Nukite (貫手)

Introduction

Nukite (貫手) is a striking surface using the fingertips.

The hand remains open and the fingers project forward as a unified point. Nukite is used mainly in thrusts (tsuki, 突き).

Definition

Nukite (貫手)
A striking surface in which contact is made with the fingertips of an open hand.

The standard form uses several joined fingertips as the contact area.

Terminology

Japanese: 貫手
Romaji: nukite
English: spear hand / fingertip thrust

Structure / Form

Starting position

• the hand is open
• the fingers extend forward
• the fingertips remain together

Fingers

• the fingers are kept together
• they extend straight or are slightly bent at the first joint depending on the variation
• they must not bend backward

Thumb

• the thumb is held in against the hand
• it must not project as a separate striking surface

Wrist

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

Striking surface

Primary contact

• fingertips

Secondary contact to avoid

• sides of the fingers
• palm
• thumb

Variations

Nukite

Standard form with several fingertips held together as the striking surface.

Bent variation

• the fingers bend slightly at the first joint
• used for a more rounded impact path
• provides greater strength and reduces the risk of finger injury

Ippon nukite (一本貫手)

• one finger forms the striking surface

Nihon nukite (二本貫手)

• two fingers form the striking surface

Basic principles

Structure

The fingers remain joined and stable so the point is clearly defined.

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 directed path toward the target

Impact

• contact is made with the fingertips
• the thrust enters on a controlled straight or slightly curved path depending on the variation

Recovery

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

Use

Nukite is used, among other targets, against:

• abdomen
• solar plexus
• throat
• lower rib area

Training

Nukite is trained through:

• kihon
• controlled repetitions
• careful precision practice

Focus on:

• correct hand form
• joined fingertips
• correct thumb position
• safe impact line

Common errors

Incorrect thumb position

• the hand form breaks
• the thumb becomes exposed

Fingers bending backward

• the structure breaks
• risk of finger injury increases significantly

Incorrect striking surface

• contact occurs with the side of the fingers or the palm
• the impact becomes unstable

Bent wrist

• breaks alignment
• weakens the thrust

Summary

Nukite (貫手) uses the fingertips of an open hand as the striking surface.

It is defined by:

• joined fingertips
• thumb held in against the hand
• straight wrist
• impact with the fingertips