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Karate Terminology (This page is being updated)
General Terminology
- Goju Ryu (剛 柔 流): The Way of Hard and Soft. **
- Budo (武道): Way of combat. **
- Kara Te (空手): Empty Hand. The martial art of Japanese origin, emphasizing striking techniques using punches, kicks, knees, elbows, and open-hand techniques. **
- Kara Te Do (空手道): The Way of Karate. **
- Kara Te Ka (空手家): Practitioner of Karate. **
- Bu Shi Do (武 士 道): The Way of the Warrior
- Sensei (先生): Refers to a karate instructor or teacher. **
- Renshi (錬士): Entry Level Master
- Shihan (師範): Master Instructor
- Sen pai (先輩): Senior
- Ko hai (後輩): Junior **
- De Shi (弟 子): Student
- Kyu (級): Rank **
- Dan (段): Grade or Level. **
- Dojo (道場): The training hall or school where karate practitioners train. **
- Gi (着): The traditional uniform worn in karate, typically consisting of a jacket and pants. **
- Obi (帯): The belt worn around the waist, indicating the practitioner's rank. **
- Rei Shiki (礼 式): Bowing Ceremony
- Junbi Undo (準備運動): "preparatory exercises" or "warm-up exercises" in the context of martial arts and physical training.
- Hojo Undo (補助運動) Translates to "supplementary exercises" or "auxiliary exercises." In the context of martial arts, Hojo Undo often refers to specific training exercises using equipment or tools to develop strength, conditioning, and technique.
- Ki Hon (基本): Fundamental techniques, often used as the building blocks for more advanced movements. **
- I Do (移 動): Movement **
- Kata (型): A pre-arranged sequence of movements, representing various defensive and offensive techniques.
- Embusen (演武線): The "line of performance" or "pattern of movements" in martial arts forms or katas.
- Bunkai ( 分解): The process of analyzing and breaking down the movements and techniques of a kata to understand their practical applications in self-defense or combat situations.
- Maai (間合い): The "combative distance" or "timing".
- Bunkai (分解): "Bunkai" refers to the practice of analyzing and breaking down the movements and techniques of a kata (pre-arranged sequence of movements) to understand their practical applications in self-defense or combat situations.
- Kumi Te (組手): Sparring or partner drills involving controlled fighting.
- Ippon Kumi Te (一本組手): one-step sparring.
- Yakusoku Kumi Te (約束組手): Prearranged or drilled sparring.
- Rangeki Kumi Te (乱隙組手): random attack sparring. one participant takes on the role of the attacker, delivering attacks from various angles and distances with a degree of unpredictability. The defender must respond with appropriate blocks, strikes, and counters while adapting to the changing attacks.
- Ji Yū Kumi Te (自由組手): Where practitioners engage in controlled and dynamic exchanges of techniques with a degree of freedom. Unlike prearranged forms or drills, "Ji Yū Kumi Te" allows participants to react spontaneously and use a variety of techniques against a live, resisting opponent.
- Randori Kumi Te (乱取り組手): multiple-attack sparring.
- Uke (受け): Defensive role of receiving or blocking an opponent's attack. **
- Geri ( 蹴り): Kicks **
- Dachi (立ち): Stand **
- Tsuki or Zuki (突き): Punch or Thrusting Technique. **
- Uchi (打ち): Describe various striking techniques, such as punches, strikes, or hits. **
- Waza (技): Techniques or skills in karate.
- Ashi-barai (足払い): Foot Sweep
- Tai-sabaki (体捌き): Describes the art of moving the body to avoid attacks, find better positions, or create openings for counterattacks.
- Yori-ashi (寄足): Yori-ashi involves smoothly and silently gliding the feet closer together or apart to adjust one's distance from the opponent while maintaining balance and readiness.
- Suri Ashi (すり足): A movement technique where the foot is lifted slightly off the ground and then slid forward or backward, allowing for smooth and quiet movement.
- Tori (取り): The person executing a technique during training.
- Zanshin (残心): The state of maintaining awareness and focus even after executing a technique. Poise and control
- Kime ( 決め): Concept of focusing or concentrating one's energy and power at the point of impact during a technique.
- Mushin (無 心): “(having) No Thought” or “(having) No Emotion”
- Ippon (一本): Refers to a full-point score, often used in competitions.
- Hoko (方向): Direction.
- Kazoeru (数える): Count
- Shirei (指令): Command
- Tobi (飛び): Jump
- Ki Ai (気合い): A loud shout or vocal expression of energy during a technique. **
- Mokuso (黙想): Meditation or silent contemplation, often performed at the beginning and end of training. **
- Hai ( はい): Yes **
- Iie (いいえ): No **
- Onegai Shimasu (お願いします): I welcome you to train with me.
- Gozaimashita (ございました): Thank-you very much. **
- Dozo (どうぞ): Can be translated as "please," "go ahead," "here you go," or "feel free."
Kazoeru **
- Ichi (一): One
- Ni (二): Two
- San (三): Three
- Shi or Yon (四): Four
- Go (五): Five
- Roku (六): Six
- Shichi or Nana (七): Seven
- Hachi (八): Eight
- Ku (九): Nine
- Ju (十): Ten
- NiJu (二十): Twenty
- NiJu Ichi (二十一): Twenty-one
- Hyaku ( 百 ): One Hundred
Shirei
- Narande (並んで): Line up
- Sei Retsu (整列): Line up by rank. **
- Yo i (用意): Get ready. **
- Yasume (休め): rest, take a break, or relax.
- Tate (縦): Stand up (vertical) **
- Moku Sō (黙 想): Closing One’s Eyes in Silent Meditation. **
- Shōmen ni Taishite (正面に対して): Face towards the front. **
- Sensei ni Taishite (先生に対して): Face towards the teacher. **
- O Tagai ni (お互いに): Indicates an action or interaction that involves reciprocity or mutual involvement. **
- Rei (礼): Bowing, which is a form of respect shown at the beginning and end of training sessions. **
- Sei Za (正座): Be Seated. The formal sitting position, kneeling with the buttocks resting on the heels. **
- Mawatte (回って): The command to turn around. **
- Hajime (始め): The command to begin or start a practice or competition. **
- Yame (止め): The command to stop or end a practice or competition. **
- Age-te (揚げ手): The command to lift hands. Also describe techniques involving raising or lifting the hand, such as certain striking, blocking, or grappling actions.
Hoko **
- Mae (前): Front
- Yoko (横): Side
- Ushiro (後ろ): Behind
- Migi (右): Right
- Hidari (左): Left
- Tate (縦): vertical
- Mawashi (回し): Round or circle.
- Gyaku (逆): Reverse
- Age (揚げ): Rising
- Jo Dan (上段): Head high level
- Chu Dan (中段): Mid level
- Ge Dan (下 段): Lower level
- Sokumen (側面): Sideway
- Yoko (横): Actions that occur in a horizontal or lateral direction, perpendicular to the front or back.
- Uchi (内): Inner
- Soto (外): Outer
- Otoshi (落し): Dropping
Waza **
- Uke Waza (受け 技): Blocking Techniques
- Kō Geki Waza (攻 撃 技): Striking Techniques
- Tsuki Waza (突き 技): Punching Techniques
- Geri Waza (蹴り技): kicking techniques.
- Taoshi Waza (倒し技): Take-Down Techniques
- Nage Waza (投げ 技): Throwing Techniques
- Ne Waza (寝技): Ground Techniques
- Gyaku Waza (逆技): Reversal Techniques
Uke
- Age Uke (上げ受け): Rising block - used to defend against high attacks like punches to the head. **
- Yoko Uke (横受け): Side block or middle block. **
- Harai Uke (払い受け): Sweeping block. **
- Soto Uke (外受け): Outside block - used to block strikes coming from the outside, such as roundhouse kicks or punches.
- Uchi Uke (内受け): Inside block - used to block attacks coming from the inside, typically close-range punches.
- Gedan Barai (下段払い): Downward block - used to defend against low kicks or strikes to the lower body.
- Chūdan Uchi Uke Gedan Barai (中段 内 受け 下段 払い): “Middle Inside-out Block & Lower Sweeping Block.
- Shuto Uke (手刀受け): Knife-hand block - a block using the edge of the hand, effective against various strikes.
- Shutō Jōdan Uke (手刀 上段 受け): Upper Knife Hand Block
- Shutō Gedan Uke (手刀 下段 受け): Lower Knife Hand Block
- Juji Uke (十字受け): X-shaped block - forming an "X" shape with the arms to block multiple strikes.
- Kosa Uke (交差受け): Crossing Block
- Osae Uke (押え受け): Pressing block - used to control an opponent's arm and create an opening for a counterattack.
- Kake Uke (掛け受け): Hooking block - used to catch and control an opponent's limb during close-quarters combat.
- Mawashi Uke (回し 受け): “Roundhouse Block
- Tora Guchi (虎 口): Two-Hand Roundhouse Block”, “Double open hand circular block with palm heel strike”
- Ko Ken Uke (弧 拳 受け): Arch Fist Block or Chicken Wrist Block
- Hai Tō Uke (肘 受け): Elbow Block
- Hiza Uke (膝 受け): Knee Block
- Soku Tei Uke (足 底 受け): Sole of the Foot Block
- Sune Uke (脛 受け): Shin Block
- Soku Tei Uke (足 底 受け): Sole of the Foot Block
- Chūdan Soto Uke (中段 外 受け): Middle Outside-In Block
- Chūdan Uchi Uke (中段 内 受け): Middle Inside-Out Block
Tsuki/Uchi
- Sei Ken Tsuki (正 拳 突き): Full, Regular Fist Strike. **
- Oi-Tsuki (追い突き): Front punch - a straight punch delivered from the chambered position.
- Gyaku-Tsuki (逆突き): Reverse punch - a straight punch thrown with the rear hand.
- Kizami-Tsuki (刻み突き): Jab punch - a quick and short punch used to set up other techniques.
- Tate-Tsuki (縦突き): Vertical punch - a punch delivered vertically, often targeting the nose or solar plexus.
- Age-Tsuki (上げ突き): Uppercut - an upward punch targeting the chin or jawline.
- Mawashi-Tsuki (回し突き): Hook punch - a curved punch delivered from the side.
- Kagi-Tsuki (鉤突き): Hooking punch - a punch delivered in a hooking motion.
- Nuki Te (貫手): Spear-hand strike - a hand formed into a spear-like shape used for striking vital points.
- Ippon Nuki Te (一本 貫 手): Single Finger Spearhand Strike
- Nihon Nuki Te (二本 貫 手): Two-Finger Strike
- Uraken (裏拳): Back-fist strike - a strike delivered with the back of the hand. **
- Shita Tsuki (下 突き): Reverse Strike. **
- Shu Tō Tsuki (手 刀 突き): Knife-hand strike - a strike delivered with the edge of the hand.
- Empi (猿臂): Elbow strike - a strike using the elbow as the point of contact.
- Tettsui Uchi (鉄槌 打ち): Hammer fist - a strike using a clenched fist with the base of the palm as the point of contact.
- Haito (背刀): Ridge-hand strike - a strike using the side of the hand with the thumb-side leading.
- Hiji Ate (肘当て): Elbow smash - a close-range strike using the elbow.
- Mae Empi (前猿臂): Forward elbow strike - an elbow strike delivered forward.
- Mawashi Empi (回し猿臂): Roundhouse elbow strike - an elbow strike delivered in a circular motion.
- Ushiro Empi (後ろ猿臂): Backward elbow strike - an elbow strike delivered backward.
Geri
- Mae Geri (前蹴り): Front kick - a kick delivered with the front foot, targeting various areas. **
- Mawashi Geri (回し蹴り): Roundhouse kick - a circular kick targeting the midsection. **
- Gyaku Mawashi Geri (逆回し蹴り): Reverse Roundhouse Kick
- Tate Mawashi Geri (縦回し蹴り): Vertical roundhouse kick - a roundhouse kick delivered vertically.
- Ura Mawashi Geri (裏回し蹴り): reverse roundhouse kick.
- Ura Ushiro Mawashi Geri (裏後ろ回し蹴り): reverse spinning roundhouse kick
- Ushiro Geri (後ろ蹴り): Back kick - a kick delivered backward, often targeting an opponent behind.
- Kin Geri (金足): Groin kick - a kick targeting the groin area.
- Kekomi Geri (蹴込蹴り): Thrust kick - a powerful linear kick delivered with the ball of the foot.
- Kansetsu Geri (関節蹴り): Joint kick - a kick targeting the joints, such as the knee or ankle. **
- Fumikomi Geri (踏み込み蹴り): Stomp kick - a downward kick, often used to target an opponent's foot or knee.
- Mikazuki Geri (三日月蹴り): Crescent kick - a semi-circular kick delivered with the inside or outside edge of the foot.
- Kakato geri" (踵蹴り): Heel kick
- Ura Mawashi Hiza Geri (裏回膝蹴しり): Reverse roundhouse knee kick - a knee kick delivered with the rear leg in a roundhouse motion.
- Hiza Geri (膝蹴り): Knee kick - a strike using the knee as the point of contact.
- Soto Mawashi Geri (外回し蹴り): Outside roundhouse kick - a roundhouse kick delivered with the leg sweeping from the outside.
- Uchi Mawashi Geri (内回し蹴り): Inside roundhouse kick - a roundhouse kick delivered with the leg sweeping from the inside.
- Sokuto Geri (足刀蹴り): Sword-foot kick - a kick delivered with the blade of the foot.
- Yoko Geri" (横蹴り): Side kick
- Tobi Geri (飛び蹴り): Jumping kick - a kick executed while jumping off the ground.
- Nidan Geri (二段蹴り): Double kick - a combination of two kicks delivered in succession.
- Nami Gaeshi Geri (波返蹴り): Returning wave kick - a kick where the leg bends and extends in a wavelike motion.
- Kakato Otoshi (踵落とし): Heel drop - a downward strike using the heel of the foot.
- Kakuto Geri" (角度蹴り): Hook Kick
Dachi
- Kamae (構え): Ready Stand, posture, or ready position. **
- Heisoku Dachi ( 閉足立ち): Closed foot stance. Formal Attention Stance (Yoi). **
- Musubi Dachi (結び立ち): Informal Attention Stance (feet in a 'V"). **
- Heiko Dachi (平行立ち): Stance where the feet are placed parallel to each other and shoulder-width apart. The arms are positioned naturally at the sides. **
- Soto Dachi (外立ち): Outward stance. Feet are placed wider apart, and the toes are turned slightly outward. The weight is distributed evenly between both legs.
- Uchi Dachi (内立ち): Inside stance. Feet are positioned wider apart, and the toes are turned slightly inward. The weight is typically distributed evenly between both legs.
- Shiko Dachi" (四股立ち): Horse stance **
- Kiba Dachi (騎馬立ち): Straddle Stance
- Sanchin Dachi (三戦 立ち): Immovable Stance **
- Zenkutsu dachi (前屈立ち): Front Stance **
- Han Zenkutsu Dachi (半前屈 立ち): Half-Front Stance
- Kokutsu Dachi (後屈立ち): Back Stance
- Neko-ashi Dachi (猫足立ち): Cat Stance
- Hachiji Dachi (八字立ち): Natural stance, feet are placed shoulder-width apart, with the toes slightly turned outward.
- Renoji Dachi (レの字立ち): L-shaped stance
- Kosa Dachi (交差立ち): Cross-legged Stance
Instructor Title
- Sensei (先生): General term for "teacher" or "instructor."
- Shi Han (師範): Shihan is a high-level instructor title, often translated as "master instructor."
- Renshi (錬士): Renshi means "polished instructor." It represents a senior level of teaching proficiency and is often awarded to individuals who have demonstrated a high standard of technical skill and teaching ability.
- Kyoshi (教士): Kyoshi means "teacher of teachers." It is a title given to senior instructors who have not only achieved a high level of technical proficiency but have also made significant contributions to the development and promotion of karate.
- Han Shi (範士): Hanshi is one of the highest instructor titles. It is often translated as "exemplary master." Hanshi is typically awarded to individuals who have achieved a very high dan rank, have extensive teaching experience, and have made substantial contributions to the art of karate.
- Kancho (館長): Kancho refers to the head or founder of a martial arts organization or school. This title is more commonly associated with the leadership of a martial arts organization as a whole rather than an individual instructor.
- Soke (宗家): Soke is a title reserved for the head of a particular martial arts style or system. It represents the founder and highest authority of that style.