McCarthy's HAPV and its Potential To Delve Deeper into Chito-Ryu - A Personal Reflection.

As someone who has devoted a large portion of my "adult" life to the way of karate (including emigrating and living in Japan for over two decades), I have come to accept that this is an endless quest.

I was lucky enough to train with all of the living students of the founder of Chito Ryu and, indeed, to be a direct student for eight years of Inomoto-sensei, Chitose's right-hand man as well as one of Akamine Sr's most senior students. Moreover, in my innermost circle of friends, I am blessed to call some of the most senior practitioners and research in karate and kobudo my friends. Yet despite all this good fortune, I also have come to understand that the more I study and understand karate, the journey never ceases, for karate at its core demands a commitment of the mind, body and spirit.

Part of the challenge in understanding karate is that it comes from a time and space I can only know through research. The meaning of its katas, often passed down haphazardly, is now lost to the sands of time. While great understanding can be gathered from a deep reflexive practice around the individual waza of karate, the novels or "kata" as we call them, remain impenetrable, more akin to Joyce's Ulysses than a ladybird book on the A, B, and Cs. I am, therefore, thankful to be able to utilize the research of Patrick McCarthy and especially his Habitual Acts of Physical Violence Paradigm (HAPV).

While some may say there is nothing new in McCarthy's HAPV, I beg to differ. HAPV offers a comprehensive heuristic to understand and explore classical kata, which only became available when McCarthy pioneered its cohesion in the 1990s. While others have imitated it, often without reference, it originality is in its comprehensive designed by McCarthy.

Below I share some of my thoughts on how HAPV supported and continues to support me as I understand classical Chito Ryu, and for those who need to become more familiar with its core, I offer a sampler of some ideas.

For those interested in further delving into understanding HAPV, may I suggest you visit the home of the International Ryukyu Karate Research Society, which can be found at: https://www.koryu-uchinadi.com/. There, you will find a welcoming and open-minded community of people genuinely seeking to understand this enigma called 'karate".

As an academic pursuing the study of Chito Ryu karate, applying the "Habitual Acts of Physical Violence" (HAPV) theory, developed by Patrick McCarthy, can contribute to a deeper understanding of the style's techniques and enhance one's proficiency in self-protection (self-defence is a modern legal term - self-protection is a more encompassing terms although it negated the role karate played in the protection of the RyuKyuan kings etc.).

To contextualize my study, it is, I believe,  imperative to delve into the historical foundations of karate in general, and Chito Ryu specifically while being mindful of its original  intended purpose. McCarthy argues that comprehending the historical background is essential to grasp Chito Ryu's techniques' practicality and underlying intent (McCarthy, 2014, p. 62).

Furthermore, by understanding the historical context, practitioners gain valuable insights into the evolution of Chito Ryu karate and the social conditions that shaped its development.

In applying the HAPV theory to the analysis of Chito Ryu kata, the focus shifts to examining the movements and sequences within these prearranged forms. McCarthy suggests that each kata represents a comprehensive self-protection scenario, addressing specific types of physical violence (McCarthy, 2014, p. 83). By scrutinizing the kata through the HAPV lens, practitioners can uncover or re-member {as in it has been dis-membered over time ;-) } the practical applications of techniques embedded within.

Most importantly, IMHO, by understanding the context, the HAPV enables the practitioner to repeat and build repetitive response time and flexibility when called upon.

Practical application and adaptation of Chito Ryu techniques are essential to the HAPV theory. McCarthy encourages practitioners to experiment with partners, engage in controlled sparring scenarios, and adapt movements to various self-protection situations (McCarthy, 2014, p. 107). This process allows for the validation and refinement of techniques, ensuring their efficacy in real-life encounters.

Factors such as distance, timing, and appropriate levels of force must be considered to fully contextualize the techniques within Chito Ryu karate. McCarthy emphasizes understanding these variables and adjusting techniques accordingly (McCarthy, 2014, p. 162). Adapting processes to suit the situation at hand aligns with the principles of Chito Ryu karate and enhances their functionality.

A holistic training approach is advocated within most branches of Chito Ryu and the HAPV theory, encompassing kata practice and realistic partner drills, scenario-based training, and practical self-defence simulations underpins the styles trajectory . McCarthy stresses the significance of integrating these training methodologies to enhance the functional application of techniques (McCarthy, 2014, p. 221). This comprehensive approach ensures that practitioners develop technical proficiency and the ability to respond effectively in self-protection situations.

By incorporating the HAPV theory into the study of Chito Ryu karate, practitioners gain a deeper understanding of the style's practical applications. The unique markers of Chito Ryu are enhanced rather than deflated by incorporating the HAPV heuristic formally into the curriculum. In addition, McCarthy's work provides valuable insights into the historical context, hostile intent, and contextual adaptation of Chito Ryu's karate techniques, allowing for the more developed exploration through the ideas and functionalities left to us by Chitose Tsuyoshi.

A Sampling of HAPV
Here are a few examples of habitual acts of physical violence that are often addressed within the framework of the HAPV theory:

1. Punches and Strikes: Common forms of physical violence involve punches and strikes aimed at the head, face, or body. These attacks may include straight punches, hooks, uppercuts, or palm strikes.

2. Grabs and Holds: Another common occurrence is when an assailant attempts to grab or hold onto the victim. This can involve grabs to the wrist, clothing, or hair and attempts to restrain or control the victim's movement.

3. Chokes and Strangulation: Violence involving choking or strangulation are unfortunately prevalent. These attacks can occur from the front, with the assailant's hands or forearm constricting the victim's airway.

4. Kicks and Knee Strikes: In confrontations, attackers may utilize kicks or knee strikes to inflict harm. These attacks can target areas such as the groin, legs, abdomen, or head.

5. Joint Locks and Manipulation: Physical violence often involves attempts to manipulate or control an individual's joints. Techniques such as wrist locks, arm bars, or finger manipulation may immobilize or incapacitate the victim.

6. Ground Attacks and Struggles: Confrontations may lead to grappling or ground fighting scenarios. Here, assailants aim to overpower their victims, pinning them to the ground, mounting them, or attempting submissions such as chokes or armlocks.

It is important to note that the specific habitual acts of physical violence can vary depending on the context, environment, and cultural factors. The HAPV theory encourages practitioners to study and understand these common patterns of aggression to develop effective strategies and techniques that address physical confrontations.

References:
McCarthy, P. (2014). The Bible of Karate: Bubishi. Tuttle Publishing.