Uraken (裏拳)

Introduction

Uraken (裏拳) is a striking surface that uses the back of the front knuckles of a closed fist.

The fist is formed as in seiken, but it is used in short, snapping strikes (uchi, 打ち).

Definition

Uraken (裏拳)
A striking surface in which contact is made with the back of the two front knuckles of a closed fist.

Terminology

Japanese: 裏拳
Romaji: uraken
English: backfist

Structure / Form

Starting position

• the hand is closed as for seiken
• the fingers are held tightly together
• the thumb locks the fist over the fingers

Position

• the back of the hand faces the striking side
• the strike follows a short and fast path
• impact is followed by immediate retraction

Wrist

• the wrist remains controlled
• some forms use a small wrist snap at impact
• the impact angle varies slightly with the technique

Striking surface

Primary contact

• back of the index-finger knuckle
• back of the middle-finger knuckle

Secondary contact to avoid

• wrist
• fingers
• forearm

Basic principles

Structure

The fist is closed compactly as in seiken.

Speed

Uraken is performed with a short, fast and snapping motion.

Body connection

Force is transferred through the body to the striking surface.

English:
ground → legs → hips → trunk → shoulder → arm → striking surface

Japanese / romaji:
jimen (地面) → ashi (足) → koshi (腰) → dōtai (胴体) → kata (肩) → ude (腕) → datotsu-bu (打突部)

Kime (決め)

Force is concentrated at impact.

Execution

Movement

• the strike begins without unnecessary tension
• the movement is short
• the elbow stays close to the body or acts as a pivot depending on the form

Impact

• contact is made with the back of the two front knuckles
• in some forms a small wrist snap or rotation reinforces the impact

Recovery

• the striking hand retracts immediately after contact
• the opposite hand retracts into hikite (引き手)

Variations

Oyama describes two basic ways to use uraken:

Method 1

• the fist is held inverted
• impact is made with the back of the knuckles
• a wrist snap assists the strike

Method 2

• the fist starts from a seiken position
• the strike is delivered with the palm facing upward
• a small wrist rotation reinforces the impact at contact

Use

Uraken is used, among other techniques, in:

• uraken shōmen uchi (裏拳正面打ち)
• uraken sayū uchi (裏拳左右打ち)
• uraken hizō uchi (裏拳脾臓打ち)
• uraken shita uchi / shita tsuki (裏拳下打ち / 裏拳下突き)

Training

Uraken is trained through:

• kihon
• repetitions
• controlled striking practice
• makiwara in suitable forms

Focus on:

• correct striking surface
• short path
• fast retraction
• correct impact angle

Common errors

Rigid wrist

• the strike becomes slow
• impact is hard but lacks snap

Incorrect impact angle

• contact occurs with the wrong part of the fist
• force transfer is reduced

Excessive motion

• the strike becomes slow
• the technique loses its short, snapping character

Late retraction

• the technique loses speed
• the hand remains exposed

Summary

Uraken (裏拳) uses the back of the two front knuckles of a closed fist.

It is defined by:

• the same basic fist as seiken
• the back of the front knuckles as the striking surface
• a short and fast motion
• immediate retraction