Seiken (正拳)¶
Introduction¶
Seiken (正拳) is the primary striking surface in Kyokushin karate.
It is used mainly in thrusts (tsuki, 突き), where contact occurs with the two foremost knuckles in a compact clenched fist.
Definition¶
Seiken (正拳)
A striking surface where contact occurs with the two foremost knuckles in a clenched fist.
Terminology¶
Japanese: 正拳
Romaji: seiken
English: front fist
Structure / Form¶
Basic position¶
- the hand is open
- the fingers are naturally extended
Fingers¶
The fingers are bent in the following order:
- little finger
- ring finger
- middle finger
- index finger
The fingertips are pulled tightly into the palm so that the fist closes compactly.
Thumb¶
- the thumb is placed over the fingers
- it presses over the joints of the index and middle fingers to lock the fist
Wrist¶
- the wrist is kept straight
- the back of the hand and the forearm are kept in line
Striking surface¶
Primary contact¶
- knuckle of the index finger
- knuckle of the middle finger
Secondary contact (should be avoided)¶
- knuckle of the ring finger
- knuckle of the little finger
- thumb
Basic principles¶
Structure¶
The fist is closed compactly so that the striking surface becomes stable.
Body connection¶
Power is transferred through the body to the striking surface.
English:
ground → leg → hip → torso → shoulder → arm → striking surface
Japanese / romaji:
jimen (地面) → ashi (足) → koshi (腰) → dōtai (胴体) → kata (肩) → ude (腕) → datotsu-bu (打突部)
Kime (決め)¶
Power is concentrated at the moment of impact.
Execution¶
Movement¶
- the fist starts in the basic execution with the palm facing upward
- the hand is brought straight forward from the side in line toward the target
- during the thrust, the fist is rotated so that the palm finishes downward
Impact¶
- contact occurs with the two foremost knuckles
- the wrist, the back of the hand, and the forearm are kept in a straight line
- the impact occurs just before full extension
Retraction¶
- the other hand is pulled back in hikite (引き手)
- the working arm is pulled back directly after impact
Use¶
Seiken is used, among other things, in:
- seiken jōdan tsuki (正拳上段突き)
- seiken chūdan tsuki (正拳中段突き)
- seiken gedan tsuki (正拳下段突き)
- seiken mawashi uchi (正拳回し打ち)
- seiken ago uchi (正拳顎打ち)
Training¶
Seiken is trained through:
- kihon
- repetitions of tsuki
- makiwara
- knuckle push-ups
- controlled striking training
Focus:
- correct closing of the fist
- straight wrist
- correct striking surface
- coordination between body and impact
Common errors¶
Incorrect thumb position¶
- the fist is not locked correctly
- the thumb risks being injured
Weak little finger¶
- the fist becomes unstable
- the structure opens on impact
Bent wrist¶
- breaks the alignment
- increases the risk of wrist injury
Incorrect striking surface¶
- contact occurs with the ring finger or little finger
- power is transferred less effectively
- the hand risks being injured
Full extension at the moment of impact¶
- the thrust becomes stiff
- force transfer is impaired
- the risk of injury increases
Summary¶
Seiken (正拳) is the front striking surface of the fist.
It is defined by:
- the two foremost knuckles
- a compact clenched fist
- correct thumb locking
- straight alignment through the wrist and forearm