In Japanese martial arts, atemi (当て身, atemi^?) designate blows to the body, as opposed to twisting of joints , strangleholds, holding technique and throws. Atemi can be delivered by any part of the body to any part of the opponents body. They can be percussive or use 'soft' power. Karate is a typical martial art focusing on percussive atemi. The location of nerve and pressure points, such as might be used for certain acupressure methods, also often informs the choice of targets for atemi. Japanese martial arts refers to the enormous variety of martial arts native to Japan. ... The juji-gatame armbar is one of the most versatile and effective joint locks. ... U.S. Army Combatives instructor Matt Larsen uses a chokehold to strangle an opponent in hand to hand combat training. ... Sacrifice throws are considered risky since they put the thrower in a disadvantagous position. ... Taijitu, the traditional symbol representing the forces of Yin and Yang. ... For other uses, see Karate (disambiguation). ... Acupressure (a portmanteau of acupuncture and pressure) is a traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) technique based on the same ideas as acupuncture. ...

Some strikes against vital parts of the body can kill or incapacitate the opponent: on the solar plexus, at the temple, under the nose, in the eyes, genitals, or under the chin. Traditional Japanese martial arts (the ancestors of judo, jujutsu and aikido) do not commonly practice atemi, since they were supposed to be used on the battlefield against armoured opponents. However, there are certain exceptions. The solar plexus, also known as the celiac plexus, plexus cœliacus or plexus solaris, is an autonomous cluster of nerve cells (see Plexus) in the human body behind the stomach and below the diaphragm near the celiac artery in the abdominal cavity. ... The temple is the side of the head behind the eyes Temple indicates the side of the head behind the eyes. ... For the article about nose in humans, see human nose. ... A human eye Eyes are organs of vision that detect light. ... A sex organ, or primary sexual characteristic, narrowly defined, is any of those parts of the body (which are not always bodily organs according to the strict definition) which are involved in sexual reproduction and constitute the reproductive system in an complex organism; namely: Male: penis (notably the glans penis... Look up Chin in Wiktionary, the free dictionary. ... Koryu (古流 koryū) is a Japanese word that translates literally as old school or old tradition. It refers to schools of martial arts that predate the Meiji Restoration, a political event that precipitated Japans modernization. ... Judo ), meaning gentle way, is a modern Japanese martial art (gendai budō) and combat sport, that originated in Japan in the late nineteenth century. ... This article does not cite any references or sources. ... Aikido ), translated as the way of harmonious spirit, is a Japanese martial art developed by Morihei Ueshiba as a synthesis of his martial studies, philosophy, and religious beliefs. ... Generally, a battle is an instance of combat in warfare between two or more parties wherein each group will seek to defeat the others. ... Armor or armour (see spelling differences) is protective clothing intended to defend its wearer from intentional harm in combat and military engagements, typically associated with soldiers. ...

Atemi can be complete techniques in and of themselves, but are also often used to briefly break an opponent's balance or resolve. (For example, this is the predominant usage of atemi in aikido.) A painful but non-fatal blow to an area such as the eyes, face, or some vulnerable part of the abdomen can open the way for a more damaging technique, such as a throw or joint lock. Even if the blow does not land, the opponent can be distracted, and may instinctively contort their body (e.g., jerking their head back from a face strike) in such a way that they lose their balance. This effect can be similar to that of a powerful kiai. Aikido ), translated as the way of harmonious spirit, is a Japanese martial art developed by Morihei Ueshiba as a synthesis of his martial studies, philosophy, and religious beliefs. ... Sacrifice throws are considered risky since they put the thrower in a disadvantagous position. ... The juji-gatame armbar is one of the most versatile and effective joint locks. ... Kiai is a compound of ki meaning mind, will, turn-of-mind, spirit. ...

The development of atemi techniques arises from the evolution of the Japanese martial arts, in particular jujutsu. Early styles of jujutsu from Sengoku-era Japan were created as a means of unarmed combat for a samurai who had lost his weapons on the battlefield. The purpose of jujutsu was to disarm the opponent and use their own weapon against them. As such, strikes to the body were limited as the intended victim would have been wearing extensive body armour. However, in later styles of jujutsu from Edo-period Japan empty-handed strikes to the body became more common as full-scale military engagement began to decline. This meant that the jujutsu practitioner's opponent would not have been wearing armour and the vital points that form the crux of atemi-waza were more exposed. Thus atemi began to play a pivotal role in unarmed killing and restraining techniques.

In modern styles of martial arts (such as Nihon-ryu ju-jitsu or Senso-ryu aikijutsu) the atemi may be classified into two categories- the primary atemi and the secondary atemi. Primary atemi, when attacked correctly, cause death whereas the secondary cause temporary, or in some cases permanent, paralysis. Owing to the potential danger of the vital points, atemi-jutsu is termed a "waza" or secret technique passed down from master to student. Atemi-jutsu is an extremely difficult art and few attain a high level of proficiency. Indeed, true atemi masters do not even number in their hundreds around the world, but in their tens. Despite the deadly potential of the atemi, it is important to realise that in the context of martial art where the aim is to prevent violence, the atemi are not intended to be used as a means for inflicting serious harm on your opponent. However, atemi must not be confused with certain styles of martial arts that also include the usage of pressure points to effectively incapacitate or kill the opponent. Styles like "Black Touch", "Death Touch" are often considered atemi but primarily stem from separate basics and uses.