三日月蹴りMikazuki-geri — Crescent kick

Mikazuki-geri (三日月蹴り, “crescent moon kick”) swings the foot in a crescent arc across the body, striking with the sole or arch — in kata, slapping into the open palm. The first crescent kick a Shotokan student meets is in Heian Godan, flowing straight into an elbow strike.

TypeKick (geri)

TargetJōdan / arm

WeaponSole / arch

PathCrescent arc

First inHeian Godan

See the technique型

Toggle between the phases. These are simplified schematics of the shape of the technique — pair them with the step-by-step below and your instructor.

A diagram shows the shape, not the speed or feel. For full-motion form, watch the reference video below and train it live.

How to perform it

Extend the open guiding hand forward at target height — in kata this palm is the fixed aiming point.
Raise the kicking leg and swing it along a crescent (half-moon) arc, foot travelling from outside to inside across the body.
Strike the target with the flat sole/arch of the foot, driving the arc with hip rotation — do not lean back.
In Heian Godan, flow the momentum into a 180° pivot, landing in kiba-dachi with a front elbow strike into the same palm.
Keep the supporting knee slightly bent and the back upright.

Key points

Strike with the flat sole/arch, not the instep or toes.
Kick UP to a fixed target; do not drop the hand to meet the foot.
Power comes from hip rotation, not leaning back.

Common mistakes

Using the instep, toes or edge of the foot instead of the flat sole.

Leaning the torso back to gain height.

Turning it into a horizontal roundhouse instead of a flat crescent arc.

Dropping the hand to meet the foot instead of kicking up to it.

Where you’ll see it

Mikazuki-geri appears across the Shotokan kata syllabus, including:

Heian Godan Bassai Dai Sōchin Meikyō Unsu

Application (bunkai)分解

The crescent foot knocks a grabbing or punching arm off-line (the open palm represents the opponent’s arm), clearing the way for the follow-up elbow strike — the classic Heian Godan reading.

Note: applications are interpretive and one shape carries several valid uses — explore them with a qualified instructor.

Watch a reference performance演武

To see Mikazuki-geri performed at full speed, watch instructor demonstrations:

▶ Watch “Mikazuki-geri” on YouTube

Related techniques

Mae-geri前蹴り Mawashi-geri回し蹴り Empi-uchi猿臂打ち

Mikazuki-geri — frequently asked questions

What part of the foot do you use for mikazuki-geri?

The flat sole or arch of the foot (ashi-ura). In kata it slaps into the open palm — never the instep or toes.

What is the difference between a crescent kick and a roundhouse kick?

The crescent travels in a mostly vertical, flat arc and strikes with the sole; the roundhouse (mawashi-geri) comes in horizontally and strikes with the ball or instep.

Which kata has the crescent kick?

Its first and classic appearance is Heian Godan (crescent into the palm, then elbow). It also appears in Bassai Dai, Sōchin, Meikyō and, mid-air, in Unsu.

What is uchi vs soto mikazuki-geri?

Uchi (inside) swings the foot outside-to-inside across the body; soto (outside) swings inside-to-outside. Shotokan basics and Heian Godan use the inside version.