| Japanese |
English Translation
|
| A |
|
| Age Uke |
Upper Rising
Block |
| Age Zuki |
Upper
Rising Punch |
| Aka |
Red |
| Aoi |
Blue |
| Ai Ki |
Harmonious
Spirit |
| Ashi |
Foot |
| Ashi Barai |
Foot
Sweep |
| Ashi Ura |
Sole
of Foot |
| Ashikubi |
Ankle |
| Atama |
Head |
| Ate |
Strike |
| Atemi |
Striking |
| Awase |
Combined |
| |
|
| B |
|
| Bassai-dai (Kata) |
To
Storm a Fortress |
| Bitei |
Coccyx |
| Bo |
Long
Staff |
| Bojutsu |
Long
Staff Techniques |
| Bokken |
Wooden
Sword |
| Budo |
Martial
Way |
| Bugei |
Martial
Arts |
| Bunkai |
Application
(of moves from Kata) |
| Bushi |
Warrior
Class |
| Bushido |
Way
of the Warrior |
| |
|
| C |
|
| Cha-iroi |
Brown |
| Cha-iroi Ichi Shiroi |
Brown
and White (stripe implied, for belt colours) |
| Cha-iroi Ni Shiroi |
Brown
and Double White (stripes implied, for belt colours) |
| Chinte (Kata) |
Chinese
Hands |
| Choku Zuki (or Tsuki) |
Straight
Punch |
| Chudan |
Middle
Level |
| Chui |
Foul
(as in competition) |
| |
|
| D |
|
| Dachi |
Stance |
| Dai (as in Bassai-dai) |
Major |
| Dan |
Level
(or Man) |
| Do |
Way |
| Doji |
Simultaneous |
| Dojo |
Place
of the Way; Training Place |
| |
|
| E |
|
| Embusen |
Line(s)
of movement (in Kata) |
| Empi |
Elbow |
| Empi Uchi/Uke |
Elbow
Strike/Block |
| Engetsu Uke |
Circle
Foot Block |
| Enoy |
Spirit
of getting ready |
| Eri |
Collar |
| |
|
| F |
|
| Fudo Dachi |
Rooted
Stance |
| Fumikomi |
Stamping
kick |
| |
|
| G |
|
| Gamae |
Withdrawing |
| Gankaku (Kata) |
Crane
on a Rock |
| Gasshuku |
Training
Camp |
| Gedan |
Lower
Level |
| Gedan Barai |
Downward
Block |
| Gedan Zuki |
Lower
Level Punch |
| Geri |
Kick |
| Gi |
Training
Clothes |
| Gojushiho (-sho, -dai) (Kata) |
Fifty-four
Steps |
| Gohon Kumite |
Five
Attack Sparring |
| Go No Sen |
Technique
where opponent is tricked to attack first, exposing themselves to
counter-attack |
| Gyaku |
Reverse |
| Gyaku Zuki |
Reverse
Punch |
| |
|
| H |
|
| Hachiji Dachi |
Naural
Stance |
| Hai |
Yes |
| Haishu |
Back-hand |
| Haishu Uke |
Back-hand
Block |
| Hajime |
Begin |
| Haisoku |
Instep
of foot |
| Haito |
Ridge
Hand |
| Haito Uchi |
Ridge
Hand Strike |
| Haiwan |
Back-arm |
| Hajime |
Begin |
| Hangetsu (Kata) |
Half
Moon |
| Hangetsu Dachi |
Half
Moon (or Wide Hour Glass) Stance |
| Hanmi |
Half
Front (45 degrees, facing opponent) |
| Hanshi |
Master
- honourary title for the highest black belt in an organisation |
| Hansoku-make |
Lose
- referring to losing by transgressing rules of a competition |
| Hara |
Belly |
| Harai Te |
Sweeping
arm technique |
| Haiwan |
Back-arm |
| Hayai |
Fast |
| Heian Kata's (Shodan, Nidan, Sandan, Yondan, Godan) |
The
Five Heian Kata's, derived from Kanku-dai |
| Heisoku Dachi |
Informal
Attention Stance |
| Hichu |
Adams
Apple |
| Hidari |
Left |
| Hikite |
Both
Hands retracting |
| Hikiwake |
Draw |
| Hiku |
Pull |
| Hiraken |
Back-hand-knuckle
strike |
| Hiza |
Knee |
| Hiza Geri |
Knee
Kick |
| Hizagashira |
Kneecap |
| Hombu |
Main
Dojo |
| Hon |
Basic,
fundamental |
| Horan No Kamae |
'Egg
in nest' ready position, as in Kata Bassai-dai |
| Hyosh |
Timing |
| |
|
| I |
|
| Iee Iie |
No |
| Ippon |
One |
| Ippon Ken |
One-knuckle
Fist |
| Ippon Nukite |
One
Finger Spear Hand |
| |
|
| J |
|
| Ji'in (Kata) |
Temple
Grounds, or Gardens |
| Jikan |
Time
(as in calling time in competion) |
| Jion (Kata) |
From
the Temple of Jion |
| Jitte (Kata) |
Ten
Hands |
| Jiyu Dachi |
Free
Stance |
| Jiyu Ippon Kumite |
Semi-free
One-attack Sparring |
| Jiyu Kumite |
Free
Sparring |
| Jo |
Short
staff |
| Jodan |
Upper
Level |
| Jogai |
Out
of bounds |
| Joko |
Slow |
| Juji Uki |
X-Block |
| |
|
| K |
|
| Ka |
Student |
| Kachikake |
Point
of jaw |
| Kaeshi |
Counter
attack |
| Kaeshu Ippon Kumite |
Counter
attack, semi-free sparring |
| Kage Uki |
Hook
Block |
| Kage Zuki |
Hook
Punch |
| Kai |
Style |
| Kaisho |
Open
hand (palm) |
| Kaiten |
Rotating |
| Kakae Te |
Trapping
block |
| Kakato |
Heel |
| Kakiwake Uke |
Wedge
Block |
| Kake-te (or Kake Waza) |
Hooking
technique |
| Kakushi Waza |
Hidden
techniques |
| Kakuto |
Wrist |
| Kamaete |
Get
Ready |
| Kami |
Hair |
| Kan |
Hall |
| Kanku (-sho, -dai) (Kata) |
Look
to the Sky |
| Kansetsu Waza |
Joint
lock techniques |
| Kappo |
Techniques
for resuscitating people suffering from shock to nervous system |
| Kara |
Empty |
| Karate |
Empty
Hand |
| Kasumi |
Temple |
| Kata |
Form,
or Formal Exercise |
| Katana |
Long
curved sword |
| Kawashi |
Evasion |
| Keagi |
Snap |
| Keichu |
Back
of neck |
| Keiko |
Joined
fingertips |
| Keito Uke |
Chicken-head
Wrist-block |
| Kekomi |
Thrust |
| Kempo |
Fist
Law (in Chinese: Chuan Fa) |
| Ken |
Fist |
| Kensei |
Technique
carried out with silent Kiai |
| Kesa Geri |
Diagonal
kick |
| Ki |
Inner
Strength |
| Kiai |
Shout |
| Kiba Dachi |
Horse
riding Stance |
| Kihon |
Basics |
| Kihon Ippon Kumite |
Basic
One Attack Sparring |
| Kime |
Focus
(Tension and Relaxation) |
| Kin Geri |
Groin
Kick |
| Kinteki |
Testicles |
| Kiroi |
Yellow |
| Kizami Zuki |
Jabbing
Punch |
| Ko |
Small,
lesser |
| Ko Bo Ittchi |
The
idea of attack and defence as a unified event |
| Kobore |
Tibia |
| Kohai |
Junior
(to oneself) |
| Koken |
Wrist
joint |
| Kokoro |
Spirit
in the heart |
| Kokutsu Dachi |
Back
Stance |
| Kosa |
Crossing |
| Kosa Uke |
Crossing
Block |
| Koshi |
Ball
of the Foot |
| Koshin |
Rearward |
| Kuatsu |
Resuscitation
of person unconcious from strangulation or shock |
| Kubi |
Neck |
| Kumade |
Bear
Hand |
| Kumite |
Sparring |
| Kun |
Oath |
| Kuroi |
Black |
| Kyoku |
Breathing |
| Kyosen |
Solar
plexus |
| Kyoshi |
Master
instructor |
| Kyototsu |
Sternum |
| Kyu |
Grade
(or Boy) |
| Kyusho Waza |
Pressure
point techniques |
| |
|
| L |
|
| |
|
| M |
|
| Ma-ai |
Distance |
| Ma-ai |
Distance/timing
(in respect to one's partner) |
| Mae |
Front |
| Mae Geri |
Front
Kick |
| Mae Ukemi |
Forward
roll |
| Makiwara |
Striking
Post |
| Manabu |
Method
of learning by copying what you see |
| Manji Uke |
Double
arm block (one Gedan Barai, one Judan Uchi Uke) |
| Mata |
Top
of thigh |
| Matte |
Wait |
| Mawashi Geri/Zuki |
Roundhouse
Kick/Punch |
| Mawat-te |
Turn |
| Meikyo (Kata) |
Bright
Mirror |
| Midori |
Green |
| Migi |
Right
(opposite to Left) |
| Mikazuki Geri |
Crescent
Kick |
| Mimi |
Ears |
| Mokuso |
Meditation.
A pause for reflection to clear one's mind |
| Moroashi Dachi |
Semi-forward
stance |
| Morote |
Augmented |
| Morote Uke |
Augmented
Block |
| Morote Zuki |
Augmented
Punch |
| Moto Dachi |
Short
forward stance (e.g. as achieved in Heian Sandan when pulling back for Tetsui
Uchi |
| Moroashi Dachi |
Semi-forward
stance |
| Mudansha |
Non-blackbelt
students |
| Mune |
Chest |
| Murasaki |
Purple |
| Musubi Dachi |
Attention
stance (as before Rei), feet at 45 degrees |
| |
|
| N |
|
| Nagashi Uke |
Sweeping
Block |
| Nage Waza |
Take-down
techniques |
| Naginata |
Pole-arm
weapon with blade at one end |
| Naiwan Uke |
Inside
(of) arm block |
| Nami Ashi |
Inside
Leg Block |
| Neko Ashi Dachi |
Cat
Stance |
| Nidan Geri |
Double
Kick |
| Nihon Nukite |
Two-finger
Spear Hand |
| Nijushiho (Kata) |
Twenty-four
Steps |
| Nukite |
Spear
hand |
| Nunchaku |
Okinawan
weapon (two sticks with chain or rope connecting them at one end) |
| |
|
| O |
|
| O |
Big |
| Obi |
Sash,
or Belt |
| Oi Zuki |
Stepping
Punch |
| Okinawa |
Influential
home of Japanese Karate |
| Onaji |
The
same |
| Onegai Shimasu |
"I
ask of you..." (e.g. a polite precursor to asking a question of Sensei
or a training partner) |
| Orenji |
Orange |
| Osae |
Pressing |
| Osae Uke |
Pressing
Block |
| Oss |
General
term, predominately meaning "Yes, I understand", but is also used
for "Thank-you", or "Hello" |
| Osu |
Push |
| Otoshi |
Dropping
(e.g. Otoshi Empi) |
| Oyayubi Ippon Ken |
Thumb
knuckle |
| |
|
| P |
|
| |
|
| Q |
|
| |
|
| R |
|
| Rei |
Respect,
invariably demonstrated with a bow |
| Reigi |
Ettiquette |
| Renoji Dachi |
'L'
stance |
| Rensei |
Practice
tournament |
| Renshi |
Master
of oneself (usually applied to an expert instructor) |
| Ren Zuki |
Combination
Punching |
| Ryo |
Both |
| Ryoken |
Both
Fists |
| Ryowan |
Both
Arms |
| Ryu |
School |
| |
|
| S |
|
| Sae Rei Tu |
Line
up |
| Sagi Ashi Dachi |
One-legged
stance |
| Sai |
Okinawan
weapon |
| Sakotsu |
Collar
bone |
| Sanbon Kumite |
Three
Attack Sparring |
| Sanbon Shobu |
Three-point
match (competition) |
| Sanbon Zuki |
Triple
punch |
| Sanchin Datchi |
(Narrow)
Hour Glass Stance |
| Sasae |
Prop |
| Sashi Ashi |
Stepping
Over |
| Sashite |
Raising
the hand to strike, block or grab |
| Seiken |
Fore
Fist |
| Seiryuto |
Ox-jaw
(block or strike with base of Shuto |
| Seiza |
Kneeling
Position |
| Sempai |
Senior
student |
| Sen No Sen |
Attack
at exactly same time as opponent |
| Sen Sen No Sen |
Attack
before opponent (pre-emptive) |
| Sensei |
Teacher
(One who has gone before) |
| Seppuku |
Japanese
ritual suicide |
| Shiai |
Contest
(e.g. match in competition) |
| Shidoin |
Assistant
instructor, not yet a Sensei |
| Shihan |
Teacher
of teachers |
| Shiko Dachi |
Square
stance |
| Shime waze |
Choking/strangling
techniques |
| Shiroi |
White |
| Shizentai |
Natural
stance |
| Sho (as in Bassai-sho) |
Minor |
| Shobu |
Official
contest |
| Shomen |
Front
or top of head, but also used to refer to front of the Dojo, as in Shomen Rei! |
| Shoto |
Pine
Waves (Master Funakoshi's pen-name) |
| Shotokan |
Hall
of Shoto |
| Shushin |
Referee |
| Shuto |
Knife
Hand |
| Shuto Uchi |
Knife
Hand Strike |
| Sochin (kata) |
Immovable
Stance |
| Sochin Dachi |
Immovable,
Straddle-leg Stance (from Sochin Kata) |
| Sode |
Sleeve |
| Soete |
Open
Hand |
| Sokumen |
Side |
| Sokuto |
Side
of Foot |
| Soto Ude Uke |
Outside
Forearm Block |
| Sukui |
Scooping |
| Sutemi |
Sacrifice |
| Suwari Waza |
Sitting
position techniques |
| |
|
| T |
|
| Tachi |
Long,
single-edged curved Samurai sword |
| Tai |
Body |
| Tai Sabaki |
Body-shifting |
| Taikyoku Shodan (Kata) |
First
Cause |
| Tai Sabiki |
Body
Shifting |
| Tameshiwara |
Test
by Breaking |
| Tanto |
Short
dagger, often used in Seppuku |
| Tate |
Vertical |
| Te |
Hand |
| Teiji Dachi |
T-Stance |
| Teisho |
Palm
Heel |
| Tekki |
Iron
Horse, or Iron Knight |
| Tekki Shodan, Nidan, Sandan (Katas) |
Tekki
Katas of 1st, 2nd, and 3rd levels |
| Tekubi |
Wrist |
| Tento |
Top
of head |
| Tettsui |
Bottom/Hammer
Fist |
| Tettsui Uchi |
Bottom
Fist Strike |
| Te Wazza |
Hand
Techniques |
| Tobi |
Jumping |
| Tokui |
Favourite |
| Tomoe |
Stomach |
| Tonfa |
Farm
implement used as weapon by Okinawans |
| Tora |
Tiger |
| Tsukami |
Grasping,
or catching |
| Tsumasaki |
Tips
(of Fingers or Toes) |
| Tsuru Ashi Dachi |
Crane
Leg Stance |
| Tuite |
Grappling |
| |
|
| U |
|
| Uchi |
Strike |
| Uchi Ude Uke |
Inside
Forearm Block |
| Ude |
Forearm |
| Uke |
Block |
| Ukemi Waza |
Breaking
fall techniques |
| Uki Ashi Dachi |
Stance
akin to cat stance (Neko Ashi Dachi), used in the Kata Hangetsu |
| Unsu (Kata) |
Hands
Like a Cloud |
| Ura Zuki |
Close-quarter
Punch |
| Uraken |
Back
Fist |
| Ushiro |
Back |
| Ushiro Geri |
Back
kick |
| |
|
| V |
|
| |
|
| W |
|
| Wa |
Harmony |
| Wakizashi |
Short
sword, about 3/4 length of Katana |
| Wan |
Arm |
| Wankan (Kata) |
Kings
Crown |
| Washide |
Eagles
beak hand |
| Waza |
Technique |
| Waza-ari |
Half
point (in competition) |
| |
|
| X |
|
| |
|
| Y |
|
| Yama Zuki |
Wide
U-Punch |
| Yame |
Stop |
| Yari |
Polearm
weapon with stright blade |
| Yoi |
Ready |
| Yoko |
Side |
| Yoko Empi |
Side
Elbow (Strike) |
| Yoko Geri |
Side
Kick |
| Yubi |
Finger |
| Yudanshi |
Blackbelt |
| Yusei-gachi |
Winner
(of competition) |
| |
|
| Z |
|
| Zanchin |
Awareness |
| Za-rei |
Traditional
bow from kneeling position |
| Zenkutsu Dachi |
Front
Stance |
| Zenshin |
Forward |
| Zori |
Japanese-style
slippers |
| Zuki (or Tsuki) |
Punch |
