Tettsui Komekami Uchi

SubFamily

Tettsui Komekami Uchi(Tettsui Komekami Uchi)

Translation: hammer fist temple strike

Overview

Tettsui Komekami Uchi (Hammer Fist Temple Strike) is a Kyokushin Karate hammer fist strike targeting the temple (komekami). [1] Mas Oyama, founder of Kyokushin Karate, demonstrated this as a fundamental combat technique requiring proper body mechanics and spirit. [1] The technique emphasises full-body power generation through hip rotation and proper weight transfer. [1]

Also known as
Hammer Fist Temple Strike

History & Origin

Tettsui Komekami Uchi is a fundamental technique of Kyokushin Karate as codified by Masutatsu Oyama. [1] Kyokushin's emphasis on full-contact fighting requires every strike to be trained for maximum real-world effectiveness. [1]

Effectiveness

Kyokushin practitioners train this strike for bare-knuckle effectiveness, making it one of the most practically tested karate techniques. [1]

Lineage

Kyokushin Karate; founded by Masutatsu Oyama (1964). [1]

Competition Record

Used in Kyokushin full-contact karate tournaments

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Biomechanical Mechanism

Primary ActionHammer Fist Temple Strike-specific striking mechanics with full hip rotation
Joints InvolvedShoulder, elbow, wrist (for punches/strikes), hips (rotation)
Force VectorTechnique-specific trajectory

Position & Entry

From front stanceExecute Tettsui Komekami Uchi with full hip rotation
From fighting stanceDeliver Tettsui Komekami Uchi with body commitment

Variants

From front stance
From fighting stance
As counter-attack

Videos

Hand Strike(Uchi) Series, Tettsui Hasami Uchi(Hammer-Fist Scissor Strike) Part-2.

0
Tettsui Komekami Uchi·MK Martial Arts

Hand Strike(Uchi) Series, Tettsui Hasami Uchi(Hammer-Fist Scissor Strike) Part-2. #handstrikeseries, #tettsuihasamiuchi

1 video

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Ratings

Danger Rating

Risk of injury to the person this technique is applied to

7
Very High7/10

Full-power Kyokushin karate strike trained for bare-knuckle impact

Difficulty

Skill level needed to execute this technique reliably

Intermediate
Competition Legality

Whether this technique is allowed under major competition rule sets

Illegal
WBC/Boxing — Only closed-fist punches permitted {srcWBC Rules of Boxing}
Kyokushin — Only closed-fist strikes to body permitted {srcIKO Kyokushin Tournament Rules}
WT — Prohibited
WT Competition Rules 2024PDF
WAKO — Closed fist only
WAKO Competition RulesPDF
K-1/GLORY — Closed fist only {srcK-1/GLORY Kickboxing Rules}
Restricted
WKF — Varies by technique — some open-hand strikes legal ...
WKF Competition Rules 2024PDF
ITF — Some knife hand techniques legal
ITF Competition RulesPDF
Legal
palm strikes, slaps permitted
Unified Rules of MMA, August 2025PDF
IFMA — Legal — palm strikes permitted in Muay Thai
IFMA Muay Thai RulesPDF

Training Notes

Practise on makiwara and heavy bag for conditioning (Oyama, 1965)
Full hip rotation is essential
Kiai (spirit shout) accompanies the strike

Common Mistakes

!Insufficient hip rotation
!Tensing too early
!Poor stance

Related Techniques

Counter Techniques

Setup Chain

1Stance → Hip rotation → Tettsui Komekami Uchi → Recovery

Sources & References

Primary Source

This Is Karate (Oyama, 1965)

1Book[1] Oyama, M. (1965). This Is Karate. Japan Publications Trading Co. [2] Oyama, M. (1968). Advanced Karate. Japan Publications.

description, historyOrigin: sourced from Oyama, M

2Citation[1] Oyama, M. (1965). This Is Karate. Japan Publications Trading Co. [2] Oyama, M. (1968). Advanced Karate. Japan Publications.

description, historyOrigin: sourced from Oyama, M

Community

Athletics

Strong hands and wrists (conditioned through makiwara training)

Good hip rotation

Solid stance

Notes

Tettsui komekami uchi (hammer fist temple strike) swings the bottom of the fist into the temple — a devastating close-range strike. In MMA ground-and-pound, the hammer fist to the temple is one of the most common finishing techniques. (Oyama, This Is Karate; MMA competition records)

Frequently Asked Questions

How does the Tettsui Komekami Uchi work?

Tettsui Komekami Uchi (Hammer Fist Temple Strike) is a Kyokushin Karate hammer fist strike targeting the temple (komekami). Mas Oyama, founder of Kyokushin Karate, demonstrated this as a fundamental combat technique requiring proper body mechanics and spirit.

Where does the Tettsui Komekami Uchi come from?

Tettsui Komekami Uchi is a fundamental technique of Kyokushin Karate as codified by Masutatsu Oyama. Kyokushin's emphasis on full-contact fighting requires every strike to be trained for maximum real-world effectiveness.

Is the Tettsui Komekami Uchi legal in competition?

Unified MMA: legal — Legal (palm strikes, slaps permitted); WBC/Boxing: banned — Only closed-fist punches permitted; WKF: restricted — Varies by technique — some open-hand strikes legal in kata, generally restric…; Kyokushin: banned — Only closed-fist strikes to body permitted; WT: banned — Prohibited; ITF: restricted — Some knife hand techniques legal; WAKO: banned — Closed fist only; K: banned — 1/GLORY — Closed fist only; IFMA: legal — Legal — palm strikes permitted in Muay Thai

How dangerous is the Tettsui Komekami Uchi?

Danger rating 7/10. Full-power Kyokushin karate strike trained for bare-knuckle impact

How do I set up the Tettsui Komekami Uchi?

The standard setup chain: Stance → Hip rotation → Tettsui Komekami Uchi → Recovery.

How do I defend against the Tettsui Komekami Uchi?

Standard counters include: Block and counter / Distance management / Evasion.

What are the variants of the Tettsui Komekami Uchi?

Common variants: From front stance; From fighting stance; As counter-attack.

How effective is the Tettsui Komekami Uchi in competition?

Used in Kyokushin full-contact karate tournaments

What are common mistakes when doing the Tettsui Komekami Uchi?

Top errors to watch for: Insufficient hip rotation / Tensing too early / Poor stance.

What are other names for the Tettsui Komekami Uchi?

The Tettsui Komekami Uchi is also known as Tettsui Komekami Uchi, Hammer Fist Temple Strike.