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Terminology
Terminology
Japanese
|
English
|
| Age Uke |
Upper Rising Block |
| Age Zuki |
Upper Rising Punch |
| Aka |
Red |
| Aoi |
Blue |
| Ai Ki |
Harmonious Spirit |
| Ashi |
Foot |
| Ashi Barai |
Foot Sweep |
| Ashi Ura |
Sole of Foot |
| Ashikubi |
Ankle |
| Atama |
Head |
| Ate |
Strike |
| Atemi |
Striking |
| Awase |
Combined |
| Azato (1827/8 - 1906) |
Master Yasutsune Azato was one of the two
most important teachers of Master Funakoshi. Note Master
Azato shares his forename with Master Itosu. |
Japanese
|
English
|
| Bassai-dai
(Kata) |
To Storm a Fortress |
| Bitei |
Coccyx |
| Bo |
Long Staff |
| Bojutsu |
Long Staff Techniques |
| Bokken |
Wooden Sword |
| Budo |
Martial Way |
| Bugei |
Martial Arts |
| Bunkai |
Application (of moves from Kata) |
| Bushi |
Warrior Class |
| Bushido |
Way of the Warrior |
Japanese
|
English
|
| Cha-iroi |
Brown |
| Cha-iroi Ichi Shiroi |
Brown and White (stripe implied, for belt colours) |
Cha-iroi Ni Shiroi |
Brown and Double White (stripes implied, for belt colours) |
| Chinte (Kata) |
Chinese Hands |
| Choku Zuki (or Tsuki) |
Straight Punch |
| Chudan |
Middle Level |
Chui |
Foul (as in competition) |
Japanese
|
English
|
| Dachi |
Stance |
| Dai (as in Bassai-dai) |
Major |
| Dan |
Level (or Man) |
| Do |
Way |
| Doji |
Simultaneous |
| Dojo |
Place of the Way; Training Place |
Japanese
|
English
|
| Embusen |
Line(s) of movement (in Kata) |
| Empi |
Elbow (anatomical - also name of Kata Empi) |
| Empi Uchi/Uke |
Elbow Strike/Block |
| Engetsu Uke |
Circle Foot Block |
| Enoy |
Spirit of getting ready |
| Eri |
Collar |
Japanese
|
English
|
| Fudo Dachi |
Rooted Stance |
| Fumikomi |
Stamping kick |
| Funakoshi ((November?) 1868 - April
26th, 1957) |
Gichin Funakoshi - the master, and
founder of modern Karate-do |
Japanese
|
English
|
| Gamae |
Withdrawing |
| Gankaku (Kata) |
Crane on a Rock |
| Gasshuku |
Training Camp |
| Gedan |
Lower Level |
| Gedan Barai |
Downward Block |
| Gedan Zuki |
Lower Level Punch |
| Geri |
Kick |
| Gi |
Training Clothes |
| Gojushiho (-sho, -dai)
(Kata) |
Fifty-four Steps |
| Gohon Kumite |
Five Attack Sparring |
| Go No Sen |
Technique where opponent is tricked to attack first, exposing themselves to counter-attack |
| Gyaku |
Reverse |
| Gyaku Zuki |
Reverse Punch |
Japanese
|
English
|
| Hachiji Dachi |
Naural Stance |
| Hai |
Yes |
| Haishu |
Back-hand |
| Haishu Uke |
Back-hand Block |
| Hajime |
Begin |
| Haisoku |
Instep of foot |
| Haito |
Ridge Hand |
| Haito Uchi |
Ridge Hand Strike |
| Haiwan |
Back-arm |
| Hajime |
Begin |
| Hangetsu
(Kata) |
Half Moon |
| Hangetsu Dachi |
Half Moon (or Wide Hour Glass) Stance |
| Hanmi |
Half Front (45 degrees, facing
opponent) |
| Hanshi |
Master - honourary title for the highest black belt in an organisation |
| Hansoku-make |
Lose - referring to losing by transgressing rules of a competition |
| Hara |
Belly |
| Harai Te |
Sweeping arm technique |
| Haiwan |
Back-arm |
| Hayai |
Fast |
| Heian Kata's (Shodan, Nidan, Sandan, Yondan, Godan) |
The Five Heian Kata's, derived from Kanku-dai |
| Heisoku Dachi |
Informal Attention Stance |
| Hichu |
Adams Apple |
| Hidari |
Left |
| Hikite |
Both Hands retracting |
| Hikiwake |
Draw |
| Hiku |
Pull |
| Hiraken |
Back-hand-knuckle strike |
| Hiza |
Knee |
| Hiza Geri |
Knee Kick |
| Hizagashira |
Kneecap |
| Hombu |
Main Dojo |
| Hon |
Basic, fundamental |
| Horan No Kamae |
'Egg in nest' ready position, as in Kata Bassai-dai |
| Hyosh |
Timing |
Japanese
|
English
|
| Iee Iie |
No |
| Ippon |
One |
| Ippon Ken |
One-knuckle Fist |
| Ippon Nukite |
One Finger Spear Hand |
| Itosu (1830/32 - 1916) |
Master Yasutsune Itosu was one of the two
most important teachers of Master Funakoshi. Note Master
Itosu shares his forename with Master Azato. |
Japanese
|
English
|
| Ji'in
(Kata) |
Temple Grounds, or Gardens |
| Jikan |
Time (as in calling time in competion) |
| Jion (Kata) |
From the Temple of Jion |
| Jitte
(Kata) |
Ten Hands |
| Jiyu Dachi |
Free Stance |
| Jiyu Ippon Kumite |
Semi-free One-attack Sparring |
| Jiyu Kumite |
Free Sparring |
| Jo |
Short staff |
| Jodan |
Upper Level |
| Jogai |
Out of bounds |
| Joko |
Slow |
| Juji Uki |
X-Block |
Japanese
|
English
|
| Ka |
Student |
| Kachikake |
Point of jaw |
| Kaeshi |
Counter attack |
| Kaeshu Ippon Kumite |
Counter attack, semi-free sparring |
| Kage Uki |
Hook Block |
| Kage Zuki |
Hook Punch |
| Kai |
Style |
| Kaisho |
Open hand (palm) |
| Kaiten |
Rotating |
| Kakae Te |
Trapping block |
| Kakato |
Heel |
| Kakiwake Uke |
Wedge Block |
| Kake-te (or Kake Waza) |
Hooking technique |
| Kakushi Waza |
Hidden techniques |
| Kakuto |
Wrist |
| Kamaete |
Get Ready |
| Kami |
Hair |
| Kan |
Hall |
| Kanazawa (1931 - ) |
Hirokazu Kanazawa, successor to Master
Funakoshi |
| Kanku (-sho, -dai) (Kata) |
Look to the Sky |
| Kansetsu Waza |
Joint lock techniques |
| Kappo |
Techniques for resuscitating people suffering from shock to nervous system |
| Kara |
Empty |
| Karate |
Empty Hand |
| Kasumi |
Temple |
| Kata |
Form, or Formal Exercise |
| Katana |
Long curved sword |
| Kawashi |
Evasion |
| Keagi |
Snap |
| Keichu |
Back of neck |
| Keiko |
Joined fingertips |
| Keito Uke |
Chicken-head Wrist-block |
| Kekomi |
Thrust |
| Kempo |
Fist Law (in Chinese: Chuan Fa) |
| Ken |
Fist |
| Kensei |
Technique carried out with silent Kiai |
| Kesa Geri |
Diagonal kick |
| Ki |
Inner Strength |
| Kiai |
Shout |
| Kiba Dachi |
Horse riding Stance |
| Kihon |
Basics |
| Kihon Ippon Kumite |
Basic One Attack Sparring |
| Kime |
Focus (Tension and Relaxation) |
| Kin Geri |
Groin Kick |
| Kinteki |
Testicles |
| Kiroi |
Yellow |
| Kizami Zuki |
Jabbing Punch |
| Ko |
Small, lesser |
| Ko Bo Ittchi |
The idea of attack and defence as a unified event |
| Kobore |
Tibia |
| Kohai |
Junior (to oneself) |
| Koken |
Wrist joint |
| Kokoro |
Spirit in the heart |
| Kokutsu Dachi |
Back Stance |
| Kosa |
Crossing |
| Kosa Uke |
Crossing Block |
| Koshi |
Ball of the Foot |
| Koshin |
Rearward |
| Kuatsu |
Resuscitation of person unconcious from strangulation or shock |
| Kubi |
Neck |
| Kumade |
Bear Hand |
| Kumite |
Sparring |
| Kun |
Oath |
| Kuroi |
Black |
| Kyoku |
Breathing |
| Kyosen |
Solar plexus |
| Kyoshi |
Master instructor |
| Kyototsu |
Sternum |
| Kyu |
Grade (or Boy) |
| Kyusho Waza |
Pressure point techniques |
Japanese
|
English
|
| Ma-ai |
Distance |
| Ma-ai |
Distance/timing (in respect to one's partner) |
| Mae |
Front |
| Mae Geri |
Front Kick |
| Mae Ukemi |
Forward roll |
| Makiwara |
Striking Post |
| Manabu |
Method of learning by copying what you see |
| Manji Uke |
Double arm block (one Gedan Barai, one Judan Uchi Uke) |
| Mata |
Top of thigh |
| Matte |
Wait |
| Mawashi Geri/Zuki |
Roundhouse Kick/Punch |
| Mawat-te |
Turn |
| Meikyo (Kata) |
Bright Mirror |
| Midori |
Green |
| Migi |
Right (opposite to Left) |
| Mikazuki Geri |
Crescent Kick |
| Mimi |
Ears |
| Mokuso |
Meditation. A pause for reflection to clear one's mind |
| Moroashi Dachi |
Semi-forward stance |
| Morote |
Augmented |
| Morote Uke |
Augmented Block |
| Morote Zuki |
Augmented Punch |
| Moto Dachi |
Short forward stance (e.g. as achieved in Heian Sandan when pulling back for Tetsui Uchi |
| Mudansha |
Non-blackbelt students |
| Mune |
Chest |
| Murasaki |
Purple |
| Musubi Dachi |
Attention stance (as before Rei), feet at 45 degrees |
Japanese
|
English
|
| Nagashi Uke |
Sweeping Block |
| Nage Waza |
Take-down techniques |
| Naginata |
Pole-arm weapon with blade at one end |
| Moroashi Dachi |
Semi-forward stance |
| Naiwan Uke |
Inside (of) arm block |
| Nami Ashi |
Inside Leg Block |
| Neko Ashi Dachi |
Cat Stance |
| Nidan Geri |
Double Kick |
| Nihon Nukite |
Two-finger Spear Hand |
| Nijushiho (Kata) |
Twenty-four Steps |
| Nukite |
Spear hand |
| Nunchaku |
Okinawan weapon (two sticks with chain or rope connecting them at one end) |
Japanese
|
English
|
| O |
Big |
| Obi |
Sash, or Belt |
| Oi Zuki |
Stepping Punch |
| Okinawa |
Influential home of Japanese Karate |
| Onaji |
The same |
| Onegai Shimasu |
"I ask of you..." (e.g. a polite precursor to asking a question of Sensei or a training partner) |
| Orenji |
Orange |
| Osae |
Pressing |
| Osae Uke |
Pressing Block |
| Oss |
General term, predominately meaning
"Yes, I understand", but is also used for
"Thank-you", or "Hello" |
| Osu |
Push |
| Otoshi |
Dropping (e.g. Otoshi Empi) |
| Oyayubi Ippon Ken |
Thumb knuckle |
Japanese
|
English
|
| Rei |
Respect, invariably demonstrated with a bow |
| Reigi |
Ettiquette |
| Renoji Dachi |
'L' stance |
| Rensei |
Practice tournament |
| Renshi |
Master of oneself (usually applied to an expert instructor) |
| Ren Zuki |
Combination Punching |
| Ryo |
Both |
| Ryoken |
Both Fists |
| Ryowan |
Both Arms |
| Ryu |
School |
Japanese
|
English
|
| Sae Rei Tu |
Line up |
| Sagi Ashi Dachi |
One-legged stance |
| Sai |
Okinawan weapon |
| Sakotsu |
Collar bone |
| Sanbon Kumite |
Three Attack Sparring |
| Sanbon Shobu |
Three-point match (competition) |
| Sanbon Zuki |
Triple punch |
Sanchin Datchi |
(Narrow) Hour Glass Stance |
| Sasae |
Prop |
| Sashi Ashi |
Stepping Over |
| Sashite |
Raising the hand to strike, block or grab |
| Seiken |
Fore Fist |
| Seiryuto |
Ox-jaw (block or strike with base of Shuto |
| Seiza |
Kneeling Position |
| Sempai |
Senior student |
| Sen No Sen |
Attack at exactly same time as opponent |
| Sen Sen No Sen |
Attack before opponent (pre-emptive) |
| Sensei |
Teacher (One who has gone before) |
| Seppuku |
Japanese ritual suicide |
| Shiai |
Contest (e.g. match in competition) |
| Shidoin |
Assistant instructor, not yet a Sensei |
| Shihan |
Teacher of teachers |
| Shiko Dachi |
Square stance |
| Shime waze |
Choking/strangling techniques |
| Shiroi |
White |
| Shizentai |
Natural stance |
| Sho (as in Bassai-sho) |
Minor |
| Shobu |
Official contest |
| Shomen |
Front or top of head, but also used to refer to front of the Dojo, as in Shomen Rei! |
| Shoto |
Pine Waves (Master Funakoshi's
pen-name) |
| Shotokan |
Hall of Shoto |
| Shushin |
Referee |
| Shuto |
Knife Hand |
| Shuto Uchi |
Knife Hand Strike |
| Sochin (kata) |
Immovable Stance |
| Sochin Dachi |
Immovable, Straddle-leg Stance (from
Sochin Kata) |
| Sode |
Sleeve |
| Soete |
Open Hand |
| Sokumen |
Side |
| Sokuto |
Side of Foot |
| Soto Ude Uke |
Outside Forearm Block |
| Sukui |
Scooping |
| Sutemi |
Sacrifice |
| Suwari Waza |
Sitting position techniques |
Japanese
|
English
|
| Tachi |
Long, single-edged curved Samurai sword |
| Tai |
Body |
| Tai Sabaki |
Body-shifting |
| Taikyoku Shodan
(Kata) |
First Cause |
| Tai Sabiki |
Body Shifting |
| Tameshiwara |
Test by Breaking |
| Tanto |
Short dagger, often used in Seppuku |
| Tate |
Vertical |
| Te |
Hand |
| Teiji Dachi |
T-Stance |
| Teisho |
Palm Heel |
| Tekki |
Iron Horse, or Iron Knight |
| Tekki Shodan, Nidan, Sandan
(Katas) |
Tekki Katas of 1st, 2nd, and 3rd
levels |
| Tekubi |
Wrist |
| Tento |
Top of head |
| Tettsui |
Bottom/Hammer Fist |
| Tettsui Uchi |
Bottom Fist Strike |
| Te Wazza |
Hand Techniques |
| Tobi |
Jumping |
| Tokui |
Favourite |
| Tomoe |
Stomach |
| Tonfa |
Farm implement used as weapon by Okinawans |
| Tora |
Tiger |
| Tsukami |
Grasping, or catching |
| Tsumasaki |
Tips (of Fingers or Toes) |
| Tsuru Ashi Dachi |
Crane Leg Stance |
| Tuite |
Grappling |
Japanese
|
English
|
| Uchi |
Strike |
| Uchi Ude Uke |
Inside Forearm Block |
| Ude |
Forearm |
| Uke |
Block |
| Ukemi Waza |
Breaking fall techniques |
| Uki Ashi Dachi |
Stance akin to cat stance (Neko Ashi Dachi), used in the Kata Hangetsu |
| Unsu
(Kata) |
Hands Like a Cloud |
| Ura Zuki |
Close-quarter Punch |
| Uraken |
Back Fist |
| Ushiro |
Back |
| Ushiro Geri |
Back kick |
Japanese
|
English
|
| Wa |
Harmony |
| Wakizashi |
Short sword, about 3/4 length of Katana |
| Wan |
Arm |
| Wankan (Kata) |
Kings Crown |
| Washide |
Eagles beak hand |
| Waza |
Technique |
| Waza-ari |
Half point (in competition) |
Japanese
|
English
|
| Yama Zuki |
Wide U-Punch |
| Yame |
Stop |
| Yari |
Polearm weapon with stright blade |
| Yoi |
Ready |
| Yoko |
Side |
| Yoko Empi |
Side Elbow (Strike) |
| Yoko Geri |
Side Kick |
| Yubi |
Finger |
| Yudanshi |
Blackbelt |
| Yusei-gachi |
Winner (of competition) |
Japanese
|
English
|
| Zanchin |
Awareness |
| Za-rei |
Traditional bow from kneeling position |
| Zenkutsu Dachi |
Front Stance |
| Zenshin |
Forward |
| Zori |
Japanese-style slippers |
| Zuki (or Tsuki) |
Punch |
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