Page:Japanese Physical Training (Hancock).djvu/180

120 There is much that he can teach himself. Reference has been made already to the student's ability, after some early instruction, to locate for himself nearly all of the vulnerable muscles and nerves of the body. In the limbs the most vulnerable parts for the pinches are to be found, as nearly as can be described, at the centres of the fronts and backs of arms and legs. The neck is full of points where a pinch can be secured with most painful results to the victim. Some of these have been indicated, but it is necessary to add only that the student should locate every one of the rest by actual practice upon his own neck. He can test then the efficacy of these holds upon the neck of a companion, submitting in turn to a like attack.

Suppose the student clasps his hands with the fingers interlaced. He will discover that a quick, hard wrench of one of his wrists upwards or sideways produces pain and a weakness of the muscles and bones of the attacked part. On the other hand, a quick wrench downward causes but little discomfort. When two adversaries practise this, it will be found that the assailant gives all the advantage to