“Indeed, Itosu was so well trained that his entire body seemed to be invulnerable. Once, as he was about to enter a restaurant in Naha’s amusement center, a sturdy young man attacked him from the rear, aiming a hearty blow at his side. But the latter, without even turning, hardened the muscle of his stomach so that the blow glanced off his the right wrist of his assailant. Still without turning his head, he calmly dragged the man inside the restaurant.
Funakoshi Gichin
(Funakoshi, Karate-do: my way of life: Funakoshi Gichin, 1975, p15)
Az said he had heard of this incident but wasn’t there that evening.
You’d be surprised how some strong, headstrong fellows behave. They feel the need to test themselves against someone well-known—sometimes as a drunken rite of passage, sometimes out of sheer arrogance. And let’s not forget the occasional grudge-holder who thought it was his duty to sneer at Shurite “parlor karate” or the new “empty hand shamisen” hacks.
Every time he heard that shamisen comparison he felt like hitting them with a real shamisen.
Anyway, this musclehead wasn’t looking for a fair fight, nor did he have the guts to come at Ankō from the front. He rushed in blindly, hoping to prove a point or end things quickly.
As for Ankō’s response? Exactly what we’d expect. We were always aware of our surroundings, even when relaxed. If the young man was making a scene, had poor footwork, or pulled back his arm before the strike, that would’ve been all the warning Ankō needed. He would brace his body, demonstrate the phenomenal conditioning he had acquired, and have the blow glance off without so much as a flinch.
Most men would have turned and retaliated. Ankō? He knew how to manage the optics. He calmly took control using soft power, dragged the attacker inside, and sat him down to sober him up. That’s the kind of man he was—no ego, and without the need for posturing. He knew he had nothing to prove. And by treating the fool with a little kindness, he landed the hardest hit of all.
The above is a behind-the-scenes look at Colin’s latest historical fiction novel titled “The Lost Scrolls of Ryūkyū.” Stay tuned for further updates. If however, you’re here for ideas on what to do if you’re faced with a drunk and disorderly person, please see WA Mental Health Commission: Managing an intoxicated person.