Terminology

what we're saying...

Terminology

Throughout our training, Japanese terminology is used extensively. Our vocabulary includes numbers, targets, techniques, titles, etc. As your training progresses these words will become second nature.

To assist you in learning the many words used in our class we have setup a deck of electronic flashcards.

General

JapaneseEnglish
Karate empty hand
Jiko boei self defense
Tamishawari breaking
Kobudoweapons training
Inuwashi do golden eagle way
Hanshigrandmaster
Shihan master instructor
Sensei instructor
Sempai assistant instructor
Dojo training hall
Gi uniform
Obi belt
Kyu below black belt rank
Dan black belt rank
Kata formal exercise
Kumite sparring
Jiju Kumite free sparring
Ippon Kumite one point sparring
Jodan face
Chudan stomach
Gedan groin
Hajimae begin
Yamea stop
Mokuso meditate
Tsuki punch
Geri kick
Uke block
Dachi stance
Umbruki breathing
Tatami mat
Waza technique
Ukemi break fall
Oi get ready
Ki spirit
Kiaiexpression of spirit
Rei bow
Mawatte turn around
Supin spin
Hidari left
Migi right
Ashi leg/foot
Te hand
Aka red
Shiro white
Hyokaevaluation/test
Geri oiprepare to kick
Gedan barai oiprepare to strike

Qualities

JapaneseEnglish
Kinko balance
Shoten focus
Sokudospeed
Chikarapower
Kispirit

Numbers

JapaneseEnglish
Ich1
Ni2
San3
Chi4
Go5
Rok6
Sichi7
Hachi8
Ku9
Ju10

Geri - Kicks

JapaneseEnglish
Kin geri groin kick
Kensetsu geri knee kick
Mae geri front snap kick
Yoko geri side kick
Mawashi geri roundhouse kick
Ushiro geri back kick
Mikazuki geri crescent kick
Mae tobi geri flying front snap kick
Yoko tobi geri flying side kick
Ura mawashi geri hook kick

Dachi - Stances

JapaneseEnglish
Heisoku dachi attention stance
Zenkutsu dachi forward stance
Kiba dachi horse stance
Neko ashi dachi cat stance
Kokutsu dachi back stance
Sanchin dachi hourglass stance
Seiza kneel
Kamae fighting position
Kosa dachicross leg stance

Character

JapaneseEnglish
Teinei courteous
Seicho growth
Yuki courage
Seijitsu sincere
Shojiki honest
Jujun obedient
Kenkyo humble
Nintai perseverance
Meiyo honor
Chujitsu loyal
Jisei self control
Chishiki knowledge
Sonkei respect
Kanzen-sei integrety
Kiritsudiscipline
Hokoripride
Shinraiconfidence
Yujinfriend

Tsuke/Uke/Uche - Hands/Arms

JapaneseEnglish
Kihon uke basic block
Gedan uke groin block
Jodan uke face block
Uchi uke inside block
Soto uke outside block
Juji uke axe/X block
Sakuru uke circle block
Chikara uke power block
Gedan tsuki groin punch
Chudan tsuki chest/stomach punch
Jodan tsuki face punch
Gyaku tsuki reverse punch
Oi tsuke lunge punch
Mawashi tsuki roundhouse punch
Morote tzuki u punch
Fukki tzukihook punch
Shuto uche/uke knife hand strike/block
Haito uche ridge hand
Empi uche elbow strike
Uraken uche backfist strike
Supin uraken uche spinning backfist
Taisho uche palm heel strike
Tettsui uche hammerfist strike
Nukite spearhand thrust

Rank

JapaneseEnglish
Hachikyuwhite belt
Sichikyuyellow belt
Rokkyuorange belt
Gokyublue belt
Yonkyugreen belt
Sankyubrown belt 3rd°
Nikyubrown belt 2nd°
Ichkyubrown belt 1st°
Shodanblack belt 1st°
Nidanblack belt 2nd°
Sandanblack belt 3rd°
Yondanblack belt 4th°
Godanblack belt 5th°
Rokdanblack belt 6th°
Sichidanblack belt 7th°
Hachidanblack belt 8th°
Kudanblack belt 9th°
Judanblack belt 10th°

Inspiration

JapaneseEnglish
YumeDream
Ailove
Heiwapeace
Shinjitsutruth