Tuite (取手) is a combination of two words.  Tui (取) is the Okinawan version of Toru, which means to take, grab, grasp.  Te (手) is the Japanese word for hand.  The original art was called Tuiti or Tuidi with the Okinawan language.  “Ti” or “Di” was the Okinawan word for hand.  Okinawa was originally not a part of Japan and developed its own language that is similar in many ways to Japanese, but does have vast differences.  After World War II, many American servicemen were studying martial arts in Okinawa.  The original pronunciation of Tuiti sounded too much like “Tweety”, and solicited amusement among the US service men who Taika introduced to the art.  Taika changed the “ti” pronunciation to the Japanese ‘te” as a result.  Thus, Tuite is unique to Taika Oyata as it is a combination of an Okinawan word and a Japanese word, something only Taika came up with.  This was his idea.  Others who use this word are copying him.  Also, most people pronounce it like Two-EEE-Te.  The 'Tui' portion is actually two syllables, but they are very short and close together.  If you pronounce them quickly, as you should, it should be barely perceptible that there are two syllables and should sound closer to TWE. 

 

 

Tuite - Defined

 

Let’s define what Tuite is, as defined by Taika.  When queried about this during a class in 2011, he stated that it is any joint manipulation of the wrist, elbow and shoulder.  Though this definition may seem a bit broad to some, as Te means hand, you have to realize that an arm bar that works the elbow or a shoulder lock that works the shoulder, actually is manipulating the wrist/hand at the same time.  At least this is the way Taika performed his techniques.  Most arm bars I have seen do not apply pressure on the ulnar nerve at the wrist as Taika did. 

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The Tuite discussed in my first book will primarily deal with an emphasis on the grabs and pushes that end in a capture of the hand/wrist.  Tuite techniques listed in this book are simply the grabbing and manipulation of the wrist or hand, applying pressure against the ulnar nerve at the wrist, to gain control and compliance of a subject.  Unlike other reference sources, Tuite is not solely the use of your hand on a subject.  I do not consider a thumb-lock, finger-lock, most arm-bars and most certainly not a hair grab, to be Tuite.  Some thumb-locks or finger-locks, in certain instances, may be redirected to place pressure on the ulnar nerve, thereby executing Tuite.  An arm bar, with proper wrist manipulation, becomes Tuite.  They are not Tuite in and of themselves, however, they may be used in conjunction with Tuite.  As discussed previously, Tui means to grab.  Te is the object being grabbed, not necessarily the object used to grab.  This is my philosophical viewpoint, and what is discussed in this book.  There are many techniques where the opponent’s wrist is locked with your arm or leg rather than your own hand.

 

With this point of reference we now need to define the word Te better.  Te actually can mean a multitude of things: the hand; the arm; a path or road; skill, plan, tactics, art, device; way, mode, manner of performing or doing.  Of course the arm and hand are of key interest in this manual.  The wrist is part of the arm, and depending on how technically you like to divide things, the hand as well.  Te no kō means the back of the hand.  Te no sui means the lines of the palm.  Te kubi is the wrist.  Kubi is neck, and Te kubi is like the neck of the hand, or wrist.  So Te can mean several things, and Tuite in this manual is the manipulation of the hand, wrist and arm as described previously.  Tuite can, however, be performed against a person without the defender's (your) hand.  Indeed, your elbow joint, knee joint, and other parts of your body may trap and manipulate the opponent’s wrist.  Therefore the Te in Tuite cannot be referring to your own wrist as you apply it to another.​