Atemi
Japanese striking techniques
当身
- Type
- Other strikes
- Martial arts
- Jujutsu
- Classified as
- strike
- Listed in
- Shinyo no Maki – Okuden level (Danzan-ryū jujutsu)
In Japanese martial arts, the term atemi (当身) designates blows or strikes to the body, as opposed to twisting of joints, strangleholds, holding techniques and throws. Atemi can be delivered by any part of the body to any part of the opponent's body. They can be percussive or use "soft" power. Karate is a typical martial art focusing on percussive atemi. The location of nerve and pressure points, such as might be used for certain acupressure methods, also often informs the choice of targets for atemi (see kyusho).
Some strikes against vital parts of the body can kill or incapacitate the opponent: on the solar plexus, at the temple, under the nose, in the eyes, genitals, or under the chin. Traditional Japanese martial arts (the ancestors of judo, jujutsu, and aikido) do not commonly practice atemi, since they were supposed to be used on the battlefield against armoured opponents. However, there are certain exceptions.
Other Jujutsu other strikes
Japanese terms for other strikes
| Term | Reading | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| 打突 | datotsu | strike (kendo) |
| 踏鳴 | fuminari | stamp (in Japanese martial arts); stomp |
| 四股 | shiko | wrestler's ceremonial leg raising and stomping |
| 震脚 | shinkyaku | stamp (in Chinese martial arts); stomp |
| 当て身 | atemi | blow to a vital point of a person's body; striking techniques (judo) |
| 当て技 | atewaza | blow to a vital point of a person's body |
| 肘打ち | hijiuchi | elbow strike (karate) |
| 猿臂打ち | enpiuchi | elbow strike (karate) |
| 体々の先 | taitainosen | answering one's opponent's attack with an unwavering strike |
| 三役揃い踏み | san'yakusoroibumi | ritual stomping in unison on the final day of a tournament |
External links
Facts from Wikidata Q754278 (CC0); text quoted from English Wikipedia (CC BY-SA 4.0). Data retrieved 2026-10-22.
Data: Wikidata (CC0 1.0); Wikipedia (English) (CC BY-SA 4.0). Retrieved 2026-10-22.