Tsuki
突き
Literally: thrust
Kendo thrust with the shinai's tip to the throat area of the men guard, the most dangerous of the four basic strikes.
Quick Facts
⚠️ Common Mistakes
An incorrectly performed thrust can seriously injure the opponent's throat.
About
Tsuki (突き), literally a thrust, is, in kendo, a thrust with the tip of the shinai toward the opponent's throat. Under the rules of the International Kendo Federation (FIK), the only valid target is tsuki-dare, the throat area of the men guard. In training, tsuki is also used as a preparation, pressure on the centre, before a follow-up strike to men or kote, not only as a standalone thrusting hit. Tsuki belongs, with men, kote and do, among the four basic strikes of the standardized kihon Bokuto ni yoru kendo kihon waza keiko ho. Compared with the other strikes it is seen as more dangerous and intimidating, so many dojos practise it less. A badly performed thrust can seriously injure the opponent's throat, so training and competition often limit it to higher dan grades. According to the Kendo Niagara club, players under 16 usually do not meet tsuki in competition; it is allowed only from the senior category, age 17 and up. The same source states that in competition tsuki is in practice reserved for competitors from 3rd dan, since referees at lower grades often do not award the strike.