Shutō (手刀)¶
Introduction¶
Shutō (手刀) is a hand position in which the striking surface is formed by the outer edge of the hand on the little-finger side.
Shutō is used in strikes (uchi, 打ち) and blocks (uke, 受け).
Definition¶
Shutō (手刀)
A striking surface where contact occurs with the outer edge of the hand on the little-finger side, from the area below the little finger down toward the wrist.
Terminology¶
Japanese: 手刀
Romaji: shutō
English: hand edge
Structure / Form¶
Basic position¶
- the hand is open
- the fingers are held together and controlled
- the fingers are straight or slightly naturally curved
Fingers¶
- the fingers are kept tense
- they are not held loose or spread apart
- they are not overstretched backward
Thumb¶
- the thumb is kept in toward the hand
- it is held controlled and does not protrude as a separate striking surface
Position¶
- the outer edge of the hand on the little-finger side forms the striking surface
- the little-finger side is directed toward the target
Wrist¶
- the wrist is kept straight
- the hand and forearm are kept in line
Striking surface¶
Primary contact¶
- the outer edge of the hand on the little-finger side
Secondary contact (should be avoided)¶
- fingers
- palm
- thumb
Basic principles¶
Structure¶
The hand is held together so that the outer edge becomes stable as a striking surface.
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 technique starts without unnecessary tension
- the movement is driven by the coordination of the body
- the hand follows a clear and directed path
Impact¶
- contact occurs with the outer edge of the hand on the little-finger side
- the wrist is kept straight at impact
- the body is stabilized at the moment of impact
Retraction¶
- the other hand is pulled back in hikite (引き手)
- the working arm is pulled back directly after impact
Variations¶
Oyama describes three basic ways of using shutō in the impact:
Downward impact¶
- the hand is brought downward toward the target
Impact with a slight pull inward toward the body¶
- the hand is drawn slightly inward at the moment of impact
Impact with a slight pressure away from the body¶
- the hand is brought slightly outward at the moment of impact
Use¶
Shutō is used, among other things, in:
Uchi waza¶
- shutō sakotsu uchi (手刀鎖骨打ち)
- shutō sakotsu uchikomi (手刀鎖骨打ち込み)
- shutō ganmen uchi (手刀顔面打ち)
- shutō hizō uchi (手刀脾臓打ち)
Uke waza¶
- shutō jōdan uke (手刀上段受け)
- shutō chūdan uchi uke (手刀中段内受け)
- shutō chūdan soto uke (手刀中段外受け)
Training¶
Shutō is trained through:
- kihon
- repetitions
- controlled striking training
- controlled blocking training
- makiwara in appropriate forms
Focus:
- correct striking surface
- gathered hand form
- controlled thumb position
- straight wrist
Common errors¶
Spread fingers¶
- breaks the hand form
- weakens the striking surface
Overstretched fingers¶
- impairs the structure
- increases the risk of injury
Protruding thumb¶
- breaks the hand form
- may leave the thumb exposed in the impact
Bent wrist¶
- breaks the alignment
- weakens the impact
Incorrect striking surface¶
- contact occurs with the fingers, palm, or thumb
- the impact becomes unstable
Summary¶
Shutō (手刀) is a hand position in which impact occurs with the outer edge of the hand on the little-finger side.
It is defined by:
- open and gathered hand
- controlled thumb position
- straight wrist
- impact with the outer edge of the little-finger side