Atemi
当て身
Strikes to the opponent's body in the Japanese arts. In aikido and jujutsu they serve mainly to break balance or attention before a throw or a lock.
Quick Facts
Term typeClassification of techniques, arts and schools
LanguageJapanese
Formnoun
Pronunciation[ah-teh-mee]
Alternative Namesbody strike
Readings and romanizations
Reading (kana)あてみ
Hepburn romanizationatemi
Word breakdown
当てateto hit (the verb ateru)
身mibody
Definition
Atemi (当て身) means “striking the body” and atemi-waza are striking techniques. In jujutsu and aikido, strikes complement throws and locks. A strike need not incapacitate the opponent, it often serves to startle them, make them lean back or loosen their grip, creating room for the next technique. It targets the sensitive spots, kyusho. In judo atemi-waza remain in the kata, for example in kime-no-kata, but are forbidden in randori and in competition.