Page:Japanese Physical Training (Hancock).djvu/184

 124 contest—in order that utmost dexterity in securing the hold may be acquired.

In a perpendicular line with the lobes of the ears two sets of muscles will be found running down the neck. One hand is employed in such manner that the assailant's thumb digs into these muscles on one side of the victim's neck, and the finger-tips in the corresponding muscles on the other side of the neck. This gives a form of attack that is painful and convincing to the recipient. The counter for the victim to employ, if he is versed in jiu-jitsu, is the throw-off for the throat-hold already described.

Every possible hold on the neck and at the throat should be studied out with great care. The more two students practise together all the possible holds the stronger the neck will become and the less pregnable to assault. A Japanese master of jiu-jitsu will grinningly submit to all manner of attack at his neck and throat, for the reason that his constant work has made these parts so strong and hard that the average American athlete could produce no impression of pain.