Defining Kime (決め) – Focus & Finishing Power

As I ponder key principles of karate, I approach it as a conversation so I can make propositions, challenge my thinking, and find solutions. In this article, I will address the concept of kime, an often misunderstood and misapplied aspect of Shotokan karate. I am basing much of this article on the findings of Cal Deitz and the vast supporting research he provides in his books Triphasic Training, volumes 1 and 2. I encourage the reader to pick these up and read them carefully.

1. The Kanji Breakdown

The term kime (決め) comes from the Japanese verb 決める (kimeru), which means "to decide" or "to determine." The kanji components provide insight into its deeper meaning:

• 決 (ketsu) – This character means "decision" or "resolution." It contains the radical 氵 (water) and the character 夬, which conveys cutting or separating. This suggests an act of making a clear, decisive choice—cutting away hesitation.
• め (me) – This is the phonetic component, derived from the verb kimeru, reinforcing the idea of a conclusive action.

Together, kime conveys the idea of a definitive, final action, reflecting both a mental and physical state of decisive execution.

2. Traditional Definition of Kime in Karate

In Shotokan karate, kime is often described as the "focus" of a technique—an instant where all energy is directed into a single point with maximum efficiency. This includes:

• Physical Finality: The body momentarily tenses at impact to transmit force.
• Mental Commitment: The intention to finish the technique decisively.
• Precision & Control: Power is not wasted; it is directed efficiently.

3. The Misconception of Kime as "Tension"

A common misunderstanding is that kime simply means muscular tension at the end of a technique. This interpretation leads to excessive stiffness, which reduces speed and fluidity. Instead, kime should be seen as:

• An Explosive Stop – A sudden halt of motion, (like a lightening strike) not prolonged tension.
• A Transfer of Energy – The moment force exits your body and enters the target (when appropriate).
• A Product of the relationship between Contraction and Relaxation – Maximum power comes from a relaxed state leading into a sharp contraction.

4. The True Nature of Kime

At its core, kime is about decision-making in movement:

• In a fight, you must commit to an action with no hesitation. (I’ll cover this in detail in another article on the concept of ai-uchi.)