Washite: Holding On, Letting Go

Thank God there are people around like Christopher Caile, the editor of FightingArts.com. He is a connoisseur of traditional martial arts, a dedicated student of Internet technology and, in terms of stubborness, at least, more than a match for the elusive George Donahue. That is the only explanation I can offer for the number of articles he has managed to squeeze out of George on a number of practical and fascinating subjects related to the martial arts.


For today's workout, I re-read the article: The Martial Grip- Washite, the "C" Grip by George Donahue. 

In his article, George explains that washite ("wa•shi•te, rhymes with “laundry day” and means, literally, “eagle hand”") is one of the martial arts' most useful gripping techniques. Featured  in numerous kata, including Rohai, Wanshu, and Passai,  washite is often called a "C" grip, because it looks like the letter "C".

From the side, basic washite, with fingers together, looks like a “C.”	Basic washite, “C” grip, palm view.

Washite's open grip allows us to use leverage and focused force to convert our hands into something like the kind of can opener used to punch a triangular hole in the top of a can. It also allows us to change the fulcrum and leverage points from the thumb to the finger tips and back again ( can you spell p-a-i-n?) or to pair  only one or two finger tips with the thumb and free the other fingers to attack other pain points.

In terms of attack, Washite can be used to drill into vital nerve points, separate muscle from bone and connective tissue, and apply leverage to limbs. Logical, right? 

But it also has another function, he says. It helps us let go.

George writes: "When we grab someone with vigor or urgency, we invest a lot of ourselves in the grab. We tend to hold on for dear life, even when it’s counterproductive to do so. If and when it becomes clear to us that it would be better to let go, there is always a delay that’s proportionate to the intensity of the grip—the release is often dangerously slow. 

Interesting isn't it? I find it natural to associate the martial arts with power and tenacity. Yet, in some respects the closed fist is weaker than the open hand. And, just as learning how to "hang on" is a warrior skill, so is it a warrior skill to learn how to let go.

So tonight it's Rohai, Wanshu and Passai, learning how to hold on and learning how to let go.