(Approx 2 minute 40 second read)

After decades of practicing and teaching karate, I’m still surprised by how many misconceptions and misinformation continue to swirl around this art. Whether in the dojo or online, I regularly hear the same misunderstandings repeated.
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One of these misconceptions that pops up quite regularly is about ‘hikite’.
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It is not difficult to clear this one up if you understand the Japanese word itself. ‘Hikite’ translates to “pulling hand”.
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Here is a recent comment: “The ‘hikite’ is not used to grab but to utilize stretch reflex for repeated strikes.”
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Oh dear!
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‘Hikite’ is not for power generation or preparing for multiple strikes. (It’s called the pulling hand – there’s a clue in the translation!)
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Of course, with modern karate, step-kumite, sport, etc., returning the hand tight to the hip or floating rib is considered the epitome of perfect form.
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The misconception that ‘hikite’ generates power seems to rear its ugly head every now and again. You would think that the evidence has consigned this to history, but it flares up again, fueled by the “true believers”.
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Retracting one arm does not increase the speed, and therefore the power, of extending the other arm. If it did, you would witness other sports and methods utilizing this approach too. I have heard instructors invoking Newton’s Third Law: “For every action, there is an equal and opposite reaction”, as a reason for pulling back the opposing arm. This is simply not true. You just have to look at human biology and body mechanics to see this.
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The explanation that ‘hikite’ is for more power is much simpler than the more complicated pulling/stability/trapping/holding movement, I guess.
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A little while ago, a 9th dan, who shall remain nameless, chastised my wife – herself a 6th dan in her own right – that her ‘hikite’ hand was not high enough, and that the hand is there as a guard to “cover the spleen”. Oh heck.
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I wrote about the term ‘meotode’ (“husband and wife hands”) in a recent article – the use of both hands simultaneously. This is another clue about the use of the “pulling hand”.
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Karate was originally created for unarmed combat, and in such combat, you should use all tools at your disposal to accomplish your goals as quickly and efficiently as possible.
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It would make sense, wouldn’t it, if the main purpose was self-protection, for you to utilize all available tools. Leaving one hand to “guard the spleen” doesn’t seem like the best use of those tools to me. However, pulling the attacker’s limb, hair, clothing, etc., to disrupt and off-balance an enemy – the “close-range defense” explanation – makes much more sense, right?
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‘Hikite’, then, in its original intent, was not for power generation or covering your spleen, your hand waiting at your side like a best friend at a wedding.
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Understanding the original intent of ‘hikite’ means recognizing that its purpose changes depending on context. In the competitive world of sport karate, where precision and aesthetics are often prioritized, pulling the hand to the hip or rib may align with the goals of achieving “perfect form”. And that’s fine – when judged by those standards. However, it is important to note that this does not contribute to power generation.
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But when we look at karate as a system designed for self-protection, ‘hikite’ takes on a different, more functional role. Pulling, controlling, and disrupting an opponent are critical skills for close-range defense, and they align more closely with the art’s origins.
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Those who insist ‘hikite’ is for power generation or protecting your spleen should strive to recognize the difference between form for sport and application for combat. Karate’s beauty lies in its adaptability, but only when you understand its purpose can you ensure it remains an art of both tradition and practicality.
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Written by Adam Carter – Shuri Dojo
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Photo Credit: Motokuni Sugiura Sensei