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Keiko (鶏口)

Introduction

Keiko (鶏口) is a hand form in which the fingertips are brought together into a point.

It is more common in kempo than in karate. Keiko is used in directed strikes in a short path.

Definition

Keiko (鶏口)
A hand form in which the four fingertips are brought together into a point and the thumb supports the form from underneath.

The striking surface is formed by the point created by the fingers.

Terminology

Japanese: 鶏口
Romaji: keiko
English: chicken-beak hand / pointed hand

Structure / Form

Basic position

  • the hand is open
  • the four fingers are bent at the knuckles
  • the fingertips are brought together

Thumb

  • the thumb is brought under the tip of the middle finger
  • it supports the hand form from underneath

Position

  • the fingertips form a point
  • the back of the hand is turned upward

Wrist

  • the wrist is kept stable
  • the impact is reinforced with a quick wrist snap

Striking surface

Primary contact

  • the point formed by the fingertips

Secondary contact (should be avoided)

  • the sides of the fingers
  • the palm
  • the thumb

Basic principles

Structure

The hand is kept compact so that the fingertips form a clear and stable point.

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 strike follows a short and directed path

Impact

  • contact occurs with the point formed by the fingertips
  • the impact is reinforced by a quick wrist snap

Retraction

  • the hand is pulled back directly after impact

Use

Keiko is used in directed strikes in a short path.

The technique appears mainly in forms where the point is carried quickly toward the target, often from the side or from above.

Training

Keiko is trained through:

  • controlled repetitions
  • precision training

Focus:

  • correct hand form
  • gathered fingertips
  • stable thumb position
  • clear striking surface

Common errors

Separation between the fingertips

  • breaks the pointed form
  • makes the striking surface unclear

Incorrect thumb position

  • the hand loses its support
  • the structure becomes unstable

Incorrect striking surface

  • contact occurs with the sides of the fingers or the palm
  • the impact loses precision

Lack of wrist snap

  • the technique becomes weaker
  • the impact loses its short and snapping character

Summary

Keiko (鶏口) is a hand form in which the fingertips are brought together into a point.

It is defined by:

  • bent fingers brought together
  • thumb placed under the tip of the middle finger
  • the back of the hand turned upward
  • impact with the point formed by the fingertips