Taijutsu – The Art of Unarmed Combat in the Modern World By Sensei Liam Musiak

Within the Bugei Jūhappan, the 18 skills of the ninja, there is one discipline that forms the foundation of all the rest: Taijutsu – the art of unarmed combat. Out of these 18, I have developed skills, knowledge, and teaching applications in 11 of them, and Taijutsu is one that sits at the very core of everything I do.

What is Taijutsu?

Taijutsu is the ability to use the body itself as a weapon. It includes striking, joint locks, throws, ground fighting, and survival tactics applied in the most direct and realistic way possible.

Historically, this was the ninja’s base skill — because before they picked up weapons or relied on concealment, they had their fists, feet, and movement. In essence, Taijutsu is about turning every part of the body into a tool for combat.

Overlap with Karate

This is where Taijutsu and my own primary martial art, Karate, connect almost perfectly. In fact, my training in Karate already covers almost every core principle of Taijutsu:

• Striking – Karate’s arsenal of punches, kicks, knees, and elbows already embodies Taijutsu’s emphasis on total-body striking.

• Joint Locks & Throws – Karate, especially in bunkai (application of kata), contains joint manipulation and takedowns that align seamlessly with Taijutsu methods.

• Ground Fighting – While Karate traditionally avoids the ground, I have built ground survival tactics into my syllabus, echoing Taijutsu’s pragmatic “survive anywhere” mentality.

• Realism & Survival – Both Karate and Taijutsu aim to finish fights quickly, efficiently, and with adaptability in chaotic, unpredictable environments.

Put simply: Taijutsu is not separate from my Karate — it is one of its roots. My work in evolving Karate for real-world use is, in many ways, the modern embodiment of Taijutsu itself.

Training Taijutsu Today

For me, Taijutsu isn’t about mysticism or formality — it’s about realism. Here’s how I integrate it:

1. Combination Drills – Strings of punches, kicks, knees, and elbows (often randomised) to replicate chaos.

2. Joint Lock Flow – Students cycle through wrist locks, arm bars, and shoulder manipulations drawn from kata bunkai.

3. Throw & Counter Drill – Demonstrating how to unbalance an attacker, throw them, and strike on exit.

4. Ground Survival – Fighting to stand up, breaking free from holds, and neutralising while rising.

5. Pressure Scenarios – Training under exhaustion, surprise attacks, or multiple attackers, to ensure students can apply their body effectively under stress.

   
   

Why Taijutsu Still Matters

The relevance of Taijutsu today cannot be overstated. In any violent confrontation, whether on the street or in self-defence, the first line of response is your body. Weapons may be unavailable, laws may restrict force, but your strikes, locks, throws, and ability to move are always present.