Gyokko Ryu Tsuki
Stabbing with the Fist (Tsuki)
Stabbing or thrusting is the fundamental attack in Gyokko Ryu. As opposed to a snappy punch, stabbing is a full body attack utilizing the fist like a battering ram to topple opponents and drive them back. The style of attack is more effective against armored opponents than a quick jab. For all of these, unless otherwise stated, it is assumed the defender is in Left Number-One Stance (Hidari Ichimonji no Kamae) and is striking with the right hand or right side of the body and receiving with the left.
To practice these, one should be familiar with the following:
Higher-Level Thrust (Jodan Tsuki)
The defender begins in left Number-One Stance (Hidari Ichimonji no Kamae), steps forward with his right foot, and thrusts his fist (Fudo Ken) forward, putting his body weight behind it. The defender's arm fully extends like he is driving and pushing through the opponent. Unlike a western style punch where the hand is palm down, the jodan tsuki is performed with the palm of the hand facing to the side. When striking, the defender should have his hips turned slightly in toward the opponent so the center of his core (Hara) is directed into the opponent. The defender retracts his arm after making impact, and he assumes a stance (Kamae). Even though the jodan tsuki is retracted, it does not have the quick snappy feel of a western style punch. The Jodan Tsuki is called a stab because it retains the same feeling, rhythm, and timing as stabbing with a spear or katana. Jodan refers to striking at the uppermost part of the body such as the face, head, and throat. The advantage of the Jodan Tsuki is its ability to destroy an opponent's balance and its effectiveness against armor. The Jodan Tuski can also be done with a slight hooking motion.
Lower-Level Thrust (Gedan Tsuki)
The defender begins in left Number-One Stance (Hidari Ichimonji no Kamae), steps forward with his right foot, and thrusts his fist (Fudo Ken) forward, putting his body weight behind it. Unlike with a Jodan Tsuki, the target is the opponent's torso such as the solar plexus, sternum, and ribs.
Three-Hearts Stab (Sanshin Tsuki)
This is in reality just a jodan tsuki done with either a Sanshin motion found in Earth Form (Chi no Kata) or a jodan tsuki done from Primary-Heart Stance (Shoshin no Kamae). I have separated it from a jodan tsuki because there is a slight difference in feel. The defender steps forward with his right foot and swings his right arm up like a pendulum. As his fist comes parallel to the the opponent, the defender drives his fist (Fudo Ken) into the opponent like a battering ram. The defender maintains a slight bend in his elbow throughout the entire motion, but the defender does not punch out. The power comes from the lower body and shoulder, not from snapping the fist out like a jab. The attack should not be directed up, but forward. The defender should also practice stepping forward from Primary-Heart Stance (Shoshin no Kamae) and thrusting with a jodan tsuki.
Stab Training (Tsuki Tanren)
The following is an example of a two person movement form to practice striking with Fudo Ken while using footwork common to Gyokko Ryu. The defender begins in Flat Stance (Hira no Kamae) and the opponent attacks (Jodan Tsuki) at a higher level. The defender evades by stepping slightly forward to the left with the left foot while swinging his right foot around to the rear in a circular motion. This will allow the defender to evade the punch and assume a form (kamae). While doing the footwork, the defender strikes with a left fist (Fudo Ken) to the right side of the opponent's face where the jaw connects to the skull in front of the ear. The attack naturally uses a Three-Hearts Stab (Sanshin Tsuki) but even a left punch would be acceptable. The type of punch the opponent uses doesn't matter, because the distance keeps the defender out of range even if the opponent steps in with a hook punch.
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