06/06/2026
30 karate Body weapons
*1. Empi*
Empi transforms your elbow into a sledgehammer. Because it’s the point where your whole upper body mass channels into a tiny, bony area, the strike is devastating at close range. It’s the go-to weapon in clinches for ribs, jaw, or solar plexus, and it shows up in almost every kata because in-fighting is where karate lives.
*2. Hirabasami*
Hirabasami weaponizes the webbing between thumb and index finger. It’s not for brute force, but for precision. You’ll see it used to seize, tear at soft tissue, or attack eyes and throat. It’s a reminder that karate isn’t just punches — it’s also grips and grabs built into the system.
*3. Seiken*
Seiken is the weapon everyone thinks of first: the classic fore-fist formed by the first two knuckles. When aligned with the wrist and driven by the legs and hips, it delivers focused, penetrating power. It’s the foundation of karate punching, and mastering it teaches proper alignment for every other hand strike.
*4. Kumade*
Kumade means “bear hand.” You cup the palm and curve the fingers like claws, turning your hand into a raking, slapping weapon. It’s used for face strikes, ear slaps, or dragging an opponent off-balance. It embodies karate’s grappling side that people forget exists.
*5. Teisho*
Teisho is the palm heel — the thick, dense base of your hand. It lets you strike hard without risking broken knuckles. Palm heel strikes to the chin, nose, or chest can rattle an opponent and create space. It’s also a safe weapon for self-defense when gloves aren’t an option.
*6. Gaiwan*
Gaiwan is the outer forearm. Karateka condition it to both block and strike. As a weapon, it’s used like a club to smash into ribs or collarbones in close. As a shield, it’s trained to absorb kicks and punches without flinching.
*7. Naiwan*
Naiwan is the inner forearm, softer but still formidable. It’s used for inward strikes, hooks, and checks. The inner forearm often sets up throws or controls, turning a block into a trap that leads straight into empi or teisho.
*8. Haiwan*
Haiwan is the back of the forearm. It’s a snapping, whipping weapon used in backfist-style motions or rising strikes under the chin. Because it’s unexpected, haiwan catches opponents who only expect knuckles or elbows.
*9. Uraken*
Uraken is the backfist, using the first two knuckles on the back of a clenched hand. Speed is its strength. It snaps out and back fast, perfect for nose, temple, or ribs. Many katas hide uraken as a quick, disorienting strike between heavier techniques.
*10. Keito*
Keito is the “chicken head wrist,” where you bend the wrist and use the base of the thumb joint. It’s a precision weapon for striking soft targets like the throat, temple, or armpit. Keito teaches that angles matter more than brute force.
*11. Kakuto*
Kakuto, or “crane’s head,” uses the bent wrist with fingers dropped. The top of the wrist becomes a hammer for downward strikes to collarbone or bridge of the nose. It also works as a hooking block that can redirect and trap limbs.
*12. Tetsui*
Tetsui means “hammer fist.” You use the bottom of a clenched fist like you’re swinging a hammer. It’s one of karate’s most natural weapons — low risk to your hand, high damage to temples, shoulders, or kidneys. Every beginner learns it because it just works.
*13. Washide*
Washide is the “eagle hand,” where fingertips are bunched together into a beak shape. It’s designed for pinpoint strikes to eyes, throat, or nerve clusters. Washide shows karate’s Okinawan roots — tools for survival when weapons were banned.
*14. Nakapaka Ken*
Nakapaka ken, or middle-finger knuckle fist, extends the middle knuckle slightly past the others. That one point concentrates all your force into a tiny area. It’s used for pressure point strikes to ribs or sternum. High risk, high reward, and needs serious conditioning.
*15. Ippon Ken*
Ippon ken is the one-knuckle fist, usually the index knuckle. Like nakapaka ken, it’s a precision weapon for vulnerable targets. Karateka use it to dig into muscle, nerve bundles, or the philtrum. It teaches control — power means nothing if you can’t place it.
*16. Nihon Nukite*
Nihon nukite is the two-finger spear hand. Index and middle fingers are extended and braced, aimed at soft tissue. It’s a classic self-defense tool for eyes or throat. Training it builds tendon strength and the mindset to target what ends fights fast.
*17. Hiraken*
Hiraken is the “flat fist,” where the second knuckles are the striking surface and fingers are bent but not fully clenched. It’s used for raking strikes across the face or ribs. Less committed than seiken, it lets you strike and grab in one motion.
*18. Ippon Nukite*
Ippon nukite is the single-finger spear. Usually the index finger, reinforced by the thumb, it’s the most precise weapon in karate. It’s not for brawling — it’s for stopping a threat by attacking eyes or the hollow of the throat. Accuracy over power.
*19. Haito*
Haito is the “ridge hand,” using the inner edge of the hand from index base to thumb. It arcs in like a sword, targeting the neck, temple, or collarbone. Haito shows up in many katas and is faster than a full shuto because of its shorter path.
*20. Haishu*
Haishu is the back of the hand. It’s used for slapping, deflecting, or backhand strikes. While it looks less deadly, a proper haishu to the ear can disrupt balance instantly. It’s also key in parrying, turning defense into offense.
*21. Shuto*
Shuto is the famous “knife hand,” using the outer edge of the palm. Karateka condition it to strike like a blade to the neck, ribs, or collarbone. Shuto embodies the idea of “karate” — empty hand — replacing a weapon with your own body.
*22. Nukite*
Nukite is the spear hand with all four fingers extended and tightly braced. It’s a straight thrust to soft targets like solar plexus or throat. Nukite requires serious finger conditioning and intent. It’s karate’s answer to a dagger.
*23. Sune*
Sune is the shin. In karate, the shin is both shield and sword. You condition it to take kicks, then use it to deliver them. A sune kick to the thigh or ribs ends fights because there’s no padding — just bone into muscle.
*24. Hiza*
Hiza is the knee. At clinch range, it’s the most destructive weapon you have. Driven upward into the body or head, hiza uses your bodyweight and gravity. Every karateka learns early: if you’re close enough to hug, you’re close enough to knee.
*25. Kakato*
Kakato is the heel, especially when stomping down or swinging in an axe kick. It channels your full mass through a small, hard point. Kakato is used to break posture, stomp legs, or finish a downed opponent. It’s pure stopping power.
*26. Koshi*
Koshi is the ball of the foot. It’s what makes karate front kicks and round kicks so dangerous. By striking with the ball instead of the toes, you concentrate force and protect your foot. Koshi teaches you to be precise even with your legs.
*27. Sokuto*
Sokuto is the “blade” of the foot — the outer edge. It’s used in side kicks and stamping kicks. Sokuto turns your leg into a linear battering ram, perfect for ribs, knees, or head when an opponent is bent over. It’s a fight-ender.
*28. Teisoku*
Teisoku is the sole or arch of the foot. It’s not for striking, but for sweeping, hooking, and unbalancing. Teisoku is why karateka can dump someone on the ground without throwing a punch. Control the feet, control the fight.
*29. Tsumasaki*
Tsumasaki means “toe tips.” In old-school karate, toes were conditioned to spear into soft targets or the instep. Modern sport karate avoids it due to injury risk, but traditionally it was a surprise weapon for close-range kicks to groin or abdomen.
*30. Heisoku*
Heisoku is the instep — the top of the foot. While vulnerable, it’s used in roundhouse kicks to the body or legs. With proper conditioning, heisoku lets you whip kicks in fast without chambering. It’s speed over raw power.
Together, these 30 weapons explain why karate translates to “empty hand.” The body itself is the arsenal. Master them, and you’re never unarmed.
24/05/2026