Uchi Kaiten Nage with the Tantō – Tantō Downward Strike Finish Variation

Tori either holds his Tantō in Gyakute (reverse grip) with the edge inward and steps in to deliver a thrust from the reversed grip, or holds it in Honte and changes the grip to Gyakute once he has struck. Uke evades by stepping to the outside and seizing Tori’s wrist, but does not enter very deeply, allowing Tori to place his lead foot to the outside, adjacent to Uke’s lead foot. From there, Tori initiates a classic Uchi Kaiten entry, raising Uke’s arm while stepping outward and threatening an Atemi with the free hand to pass under Uke’s arm and execute a Tenkan pivot. As Tori pivots, he lowers the arm that is being held, causing Uke’s head to drop. Rather than completing the traditional Kaiten Nage wheel—where one hand pulls Uke’s head and the other pushes Uke’s arm—Tori converts the motion into a direct downward Tanto strike toward Uke’s midsection, forcing Uke to roll forward to avoid being stabbed.