Related to my post:
http://members.aikidojournal.com/pub...-and-taijutsu/
"...Another reason for the secondary emphasis on atemiwaza in Japanese systems is the fact that, even when one’s opponent is not wearing any sort of protective equipment, it is difficult to defeat (by killing or incapacitating) a trained fighter with one blow; under these circumstances, failure is more likely than success...."
All that makes sense to me, which is why I am switching emphasis from karate to aiki-budo (& jujutsu). For when I am called on to save life, I assume that the other unkind humans are armed, but I am very likely to be not armed. I like the ideal of doing the least harm, while saving life...a value that resonates well with Christian mercy and Buddhist kindness teachings.