Uraken / Backfist

裏拳

Snapping backfist strike utilizing the back of the knuckles to target the nose or temple.

Quick Facts

CategoryBody Part

Pronunciation/[oo-rah-ken oo-chee]/

Alternative NamesBackfist strike, Reverse fist snap

Definition

Uraken ('back fist') relies on elbow joint whip velocity. Using the top ridge of the index and middle knuckles, it snaps horizontally or vertically to slice or fracture facial targets.

Related Terms

Jodan上段

Upper level target area of the body in Japanese terminology (head and neck).

Empi / Hiji肘 / 猿臂

Elbow joint and striking surface in Japanese martial vocabulary.

Kumite組手

Sparring and combative component of Karate testing techniques against a live partner.

Seiken / Forefist正拳

Standard forefist striking surface aligning the first two knuckles of index and middle fingers.

Associated Martial Arts

Shotokan Byakuren Kaikan Seidokaikan Karate Kyokushin Budokai Takamura Shindo Yoshin-ryu Kyushin-ryu Jujutsu Asayama Ichiden-ryu Shinno Shinto-ryu Jujutsu Shindo Yoshin-ryu Jujutsu Sekiguchi-ryu Jujutsu Tenjin Shin'yo-ryu Jujutsu Hontai Yoshin-ryu Jujutsu Takagi-ryu Jujutsu Jikishin-ryu Jujutsu Shibukawa-ryu Jujutsu Tenjin Shin-ryu Jujutsu Chokushin-ryu Jujutsu Unkei-ryu Jujutsu