KIME

 by Phillip Starr

Kime (Japanese: 決め) is a Japanese word. It is the noun form of the verb "kimeru," which means "to decide". Kime (pr. “kee-meh”) is a commonly used term in Japanese martial arts. In karate it can mean "power" and/or "focus," describing the instantaneous tensing the body at the moment of impact during a technique. The tension at this time is mostly focused on the dantien ("tanden" in Japanese) and abdomen. In judo, the "Kime-no-kata" is often translated to "Kata of Decision." In other budo, the term refers to attacking a vital point. In all cases, certain finality is implied.

I remember many years ago, my karate teacher trying to get across to us the idea of applying kime. In fact, I'm fairly sure that he didn't fully understand it himself.

Nowadays, most practitioners of Japanese karate interpret the term as the instant (of impact) when the body is tensed for a split second. It is my belief that this interpretation of the word/concept is flawed.

When you punch or strike something in any fashion, the instant of impact wherein the force from your body is transmitted into the target is measured in micro-seconds. Trying to tense your muscles at that exact moment is pointless; you're going to be either too early or too late. It's best to let nature/physics take over and do its thing; if your structural alignment is correct, the force will be transmitted perfectly. Don't interfere because you'll just muck it up.

In my opinion, kime is the focus of body (that is properly aligned), mind, and spirit for a split second. It results in a deep, explosive power that is directed by your will (yi).

Unfortunately, the concept of kime is being lost in today's contemporary martial arts world. The concept of focusing one's being (for a micro-second) on a single technique is foreign to many modern martial artists.

I hope that you will practice and develop your kime through the practice of your basic techniques, formal one and three-step fighting practice, and kata. It is essential to understanding and practicing real martial arts.