1. Fundamentals of
KarateTHE HAND AND ARM AS
WEAPONS
1. Seiken (normal fist)
This is the strongest and the most effective of the fist
positions, Seiken is used when performing Jodan-tsuki
(upper body thrust), a common position for attacking the
face and the jaw; Chudan-tsuki (middle body thrust), the
attack position for the chest and the stomach; and
Gedan-tsuki (lower body thrust), for attacking the lower
abdomen and groin. This fist can be used in defense as
well as in attack.
As shown in the first four photos, starting with the
little finger, bend all four fingers so that their tips are
Gigging tightly into the hand as close to their bases as
possible. Bend the thumb over the second joints of the
first two fingers to further tighten the fist.
When thrusting with the Seiken, you should strike the
object directly with the knuckles of the first two fingers.
In this position, if you strike an object with any of the
other finger joints, you will most probably injure your
hand. A punch with the fist in the Seiken position should
be thrust straight out from the shoulder.
In the correct starting position, you should hold the
fist with the palm facing up, touching your side on a
level with your chest, Then, simultaneously, as you
thrust forward, turn the fist inward so that at the point
of attack the object will be struck by the knuckles of the
first two fingers (in the final position, the palm should
now be facing down). It is of utmost importance that at
this point the arm and the back of the hand are held
rigidly in a straight line, and that the object is being
struck foremost by the knuckles of the first two fingers.
For beginners, the Seiken position is recommended
for practice-sparring in order to avoid serious injuries
while at the same time expressing great power.
13A. Seiken-chudan-tsuki (middle body thrust with normal fist)
Starting with the fist in the normal position (the fist is held with the
palm up, against the side and on a level with the chest), thrust forward
in a straight line. At the point of striking the target, all the forward
momentum should be transferred into the fist which is now held with
the palm down. If there is any bend in the arm at this point, the transfer
of power to the fist is inefficient.
Further, it is probable that a
wrist injury will result. It is
obvious therefore, that you must
time your punch so that it strikes
the target a fraction of a second
before the arm has reached its full
extension in order for all its power
to be spent on the target.
B, Seiken-jodan-tsuki (upper body thrust using normal fist)
The procedure for this is basically the same as that for Seiken-chudan-
tsuki; however, you aim your punch at the facial area.
The Complete Kano Jiu-Jitsu - Jiudo - The Official Jiu-Jitsu of the Japanese Government: With Additions by Hoshino and Tsutsumi and Chapters on the Serious and Fatal Blows and on Kuatsu the Japanese Science of the Restoration of Life