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| Tanaka Masahiko Shihan: Migi seiken jodan kizami-zuki. |
刻み突き (kizami-zuki) literally means ‘cutting thrust’. It is a tsukiwaza with the lead hand/arm, which although has its differences, is equivalent to a ‘jab’ in western boxing. This brief article will provide some key points of this karate-waza from a traditional Shotokan budo/bujutsu perspective. Moreover, I will use it to look at karate as a whole.
Whether throwing the kizami-zuki as jabbing action, decisive blow or feint/set up for another technique (or renzokuwaza), a common error—amongst beginners—is focusing on sending the lead shoulder forwards.
Rather than doing this, one should concentrate on drawing the rear shoulder back whilst pushing the rear foot into the ground/floor. Do this—with the classical kizami-zuki—irrespective of whether executing it directly on the spot or driving forward (also when moving in other directions and/or angles).
Usually, of course, kizami-zuki is snapped rapidly out and back (via the coordinated rotation of the hips and extension, and retraction, of the elbow). That being said, it can also be applied as a ‘stiff jab’ or ‘cross’ with the lead arm. Both of these, if one has sufficient punching power, have potential to be finishing blows; however, the 'stiff jab’ variation tends to be used to obscure the opponent's vision and/or ‘keep the opponent momentarily busy’ for one’s next attack.
The snapped kizami-zuki, when using seiken, is effective for damaging the opponent's nose, impacting the throat, injuring in and around the eyes, and ultimately impairing the opponent's vision. Of course, the weapon of the body used could be any closed fist or open-handed formation, for example 中高一本拳 (Nakadaka ippon-ken), 横四本貫手 (yoko shihon-nukite), etcetera.
Like all percussive blows "...the depth of the ‘tsuki’s’ target penetration depends on one’s objectives". In any case, merely reaching the surface of the target with the striking limb fully extended is not a true karate-waza. There must always be some level of target penetration. That is, to varying degrees, one’s hips must feel as if they are going through the opponent.
Successive kizami-zuki (plural) with good skills in footwork, and head movement, can wreak havoc on an opponent. Even with light and rapid ‘tsuki’ (with only very shallow target penetration) one can simultaneously frustrate and pummel the opponent, whilst avoid being decisively hit; furthermore, set oneself up for a decisive blow (should they opt or need to deliver one).
In some cases, if both of the opponent's eyes are closed up, they may be unable to continue to attack nor defend themselves. I experienced this firsthand.
In one instance, in the late 1990s, a guy came to my full-time dojo in New Zealand wanting to challenge me. I refused him, but he adamantly insisted. In fact, he said that if I did not do kumite with him that he'd 'make the fight happen' as I exited my dojo. Accordingly, I finally agreed to 'dojo kumite' and of course, my students all gathered around to watch.
After the first exchange it was clear he was wanting to hurt me (obvious from his initial challenge). On the second exchange, third exchange and fourth, utilizing tai-sabaki I kept targeting his eyes, with my kizami-zuki, as he barreled in each time. He realized that I was holding back, and eventually gave up and left. My brown and black students were surprised I didn’t knock him out, as on the fourth exchange I apparently half-launched my hidari jodan gyaku-zuki. My students told me that I’d ‘pulled back my tsuki’ midway, so I was obviously in ‘autopilot’, as I didn’t remember doing that.
Another time working on the door I was hit from the side while checking IDs (to enter the club), my head turned away, via the impact, then without thinking I rebounded with a kizami-zuki that connected perfectly on his chin. He was out cold before hit the concrete.
A very important aspect of mastering kizami-zuki (and all percussive attacks/counterattacks for that matter) is to be able to use the waza effectively regardless of unpredictable fluctuations of angles, distancing and, indeed, circumstances.
Many karateka nowadays “…fail to adequately train their waza to autonomously be effective”. This is because the focus tends to be on the external performance as opposed to functionality and, more importantly, reliability in actual kumite (‘kumite’… meaning ‘jissen kumite’).
There is a saying in Budo Karate that goes something like this: “One can have the best form and ‘sharpest looking waza’, yet— if it isn’t effective, or is unreliable under real pressure—it has not been mastered”.
Techniques must therefore be trained: (a) for TECHNICAL FORM, via solo fundamental practice (その場基本/Sonoba-Kihon and 移動基本/Ido-Kihon); (b) STRENGTH/IMPACT POWER via full contacted focused インバクトトレーニング (Impact training); and (c) ACCURACY, DISTANCING and ADAPTABILITY via 自由組手の基本 (Jiyu kumite no kihon), speed and mobility based インバクトトレーニング (Impact training), 自由組手 (Jiyu kumite) itself.
Needless to say, especially for physically weaker people and/or those with less mass, supplementary strength/power training is usually necessary; however, such training is, of course, beneficial for anyone who wishes to maximize their karate potential. In the case of choosing calisthenics and weights/resistance exercises, ‘functional exercises’ are best. For example, rather than isolating muscles like in body building, do motions which use multiple muscles for actual physical actions.
Without going into detail, as we have numerous formulas (to say, develop one’s kizami-zuki via weight training) one would include various forms squats, bench presses, and some pushing and pulling exercises. The inclusion of some plyometric and medicine ball work should also be included. I also recommend tube training, which is something I used to do a lot with Kagawa Masao Sensei.
Certainly, I cannot talk about any waza properly without covering 運足 (Unsoku). Without mastery of unsoku one can have perfect form and appear extremely sharp; yet, have extremely limited effectiveness in actual kumite.
I need to address the contemporary kizami-zuki, which for many years has been the standard rendition of this waza in WKF (World Karate Federation) events. This technique is often referred to as ‘the superman punch’. The rear leg is not grounded, instead a springing forwards action is made with the kick back of the rear leg. Even the upper body is leaned forward to gain the maximum reach to the target with no meaningful connectivity (pertaining to budo nor bujutsu). Of course, the lean in, and body tilts, have their place; however, the drive of the rear leg is paramount.
This waza to me is not karate but, “…it’s evolution and use is not the fault of the athletes”. In fact, it is highly logical ‘sports technique’ as ‘it capitalizes on a faulty rule system’ and referees/judges who have an insufficient technical understanding (of authentic karate).
Taken as a whole, the ‘sports kizami-zuki’ exists because “…it’s the fastest and easiest way to tag one’s opponent, while simultaneously minimizing the chance of being touched in the process”. Effective budo technique is not a part of this form of ‘kizami-zuki’.
In sum, this technique has no relation to a true kizami-zuki. It is merely a tagging action to accumulate arbitrary points. That being said, if you don’t use this type of technique, you cannot win in the current form of sports karate competition.
Nakamura Masamitsu Shihan has always told me not to change my karate. He explained that 極め (kime) has been lost from the present-day karate. In fact, Shihan closed his Dojo on the last day of March this year and, again, after the final session he stressed this point to me.
Kizami-zuki is a blatantly obvious ‘technical divergence’ between ‘traditional budo/bujutsu-waza’—which is the real thing; and ‘contemporary sports karate’— which is a shallow impersonation of karate. The first being an effective system for actual fighting/self-defense. And the second, for accumulating medals and plastic cups.
This is by no means a put down of competition. The traditional tournaments are excellent testing grounds for one’s karate; furthermore, they motivate increased training time in the dojo and increased intensity. In my case, competition helped my karate to evolve in my youth, teens, twenties, and for a brief time in my 30s.
One of my objectives in karate, besides my daily self-training here in Japan, is continue teaching all of the waza of Shotokan-Ryu as bujutsu. Interestingly, even though this is the focus of IKS, I have and continue to coach numerous champions in both kata and kumite.
A very important aspect of mastering kizami-zuki (and all percussive attacks/counterattacks for that matter) is to be able to use the waza effectively regardless of unpredictable fluctuations of angles, distancing and, indeed, circumstances.
Many karateka nowadays “…fail to adequately train their waza to autonomously be effective”. This is because the focus tends to be on the external performance as opposed to functionality and, more importantly, reliability in actual kumite (‘kumite’… meaning ‘jissen kumite’).
There is a saying in Budo Karate that goes something like this: “One can have the best form and ‘sharpest looking waza’, yet— if it isn’t effective, or is unreliable under real pressure—it has not been mastered”.
Techniques must therefore be trained: (a) for TECHNICAL FORM, via solo fundamental practice (その場基本/Sonoba-Kihon and 移動基本/Ido-Kihon); (b) STRENGTH/IMPACT POWER via full contacted focused インバクトトレーニング (Impact training); and (c) ACCURACY, DISTANCING and ADAPTABILITY via 自由組手の基本 (Jiyu kumite no kihon), speed and mobility based インバクトトレーニング (Impact training), 自由組手 (Jiyu kumite) itself.
Needless to say, especially for physically weaker people and/or those with less mass, supplementary strength/power training is usually necessary; however, such training is, of course, beneficial for anyone who wishes to maximize their karate potential. In the case of choosing calisthenics and weights/resistance exercises, ‘functional exercises’ are best. For example, rather than isolating muscles like in body building, do motions which use multiple muscles for actual physical actions.
Without going into detail, as we have numerous formulas (to say, develop one’s kizami-zuki via weight training) one would include various forms squats, bench presses, and some pushing and pulling exercises. The inclusion of some plyometric and medicine ball work should also be included. I also recommend tube training, which is something I used to do a lot with Kagawa Masao Sensei.
Certainly, I cannot talk about any waza properly without covering 運足 (Unsoku). Without mastery of unsoku one can have perfect form and appear extremely sharp; yet, have extremely limited effectiveness in actual kumite.
I need to address the contemporary kizami-zuki, which for many years has been the standard rendition of this waza in WKF (World Karate Federation) events. This technique is often referred to as ‘the superman punch’. The rear leg is not grounded, instead a springing forwards action is made with the kick back of the rear leg. Even the upper body is leaned forward to gain the maximum reach to the target with no meaningful connectivity (pertaining to budo nor bujutsu). Of course, the lean in, and body tilts, have their place; however, the drive of the rear leg is paramount.
This waza to me is not karate but, “…it’s evolution and use is not the fault of the athletes”. In fact, it is highly logical ‘sports technique’ as ‘it capitalizes on a faulty rule system’ and referees/judges who have an insufficient technical understanding (of authentic karate).
Taken as a whole, the ‘sports kizami-zuki’ exists because “…it’s the fastest and easiest way to tag one’s opponent, while simultaneously minimizing the chance of being touched in the process”. Effective budo technique is not a part of this form of ‘kizami-zuki’.
In sum, this technique has no relation to a true kizami-zuki. It is merely a tagging action to accumulate arbitrary points. That being said, if you don’t use this type of technique, you cannot win in the current form of sports karate competition.
Nakamura Masamitsu Shihan has always told me not to change my karate. He explained that 極め (kime) has been lost from the present-day karate. In fact, Shihan closed his Dojo on the last day of March this year and, again, after the final session he stressed this point to me.
Kizami-zuki is a blatantly obvious ‘technical divergence’ between ‘traditional budo/bujutsu-waza’—which is the real thing; and ‘contemporary sports karate’— which is a shallow impersonation of karate. The first being an effective system for actual fighting/self-defense. And the second, for accumulating medals and plastic cups.
This is by no means a put down of competition. The traditional tournaments are excellent testing grounds for one’s karate; furthermore, they motivate increased training time in the dojo and increased intensity. In my case, competition helped my karate to evolve in my youth, teens, twenties, and for a brief time in my 30s.
One of my objectives in karate, besides my daily self-training here in Japan, is continue teaching all of the waza of Shotokan-Ryu as bujutsu. Interestingly, even though this is the focus of IKS, I have and continue to coach numerous champions in both kata and kumite.
While the ‘Traditional Karate Way’ is not as popular as ‘sports karate’ it is technically authentic and is something one can feel proud about. Furthermore, for those focused on the sports aspect, training in the traditional way really strengthens their skills.
Isn’t interesting how by 'shining the lens on one technique', such as kizami-zuki, one can look at karate as a whole.
押忍!
アンドレ バーテル
© André Bertel. Oita City, Japan (2024).
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