Kakuto & Keito: Chicken Wrist & Chicken Beak
Karate Essence
‘Reality Check’
Kakuto & Keito: Chicken Wrist & Chicken Beak
This month’s ‘Reality Check’ is on two techniques: ‘Kakuto’ & ‘Keito’: ‘Chicken Wrist’ & ‘Chicken Beak’. These techniques are only similar in that they are hand strikes, and the shape of the hand for the strikes is so similar that it looks the same. In fact, with a light behind, the shadow on the wall would look like the head of a chicken. The Japanese name for these techniques, translated to English, has ‘Chicken’ in the title but they have totally different applications.
Also, there are so many different names for these techniques, depending on which martial art is using or describing them; and there a number of differing opinions on the validity of these techniques.
Table of Contents
Fighting or Self-Defence
Kenpō Chicken Wrist
Gōjū Ryū Ko Uke/Uchi
Kung Fu Crane neck & Crane Beak
Kyokushin Keiko
Shōtōkan Kakuto & Keito
Torakan Eye View
Conclusion
Fighting or Self-Defence
This month again we have more techniques that are practiced in various guises throughout the martial arts and, by their very nature, they are quite obviously not used in any sporting arena. Apart from the fact that most targets, especially for Keito, would be out of bounds in a sporting context; and because gloves are worn in most sporting arenas, it is a moot point anyway. However, these or similar techniques can be found in many Kata, Taolu and forms within almost every style or art.
As the ‘Chicken Beak strike’, directed toward the eye of an assailant, is likely to crush that eyeball; most practitioners would likely agree that these techniques are much more likely to have a self-defence application in an adverse situation, rather than be used as a conventional fighting technique.
While the Japanese arts use names like Kakuto, Keito, Ko Uchi, Washiken, Keiko, or ‘Chicken Wrist Strike’ and ‘Chicken Beak strike’; the Chinese arts use names like Gou, Gancho, or ‘Crane Head Strike’ and ‘Eagle Fist Strike’. These are all different names for similar techniques and applications.
Kenpō Chicken Wrist
Kenpō or Kempo Karate, it seems the names are interchangeable since the Romanization of the Japanese name. The most widespread Kenpō styles have their origin in the teachings of James Mitose and William Kwai Sun Chow. Mitose spent most of his early years training in Japan learning his family style, Kosho-Ryū (Old pine tree school). James Mitose would later bring that style to Hawaii where he would teach Chow. William Chow would go on to instruct Ed Parker and Bobby Lowe. The system of Kenpō taught by Mitose employed hard linear strikes and kicks, pressure point manipulation, circular movement patterns, and joint locking and breaking.
Kenpō Karate, it seems, practices both the ‘Chicken Beak’ and the ‘Chicken Neck’ in their kihon as well as their kata, and to be honest I believe that not enough Karate styles do this. Kenpo practitioners discuss the use of the ‘Chicken Wrist’ and the ‘Chicken Beak’ in regard to self-defence but in my internet research I can find only the following link to a Kenpō tutorial on the ‘Chicken Wrist’ strike and nothing in regard to the ‘Chicken Beak’ strike.
Gōjū Ryū Ko Uke/Uchi
Gōjū Ryū is known for the abundance of Ko Uke, ‘Chicken Wrist’ or ‘Bent Wrist’ blocks in their Kata (of course we all know that Uke means ‘to receive’ don’t we?); and in most cases ‘Ko Uke’ and ‘Ko Uchi’ are interchangeable: the same technique with a different application.
I do know that Gōjū Ryū is quite literally a ‘soft/hard’ style; and that Gōjū Ryū karateka do practice this technique, along with all the other open hand techniques, quite extensively. Consequently, whether used to intercept an attack or actually implementing an attack, they are supremely proficient with the technique. This next link will take you to a tutorial on a Gōjū Wrist Strike. I have added a further link to another Gōjū Ko Uke/Uchi tutorial, which is a bit longer and involves some situational context and the involvement of other techniques.
Kung Fu Crane Neck & Beak
Kung Fu has similar techniques to the Chicken Head strikes but call them instead Crane Head strikes. In Southern Chinese Kung Fu styles, especially those associated with Guangdong and Fujian provinces, there are five traditional animal styles known as Ng Ying Kung Fu: Tiger, Crane, Leopard, Snake, and Dragon.
Today of course we are looking at the Crane Kung Fu techniques; and this next tutorial will show you, briefly, the Crane style of delivering both the Crane Neck Strike and the Crane Beak Strike; and this demonstration is delivered in a fighting form style. The Kung Fu Sifu in the clip explains that, of course, these strikes would be totally inappropriate in a sport combat situation, for various reasons: Crane Neck and Crane Beak Strikes.
Kyokushin Keiko
I did know that, although Kyokushin train a lot for their knockdown kumite style of fighting, they do practice traditional strikes in their curriculum. Nevertheless I was a little surprised, at first when researching, to find that Kyokushin trained in ‘Chicken Head’ strikes. However, after thinking about it – after all, Kyokushin Karate does train for self-defence as well as for their very tough knockdown style of sparring – I realised that if something works for real (like Empi Uchi for instance, which they also don’t use in their kumite) they are such a brutally practical style, why would they not use any technique that works? And the ‘Chicken Beak’ strike or ‘Keiko’, as they term it, used in the right context works so well.
As I stated earlier in this article: ‘these techniques are much more likely to have a self-defence application in an adverse situation, rather than be used as a conventional fighting technique.’
The following link is to a short film clip that explains the Kyokushin position on ‘Keiko’.
Shōtōkan Kakuto & Keito
Shōtōkan, in the same way, trains a lot for their particular style of kumite; and although both Kakuto and Keito are listed in the hand techniques of the style, they are rarely practiced unless for specific self-defence situations. There is limited exposure to any ‘Chicken Head’ strikes in the Shōtōkan kata; ‘Keito’ features briefly in one of the Gojūshiho kata; it depends which Shōtōkan organisation you are in: with JKA it is Gojūshiho-Dai, while with SKI it is Gojūshiho-Sho.
Some Shōtōkan Dojos do train the Chicken Head techniques; as can be seen demonstrated in the video in the following link: ‘Kakuto’. However, most dojos only practice these techniques when directly connected with specific, practical self-defence scenarios: ‘Keito’… and again ‘Keito’
Torakan Eye View
At the Torakan Dojo, the Kakuto and the Keito are definitely self-defence techniques, with the latter used only in an extremely adverse situation. Executing Kakuto (Chicken Neck Strike) is usually done at very close range, snapping the wrist to a vulnerable spot on the face of an adversary making it a very practical technique, after say closing the range while blocking an attack. The counterattack is usually then finished with another close-range follow-up, like empi or a throw/takedown.
Most Karate stylists pay a little too much attention to the sport side of their art, I feel, where these techniques do not exist. I do think that, after learning the technique, it should be practiced in context, as a self-defence technique. Also, for practicality, it needs to be trained for impact on surfaces similar to the intended target areas.
Keito (Chicken Beak Strike) is delivered, again, at very close range after moving in close – to block or smother an attack – by bunching your fingertips together, so that your hand resembles a bird’s head with a beak. Then, in a pecking motion, using the supported fingertips, you can attack vulnerable aspects of your adversary’s head area: throat, ear, temple, but by far the most effective area to strike in this manner is the eyes.
I have stated before that I was involved in the competition aspect of Karate at reasonably high echelons, for a total of about eight years, representing at state and national levels both here and in my native Scotland in the 1970s and 80s. However, my martial focus since then, both in my personal training and my teaching has very definitely been Budō and reality based; and the Torakan Dojo reflects this ethos.
The following clips demonstrate just a couple of uses for October’s ‘Reality Check’ in a ‘Sen no sen’ application of techniques according to the ‘Torakan Eye View’:
10. The following four clips are simultaneous block and counter attacks; this is basically the same move but each person, via their own personality, experience and understanding, applies it in their own way.
Conclusion
In conclusion, I believe there are a variety of ways to use these, little spoken of and less practiced, close quarter techniques. Considering that they are in the tool box of most martial arts and, particularly in regard to self-defence, I believe they should be capitalised on and practiced.
The Chicken Wrist strike can be useful as an option in various situations as it is extremely hard to read and can serve as a lead-in to a finishing technique.
The Chicken Beak strike can be quick and quite devastating, able to turn the tables in an extremely adverse situation. Please note that this technique, done properly and accurately, can ‘crush’ an eye like a grape. So, needless to say, it should only be used when the stakes are high and the defender is in extreme danger. Note also that this technique does not need a lot of power and is perfect if in a dire situation, where balance and stability may not be at a premium. Alternatively, this technique could be ideal in an adverse situation, defending against a larger, stronger, more aggressive assailant i.e. for a woman or even a child in a dire situation.
In my opinion, Keito to an eye or throat could save your life. So… train your Kakuto and Keito when you have the opportunity; and give your Mushin more tools to use at one of those moments you hope will never come.
George Washington said, "To be prepared for war is one of the most effective means of preserving peace."
Sun Tzu wrote, in “The Art of War”, about the importance of preparation and strategy in avoiding conflict.
I say, “Better to have it and not need it, than to need it and not have it.”
Thank You
A big thank you to our demonstrators from the Torakan Dojo, without whose assistance of course the ‘Reality Check’ Blog would be sadly lacking; and this month that assistance was given by Alan, Tyler, Raul and Addison.
Thank You to the Readers
As always, thank you for following the Karate Essence 'Reality Check'.
Thank you also for continuing to support the launch of my latest book, ‘A Budōka Odyssey’. The reviews are excellent!
Top review from United Kingdom
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 Australia
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 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
Verified Purchase
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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