Martial Arts - Taijutsu - Beginner Vital Point Striking

Kamae (構) are postures or biomechanical structures of the body for specific use in both unarmed and armed combat. The kamae practiced in Kosshijutsu are derived from the Jade Tiger School (Gyokko Ryu). 

Hōken (宝拳) are the striking postures of the limbs.

Fudō Ken - 不動拳 (Immovable fist): Clenched fist, thumb resting on the index and middle fingers.

Kiten Ken - 起転拳 (Turning fist): Fingers are clenched together facing forward in a cupping action with the thumb locked in on the side. 

Shitan Ken - 指端拳 (Finger fist): Fingers are clenched together against the thumb facing forward.

Shako Ken - 蝦蛄拳 (Claw fist): The hand is open in a gripping claw.

Shitō Ken - 指刀拳 (Blade fist): Clenched fist with the thumb on top of the index finger which is protruding out slightly from the hand.

Sokuyaku Ken - 足躍拳 (leg leaping fist): The flat of the foot. 

Ichimonji no Kamae - 一文字の構え (Straight Line Posture): The lead hand is in Kitenken pointing at an acute angle at the opponent, the lead foot is also pointing at an acute angle (in line with the knee). The rear hand is in Shitouken resting in the crook of the lead arm's elbow, while the rear leg is at a right angle to the opponent.  

Seigan no Kamae - 青眼の構 (True Eye Posture): The lead hand is in Kitenken pointing at the opponent's eyes, while the lead foot is forward pointing at the opponent. The rear hand is in Shitouken resting in the crook of the lead arm's elbow, while the rear leg is at a right angle to the opponent.  

Doko no Kamae - 怒虎の構 (Enraged Tiger Posture): The lead hand is in Kitenken pointing towards the opponent's eyes and the rear hand is in Fudouken with the arm being held vertically in line with the body (totoku hiyoshi) covering the face and neck. The lead foot is pointing at the opponent and the rear leg is at a right angle to the opponent.  

Hicho no Kamae - 飛鳥の構 (Flying Bird Posture): The lead hand is in Kitenken pointing at an acute angle at the opponent, the lead knee is pointing at the opponent raised at a right angle, while the lead foot is lightly resting on the knee of the rear leg. The rear leg is bent slightly, the rear foot at a right angle to the opponent.  

Kosei no Kamae - 攻勢の構 (Offensive Posture): The lead hand is in Kitenken raised up above the head in front, palm facing down. The rear hand is in Fudouken at the hip. The lead foot is pointing toward the opponent and the rear foot is at a right angle to the opponent.  

Jumonji no Kamae - 十文字の構 (Cross Posture): The lead leg is pointing forward, slightly offset to the rear leg which is also pointing forward. The lead arm and the rear arm are brought up in an X shape, both hands in Shitoken in line with the top of the head.  

Kosshijutsu kamae are the core foundation of vital point striking. It is said that when practicing Kosshijutsu, the student should move through kamae when doing techniques and kata. What this means is that the kamae are snapshots in time and a student should endeavor to move through them as they attack or defend. Kamae are the beginning and end. 

Daken (打拳) refers six basic techniques (waza) [技] that are designed to align the body and teach proper biomechanics. These daken are the basic striking forms of Kosshijutsu and form the foundation of attack and defence. 

Joudan Tsuki - 上段突 (high thrust): This waza begins from seigan no kamae. Transition into doko no kamae then shift forward and strike with a high thrust (joudan tsuki) with the fist in fudouken.  

Shitan Sage -  指端下 (rising finger strike): From seigan no kamae, drop the rear hand to the hip then bring the rear arm up like a pendulum and step, striking beneath the throat with Shitan Ken (指端拳). 

Omote Kiten -  表起転 (outside turning): From seigan no kamae, transition into doko no kamae then shift into the opponent to strike with Omote Shutō (表手刀) with kitenken to the neck. 

Ura Kiten - 裏起転(inside turning): From seigan no kamae, transition into doko no kamae then shift into the opponent to strike with Ura Shutō (裏手刀) with kitenken to the neck. 

Gedan Tsuki - 下段突 (low thrust): From seigan no kamae, drop the rear hand to the hip then thrust forward with gedan tsuki (low thrust) with Boshi Ken (拇指拳) to the kinketsu (禁穴). 

Tsuki Geri - 突蹴 (thrust and kick): From seigan no kamae, shift forward and strike to the face with shakoken, bring up the rear leg and then thrust forward with the lead leg using mae geri (前蹴), striking with sokuyakuken to the gorin.  

Kosshijutsu Daken teach the core foundation of offensive and defensive mobility. Engaging with a strong biomechanical framework will assist in delivering energy into the opponent upon striking and to efficiently evade or avoid any counter-attack.  

Uke (受) are basic deflections used to redirect or intercept incoming attacks.  

Fudou Uke - 不動受 (Immovable Receiving): Shift back and bring the lead arm up into an acute angle, striking into the opponent's inner bicep (seitaku). 

Kiten Uke - 起転受 (Turning Receiving): Shift back and bring the lead arm down onto the opponent's forearm (nagare).  

Jōdan Uke - 上段受 (High Receiving): Shift back and bring the lead arm up into an acute angle vertically facing up to head height in a circular motion. 

Gedan Uke - 下段受 (Low Receiving): Shift back and bring the lead arm down into an acute angle vertically facing down in a circular motion. 

Seigan Uke - 青眼受 (True Eye Receiving): Shift back and receive the strike with the palm of the hand.  

Kerisage Uke - 蹴上受 (Rising Kick Receiving): Shift back and bring the rear leg behind the lead leg, kick up with the lead leg.  

Uke or receiving is critical in close quarters engagement because it allows students to open up the opponent or create a counter-strike opportunity. Any close combat is a flow and the only way to win is to understand how to give and receive.  

Deeper understanding comes through creativity and experimentation. Feel free to combine the techniques and methods in Kosshijutsu to create your own forms (kata). Focus on internalising the techniques (waza) into your muscle memory so they emerge naturally.

It is said that Kosshijutsu is the foundation of all martial arts. I believe this to be true. Using the techniques, postures and evasion taught in this course will open the door to understanding the movements and techniques of any martial arts in the world. When it comes right down to it, all martial arts are just simple biomechanics, geometry and physics. 'Style' is just branding, either it works or it doesn't. That is the final truth.