Martial Arts Terminology
Japanese to English

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Japanese Numerals

Index: A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z

A

Age Rising.
Age tsuki Rising punch.
Age uke Rising block.
Aka Red.
Ashi Foot/leg.

B

Bunkai Application of form/kata.
Bushi Warrior class of Japan.
Bushido Way of the warrior.
Bujutsu Fighting arts of the warrior class of Japan.

C

Choku tsuki Straight punch.
Chudan Middle (of body, i.e. torso).

D

Dachi Stance.
Dan Rank of black belt; 1st dan is the lowest, 10th the highest.
Do The way.
Dojo Exercise hall, the place where one practices the martial arts.

E

Empi Elbow.
Empi uchi Elbow strike.
Empi uke Elbow block.

F

Fumikomi Stamping kick.
Funakoshi, Gichin Father of Japanese Karate.

G

Gedan Lower, waist or below.
Gedan barai Low block.
Gedan juji uke Lower X-block.
Gedan shuto uke Lower knife-hand block.
Geri Kick.
Gi Uniform for practicing martial arts.
Go Five.
See also numerals.
Gyaku Reverse, reversal.
Gyaku tsuki Reverse punch (opposite hand and leg).

H

Hachi Eight. See also numerals.
Hachiji dachi Open leg stance.
Hadari Left.
Haitto Ridge hand (first knuckle of thumb and side of hand).
Haitto uchi Ridge hand strike.
Hajimae Begin.
Hidari Left (side).
Hittsui Knee.
Hittsui geri Knee strike (upward, side).

I

Ichi or Sho One. See also numerals.
Ippon Full point in a contest.
Ippon kumite One step sparring.

J

Jiyu kumite Free sparring.
Jodan Upper, shoulders or above.
Jodan juji uke High X-block.
Joseke Upper seat.
Ju Ten. See also numerals.
Ju-ichi Eleven. See also numerals.
Juji Cross. Juji gatame, juji uke.
Juji uke X-block.

K

Kagi tsuki Hook punch.
Kakiwake uke Pushing through block.
Kamae Literally, "fortress"; protection provided the back hand
Kara Empty.
Karate A martial arts style featuring strikes.
Literally, "empty hand".
Kata Stylized form, pre-arranged techniques simulating an imaginary fight
Katana Long sword.
Ki Vital energy.
Kiai Shout or yell with vital energy (ki).
Kiba dachi Horse stance.
Kime Focus.
Kokutsu dachi Back stance.
Ku Nine. See also numerals.
Kumite Sparring.
Kyu Grade under black belt; 10th kyu is the lowest and 1st the highest.

L

M

Mae Front.
Mae geri Front kick.
Mae geri keage Front snap kick.
Mae geri kekomi Front thrust kick.
Mae tobi geri Jump front kick.
Makiwara Punching board.
Matae Stop.
Mawashi geri Roundhouse kick.
Mawashi tsuki Roundhouse punch.
Migi Right (side).
Mikazuki Crescent.
Mikazuki geri Crescent kick.
Mikazuki geri uke Crescent kick block.
Morote Two arm or two hand.
Morote tsuki Double forward fist strike.
Morote uke Double forearm block.
Mudansha Non black belt holder.

N

Nagashi uke Flowing block.
Necho Cat.
Necho ashi dachi Cat stance.
Ni Two. See also numerals.
Nidan geri Double jump kick.
Ni-ju Twenty. See also numerals.
Ni-ju-ichi Twenty one. See also numerals.
Nukite Spear hand.

O

Obi Belt.
Ohtsuka, Hinori 10th dan; founder of Wado Kai Karate
Oi tsuki Forward lunge punch (same side hand and leg).
Okuri ashi barai Foot sweep.

P

Q

R

Randori Free practice (judo sparring).
Rei Bow.
Roku Six. See also numerals.
Ryu Style of school or martial art.

S

San Three. See also numerals.
Sanchin dachi Hourglass stance (derived from Sanchin kata).
San-ju Thirty.
Seiza Sitting position.
Sempai Senior.
Sensei Teacher.
Shi Four. See also numerals.
Shichi Seven. See also numerals.
Shihan Master instructor (4th-5th Dan).
Shintani, Masaru 9th dan; direct student of Sensei Ohtsuka and former president of SWKKF
Shiro White
Shotei Palm heel strike (also may use as block).
Shuto Knife-edge hand (little-finger side of palm).
Shuto uchi Knife hand strike.
Shuto uke Knife hand block.
Soto ude uke Outside forearm block.

T

Tate tsuki Vertical punch
Te Hand. See also Karate.
Teisho Palm heel.
Teisho tsuki Palm heel punch.
Teisho uchi Palm heel strike.
Teisho uke Palm heel block.
Tettsui Hammer fist; downward strike with closed fist, little finger side as the striking surface.
Te-waza Hand techniques.
Tori Defender, demonstrator of technique; or, pull.
Tsuki Punch; knuckle strike with first two knuckles only.
Tsuki waza Punching techniques.

U

Uchi Inner; or, Strike.
Uchi waza Striking techniques.
Ude Forearm.
Ude uki Forearm block.
Uke Block (Age uke); or, Attacker, to whom techniques are done.
Uraken uchi Back fist strike.
Ushiro Rear.
Ushiro geri Back kick.

V

W

Waza Technique.

X

Y

Yoi Ready.
Yoko Side.
Yoko geri Side kick.
Yudansha One who is a black belt.

Z

Zazen Sitting meditation.
Zen 1. Buddhist sect.
2. Religious meditation.
Zenkutzo dachi Front stance.

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