Technique of the Week (December 4th, 2006)

Sensei Lorenzo Aguon
Ueshiro Hawaii Karate Dojo

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"Kyobu Shuto Uchi"...Chest Knife hand strike (As seen in Fukyugata Nidan)

One of the most outstanding moves in Fukyugata Nidan that moves fast and delivers an extremely powerful strike. When delivered in Fukyugata Nidan, "Kyobu Shuto Uchi" considers many motions happening at the same time. Prior to executing "Kyobu Shuto Uchi" in Fukyugata Nidan, the practitioner is in a lower chudan zuki, zenkutsu dachi stance.

From here the practitioner sees with the eyes first, looking behind them. The arms and hands now begin to protect the body. The right hand moves to the left ear with palm open and facing the ear, while the left hand (fist) covers the right lateral muscle of the back (making sure elbows are kept clsoe to the body). The body now begins to twist in an upward and right direction, feeling the hips accelerate through the motion. As the hips accelerate and twist, the open hand from the ear begins it's path across the front of the body, remaining above the shoulders. The left hand also begins it's path across the chest.The left hand finishes in the chamber position, as the open hand finishes with a neck strike, palm facing down.

As the techniques are executed on the top half of the body, the legs are also playing their important roles in this technique. From the zenkutsu dachi stance, as the body begins to accelerate in its upward and right motion, the front leg remains strong in its foundation, the back (straight) leg, begins to thrust inward, leading with the heal of the foot.

As "Kyobu Shuto Uchi" finishes, the practitioner now changes from a zenkutsu dachi stance to a standing natural stance (soto hachiji shizentai dachi). For the first "Kyobu Shuto Uchi" in the kata, you begin facing forward and end the technique facing to the right (standing tall).

There are many things to consider in this great technique: seeing with the eyes, covering and protecting the body, accelerating the hands across the body to strike as the hips accelerate and twist upward to a natural standing stance. At the same time, the back heal moves quickly inward as the body begins to stand tall.

Practice this technique outside of the kata. Practice it as you walk across the deck. Practice it especially in bunkai. Then you will truly see all the many things that go on that make up "Kyobu Shuto Uchi".


Sensei Lorenzo Aguon
Ueshiro Hawaii Karate Dojo
Aloha Activity Center
725 Kapiolani Blvd. #101
Honolulu, Hawaii 96813
(808)375-6688
uhkdojo@aol.com
www.alohaactivitycenter.net