Striking surfaces (Atari-bu)
Introduction
In Kyokushin karate, the body is used through clearly defined striking surfaces and contact points.
These can be summarized as atari-bu (当たり部), meaning the parts of the body used to transfer contact in technique (waza, 技).
This section treats striking surfaces as technical forms: how they are shaped, where contact occurs, and how they are used.
Definition
Atari-bu (当たり部)
The part of the body used as a striking surface or contact point in technique.
Each atari-bu is characterized by:
- a clearly defined surface
- a specific structure or form
- a function in technique
Basic principle
Effective technique is built on the relationship between:
- body
- structure
- striking surface
- technique
The striking surface is the point where contact is concentrated.
Main sections
Hand and arm
This part covers the striking surfaces of the hand and arm, hand forms, and contact zones.
It includes, among others:
- seiken (正拳)
- uraken (裏拳)
- tettsui (鉄槌)
- shutō (手刀)
- haitō (背刀)
- shōtei (掌底)
- nukite (貫手)
- keiko (鶏口)
- koken (弧拳)
- hitosashiyubi ipponken (人差し指一本拳)
- nakayubi ipponken (中指一本拳)
- nihonken (二本拳)
- ryūtōken (龍頭拳)
- hiji (肘)
- kote (小手)
Foot and leg
This part covers the striking surfaces of the foot and leg, together with important contact and blocking surfaces.
It includes, among others:
- chūsoku (中足)
- sokutō (足刀)
- haisoku (背足)
- kakato (踵)
- hiza (膝)
- sune (脛)
- teisoku (底足)
Scope
The section covers:
- striking surfaces
- contact points
- their structure
- their function in technique
It does not primarily cover:
- complete techniques
- kata
- kumite as a whole
- vital points
Purpose
The section serves as a reference for:
- kihon
- kata
- kumite
- instruction
- technical analysis
The purpose is to clarify which part of the body is used, how it is formed, and how it functions in technique.
Summary
Correct use of atari-bu is fundamental to technical precision.
Without the correct striking surface or contact point, technique loses clarity, structure, and function.