Training for Ripping Flesh? I Don't Think So. It's Just Fantasy.

 

Posted by ADAM CARTER on APR 16, 2025

Training for Ripping Flesh? I Don't Think So. It's Just Fantasy.

(Approx 1 minute 50 second read)

I recently came across a comment claiming that karate contains techniques for ripping flesh. Yes, you read that right.

Apparently, hidden within traditional karate are moves that allow you to tear open human skin with your bare hands.

It’s the kind of nonsense that makes you wonder how far removed some people are from reality.

To make it worse, the person even dropped the name of a well-known Okinawan master to give their fantasy some weight. Now, that master is world-renowned and incredibly skilled – but I seriously doubt he’s out there teaching organ removal. He’s a traditional karateka, not a butcher.

It also reminds me of the time someone genuinely believed that ‘yonhon nukite’ – the four-finger spearhand – was used to pierce the chest and rip out the heart.

Honestly, have these people ever tried hitting anything with that hand shape?

Most folks would break their fingers jabbing a pad – let alone a ribcage. Yes, I know there are those who condition their fingers by striking sand and stone, but pierce the body? Come on.

When you’re in close quarters, you can grab, twist, pinch, even bite if it comes to that. You can manipulate soft tissue, sure. For example, in a grappling situation, a sharp strike to a vulnerable point, a joint lock, or a throw, can create an opening for escape – relying on precision and leverage, not brute force or the ability to tear flesh.

Rip flesh? Really?

Those who trained in the old ways understood pain, pressure, and practicality – but they weren’t teaching flesh-ripping. They were focused on ending a fight quickly, efficiently, and surviving – not impressing anyone with theatrics.

The real danger here is that beginners – or those hunting for “secret knowledge” – believe this stuff. They become convinced karate is full of hidden death touches and mystical techniques. And instead of learning real principles – timing, structure, control, power – they end up chasing myths.

New students need to approach these claims with a critical eye and focus on training that’s based on proven principles and realistic application – not sensationalized fantasy.

Karate already has depth, power, and purpose. It doesn’t need to be turned into a comic book. It just needs hard work and a reality check.

The true value of karate lies in its practical application. Focusing on fantastical techniques like this distracts from learning real, effective skills that can actually protect you. Let’s keep our training grounded in reality and its legitimate benefits.

And if you are one of those who believes this stuff, I guess the world is flat after all.

Written by Adam Carter