Shutō (手刀)

Introduction

Shutō (手刀) is an open-hand form in which the outer edge of the hand on the little-finger side is used as the striking surface.

Shutō is used in strikes (uchi, 打ち) and blocks (uke, 受け).

Definition

Shutō (手刀)
A striking surface in which contact is made with the outer edge of the hand on the little-finger side, from below the little finger toward the wrist.

Terminology

Japanese: 手刀
Romaji: shutō
English: knife hand

Structure / Form

Starting position

• the hand is open
• the fingers are held together and controlled
• the fingers are straight or naturally slightly curved

Fingers

• the fingers are held firm
• they are not loose or spread apart
• they are not hyperextended backward

Thumb

• the thumb is held in against the hand
• it stays controlled and does not project as a separate striking surface

Position

• the outer edge on the little-finger side forms the striking surface
• the little-finger edge is directed toward the target

Wrist

• the wrist is kept straight
• hand and forearm remain aligned

Striking surface

Primary contact

• outer edge of the hand on the little-finger side

Secondary contact to avoid

• fingers
• palm
• thumb

Basic principles

Structure

The hand is held together so the outer edge is stable as a striking surface.

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 technique starts without unnecessary tension
• movement is driven by coordinated body action
• the hand follows a clear, directed path

Impact

• contact is made with the outer edge on the little-finger side
• the wrist stays straight at impact
• the body stabilizes at the moment of contact

Recovery

• the opposite hand retracts into hikite (引き手)
• the working arm retracts immediately after impact

Variations

Oyama describes three basic ways of applying shutō at impact:

Downward impact

• the hand travels downward toward the target

Impact with a slight pull toward the body

• the hand is drawn slightly inward at impact

Impact with a slight push away from the body

• the hand travels slightly outward at impact

Use

Shutō is used, among other techniques, in:

Uchi waza

• shutō sakotsu uchi (手刀鎖骨打ち)
• shutō sakotsu uchikomi (手刀鎖骨打ち込み)
• shutō ganmen uchi (手刀顔面打ち)
• shutō hizō uchi (手刀脾臓打ち)

Uke waza

• shutō jōdan uke (手刀上段受け)
• shutō chūdan uchi uke (手刀中段内受け)
• shutō chūdan soto uke (手刀中段外受け)

Training

Shutō is trained through:

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

Focus on:

• correct striking surface
• unified hand form
• controlled thumb position
• straight wrist

Common errors

Spread fingers

• breaks the hand form
• weakens the striking surface

Hyperextended fingers

• weakens the structure
• increases injury risk

Protruding thumb

• breaks the hand form
• leaves the thumb exposed at impact

Bent wrist

• breaks alignment
• weakens the strike

Incorrect striking surface

• contact occurs with the fingers, palm or thumb
• the impact becomes unstable

Summary

Shutō (手刀) uses the outer edge of the hand on the little-finger side.

It is defined by:

• an open, unified hand
• controlled thumb position
• straight wrist
• impact with the outer little-finger edge