11. Occipital (GB 20)
12. Suprasternal Notch (CV 22)
13. Between Eyes (no normal acupoint associated here)
14. Sternum (CV 17)
15. Xyphoid Process (CV 15)
16. Solar Plexus (CV 14)
17. Umbilicus (CV 8)
18. Midline of Abdomen Below Umbilicus (CV 6)
19. "Tanden" (CV 4)
20. Anterior Midline Below Umbilicus (CV 3)
21. Midline of Abdomen, just above Pubic Area (CV 2)
22. Above Nipple (St 16)
23. Nipple (St 17)
24. Below Nipple (St 18)
25. Femoral Artery (Sp 11)
26. Tip of 11th Rib (Liv 13)
27. Side of Abdomen (Kid 13)
28. Testicles/Prostate Nerve (CV 1)
29. Side of Upper Spine (BL 13)
30. Side of Upper Spine (BL 15)
31. Side of Lower (BL 23)
32. Lower Spine (GV 4)
33. Side of Lower Spine (BL 24)
34. Side of Upper Spine (BL 14)
35. Side of Med Spine (BL 52)
36. Thumb Side of Inner Wrist (Lu 8)
"Shaolin 18 Non-Fatal Points"
1. Small Finger Side of Inner Wrist (HT 7)
2. Center of Inner Wrist (TW 5)
3. Elbow Crease (LI 10)
4. Small Finger Side of Forearm (SI 7)
5. Above Point of Elbow (TW 10)
6. Center of Inside Wrist (PC 7)
7. Outer Thigh (GB 31)
8. Outer Hip Area (GB 30)
9. Side of Knee (Liv 7)
10. Above Innner Ankle (Sp 6)
11. Below Knee (St 36)
12. Back of Knee (BL 40)
13. Calf (BL 57)
14. Inner Ankle (Kid 3)
15. Outer Ankle (BL 60)
16. Above Inner Knee (Sp 10)
17. Knee-cap (no regular acupoint associated)
18. Sacrum (GV 2)
Well, I probably bored you all again! Sorry ;-)
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Footnotes:
#1. Tokashiki, I. (1995) "Okinawa Karate Hiden
Bubishi Shinshaku"
(Secrets of Okinawa Karate: A New Interpretation of the Bubishi).
Naha: Privately published. Tokashiki Sensei is the head of the Okinawa
Gojuryu Tomari-di Karatedo Kyokai (Gohakukai), and studied under
Fukuchi Seiko and Nakasone Seiyu among others. His work is available
only in Japanese.
#2. It is my conviction that the English translations,
in an attempt
to provide a more complete picture, have looked at several different
Bubishi to arrive at their conclusions, rather than just presenting
the information contained in one.
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