Kiai
気合
A short energetic shout in Japanese martial arts. It tightens the trunk, supports the exhalation and in kendo is a condition for a strike to be scored.
Quick Facts
Word breakdown
Definition
Kiai (気合) consists of the characters 気, energy, mood, and 合, union. It is a short energetic shout that the practitioner utters at the moment of a technique. The shout should come from the diaphragm, not the throat. Kiai is used in karate, kendo, judo and aikido. It tightens the abdominal muscles and protects the trunk, makes the practitioner exhale properly when attacking, and also intimidates and startles the opponent or expresses confidence. In kendo the referee accepts a strike only when it is accompanied by a strong and convincing kiai. In the Korean arts the same shout is called kihap.
Relations to other terms
Equivalent in another art
See also
In karate, the instant tensing of the body at the right moment of a technique, focused in the abdomen. Literally “decision”, from the verb kimeru.
Ibuki息吹Forceful breathing in Goju-ryu and Kyokushin karate: a loud, long exhalation with a tightened trunk, typical of the kata Sanchin.
Qi氣Chinese concept of life energy, breath and vitality. Ki in Japanese, gi in Korean. In the internal arts, cultivating qi is the main goal of practice.