Tekki Sandan

Tekki Sandan is the third in the Tekki series (see also Shodan and Nidan). While most, if not all, Shotokan dojo teach this kata as a ballistic one using strikes and blocks, Nathan Johnson, in keeping with his theory that the Tekki series in their original form were a catalog of wrist grip escapes and reversals, draws attention to the use of the Naifuanchin Fist Clench in three of his books (Zen Shaolin Karate, Barefoot Zen and The Great Karate Myth). This is a fist used in Chinese kung fu styles and is still seen today in some schools of Okinawan Shorin ryu. The fist is clenched with the bottom three fingers in the normal manner. The forefinger however is flattened out with the tip approaching the thumb joint and the thumb itself wrapping over the forefinger as normal. According to Johnson this grip was used to train and strengthen the hand for grappling. This fist can be seen on page 17 of Karate Do Kyohan by Funakoshi Gichin. However, Funakoshi sensei does not note that the fist is used to practice developing a strong grip and the accompanying application is for a hammer fist strike.

Master Kanazawa performing Tekki Sandan