Koshiki karate

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Koshiki karate is not a style (or ryu) of karate but rather is a way of practicing one's karate fighting skills.The koshiki system of fighting was developed by Hanshi Masayuki Hisataka in the 1980s. Considerable research went into discovering the material that would offer the most protection. The resulting gear is known as “Super Safe” protective equipment.

Koshiki competition is a blend of realistic contact and courteous sportsmanship with an emphasis on technical excellence and player safety, and is played around the world. Although the early to mid Nineties was probably the period this discipline enjoyed its greatest popularity, it has survived the political upheavals and fads that plague all martial arts bodies and is still widely practised. Two major bodies exist worldwide (there was a split in the mid nineties) and many tournaments run Koshiki events despite not being "official" Koshiki member organisations.

[edit] Protective Equipment

The protective armor, called bogu, consists of a chest protector (anzen bogu), helmet (men), and groin protection (Kin ate). The chest protector protects from the clavicle to just above the groin. It also wraps around the side offering some protection to the floating ribs. The cut of the arm holes allows for unimpeded movement. It is made from material that prevents shock from penetrating to the wearer. The helmet is made of similar material and has a 'bullet-proof' clear plastic face shield.

Koshiki fighters typically fight with bare hands and feet. In Australia however, protective hand coverings made of thin neoprene are used to prevent the hands becoming cut on the breathing holes of the face shield. Because of the impact resistant material of the bogu, Koshiki participants can execute full force, or near full force hand and foot techniques to the body. This heavy contact more closely approximates the kind of force karate-ka are trained to produce. Without the bogu, in a typical kumite match where hands and sometimes feet are padded but the body is unprotected, punches and kicks have to be pulled before they penetrate the opponent's body.

[edit] Competition Rules

In practice and in tournaments, koshiki fighters are allowed to throw near full-force punches and kicks to their opponent's bogu. Scoring is based on "Ippon Shobu" the idea that a fighter can win with one perfect technique -worth "ippon" or a "full" point. Lesser techniques are awarded "wazari" or part points. Punches are worth one wazari, kicks two. Victory is decided by either greater number of wazari at the end of a match, or instantly by Ippon. Scoring is cumulative and both contestants may score points during a clash. Where a competitor scores three wazari in a continuous flow (rensoku waza), uninterrupted by defence, counterattack or a missed technique this can also be awarded an ippon. Ippon may also be awarded for a choke, strangle or lock that leads to submission- however these are infrequently attempted and even less often successful as referees will usually break up any protracted clinching or grappling in order to keep the match flowing.

Some Koshiki tournaments also allow fighters to sweep or take down their opponents.

Tournaments are open to all of the martial arts that use atemi (blows to the body), not just to karate-ka. And technique banned at many martial arts tournaments-- spear hands, palm heel strikes, knifehands, etc.-- can be employed safely at koshiki tournaments. However, certain techniques which cannot be controlled may be penalised or banned depending on which country you are competing in; fighters can hit very hard but not blindly or wildly and the technique has to be a recognised martial arts technique.