Shotokan Karate Do Academy of New England
Shotokan Karate Do Academy of New England
Martial Arts Definitions
Provided in kind by Aldo, Sensei.
Search Alphabetical
A B C D E G H I J K M N O R S T U W Y Z
AGURA WO KAKU:
Informal seating position.
AIKIDO:
The Way of Harmony.
AITE:
A Partner or opponent.
ASHI BARAI: Foot Sweep.
ASHI WAZA: Name given to all leg and foot techniques.
ATEMI WAZA: Striking techniques that are normally used in conjunction with grappling and throwing techniques.
BUDO: Martial way. The Japanese character for
"BU" (martial) is derived from characters meaning, "stop" and (a weapon like a)
"halberd." In conjunction, then, "BU" may have the connotation "to stop the
halberd." In Karate, there is an assumption that the best way to prevent violent
conflict is to emphasize the cultivation of individual character. The way (DO)
of Karate is thus equivalent to the way of BU, taken in this sense of preventing
or avoiding violence so far as possible.
BUGEI: Martial arts way,
Art of Combat.
BUNKAI: A study of the techniques and applications in KATA.
BUSHI:
Warrior.
BUSHIDO: Way of the Warrior.
CHIKARA:
Strength.
CHUDAN: Mid-section. During the practice of KIHON IPPON KUMITE (one step basic sparring), the attacker will normally announce where he/she will attack JODAN, CHUDAN, or GEDAN (Upper level, Mid-level, or lower level).
DAN: Level, Rank or Degree. Black Belt rank.
Ranks under Black Belt are called KYU .
DACHI: Stance.
DENTO TEKI: Traditional.
DESHI: Student.
DO: Way/path. The Japanese character for "DO" is the same as the
Chinese character for Tao (as in "Taoism"). In Karate, the connotation is that
of a way of attaining enlightenment or a way of improving one's character
through traditional training.
DOGU: Training equipment.
DOJI NI: At the same
time.
DOJO: Literally "place of the Way." Also "place of enlightenment."
The place where we practice Karate. Traditional etiquette prescribes bowing in
the direction of the designated front of the dojo (SHOMEN) whenever entering or
leaving the dojo.
DOJO KUN: Training hall
oath.
DOMO ARIGATO GOZAIMASHITA: Japanese for "thank you very much." At the end of each class, it is proper to bow and thank the instructor and those with whom you've trained.
EMBUSEN: Floor pattern of a given kata.
ENBUKAI: Demonstration.
ENSHO: Back of heel.
GASSHUKUA: Special training camp.
GEDAN: Lower section. During the practice of KIHON IPPON KUMITE
(one step basic sparring), the attacker will normally announce where he/she will
attack JODAN, CHUDAN, or GEDAN (Upper level, Mid-level, or lower level).
GI (DO GI) (KEIKO GI) (KARATE GI): The Training Outfit. In most
traditional Japanese and Okinawan Karate Dojo, the GI must be white and cotton
(Synthetics with Cotton allowed). The only marking allowed is a patch on the
left breast area and the person's name at the front bottom corner of the jacket.
GO:
1) The number five. 2) Strength.
GO NO SEN: The tactic where one allows the opponent to attack
first so to open up targets for counterattack.
GOHON KUMITE: Five step basic sparring. The attacker steps in five
consecutive times with a striking technique with each step. The defender steps
back five times, blocking each technique. After the fifth block, the defender
executes a counter-strike.
GOSHIN: Self defense.
HACHI MACHI:
Towel used as a headband.
HAI: "Yes".
HAJIME: "Begin". A command given to start a given drill, Kata, or
Kumite.
HANGEKI: Counter attack.
HANTEI: "Judgment."
HARAI WAZA: Sweeping techniques.
HEIAN: Peace, tranquility.
HIDARI: "Left".
HIJI ATEMI: Elbow Strikes.
HIKI-TE: The retracting (pulling and twisting) arm during a
technique. It gives the balance of power to the forward moving technique. It can
also be used as a pulling technique after a grab, or a strike backward with the
elbow.
HITOSASHI IPPON KEN: Forefinger Knuckle.
HOMBU DOJO: A term used to refer to the central dojo of an
organization.
HORAN NO KAMAE: "Egg in the Nest Ready Position." A "ready"
position used in some KATA where the fist in covered by the other hand.
HOTEI: Dedication.
INASU: Evasion of an on-coming attack through
the course of removing the body from the line of attack.
IIE: No
IPPON KEN: "One Knuckle Fist".
IPPON NUKITE: A stabbing action using the extended index finger.
IPPON SHOBU: One point match, used in tournaments.
IRIMI: To penetrate, to enter. Usually describes moving closer to
the opponent than the attack as you close in defense.
ISSHO NI: Together.
JIYU IPPON KUMITE: One step free sparring. The participants can attack with any technique whenever ready.
JIYU KUMITE: Free Sparring.
JODAN: Upper level. During the practice of KIHON IPPON KUMITE (one step basic sparring), the attacker will normally announce where he/she will attack JODAN, CHUDAN, or GEDAN (Upper level, Mid-level, or lower level).
KAKUSHI WAZA: "Hidden techniques."
KAMAE: A posture or stance either with or without a weapon. KAMAE may also connote proper distance (Ma-ai) with respect to one's partner. Although "KAMAE" generally refers to a physical stance, there is an important parallel in Karate between one's physical and one's psychological bearing. Adopting a strong physical stance helps to promote the correlative adoption of a strong psychological attitude. It is important to try so far as possible to maintain a positive and strong mental bearing in Karate.
KAMAE-TE: A command given by the instructor for students to get
into position.
KANGEIKO: Winter training in which it can be done outside to develop a strong fighting spirit and personal fortitude.
KANCHO: Head instructor at a school.
KANZEN MUKETSU: Absolute perfection.
KARATE: "Empty Hand". When Karate was first introduced to Japan, it was called "TO-DE" or Chinese Hand.
KARATE-DO: "The Way of Karate". This implies not only the physical aspect of Karate, but also the mental and social aspects of Karate.
KARATEKA: A practitioner of Karate.
KATA: A "form" or prescribed pattern of movement.
KEAGE: Snap Kick. (Literally, Kick upward).
KEIKO: (1) Training. (The only secret to success in Karate.)
(2) Joined Fingertips.
KERI: Kick.
KI: Mind. Spirit. Energy. Vital force. Intention. (Chinese "chi")
The definitions presented here are very general. KI is one word that cannot be
translated directly into any language.
KIAI: A shout delivered for the purpose of focusing all of one's energy into a single movement. Even when audible KIAI are absent, one should try to preserve the feeling of KIAI at certain crucial points within Karate techniques. Manifestation of KI (simultaneous union of spirit and expression of physical strength).
KIHON: Something that is fundamental. Basic techniques.
KIHON IPPON KUMITE: Basic one-step sparring.
KIHON SANBON KUMITE:
Basic three-step sparring.
KIHON GOHON KUMITE: Basic five-step sparring.
KIME: Focus of Power.
KI-O-TSUKE: "Attention". Musubi Dachi with open hands down both
sides.
KO BO ICHI (Ko Bo): The concept of "Attack-Defense Connection".
KOGEKI: Attack.
KOHAI: A student junior to oneself.
KOKORO: "Spirit, Heart." In Japanese culture, the spirit dwells in the Heart.
KOKEN: Wrist Joint.
KOKYU: Breathing.
KOSHI: 1) Ball of foot. 2) Hips.
KOSHIN: Rearward.
KOTAI SURU: Move back.
KOTAI NI: Alternate with your partner.
KUBOTAN: A self-defense tool developed by TAKAYUKI KUBOTA. This
tool serves normally as a key chain.
KUMITE:
Sparring.
KYOGI: Competition.
KYU: "Grade". Any rank below Shodan.
KYUSHO WAZA: Pressure Point techniques.
MA-AI: Proper distancing or timing with respect to one's partner. Since Karate techniques always vary according to circumstances, it is important to understand how differences in initial position affect the timing and application of techniques.
MAAI GA TOH: "Not proper distance"
MAE: Front
MAE UKEMI: Forward fall/roll.
MAKI WARA:
Striking board.
MAKOTO: A feeling of absolute sincerity and total frankness, which requires a pure mind, free from pressure of events.
MANABU: "Learning by imitating." A method of studying movement and techniques by following and imitating the instructor.
MATTE: "Wait".
MAWAT-TE: A command given by the instructor for students to turn
around.
MEIJIN: Wise man, expert.
METSUKE: Eye contact.
MIGI: Right.
MODORU: Move backward.
MOKUSO: Meditation. Practice often begins or ends with a brief period of meditation. The purpose of meditation is to clear one's mind and to develop cognitive equanimity. Perhaps more importantly, meditation is an opportunity to become aware of conditioned patterns of thought and behavior so that such patterns can be modified, eliminated or more efficiently put to use.
MOSUKOSHI: “More Time” Referee asks for more time when regulation time runs out.
MOTTO NO ICHI: "Original Position." Contestants, Referee and Judge return to their respective standing lines.
MUDANSHA: Students without black-belt ranking.
MUSHIN: "No Mind." The state of being that allows freedom and
flexibility to react and adapt to a given situation
NAGASU: "To flow like water". Deflection of an on-coming attack. This term describes being carried by a current in a stream. So this relates to nagashi uke in which you re-direct the attack as it moves closer to you, sweeping it just past you.
NAKADAKA IPPON KEN: Middle Finger Knuckle.
NUKETE IRU: "Out of Target"
OBI: A belt.
OKURU: Present or give.
OMOTE: Front.
ONEGAI SHIMASU: "I welcome you to train with me," or literally, "I
make a request." This is said to one's partner when initiating practice.
O-TAGAI-NI: “With your partner.”
OYAYUBI IPPON KEN: Thumb Knuckle.
OYO WAZA: Applications interpreted from techniques in Kata, implicated according to a given condition.
RANDORI: Free style practice.
REI: "Respect". A method of showing respect in Japanese culture is
the Bow. It is proper for the junior person bows lower than the senior person.
REIGI: Etiquette. Also referred to as REISHIKI. Observance of proper etiquette at all times (but especially observance of proper DOJO etiquette) is as much a part of one's training as the practice of techniques. Observation of etiquette indicates one's sincerity, one's willingness to learn, and one's recognition of the rights and interests of others.
RENSEI: Practice Tournament. Competitors are critiqued on their
performances.
RENSHU:
Practice, drilling.
RENZOKU: Combinations,
continuous.
RIKAI: Understanding.
SAIBANKAN:
A judge.
SANBON KUMITE: Three-Step Sparring.
SANBON SHOBU: Three Point match. Used in tournaments.
SASHITE: Raising of the hand either to strike, grab, or block.
SATORI: Enlightenment.
SEIKEN: Fore fist.
SEIRETSU: To form a line.
SEIZA: A proper sitting position. Sitting on one's knees. Sitting this way requires acclimatization, but provides both a stable base and greater ease of movement than sitting cross-legged. It is used for the formal opening and closing of the class.
SEN NO SEN: Attacking at the exact moment when the opponent attacks.
SEN SEN NO SEN: Attacking before the opponent attacks. Preemptive attack.
SENSHIN: Concentration.
SHIAI: A match or a contest (Event).
SHIDOIN: Formally recognized Instructor who has not yet recognized
as a SENSEI. Assistant Instructor.
SHIKEN: Test,
examination.
SHINPAN: Referee.
SHIZENTAI: Natural Position. The body remains relaxed but alert.
SHOMEN: Front or top of head. Also the designated front of a Dojo.
SHOSHINSHA: Beginner.
SHU: To learn
SHUDO: Leadership,
guidance.
SOKKO: Top of foot.
SOKUTO: Also known as Ashi gatana, Edge of foot. This term is
often used to refer to the side thrust kick.
SUWARI WAZA: Techniques from a sitting position.
TACHI:
Standing, stance.
TACHIRU: Enter.
TAIDO: Attitude.
TAIMING GA OSOI: "Not proper timing"
TAI SABAKI: Body movement/shifting.
TAMASHI WARI:
Test by breaking.
TE:
Hand.
TENKAN: Pivot
TSUKAMI WAZA: Catching technique. A blocking technique by seizing the opponent's weapon, arm, or leg. Used often for grappling techniques.
TSUKI: A punch or thrust (esp. an attack to the midsection).
TSURIAI: Balance.
TUITE: Grappling skills.
UCHI D ESHI: A live-in student. A student who lives in a dojo and devotes him or herself to training and to the maintenance of the dojo and sometimes to personal service to the SENSEI of the dojo.
UKEMI WAZA: Break fall techniques.
URA: Rear.
WA: Peace
WAZA: Technique(s).
YAKUSOKU: Prearranged.
YAME: Stop!
YASUMI: Rest. A term used by the instructor to have the students
relax, normally following a long series of drills.
YOI: Ready.
YOKO: Side.
YOWAI: "Weak Focus"
YUDANSHU: One who is a black belt.
ZANSHIN: Lit. "Remaining mind/heart." Even after a Karate technique has been completed, one should remain in a balanced and aware state. ZANSHIN thus connotes "following through" in a technique, as well as preservation of one's awareness so that one is prepared to respond to additional attacks.
ZA-REI: The traditional Japanese bow from the kneeling position.
ZENSHIN: Forward.
Shiroi: White
Midori: Green
Kiiroi: Yellow
Murasaki:
Purple
Orenji: Orange Chairo: Brown Aoi: Blue Kuroi: Black Aka: Red