DrobyshevskyKarateSystem:BASSAI DAI-Bunkai Kumite-12-Tsukami Uke-Sword Disarm

Ryosho Tsukami Uke (両掌掴み受け, ryōshō tsukami-uke), often called Bassai-uke or "both palms grasping block/receiving," is a distinctive technique in Bassai Dai (抜塞大), one of the most iconic Shotokan kata.
Where it appears in Bassai Dai
In the standard JKA/Shotokan counting (42 movements total), it occurs around movement 18:

After a series of shuto-uke (knife-hand blocks) in kokutsu-dachi.
You perform ryosho-tsukami-uke → slow speed, in ashi-zenkutsu-dachi (kind of forward-leaning stance with gyaku-hanmi / reverse half-body position), chudan level.
It is immediately followed (movement 19) by gedan sokuto kekomi (low-level side thrust kick) while the hands do ryosho tsukami-yose (grasping-pulling action).

This ryosho-tsukami-uke + gedan sokuto kekomi combination is unique to both Bassai kata (Dai & Sho) and rarely appears elsewhere.
How to perform Ryosho Tsukami Uke (technical execution)

Starting position — usually coming from a previous kokutsu-dachi shuto-uke.
Step / shift — slide or step the rear foot forward slightly to create ashi-zenkutsu-dachi (almost forward stance but weight more forward).
Hands:
Both hands come from the previous position (often one was extended as shuto-uke).
Palms open, facing each other / slightly inward.
They move forward together in a grasping / capturing motion at roughly chudan height (solar plexus to throat level).
Fingers point roughly forward/upward, thumbs somewhat upward.
The motion finishes with both palms facing inward as if strongly gripping and controlling something between them (like trapping an arm, wrist, or clothing).

Timing & feeling — performed slowly and powerfully with kime (focus), emphasizing strong hip rotation and body connection.
Stance & posture — gyaku-hanmi (reverse hip position), upper body slightly angled, strong zanshin.

Meaning & common explanations

Literal translation: Ryosho = both palms, Tsukami = grasping / seizing / clutching, Uke = receiving / block.
It is not a conventional "block" like age-uke or soto-uke. It is a grasping / trapping / controlling technique — one of the few open-handed "seizing" actions in Shotokan kata.

Practical bunkai / applications (most common interpretations)
Bassai Dai contains many techniques related to close-range grappling, grabbing defenses, and turning disadvantage into advantage. Ryosho tsukami-uke fits this theme perfectly. Here are the most widespread realistic applications:

Two-handed wrist / forearm grab defense (most classic bunkai):
Opponent grabs your one or both wrists/forearms (common attack in close range).
You counter-grab both of their hands/forearms strongly with your palms → ryosho tsukami.
You pull / control their arms downward or sideways → creating imbalance.
Immediately follow with the gedan sokuto kekomi (side thrust kick) to opponent's knee, thigh, groin, or hip — breaking structure or sweeping the leg while pulling their arms.

Clothing grab or lapel grab control:
Enemy grabs your gi (collar, chest, shoulder) with one or both hands.
You seize both their hands/wrists tightly → trap and control.
Pull them toward you or off-balance while kicking low to disrupt base.

Arm trap against punch or grab attempt:
Opponent throws a punch or reaches to grab your throat/neck.
You "sandwich" / trap their arm between both palms (like catching a swinging arm).
Secure the grip → then pull sharply while kicking low.

Neck / head control variant (less common but seen in some schools):
Both palms clamp around opponent's neck/jaw or helmet grasp → controlling posture before the kick.


The slow, powerful feeling emphasizes sinking your weight, hip drive, and total body commitment to the grasp — it's about seizing control rather than just deflecting.
This technique shows Bassai Dai's character: strong close-quarters fighting, breaking grips, turning grabs against the opponent, and explosive counters.
If you're practicing it, focus especially on:

Keeping elbows in and not flaring out.
Making the grasping feeling very strong (imagine really holding something tightly).
Coordinating the slow hand action with perfect balance before exploding into the side kick.

Osu! Keep training it — it's one of the signature moves that makes Bassai feel so powerful.1,1Schnell