Atama
頭
Head in Japanese. As a target it belongs to the upper level, jodan. A head strike is called zutsuki, with the same character read zu.
Quick Facts
Term typeAnatomy, target levels and striking surfaces
LanguageJapanese
Formnoun
Pronunciation[ah-tah-mah]
Alternative Nameshead
Readings and romanizations
Reading (kana)あたま
Hepburn romanizationatama
Word breakdown
頭atamahead
Definition
Atama (頭) means head. In technique descriptions the head belongs to the upper level, jodan, which a kick such as jodan mawashi geri targets. The same character is also read zu or to in compounds. A head strike is called zutsuki (頭突き) in Japanese, literally “a thrust with the head.” It is forbidden in competition karate, in Kyokushin and under many other rules.