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Shotokan Technique · Strike

背刀打ちHaitō-uchi — Ridge-hand strike

Haitō-uchi (背刀打ち, “ridge-hand strike”) whips the thumb-side ridge of the open hand in a circular arc into the neck, temple or jaw. It is the complementary opposite of shutō (knife-hand): same hand, the inner edge instead of the outer, prized for speed and a short, deceptive arc.
TypeStrike (uchi)
WeaponThumb-side ridge
MotionCircular whip
Opposite ofShutō (knife-hand)
EmphasisSpeed

See the technique型

Toggle between the phases. These are simplified schematics of the shape of the technique — pair them with the step-by-step below and your instructor.

A diagram shows the shape, not the speed or feel. For full-motion form, watch the reference video below and train it live.

How to perform it

  1. Form the hand: fingers together, and bend the thumb tucked firmly into the palm so it is off the striking edge.
  2. Chamber the hand across to the opposite shoulder so the strike has an arc to travel — haitō is circular, not a straight thrust.
  3. Lead with the elbow, then whip the forearm outward along a horizontal or diagonal arc.
  4. Rotate the forearm so the thumb-side ridge leads, snapping and extending at impact.
  5. Drive with hip rotation and pull the hikite; emphasize speed and accuracy over raw power.

Key points

  • Strike with the thumb-side ridge (inner edge), thumb tucked.
  • It is a circular whip, not a straight strike.
  • Speed and forearm rotation, not a big wind-up.

Common mistakes

Leaving the thumb sticking out, where it gets jammed and blunts the ridge.
Striking in a straight line instead of a circular arc.
Contacting with the knuckles or flat palm instead of the ridge.
Over-muscling it instead of relaxing and whipping.

Where you’ll see it

Haitō-uchi appears across the Shotokan kata syllabus, including:

NijūshihoUnsuSōchinKankū Dai

Application (bunkai)分解

A fast, hard-to-see strike curving around a guard into the side of the neck or temple — its short arc lets it slip past a straight defence, often flowing straight into a grab with the same hand.

Note: applications are interpretive and one shape carries several valid uses — explore them with a qualified instructor.

Watch a reference performance演武

To see Haitō-uchi performed at full speed, watch instructor demonstrations:

▶ Watch “Haitō-uchi” on YouTube

Related techniques

Shutō-uchi手刀打ちNukite貫手Teishō-uchi底掌打ち

Haitō-uchi — frequently asked questions

What is the difference between shutō and haitō?
Same open hand, opposite edges: shutō (knife-hand) strikes with the little-finger/outer edge; haitō (ridge-hand) strikes with the thumb-side/inner edge, thumb tucked. Shutō is the more powerful, conditioned edge; haitō is faster and more deceptive.
What part of the hand is the haitō?
The inner ridge from the base of the index-finger knuckle toward the wrist, on the thumb side, with the thumb bent underneath.
What targets is haitō-uchi used for?
The side of the neck, temple, jaw, bridge of the nose and floating ribs.
Why tuck the thumb for haitō?
So the thumb is not the impact point — an exposed thumb gets jammed or sprained and softens the ridge.