Karate techniques


A number of karate techniques are used to deliver strikes to the human body. These techniques are delivered from a number of stances. The karateka uses a number of blocks to protect themselves against these strikes.

Vital points


JapaneseEnglish
HichuThis pressure point is located in the center of the lowest part of the Neck, in the hollow
ShofuIn the lateral aspect of the neck, in the posterior border of the Sternocleidomastoideus posterosuperior on both sides of the center of the neck.
TentoHalf an inch directly above the middle of the anterior hairline.
DokkoDokko is a hollow spot behind the ear lobe
UtoHalf an inch above the eye bridge, between the eyes.
JinchuA little above midpoint of the philtrum, just under the nostrils.
MikazukiAbove the Adam’s apple, in the depression of the upper border of the hyoid bone.
KoteOn the inner crease of the elbow
Yun ChuanOn the sole of the foot just forward of center.
YakoFour cun above the medial epicedial of the femur, between m. vastus medialis and m. Sartorius. One inch below the center of the inner thigh.
BiteiInwards or upwards or a combination of the two angles.
KintekiThe midpoint of the upper border of the Superior pubic ligament
TekoOn the dorsum of the hand, between the thumb and the 1st metacarpal bones, dors. Inter osseous m.,1st
MyojyoClassic martial arts on inch below the belly button. Acupuncture places it at
1.5 cun from navel.
SonuThe general location of this area is stomach and large intestine
TendoFound at the top of the skull, 2 cun posterior to the midpoint of the anterior hairline.
KasumiSphenoid or temple, in the depression about one inch posterior to the midpoint between the lateral eyebrow and the outer canthus.
MimiWhole of the ear
SeidonYuyao, middle of the eyebrow with the eye looking forward, the point is under the pupil, between the eyeball and the infraorbital ridge.
GenkonIn the depression in the center of the Mentolabial groove.
KeichuCenter of the back of the neck, between the third and fourth Cervical vertebrae.
Muyo boneInside edge of the tibia, seven cun above the tip of the medial malleolus, on the medial aspect near the medial border of the tibia.
FukutoFukuto is located on the midline of the lateral aspect of the thigh, about seven cun above the transverse popliteal crease.
Uchi Kuro BushiIn the depression of the lower border of the medial malleolus or one cun below the medial malleolus. Just below and slightly to the front of the knobby protruding of bone on the in side of the ankle of the right leg.
KooriGap between the first and second toe on the foot surface of the web.
GaishohoOne half inch above, on the Pericardium meridian, on the palm side of the arm about two and a half inches above the wrist, between the Radius and the ulna bones.
Shen MenOut side of the back of the foot, behind outer ankle.

Arm techniques


JapaneseEnglish
Zuki/TsukiPunch
UchiStrike
Age ZukiRising punch
Kagi ZukiHook punch
Yama ZukiMountain punch
Awase ZukiTwo handed punch
Heiko ZukiParallel punch
Hasami ZukiScissors punch
Nagashi ZukiFlowing punch
Ko UchiBent wrist strike
Washi-DeEagle hand
KaishoOpen hand
Choku ZukiStraight punch
Ura ZukiUpper punch
Uraken UchiBack fist strike
Furi ZukiCircular punch
Mawashi ZukiRound hook punch
Tate ZukiVertical punch
Kizami ZukiJab punch
Oi ZukiLunge punch
Gyaku-zukiReverse punch
Nihon ZukiDouble punch
Sanbon ZukiTriple punch
Jun ZukiLeading punch
Morote ZukiTwo fisted punch
Furi SuteWhip swing
Hojo OshiAugmented push
Tsukami HikiGrab-pull
Ashi DoriLeg take down
Toki WazaFreeing technique
Hazushi WazaThrowing-off technique
Nage WazaThrowing technique
haito Uchiridge hand
hiji uchi elbow strike
kaiko-kenflat fist
kokenbent wrist
nakadaka-kenmiddle finger knuckle fist
nukite Uchifinger thrust
seikenfist
shotei Uchipalm of hand
shuto Uchiknife hand
tettsuihammer hand
yubi hasamifinger pinch

Foot techniques

JapaneseEnglish
Mai Geri KeageFront kick
Mai Geri KekomiFront kick
Kansetsu GeriStomping joint kick
Hiza GeriKnee kick
Nidan GeriDouble front kick
Mai Tobi GeriJump kick
Swing kick
Yoko Geri KeageSide kick
Yoko Geri Side kick
Mawashi GeriRound kick
Ushiro-GeriBack kick
Ashi BaraiFoot sweep
Kakato OtoshiHeel drop
Fumikomistomp

Foot movements


JapaneseEnglish
Suri AshiSliding step
Tsugi AshiShuffling step
Ayumi AshiNatural stepping
Yori AshiDragging step
Keri AshiKicking foot
TenshinMoving
ChakuchiLanding
Issoku-choOne foot length

Stances


JapaneseEnglish
DachiStance
Heisoku DachiClosed foot stance
Musubi DachiHeels together - feet at an angle
Heiko DachiParallel stance
Hachiji DachiNatural stance
Shiko DachiStraddle leg stance
Kiba DachiHorse riding stance
Sanchin DachiHourglass stance
Zen Kutsu DachiFront Stance
Han Zen Kutsu DachiHalf front stance
Fudo DachiFree stance
Kokutsu DachiBack stance
Neko Ashi DachiCat stance
Renoji Dachi"L" stance
Seisan DachiSide facing straddle stance
Koshi DachiSquat stance

Blocking techniques

pages 129-136 of Higaonna 'Fundamental Techniques'

JapaneseEnglish
UkeBlock
Age Uke Rising block
Chudan UkeInside circular block
Harai UkeSweeping block
Yoko UkeSide block
Morote Sukui UkeTwo hand scoop block
Shotei Harai UkePalm heel sweeping block
Shotei Otoshi UkePalm heel descending block
Hojo UkeAugmented block
Hari UkeBow & Arrow block
Haishu Mawashi Osae UkeBack hand circling press block
Kuri UkeCircular elbow block
Ura Kake UkeBack-hand hook block
Uchi Hiki UkeMiddle level inward pulling block
Yoko Hiki UkeSide pulling block
Kosa UkeCross block
Kake UkeHook block
Ude OsaeArm wedge
Shotei OsaePalm-heel press
Gedan baraiDownward block
Hiki UkeGrasping block
Shuto UkeKnife hand block
Shotei UkePalm heel block
Chudan Uchi UkeInside forearm block
Ko UkeWrist block
Gedan Uchi BaraiInside downward block
Ura UkeBack hand block
Hiji UkeElbow block
Hiza UkeKnee block
Mawashi UkeRoundhouse block
Morote UkeDouble handed block
Tora GuchiTiger mouth

Literature