How to Keep Out Your Enemy with Ushiwaka – Tekken 8 Yoshimitsu Move Guide for Beginners

Do you use Ushiwaka ([3,4])?

This move is fantastic! You can apply it in many situations, yet I often see players underusing it. Today, I’ll show you how to use Ushiwaka specifically for keeping your opponent out — and why it’s one of Yoshimitsu’s most essential tools.

To be honest, I sometimes rely on Ushiwaka so much that I’ve KO’d opponents using only Ushiwaka and d+3 Manji Spins. That’s how strong it can be when used well.

If you want to improve your Yoshimitsu strategy, Ushiwaka is a must-learn move to win ranked matches.

About Me

I’m Yowamitsu, a Japanese Yoshimitsu main.
I share guides, strategies, and insights from my ranked matches — everything I’ve used to reach Tekken God Supreme. Follow my guides and you’ll be one step closer to climbing the ranks yourself!

Move Overview

• Name: Ushiwaka
• Command: [3,4]
• Category: 50/50, Keep Out
• Best For: Mid-range mix-ups
• Damage: 6, 22
• Guard Frame: -6
• Hit Frame: +3
• Extra Info: Press up immediately after to transition into Dragonfly Stance

Ushiwaka is at the top of my Yoshimitsu Moves List for Beginners and is the move I use most frequently in ranked play. If you haven’t seen the full list, check it out to learn the complete toolkit I use as a Tekken God Supreme.

When to Use Ushiwaka

Ushiwaka shines when your opponent tries to approach.

For example, you can stuff:
• Mishima crouch dash
• Dragunov’s Assault Russian Hook
• Reina’s f,f moves

By hitting early, you shut them down before their attack comes out — classic keep-out play.

Strategy Tips

1. No Stance Transition

Safest option.
• Whether it hits or not, watch your opponent’s next move.
• If they stand block, continue pressure with a 50/50 mix-up, as they may fear your Dragonfly stance follow-ups.

2. Dragonfly Stance Options

A. Stand Block
• Use Spirited Away (DF+3+4) – unbreakable throw.

B. Crouch Block
• Use Dragonfly Twister (DF+4) – solid low option and a Heat Engager.

C. Opponent Attacks Immediately
• Use Red Spider Lily (DF,f+1+2) – often lands first.

D. Opponent Jabs (1)
• Punish with Scowling Moon God (WS 2,1) or Crouching No-Sword Flash (d+1+4).
• Note: Jab is the best answer to Ushiwaka → Dragonfly, so you must crouch to avoid it.

Character-Specific Note

Against certain characters, you can use Rising Knee to duck under their jab and launch. See my full duck/no-duck character list here

Common Mistakes

• Using Ushiwaka when your opponent sidesteps left.
→ The second kick will miss, and you’ll eat a launch punish.

Related Yoshimitsu Moves

• Yoshimitsu Moves List for Beginners

Conclusion

In this guide, I showed how to use Ushiwaka as a keep-out tool and how to follow up with multiple stance options.

Master these options in training mode, then apply them in ranked matches. With good reads and proper spacing, Ushiwaka can completely control the mid-range and frustrate your opponents.

If this guide helped, share it with your fellow Yoshimitsu players — and check out my YouTube channel for live demonstrations of these tactics!