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Uraken (裏拳)

Introduction

Uraken (裏拳) is a striking surface where contact occurs with the back of the foremost knuckles in a clenched fist.

The fist is formed like seiken, but is used in short, snapping strikes (uchi, 打ち).

Definition

Uraken (裏拳)
A striking surface where contact occurs with the back of the two foremost knuckles in a clenched fist.

Terminology

Japanese: 裏拳
Romaji: uraken
English: inverted fist / backfist

Structure / Form

Basic position

  • the hand is clenched like seiken
  • the fingers are closed tightly
  • the thumb locks the fist over the fingers

Position

  • the upper side of the hand forms the side of the striking surface
  • the strike is executed in a short and fast path
  • the impact is followed by immediate retraction

Wrist

  • the wrist is kept controlled
  • in some forms, a slight wrist snap is used at the moment of impact
  • the angle of impact varies somewhat depending on the technique

Striking surface

Primary contact

  • back of the knuckle of the index finger
  • back of the knuckle of the middle finger

Secondary contact (should be avoided)

  • wrist
  • fingers
  • forearm

Basic principles

Structure

The fist is closed compactly as in seiken.

Speed

Uraken is executed in a short, fast, and snapping movement.

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 strike starts without unnecessary tension
  • the movement is short
  • the elbow is used close to the body or as a pivot depending on the form

Impact

  • contact occurs with the back of the two foremost knuckles
  • in some forms, the impact is reinforced by a slight wrist snap or small twist

Retraction

  • the striking hand is pulled back directly after contact
  • the other hand is pulled back in hikite (引き手)

Variations

Oyama describes two basic ways of using uraken:

Method 1

  • the fist is held inverted
  • contact occurs with the back of the knuckles
  • the wrist snap helps the strike

Method 2

  • the fist starts from seiken position
  • the strike is delivered with the palm facing upward
  • a slight twist in the wrist reinforces the impact at the moment of contact

Use

Uraken is used, among other things, in:

  • uraken shōmen uchi (裏拳正面打ち)
  • uraken sayū uchi (裏拳左右打ち)
  • uraken hizō uchi (裏拳脾臓打ち)
  • uraken shita uchi / shita tsuki (裏拳下打ち / 裏拳下突き)

Training

Uraken is trained through:

  • kihon
  • repetitions
  • controlled striking training
  • makiwara in appropriate forms

Focus:

  • correct striking surface
  • short path
  • quick retraction
  • correct angle of impact

Common errors

Stiff wrist

  • the strike becomes slow
  • the impact becomes hard but without snap

Incorrect angle of impact

  • contact occurs with the wrong part of the fist
  • power is transferred less effectively

Too long a movement

  • the strike becomes slow
  • the technique loses its short and snapping character

Late retraction

  • the technique loses speed
  • the hand remains in an exposed position

Summary

Uraken (裏拳) is a striking surface where contact occurs with the back of the two foremost knuckles in a clenched fist.

It is defined by:

  • the same basic fist as seiken
  • the back of the foremost knuckles as the striking surface
  • short and fast movement
  • immediate retraction