Bunkai in Kihon: The Hidden Truth Behind Karate's Fundamentals By Sensei Liam Musiak

Kata isn’t the only part of Karate that contains Bunkai.

Many karate practitioners recognise kata bunkai—the practical applications hidden within kata movements—but often overlook the fact that kihon (fundamentals) also contains bunkai. Kihon isn't just about practising clean techniques in the air; it's about understanding the real-world function of each movement, especially when it comes to controlling an opponent.

One of the most overlooked yet essential aspects of kihon bunkai is hikite (引手)—commonly described as the hand at the waist. However, hikite is not just pulling the hand to the hip or chest. It is, in essence, the act of grabbing, controlling, and manipulating your opponent. Whether you're pulling an arm, grabbing the back of the head, clearing limbs for an attack, or even stepping onto the opponent while controlling them, hikite is the silent indicator of control.

Hikite: More Than Just the Hand at the Waist

In kihon, hikite is often associated with the non-striking hand pulling back to the waist or chest. But this traditional image doesn’t tell the full story. Hikite is not defined by where the hand goes—it's defined by what the hand is doing.

Hikite represents control, not just pulling:

Grabbing and pulling: Whether it’s an opponent's wrist, gi, or hair, hikite indicates you’ve seized control.

Clearing limbs: Pulling an opponent’s arm downwards to create an opening for a punch, elbow, or kick.

Breaking balance: Using hikite to off-balance the opponent, making them vulnerable to follow-ups.

Head control: Grabbing the back of the head and pulling them into a knee or elbow strike.

Counter setups: Pulling an opponent’s hand down while striking over the top.

Stepping onto the hikite: Instead of just pulling, hikite can involve stepping forward or onto the opponent while controlling their limb, further restricting their movement.

Hikite simply means you have control—it’s not about pulling your hand to the waist but about dominating the opponent’s structure.

Examples of Hikite in Kihon Applications

Grabbing the Back of the Head for a Knee or ElbowImagine you’re clinching with an opponent. Your hikite could be the hand pulling the back of their head down while you drive a knee into their midsection or an elbow into their face. This is still hikite—you’re controlling the opponent’s movement, not pulling to the waist but pulling them into your strike.

Clearing Limbs for an AttackPicture this: An opponent throws a punch. You perform a basic kihon movement, one hand extending while the other pulls back.But what’s really happening? The hikite hand isn’t just pulling back for form—it’s grabbing their wrist, pulling it downward to expose their head or ribs for a counterattack.It’s the same movement you’d perform if you were slapping their arm out of the way to land a punch. The hikite hand doesn’t need to return to the waist—it simply needs to be engaged in control.

Limb Destruction: From Block to BreakConsider this scenario: You’ve gained control of the opponent’s left arm using hikite. You pull their arm downward towards you. You use your other arm in an inward block motion, striking down onto their elbow joint.This exact same movement would normally be seen as a simple block. But with hikite in play, it becomes an arm break.The only difference? The presence of control. Without hikite, it’s a block.

With hikite, it’s a destructive technique.

Stepping Onto the Hikite Instead of Just PullingHikite is often assumed to be just a pulling action, but sometimes it's about stepping onto the opponent to limit their movement while pulling simultaneously.For example, if you have grabbed an opponent’s arm and pulled them forward, you may also step onto their foot, leg, or knee to prevent them from moving backward. Instead of just pulling them off balance, you use your leg to pin them down while controlling their upper body.This stops them from retreating and keeps them in range for a strike, throw, or takedown. Hikite isn't just about pulling an opponent in—it can also be about restricting their movement in multiple directions.

Kihon with and without Hikite: What It Tells YouKarate kihon can be performed with or without hikite, and the presence (or absence) of hikite tells you what’s happening in the fight.

When hikite is present (control exists):If you’re performing a technique with the hand at the waist, it tells you you’ve grabbed hold of something. Whether it's an arm, head, or clothing, you’re manipulating your opponent. If you step while pulling, it indicates that you are limiting their movement further.

When hikite is absent (no control):In combinations like kicks, punches, elbows, and knees, you often pull both hands back near the chin in a guard position. This tells you you haven’t grabbed hold of anything—you’re simply striking freely.Example: If you’re doing a jab-cross combination, both hands will return to the guard position, not the waist, because there’s nothing to control. Hikite is the difference between striking blind and striking with control.

Why Hikite Matters in Kihon and KataHikite provides tactile feedback, allowing you to feel your opponent's movement and adjust accordingly. It enhances proprioception, much like eating a yoghurt—you don’t need a mirror to know where your mouth is because your body intuitively understands its position.

In fighting, hikite works the same way.If you grab an opponent’s arm, you know where they are without looking.If they shift weight, you can feel it through your grip.If they try to escape, you sense the movement and can counter instantly. Hikite turns the opponent into an extension of your own body—where they move, you follow.

Conclusion: Hikite Is Control, Not Just Form

Hikite is often misunderstood as a formality of kihon, but in reality, it’s the heart of practical application. Whether you’re grabbing the back of the head for a knee strike, clearing a limb for a counter, breaking an arm during a block, or stepping onto the opponent while pulling, hikite represents control.

Without hikite, you’re striking blind. With it, you’re striking with precision and control. It’s the difference between a kata performance and real-world combat.

Next time you practise kihon, ask yourself: Am I just pulling my hand back for form, or am I controlling my opponent? Am I only pulling, or should I be stepping onto them as well?

When you understand hikite, every movement gains purpose—and kihon becomes far more than just basics. It becomes bunkai in action.