Ukō 雨戸 is a traditional kyūsho (急所) of the side of the neck, targeting the lymph glands approximately two inches below the ear. The region contains important muscles, nerves and major blood vessels and is consequently vulnerable to trauma. Some martial-arts sources describe it as being associated with the lymph glands; anatomically, however, the vulnerability of the region comes from the concentration of sensitive muscles, nerves, blood vessels, and other structures in the neck rather than from the lymph nodes alone. Trauma can cause substantial pain and disorientation, while severe neck trauma can produce serious vascular, neurological, or airway injury.
The term appears in Takamatsu-den martial traditions and is used within organizations such as the Bujinkan, Genbukan, and Kobukan. It is not necessarily exclusive to a single ryūha. For example, a Bujinkan Gyokko-ryū training reference describes an omote shutō-ken being delivered to the opponent’s left Ukō (雨戸) on the neck. It also appears in Kukishin ryu teachings.
There is some variation among modern charts regarding exactly how narrowly the point is located. One Bujinkan kyūsho guide describes it approximately two inches below the ear in the lymph-gland/side-neck region and explicitly gives the name as “Amado (UkoUkō 雨戸 is a traditional kyūsho (急所) of the side of the neck, targeting the lymph glands approximately two inches below the ear. More) 雨戸.”
A related target is the throat, which is the front of the neck containing the larynx and airway. Severe trauma to this region can compromise breathing and cause serious injury. The throat and neck are traditional targets for thrusting actions in Japanese swordsmanship.
Translation
Note
The unusual reading of ukō appears in martial-arts material only. Amado is the normal Japanese reading of 雨戸 and literally means a traditional exterior rain/shutter door.
Related Terms
The ordinary Japanese word for throat is 喉 nodo, especially referring to the front of the throat. An anatomical term is 咽喉 inkō, the throat/pharyngeal-laryngeal region. Kubi means 首 neck.
Sources
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