ii) the chikou line has yet to get as high above the price as it had gone under, so sort of lacking the momentum to surpass the previous downtrend
I should also point out that the above condition is my own. The Ichi Wiki says only that "A strong Chikou cross buy signal takes place when a bullish cross takes place and current price is above the kumo." Many times, this condition alone may be sufficient; after all, that is why the Wiki calls it a "strong signal."
I guess what I'm saying is that I like to see a "super" strong buy signal involving a symmetrical punch through Price. Back-testing has convinced me that this condition often signals that sufficient momentum remains to force Price still higher.
But sometimes a breakout will occur where there is no pronounced crossing of the Chikou up through Price; instead, Chikou starts inside only mildly below Price or even inside it and punches up. A good steep punch that goes decisively above Price as Price breaks out of the consolidation, especially if the Chikou is going up while Price is on a downturn, can also be a "super" strong buy signal.
As I think I read at the bottom of a post in the forum, Jesse Livermore said something to the effect of: "The money lies in the watching and waiting and not in the thinking. Wait till everything is favorable before you trade." That is what my "symmetrical Chikou punch" tactic is aimed at. Use it at your discretion, as it will get you into the trade later than if you required only a "strong" signal as defined by the Wiki.
Bob