Kyusho
急所
Anatomically vulnerable pressure points on the human body targeted for strikes and joint manipulation.
Quick Facts
CategoryBody Part
Pronunciation/[kyoo-shoh]/
Alternative NamesVital points, Pressure points, Vulnerable spots
Definition
Kyusho ('vital spot') denotes anatomical nerve clusters, blood vessels, and joint insertion points. Accurate strikes or pressure applied to Kyusho cause disproportional pain, paralysis, or unconsciousness without brute physical force.
Related Terms
Hara / Tanden腹 / 丹田
Lower abdomen representing the physical and energetic center of balance.
Atama頭Japanese term for the head, a primary target area in Jodan level.
Kote小手Wrist or forearm, also referring to the padded wrist guard in Kendo.
Qin Na / Chin Na擒拿Chinese system of joint locks, muscle tearing, and pressure point locking in Kung Fu.
Associated Martial Arts
Tomari-teSatojuku KarateTakamura Shindo Yoshin-ryuShorinji Ryu RenshinkanEnshin KarateTenjin Shin-ryu JujutsuYoseikan AikidoShorinji-ryu KenkokanSeiwakai Goju-ryuJikishin-ryu JujutsuIwama RyuYoshinkan AikidoGensei-ryuBujinkan Budo TaijutsuTomiki AikidoChito-ryu KarateShito-ryuMotobu-ryu KarateAshihara KarateByakuren KaikanShorei-ryuUechi-ryuAsayama Ichiden-ryuTenjin Shin'yo-ryu JujutsuShotokanKyushin-ryu JujutsuMatsubayashi-ryuTakagi-ryu JujutsuShorin-ryu ShidokanShorin-ryu SeibukanIsshin-ryu KarateChokushin-ryu JujutsuShindo Yoshin-ryu JujutsuUnkei-ryu JujutsuSeidokaikan KarateShorin-ryuSekiguchi-ryu JujutsuHontai Yoshin-ryu JujutsuShuri-teMeibukan Goju-ryuShorin-ryu KyudokanJundokan Goju-ryuShinno Shinto-ryu JujutsuSix Harmonies Praying Mantis (Liuhe Tanglangquan)Kyokushin BudokaiReal AikidoNaha-teShibukawa-ryu JujutsuShorin-ryu Shorinkan