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Shorin-Ryu Karate-Do Terms :

A-
Age tsuki - rising punch

Age uke - rising block

Anata wa - and you?

Antei - balance

Arigato gozaimasu - thank you

Ashi - leg

Ashi baral - leg sweep

Atama - head

Ato de - Later

-B-

Bo - Six foot staff (Weapon)

Bojutsu - Art of the Bo

Bunkai - The application of a move in a kata

Bushi - Warrior

Bushido - Way of the warrior

-C-

Chudan - Middle area

Chudan uke- Middle block

-D-

Dachi- Stance

Dai (Dai Ichi)-Number

Dai (Passai Dai)-Greater, major

Dai sempai-Most senior student

Dan-Black belt rank

Deashibarai- Forward foot sweep

Denwa -Telephone

Do -The way or path

Doita shimashite-You are welcome

Dojo-Place to train

Domo arigato gozaimasu -Thank you very much

Dozo- Please

-E-

Ee-EH, wah-KAH-ree-mah-sehn-No, I don’t understand!

Ee-KEE-mah-shoh- Let’s go!

Eku- Oar (Weapon)

Empi-Elbow

-F-

Fukyu- Fundamental, basic

Fumi komi- Stomping (kick)


-G-

Gedan- Lower area

Gedan uke-Lower block

Genki desu- I am fine

Geri- Kick

Gi- Karate uniform

Go-Hard or #5

Gyaku tsuki-Reverse punch


-H-

Hachiji dachi- Open stance

Hai-Yes

Haishu-Back of hand

Haisoku- Instep of foot

Haito-Ridge hand

Hajime- Begin

Hanshi- Grand Master

Hara- Abdomen, center of Ki

Hayaku- Quickly

Heiko dachi-Parallel stance

Heisoku dachi-Closed foot stance

Hidari-Left

Hiji- Elbow

Hiji- Elbow smash

Hiza- Knee

-I-

Ikaga desu ka- How are you?

Ima- Now

Ippon ken- One knuckle fist

Itchoku sen-Straight line


-J-

Jiyu kumite- Free style sparring

Jo- Four foot staff

Jodan-Upper area

Jodan uke- Upper block

Ju-Soft or the #10

Judan-10th Degree Black Belt

Jutsu- Art

-K-

Kakato- Heel of foot

Kake geri- Hook kick

Kama-Sickle (Weapon)

Kamae-Fighting stance

Kansetsu- Knuckles

Kao-Face

Kara- Empty

Karate- Empty hand

Karate do- The way of the empty hand

Kata-Predetermined form

Keage- Snap (kick)

Keiko-Practice drill

Kekomi- Thrust (kick)

Ki-Spirit

Kiai- Spirit shout

Kiba dachi-Horse riding stance

Kihon- Basic

Kime-Focus

Kimochi-Attitude

Kin geri- Groin kick

Kiotsuke -Attention

Kobudo- Ancient martial ways

Kobujutsu-Art of ancient weapons

Kokegi- Attacher

Kohai- Junior

Koko- Here

Kokoro-Mind, heart, spirit, feeling

Kokutsu dachi-Back stance

Konban wa- Good evening

Konnichi wa-Good afternoon, hello

Koroshi waza- Killing technique

Kosa dachi- Cross-legged stance

Koshi- Hips, ball of foot

Kudasai- Please, give me the favor of

Kumite- Practice fighting

Kuzushi- Leverage

Kyobu- Chest

Kyoshi- Karate master title (7th & 8th Degree)

Kyu- Non black belt rank

Kyushu jutsu-The art of striking vital points

-M-

Ma- Distance

Maai- Individual distance

Mae- Front

Mae geri- Front kick

Makiwara- Punching board

Massugu-Straight

Matte- Wait

Mawashi geri- Round house kick

Mawate-Turn

Migi -Right

Migikae tsuki- Jab punch

Mikazuki geri- Crescent kick

Modotte- Return to ready position

MOH ee-chee-doh, oh-NEH-gah-ee shee-mahs?- Could you repeat it please?

Mokuso- Quiet meditation

Mokuso owari- Meditation over

Morote uke- Augmented block

Mudansha- Kyu rank holder

Mushubi dachi- Open foot, attention stance

Mutskasaee-Difficult

-N-

Nage waza- Throwing technique

Nagore- Deep breathing

Naihanchi dachi- Iron horse stance

Naisan- Man, Women, boy or girl

Nan-jee-dehs-ka?- What time is it?

Narra be nassai- Line up

Neko ashi dachi- Cat leg stance

Nidan geri -Double kick

Nihongo- Japanese language

Nuhite- Spear hand

Nunchaku- Flail (Weapon)


-O-

O-hayo gozaimas- Good morning

O-negai shimasu-Teach me, please

O-yasami nasai- Good night

Obi-Belt

Ot tsuki- Lunge punch

Owari mastah- Over, finished

-R-

Rei-Bow, courtesy

Renshi- Highest teacher

Renshu- To study

Ryu-School or system, way

Ryukyu-The archipelago, known as Okinawa

-S-

Sai- Truncheon (Weapon)

Sanchin dachi- Hour glass stance

Sashi buri desu ne- Long time no see

Sayonara-Good bye

Seiken- Forefist

Seiken tsuki- Straight punch

Seiza- Formal sitting posture

Sempai- Senior student

Senaka- Back of body

Sensei -Teacher, Instructor

Shiai- Match, contest

Shihan-Master instructor

Shiko dachi -Split or square stance

Shin ken- Serious

Sho- Small, minor

Shomei- Front central area of dojo

Shomen- Front

Shomen ni rei-Bow to the front

Shuto- Knife hand

Soto uke- Outside middle block

Shurey no kuni- The country that keeps respect (On our patch)

-T-

Tabemono- Food

Tai- Body

Tai sabaki- Body shifting

Takai- Expensive

Talso- Exercise

Tameshi wara- Breaking

Tatami -Straw floor mat

Tate- Standing, vertical

Tate tsuki- Vertical fist punch

Te- Hand

Teisho-Palm heel

Tettsui- Hammer fist

Tobi geri- Jump kick

Tonfa- Handle (Weapon)

Tsuki-Punch

Tsuyoki-Strong spirit

Tuite waza- Grappling hand technique

Back to Top

-U-

Uchi- Strike

Uchi uke- Inside middle block

Ude -Arm

Uke -Defender, block

Ura tsuki- Inverted punch

Uraken- Back fist

Ushiro geri- Back kick

-W-

Wah-KAH-ree mahs KAH?- Do you understand?

Waza -Technique

-Y-

Yakusoku kumite- Predetermined sparring

Yame- Stop

Yasashee- Easy

Yasui- Cheap

Yasunde- Relax

Yoi -Ready

Yoko- Side

Yoko geri- Side kick 

KARATE TERMINOLOGY

Sensei - Teacher 
Shihan - Teacher of Teachers (Master) 
Soke - Originator, headmaster 
Sempai - Senior student 
Kohai - Junior student 
Karateka - Student of Karate 
Kumaete - Assume a ready position 
Naotte - Relax or return 
Seiza - Kneeling 
Kihon - Basic 
Kata - Form 
Kumite - Engaged hands 
Hadari - Left 
Migi - Right 
Bushido - "The way of the Warrior" 
Kime - Focus Dojo - Training Hall or Place of the Way 
Karate Do - Way of the Empty Hand 
Yudansha - Black belt ranked students 
Shomen - Front or head 
Kai - Organization 
Do Gi - Uniform worn in Karate 
Hai - Yes 
Iie - No 
Hajime - Begin 
Yama - Stop 
Rei - Bow 
Kiai - Sprit shout 
Dan - Level or degree 
Kyu - Grade below black belt 
Zanshin - Alertness/awareness 
Embusen - The footwork/pattern in kata 

STANDARD CLASS PROTOCOL [REISHIKI OPENING CEREMONY] :

Tachi Rei - Standing bow to Sensei
Seiza - Sensei sits (formal sitting position), the class sits in seiza facing shomen and prepares for class. Head student (sempai) calls out:

Mokuso! This means "Close your eyes and Clear your mind!" After about a minute, the sempai student calls out:

Kaimoku! This means: "Open your eyes!"

Zarei - Next the class performs three zarei or sitting bows. The head student calls out:
Shomen ni rei! This means "Bow to the front of the dojo." After the class finishes this bow, the Sensei will turn around and face the class and the head student will call out:

Sensei ni rei! - This means "Bow to the Teacher!" As the class bows to the teacher, the teacher will return the bow. As each student bows, they recite "Onegaishimasu" which means "Please teach me!"

Otagai ni rei! - This means "Bow to each other!" Both the teacher and the students will bow to each other at the same time. This is to acknowledge that we are all students of the art of Karate Do.

At this point the Sensei will indicate that the class should stand up and practice will begin.

KARATE TECHNIQUES
UKE WAZA
BLOCKING TECHNIQUES
Age Uke - Upper block Kosa Uke - Cross arm block 
Yoko Uchi - Forearm inward block Kote Uke - Back of the hand block 
Yoko Uke - Forarm outward side block Kakiwake - Wedged block 
Yoko Barai - Forearm outward side parry Gedan Barai / Harai Uke - Downward parry block 
Wa Uke - Two arm circle block Ko Uke - Wrist block 
Tsuki Uke - Thrust block Sashite - Inward sweeping palm block 
Ninoude - Back of forarm inward block Kensasae Uke - Two hand outward block (open hand at fist) 
Hijisasae Uke - Two hand outward block (closed fist at elbow) Tsukidome - Withdrawing forearm block 
Kakete Uke - Hooking hand block Sukui Uke - Scooping block 
Ura Uke - Inverted block (small circle with wrist Ukenagashi - Inward palm sweeping block 
Shotei - Palm heel block Shuto Uke - Knife hand block 
Gassho Uke - Praying hands block Hariyuki - Two knife hand pushing block 


TSUKI WAZA
THRUSTING TECHNIQUES
Seiken chudan tuski - center thrust Age tsuki - Rising thrust 
Seiken Jodan tsuki - upper thrst Furi tsuki - round house thrust 
Uraken uchi - back fist strike Ipponken - one knuckle thrust 
Hariken tsuki - four knuckle thrust Nukite - spear hand 
Tateken tsuki - verticle forefist thrust Morote tsuki - Two arm, two level thrust 
Shuto uchi - knife hand strike Urashuto - Ridge hand 
Kentsui uchi - hammer fist Shuho - back knuckles peaked hand 


Hiji Waza
Elbow techniques
Hiji chudan ate - center elbow strike Hiji otoshi ate - downward elbow strike 
Hiji age ate - rising elbow strike Hiji jodan ate - upper elbow strike 
Hiji yoko ate - side elbow strike Hiji ushiro ate - rear elbow strike 

GERI WAZA
KICKING TECHNIQUES
Hiza Geri - Knee kick Yoko Geri - side kick 
Chudan Geri - center kick Koshu Geri - Back heel kick 
Jodan Geri - upper level kick Kakato Geri - Heel stomp 
Soko Geri - Groin kick Ushiro Geri - Back kick 
Sokuto Geri - knee joint kick Hizagaeshi - knee sweeping kick 
Mawashi Geri - round house kick Fumioroshi - Toe stomping kick 

Dachi Kata
Stances
Heisoku dachi - feet together Heiko dachi - Forward parallel 
Musubi dachi - Open toed stance Zenkutsu dachi - forward stance 
Namiheiko dachi - Parallel stance Kokutsu dachi - Back stance 
Uchihachiji dachi - Toes inward Nekoashi dachi - Cat stance 
Sotohachiji dachi - Toes outward Sanchin dachi - 3 Point stance 
Shiko dachi - Sumo stance Kosa dachi - Cross leg stance 

Five Way Spirit or path of Shito-Ryu Karate Do
GO DO SHIN
1. Always remember the spirit of first beginning (Will)
2. Always be courteous (Morality)
3. Always give your best effort (Growth)
4. Always follow your heart (Common sense)
5. Always maintain harmony (Peace)

Japanese Terminolgy :

-A-

Agreement - Oss - Verbal acknowledgement of understanding.
Applications - Bunkai - (of Kata) 
Attention stance - Heisoku Dachi - Feet are together and pointed straight forward. 

-B-

Back - Ushiro -
Back fist - Uraken - "Back Knuckle" or fist.
Back kick - Ushiro Geri – Rear thrusting heel Kick. 
Back of hand strike - Haishu Uchi - 
Back of hand block - Haishu Uke - 
Back of the arms block-Haiwan Uke -
Back Stance - Kokutsu dachi - A stance which has most of the weight to the back.
Ball of foot - Koshi - 
Base of thumb strike - Keito Uchi -
Basic - Kihon - Basic, Fundamental.
Begin - Hajime - A command given to start a given drill, Kata, or Kumite.
Belly - Hara - 
Belt - Obi -
Black - Kuroi -
Black belt holder - Yudansha -
Blue - Aoi -
Body - Tai -
Bow - Rei - "Respect".showing respect in Japanese culture by Bowing. 
Break-fall techniques -Ukemi waza -
Breaking - Tameshiwari -
Breathing - Kyoku -
Brown - Cha-iroi -
Brown and White - Cha-iroi Ichi Shiroi -
Brown and Double White-Cha-iroi Ni Shiroi -

-C-

Chest - Mune -
Chop - Shuto - Strike using bottom edge of hand with hand open held rigid.
Collar - Eri -
Collar bone - Sakotsu -
Competition - Shiai - A match or a contest (Event).
Counter attack - Kaeshi -
Counter attack s/f sparring - Kaeshu Ippon Kumite -
Crescent Kick - Mikazuki geri -
Crossed-Leg Stance - Kosa dachi -

-D-

Distancing - Ma-ai - Proper distancing 
Double Kick - Nidan geri -
Driving knee kick - Hizaken Geri - Strike driving the knee into the target.
Dropping - Otoshi -
Dropping elbow strike - Otoshi empi uchi - An elbow strike by dropping the elbow. 


-E-

Ears - Mimi -
Elbow - Empi (Anatomical) - also known as Hiji
Elbow strike - Hiji Ate - Also referred to as EMPI UCHI.
Elbow block - Hiji Uke - A blocking action using the elbow.
Empty hand Kara Te - (Ancient - China Hand)
Etiquette - Reigi - Also referred to as REISHIKI.

-F-

Fast - Hayai -
Finger - Yubi -
Fist - Ken - Closed hand used for various strikes.
Five step basic sparring-Gohon Kumite -An attacker steps in five consecutive striking techniques.
Flying Side Kick - Yoko tobi geri -
Focus of Power - Kime -
Foot - Ashi -
Foot Sweep - Ashi Barai -
Foot Techniques - Ashi Waza -
Forefinger Knuckle - Hitosashi Ippon Ken -
Four finger spearhand thrust-Yonhon Nukite -
Forearm - Ude -
Forearm block - Ude Uke 
Forward - Zenshin -
Forward fall/roll - Mae ukemi -
Forward Stance - Zenkutsu dachi -
Free Sparring - Jiyu Kumite -
Front - Mae -
Front Kick - Mae Geri-Kick with the ball of the foot impacting target parallel to the kicking leg.
Front leg kick - Mae ashi geri - Kicking with the front leg.
Front Snap Kick - Mae geri keage - Also referred to as MAE KEAGE.
Front Thrust Kick - Mae geri kekomi - Also referred to as MAE KEKOMI.
Front or top of head - Shomen - Also the designated front of a Dojo.
Fundamental - Kihon - Basic techniques.

-G-

Green - Midori -

-H-

Head - Atama -
Hair - Kami -
Hand - Te -
Hammer Fist - Kentsui - Also known as TETTSUI.
Hammer Fist Strike - Kentsui uchi - also TETTSUI UCHI
Heel Kick - Kakato Geri - Heel is used to strike rear of opponent.
Hips - Koshi -
Hooking block - Kage Uke -
Hooking hand - Kake-te - see also "Hook Block" or "Hooking Technique."
Hook Punch - Kagi Tsuki -
Hooking Technique - Kake-waza -

-I-

Inside block - Uchi Uke - Mid body block with an inside to outside 
motion of the forearm.
Inside Roundhouse Kick -Uchi mawashi geri 

-J-

Joined Hand Block - Awase Uke -
Jumping in punch - Tobi Tsuki -
Jump Kick - Tobi geri -

-K-

Karate Training uniform- Gi -
Kick - Geri -
Kneecap - Hizagashira -
Knee Kick - Hiza Geri - See Hizaken Geri.
Kneeling bow - Za-rei - Traditional Japanese bow from the kneeling position.
Kneeling position - Seiza - A proper sitting position. Sitting on one's knees.
Knife - Tanto - Short dagger or long knife, often used during seppuku.
Knife edge kick - Sokuto Geri - Kick performed with blade edge of foot.

-L-

Left - Hadari -
Level/Rank or Degree - Dan-Black Belt rank. Ranks under Black Belt are called KYU ranks.
Line Up - Saei Rei Tu - 
Long staff - Bo -
Long staff techniques - Bojutsu -
Long sword - Katana - Japanese curved long sword.
Low block - Gedan Barai -
Low Forearm Block - Gedan Ude Uke -
Lower level - Gedan - The lower region of the body,usually from the hips down.
Lower level X block - Gedan Juji Uke -
Lunge Punch - Kizami Tsuki -

-M- 
Martial arts - Bugei-
Martial scream - Ki Ai-Shout used to harmonise the body and energy. 
Martial techniques - Bujutsu -
Master - Hanshi-An honorary title given to the highest Black Belt of an organisation.
Middle Finger Knuckle - Nakadaka ippon ken -
Middle level - Chudan-The torso and up to just below shoulder height.

-N-

Natural Position - Shizentai - The body remains relaxed but alert.
Neck - Kubi -

-O-

One attack semi free sparring - Jiyu Ippon Kumite -
One point - Ippon -
One step sparring-Ippon Kumite -An attacker makes one attack, defender counter-attacks.
Open hand -Kaisho - Blow delivered with the open palm.
Orange - Orenji -
Outer block - Soto Uke - Mid body block with an outside to inside motion of the forearm.

-P-

Palm heel - Teisho - Strike made with the palm or "heel" of the hand.
Point of jaw - Kachikake -
Pressing Block - Osae uke -
Pressure Point techniques-Kyusho waza -
Pull - Hiku -
Punch - Tsuki - A strike made with a closed fist using the knuckles
Purple - Murasaki -
Push - Osu -

-R-
Ready - Yoi -
Rear elbow strike - Ushiro empi uchi - Striking to the rear with the elbow.
Rearward - Koshin -
Receive/Receiver - Uke-A defensive motion made to deflect or stop an attack.
Red - Aka -
Reverse roundhouse kick-Ushiro Mawashi Geri - 
Reverse punch - Gyaku Tsuki-Punch performed with the hand opposite the forward leg.
Right - Migi -
Rising - Age -
Rising Block - Age Uke -
Rising Punch - Age Tsuki (Zuki) -
Roundhourse kick - Mawashi Geri - Circular kick striking with the ball of the foot.
Roundhouse Punch - Mawashi Tsuki -
Roundhouse elbow strike-Mawashi hiji ate - "Circular Elbow Strike".


-S-
School - Ryu -
Senior student - Sempai -
Side - Yoko -
Side roundhouse elbow strike-Yoko mawashi empi uchi - Striking with the elbow to the side.
Side snap kick - Yoko geri keage - 
Side thrust kick - Yoko geri kekomi - 
Single finger spearhand-Ippon Nukite-A stabbing attack using the extended index finger.
Single knuckle fist - Ippon Ken-A fist made with one knuckle extended, usually the index .
Sleeve - Sode -
Slow - Joko -
Small, Minor - Ko -
Snap Kick - Keage - (Literally, Kick rising).
Solar plexus - Kyosen - (also Suigetsu).
Sole of foot - Ashi Ura -
Sparring - Kumite -
Spear hand strike - Nukite-A strike made with the open hand,thrusting forward with the tips of the fingers.
Spirit, Heart - Kokoro-In Japanese culture, the spirit dwells in the Heart.
Stance - Dachi -
Sternum - Kyototsu -
Stomach - Tomoe -
Stop - Yame -
Straddle stance Kiba Dachi - Stance with feet parallel and twice shoulder width apart.
Straight - Choku -
Straight punch - Choku Tsuki (Zuki) -
Striking - Atemi (Esp. pressure points.) Atemi Waza

-T-

Teacher - Sensei -
Technique(s) - Waza -
Temple - Kasumi -
Testicles - Kinteki -
Three Step Sparring - Sanbon kumite -
Throwing/take-down techniques-Nage waza -
Thrust Kick - Kekomi-( Literally, Kick Into/Straight).
Tibia - Kobore -
Toes - Ashi Yubi
Top of skull - Tento
Top of thigh - Mata -
Training - Keiko-The only secret to success in Karate.
Training Hall - Dojo-Place of the Way
Triple punch - Sanbon Tsuki -
Turn around - Mawat-te-A command given by the instructor for students to turn around.
Two finger spear hand - Nihon nukite-"stabbing" attack.

-U- 
Upper level - Jodan - The upper section of the body, the head.
Uppercut - Ura zuki - An upper cut punch used at close range.
Upward Elbow Strike - Tate empi -

-V-

Vertical - Tate -
Vertical Punch - Tate zuki - A fist punch with the palm along a vertical plane.

-W-

Wait - Matte -
Way - Do -
Way of the warrior - Bushido -
White - Shiroi -
Wooden sword - Bokken -
Wrist - Te Kubi -
Wrist Joint - Koken -
Wrist joint block - Kakuto uke - Also known as KO UKE.
Wrist joint strike - Kakuto uchi - Also known as KO UCHI.

-X-

‘X’ block - Juji Uke - Block with both forearms crossed.


NUMBER SYSTEM :
Number (English)   Number (Japanese) 
1 Ichi 
2 Ni 
3 San 
4 Shi ( Or Yon ) 
5 Go 
6 Roku 
7 Shichi ( Or Nana ) 
8 Hachi 
9 Ku (Or Kyu) 
10 Ju 
11 Ju Ichi 
12 Ju Ni 
13 Ju San 
20 Ni Ju 
21 Ni Ju Ichi 
22 Ni Ju Ni 
23 Ni Ju San 
30 San Ju 
31 San Ju Ichi 
32 San Ju Ni 
33 San Ju San 
40 Yon Ju 
50 Go Ju 
60 Roku Ju 
70 Nana Ju 
80 Hachi Ju 
90 Kyu Ju 
100 Hyaku 
101 Hyaku Ichi 
102 Hyaku Ni 
200 Ni Hyaku 
300 San Hyaku 
1,000 Sen 
2,000 Ni Sen 
3,000 San Sen 
10,000 Man