Pronunciation: [kɪmjˈʊ͡əɹə] (IPA) 
Kimura is spelled in English phonetics as /kiːmʊrə/. The first syllable is pronounced as "kee" with a long "i" sound found in words like "keep" and "beep". The second syllable is pronounced as "mu" with a "u" sound as heard in "music". Lastly, the third syllable is pronounced as "ruh", with a silent "e" at the end. In Japanese, the name "Kimura" is made up of two kanji characters, "ki" meaning "tree" and "mura" meaning "village".
Kimura is a noun that refers to a Japanese surname and a commonly used term in martial arts, specifically in mixed martial arts (MMA) and Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu (BJJ). It is named after the renowned Japanese judoka Masahiko Kimura, who is known for popularizing this specific grappling technique.
In the context of MMA and BJJ, a Kimura is a submission hold or joint lock that targets the shoulder joint. It involves utilizing an opponent's arm by positioning it in a way that allows the practitioner to apply leverage and pressure to immobilize and potentially dislocate or break the opponent's shoulder. The Kimura can be executed from various positions, including both the top and bottom positions, and is often utilized as part of ground fighting strategies.
The technique involves gripping the opponent's wrist with one hand while securing control of their upper arm with the other hand. Once control is established, the practitioner applies rotational and downward pressure on the opponent's shoulder joint, creating immense discomfort and potential injury if the opponent does not submit or tap out.
The Kimura is recognized as a highly effective technique, both for its versatility and potential to end a fight or force an opponent into submission. Due to its effectiveness, the Kimura has been widely incorporated into the training regimens of MMA fighters, BJJ practitioners, and other combat sports athletes.
The word "Kimura" is derived from Japanese. It is a surname in the Japanese language, which is commonly used in Japan and among the Japanese diaspora. The word "Kimura" is written in kanji (Chinese characters used in Japanese writing) as 木村, with the first character "木" meaning "tree" and the second character "村" meaning "village". Therefore, the literal meaning of "Kimura" is "tree village" in Japanese.
