Samurai mastered specialized pressure point strikes to knock out opponents instantly without causing permanent injury.

The study of pressure points in Japanese martial arts is known as Kyusho-jutsu. This discipline dates back centuries and was heavily influenced by traditional Chinese medicine and acupuncture points. Samurai integrated this knowledge into their combat systems to gain a non-lethal advantage when necessary.One primary target is the carotid sinus located in the neck. A sharp blow to this area triggers a baroreceptor reflex which causes the body to believe blood pressure is dangerously high. In response, the brain immediately slows the heart rate and dilates blood vessels, often leading to a sudden drop in blood pressure and a loss of consciousness known as vasovagal syncope.Another common target is the solar plexus, a complex network of nerves located behind the stomach. Striking this area can paralyze the diaphragm and cause a temporary respiratory failure often referred to as getting the wind knocked out of you. In extreme cases, the shock to the celiac plexus can cause a person to collapse due to neurological overload.Historical texts from schools like the Tenjin Shin'yo-ryu, founded in the 1830s, document these methods in detail. These scrolls describe 'kappo' or resuscitation techniques used to revive students who were knocked out during training. This demonstrates that the Samurai had a sophisticated understanding of how to both disable and restore the human nervous system.