Twin Kimono (Purple #20)

Twin Kimono is the 20th technique required to earn your purple belt in Ed Parker’s American Kenpo. Twin Kimono is a defense against a two hand lapel grab that is pushing out, placing it in the Grabs and Tackles category of the Web of Knowledge as well as the Shoulder/Lapel Family Group in the Grabs category of the family groups Grappling division.

Twin Kimono is obviously similar to Lone Kimono however due to the need for more strength in order to clear two arms as opposed to one, you will insert an interim strike between the upward strike and the clearing motion. This will help elongate your circle which will allow for greater speed, momentum and force.

The Technique

Attack

In the ideal phase your opponent is directly in front of you (12:00). He grabs your shirt with both hands and extends both arms forward, pushing you away.

The attack in Twin Kimono is a bit more difficult to defend against but it is also more safe for you as the defender. In Lone Kimono your opponent’s free hand was available for an additional strike. In Twin Kimono both of your opponent’s hands are occupied making it less likely to be used as another form of attack.  On the opposite side of the coin it is more difficult to sprain or break your opponent’s arms.  The pushing away motion of this grab can be used to unbalance you or to drive you into another object. It is important that you quickly solidify your base and negate the attack before your fall or are pushed into something that can cause further harm.

Defense

Twin Kimono – defense for a double lapel grab.

• Step 1
  • Pin your opponent’s arms at the wrists with your left hand and arm,
  • Step back toward 6:00 with your left foot to form a right neutral bow stance facing 12:00,
  • Deliver a right upward horizontal forearm strike to your opponent’s elbows.
• Step 2
  • Shift your left foot counter clockwise toward 4:30 to form a right neutral bow stance facing 10:30.
  • Deliver a right outward horizontal back knuckle strike to your opponent’s solar plexus.
• Step 3
  • Deliver a right inward downward diagonal forearm strike to your opponent’s left arm.
  • Your left hand covers high.
• Step 4
  • Deliver a right snapping outward handsword strike to your opponent’s throat,
  • Your left hand should continue checking.
• Step 5
  • Right front crossover and cover out toward 4:30.

Considerations

• What if…
  • your opponent’s elbows remain bent?
  • your opponent pulls you toward him?
  • your opponent’s right leg is forward?
  • your opponent’s left left is forward?
  • your opponent follows the grab with a knee strike?
  • you cannot step backward?

Notes

• While your left hand is reaching to pin your opponent’s arms, you can insert a slice or hook to the eyes.
• While you are striking your opponent’s left arm with your right inward downward diagonal forearm strike, your fist could strike your opponent’s temple at the same time.
• Emphasis should be placed on breaking your opponent’s left elbow and spraining his right elbow.
• Make sure that your opponent’s arms are driven down and diagonally to your left with your right inward downward diagonal forearm strike.
• Ensure your strikes to your opponent’s body are not wasted motion. Employ the proper angle of incidence.

Additional Information

Name

A Kimono is a traditional Japanese Robe or Tunic while the word Twin represents double  or two of something.  In this technique your opponent grabs your shirt (kimono) at the lapel area with both (twin) hands. This two-hand (Twin) grab to the shirt (Kimono) gives us the name Twin Kimono.

Related Techniques

• Mace of Aggression (Y-8)
• Thrusting Salute (O-4)
• Lone Kimono (O-7)
• Raking Mace (B-8)
• Destructive Twins  (B-22)
• Heavenly Ascent (G-13)
• Cross of Death (G-18)

Historical Notes

• In the 1975 Accumulative Journal you slid your left foot toward 4:00 as you delivers your right outward back knuckle strike.
• The 1975 Accumulative Journal indicated an angle of departure at 4:00

Historical Versions

1975 Accumulative Journal

TWIN KIMONO (front two-hand lapel grab — push out)

1. With feet together, drop back (to 6 o’clock) with your left foot (into a right neutral bow as your left arm pins your opponent’s arms while simultaneously delivering a right upward forearm strike against opponent’s elbow joints.
2. Immediately shift your left foot counter clockwise to 4 o’clock as you cock and deliver a right back knuckle strike to opponent’s solar plexus.
3. Follow-up with a right inward strike to both arms of opponent, striking  them diagonally and down to the left.
4. Deliver a right outward chop to opponent’s throat.
5. Right front crossover and cover out to 4 o’clock.