‘Karate Essence’ Reality Check ‘Tora Uchi/Tiger’s Claw Strike’
- tdmckinnon0
- Oct 28
- 10 min read
Updated: Oct 28
Karate Essence ‘Reality Check’
Tora Uchi/Tiger Claw Strike
Editing by Zoё Lake
This month’s ‘Reality Check’ technique is the Tiger Claw Strike or, within the Japanese arts, Tora Uchi. Some would argue that the Palm Heel Strike or Teisho Uchi and Tora Uchi are virtually the same thing. I would beg to differ.
I would propose that the intent of the Teisho Uchi, and the impact of that technique, is generally a linier strike impacting with the heel of the hand. Any other contact is incidental or supplementary to that heel palm contact.
I would further propose that the intent of the Tora Uchi, and the impact of that technique, might generally have the heel of the palm, initially, striking the adversary. However, the heel of the palm impact is merely the beginning of the strike, which generally connects in the middle of an arcing, circular type motion, finishing with a ripping, gauging and tearing action.
Table of Contents
Fighting or Self-Defence
Tan Dao Kung Fu Tiger Claw Strike
Five Animal Forms Tiger Claw Strike
‘Fu Jow Pai’ System, Tiger Claw Strike
Street Wise Self-Defence Tiger Claw Strike
Shaolin Kung Fu Tiger Strike
Torakan Eye View
Conclusion
Fighting or Self-Defence
I would say that this one is a no brainer. The Tiger Claw mainly targets eyes, ears, throat, and groin areas; therefore, the technique would definitely not be acceptable in any kind of competition fighting.
I believe that this technique would be firmly in the self-defence category corner; certainly, if used in a fight, it would be a very serious confrontation. When things get really serious, and you feel that you or your client’s life maybe in danger, a Tiger Claw strike may save a life. However, let’s be clear about this… for any technique to make a difference, in an adverse situation, Tora Uchi included, it needs to be practiced to the point of being a natural reaction. It needs to be in your Mushin armoury.
Of course, other problems can then come into play; like using the technique inappropriately. That is why this particular technique is generally taught only to advanced students.
Tan Dao Kung Fu, Tiger Claw Strikes
While researching the October Karate Essence, ‘Reality Check’ Blog post, I came across the Tan Dao hidden Tiger Claw Strike. I was intrigued enough to look further into Tan Dao Kung Fu, and impressed enough to include Tan Dao Kung Fu’s version of the Tiger Claw Strike in this month’s ‘Reality Check’.
According to Master Lawrence Tan, Tan Dao Kung Fu is a delicate balance of ‘Warrior, Scholar, and Monk’; and, after fifty years on ‘The Path’, he calls himself an evolving martial artist; which sounds a lot like the way I describe myself.
After more than sixty years on ‘The Path’ I am a Budōka – a student of Budō (the art of war). I am an ever evolving ‘Warrior; however, my objective is not to be undefeatable, but to achieve fearlessness. I am a perpetual Student or Scholar, which will, hopefully, then lead to greater insight and understanding. Lastly, I equate the Monk as achieving purity of mind, body and spirit; and that is my ultimate goal.
The following link is an introduction to a very fluid Tiger Style Kung Fu.
Five Animal Forms Kung Fu, Tiger Claw Strike
This Five Animal Forms Kung Fu Style is based on the movements of the Tiger, Crane, Leopard, Snake, and Dragon, representing different ways of approaching the practicality of self-defence. These styles evolved from the various Shaolin Monks’ individual expressions of their art over the period of the Shaolin Temples’ history.
The Tiger Claw form is a complete style of dealing with self-defence. The Tiger Style focuses on strength, power, and relentless attacks. The following link is to a video which briefly covers the entire Tiger Claw Style’s basic self-defence techniques, and an insight into the kind of conditioning it takes to improve the weaponry of their choice.
Tiger Kung Fu, Fu Jow Pai/Tiger Claw Strike
In the ‘Fu Jow Pai’ style or system (Tiger Style Kung Fu) the Tiger Claw Strike is frequently used. The technique is performed by striking the opponent with the heel of the palm; and as you strike, your fingers and thumb are bent so that your hand forms a claw. In this way, for instance, you can hit your antagonist anywhere along the jaw line with the Palm Heel, and then drive your fingers into their eyes.
‘Fu Jow Pai’ has its origins in the Hoy Hong Temple and Ng Ying Kung Fu, from the Tiger techniques of the ‘Five Animal Kung Fu’. The system was modelled from the fighting strategy of an attacking Tiger. The following link will introduce you to the ripping, tearing, clawing and grasping applications that are Unique to ‘Fu Jow Pai’.
Street Wise Self Defence, Tiger Claw Strike
Lee Morrison has been teaching ‘Street Wise’ self-defence for many years in the UK and in my research this month he comes up time and again. His ‘Street Wise’ Tiger Claw is a highly effective strike that is used in a number of, mostly Chinese, martial arts. I was impressed enough that I thought it deserved a place in this month’s ‘Reality Check’. This is an ideal self-defence technique. The following link will take you to a short tutorial on Lee Morrison’s ‘Street Wise’ version of the Tiger Claw Strike.
The following link, by a self-defence instructor from the USA, has a slightly different take, executed similarly, but with the top ridge of knuckles in the palm making the first impact, instead of the heel of the hand; making this a slightly different version than the previous clip of the Tiger Claw Strike.
Shaolin Kung Fu, Tiger Claw Strike
This is another Kung Fu Tiger style (from a five animal Shaolin school) focusing on one particular Tiger Claw Strike this time, and showing how to repetitively train the technique. We should all know that, for a weapon to work properly in an adverse situation, the technique needs to be repetitively practiced in many different ways. At this particular stage, it is a relaxed repetitive, muscle memory exercise of 100 repetitions of each hand. Once you have your perfect technique in place, repetition on different levels (in various scenarios) will eventually put the technique, firmly, in the automatic response zone. Meanwhile, the following link will give you an idea of how each variable strike begins to become a weapon. The second link will give you an idea of how to condition your body for this particular technique.
Torakan Eye View
Tora Uchi is not everyone’s cup of tea; however, the Tiger Claw Strike is a technique I would advise most advanced grades to familiarise themselves with. And, if you are going to learn a technique, you may as well practise it until it is effective, efficient and reactive enough to sit comfortably in your ‘Mushin’, ready to reactively use; because, as the saying goes, “If it’s worth doing it’s worth doing well.”
The Tiger claw strike is not a typical karate technique. It does appear in the Goju curriculum, but in their system it is really more a close grapple, restraining technique. However, it is a prominent strike in various Kung Fu styles, particularly in the Tiger styles of course, ‘Fu Jow Pai’ for instance. In most Karate styles, the closest equivalent is a palm heel strike, especially one targeting soft tissue, or fingertip strikes in certain self-defense applications. However, they are not identical, either in form or philosophy, and although the Japanese consider that the heart, or rather the spirit, of the Tiger is a good association to have, they do not generally style their combat techniques on animal moves.
However, having said that, my first Japanese ‘chief instructor’, Keinosuke Enoeda Sensei, was known throughout the Karate world as ‘Tora’ (the Tiger). Also, I have had the honour of being the founder and chief instructor of the Torakan Dojo since 1977, and am now the Soke of Torakan Karate-Do.
We, at Torakan Karate-Do, were also associated with the Shaolin ‘Tiger Ripping’ System Gung Fu School for many years. Further to that – and with my active association with several other Chinese martial arts styles – during my 30 years in the high-risk security industry, my practical experience of the Tiger Claw Strikes has informed my approval of the uses of this potentially devastating technique.
The ‘Torakan Eye’ sections of the ‘Reality Check’ were never meant to take the form of tutorials; they were just meant to be short sharp demonstrates of the Torakan self-defence uses of the given technique. However, in response to some enquiries, regarding slow motion demonstrations, and in the interests of clarity; the following short video clips will also include slow motion reconstructions.
Conclusion
I will conclude by stating the obvious; the Tiger Claw Strike is not a technique that lends itself to anything short of defending against a very serious, unwanted attack on your person by someone intent on doing you very grave damage, or perhaps, even taking your life.
I am not claiming that the Tiger Claw is a killer technique, or anything as hyperbolic as that. However, I am saying that it can make a serious mess of a person, by the simple fact that most of its targets are sensitive areas where permanent damage can easily be inflicted.
The following link is to a Facebook clip, and I apologise for that, but I happened across it when I was researching this ‘Reality Check’, and I could not find anything like it anywhere else; and the chances are that it may be taken down at any moment.
Thank You
A big thank you to our demonstrators from Torakan Karateka; without whose assistance, of course, the ‘Reality Check’ Blog would be sadly lacking. Assisting me this month were Tyler, Alan and Anthony. And as always, a special thank you to Kelly, our Media & Public Relations Officer, AKA our technical wiz.
Thank You to the Readers
As always, thank you for following the Karate Essence 'Reality Check' Blog post.
Thank you also for continuing to support my latest book, ‘A Budōka Odyssey’. The reviews continue to be excellent!
Top reviews from Australia
Reviewed in Australia on 8 April 2025
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This book is easy to read in short or long sessions - such an inspirational life story of an amazing guy. Well worth the read.
5.0 out of 5 stars
Reviewed in Australia on 28 May 2024
Written by a man who has lived the life of a modern warrior. His ability to recognise the lessons and gifts in any situation and the having the humility to seek out those who can help you better yourself are important traits we should all endeavour to achieve not just in our own martial arts’ odyssey but in life.
Top reviews from the United Kingdom
Carl Slee
5.0 out of 5 stars
‘A Fascinating Book’
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on 23 October 2024
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A fascinating book, and not just for those interested in martial arts. Although if you are, this is one of those rare books that will help in not just the development of karate skills but in the facilitation of those psychological states (rarely discussed) of the true karateka.
From early childhood to the present day, Shihan McKinnon shares his adventures as, Truant, Soldier, Nightclub bouncer and Bodyguard as well as Business man but always as a fighter. And in this book he shares with us the ‘gifts’ and ‘Lessons’ that come from such a ‘life worth lived’.
A rare book, in that I found myself re-reading pages, chapters or passages over and over to further understand how such insights related to my own life. And this is the ‘gift’ of this book, I think that each person, whatever gender, age or interest will find something at some point within it, that is very personal and that will reverberate for them, long after reading.
Thank you Shihan
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on 20 July 2024
I have to say that I found this book to be compulsive reading. For someone who was born and raised in the West of Scotland I was immediately drawn to T.D. McKinnon’s Scottish roots. He writes in such a concise and realistic manner. As someone with no knowledge of karate and martial arts, I have nevertheless found the main themes of the book easy to follow and this has made me review experiences drawn from my own life. The concept of ‘gifts and lessons’ applies to all life, not just karate. I would recommend this book to anyone, particularly those who are deeply involved in a sport of any kind, and who is striving to be the best person they can be. Read, learn and enjoy.
Thank you for this book, T.D. McKinnon.
Top review from the United States
Minimal shopper
5.1 out of 5 stars
‘A Fine Man Shares a Life of Budō’
Reviewed in the United States on May 18, 2024
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At over 500 pages there is a lot of content in this autobiographical journey. A quick overview is as follows:
Author Shihan TD McKinnon has had ALOT of fights in his life; starting under the age of 6! He tells the narrative of his life through all those fights and what he learned about himself and life along the way. I appreciate that he doesn’t make self-defense fighting seem glamorous and one sided. He talks about injuries, dangers, and making alternate choices to physical violence as a reality.
This book emphasizes lessons like ‘never quit’, ‘move on to the next venture’, ‘stay in the moment and learn what you can along the way’. I recommend it for young and old, karate people and non-karate folks. He carries the journey into today with a very relevant subject - training and aging. Take it on your next plane trip, or beach vacation. And if you’re a karate instructor, you can work it into your teaching. This book does not disappoint!
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