Juji Uke
十字受け
Literally: cross block
Also known as: Gedan juji uke, Jodan juji uke, X-block
A block with both forearms crossed into an X shape, low or high; in Shotokan it appears three times in the kata Heian Godan.
Quick Facts
Katas containing this technique
About
Juji uke (十字受け), literally cross block, stops an attack with both forearms crossed into the shape of the letter X. Depending on the level, a distinction is made between gedan juji uke, a downward block, and jodan juji uke, an upward block. It is done with clenched fists or open palms; in the open-hand version, after the block the opponent's forearm is also grasped and twisted, restricting their movement or setting up a follow-up technique. In the kata Heian Godan the block appears three times. First as gedan juji uke with fists in zenkutsu dachi stance, then the crossed arms immediately rise and open into the upper block shuto juji uke, and later, after a high jump, the practitioner lands in a low kosa dachi again with gedan juji uke.