Japanese Terminology
|
Pronunciation: Vowel sounds Many consonants have a double or blended sound to accommodate Japanese spoken sounds. This is most noticeable in "r/l", "t/d", and "g/k" sounds. |
|
|
Kempo or Kenpo |
Fist law or natural law |
|
Sei |
True, pure, correct |
|
Kosho |
Old pine tree |
|
Shorei |
Encouragement |
|
Kai |
Family, association |
|
Ryu |
School of thought |
|
Sumikiri |
Octagon |
|
Kigan (ogamite) |
Praying hands |
|
Kaishu (mute) |
Open hands |
|
Hoken (hiken) |
Covered fist |
|
Mon |
Crest or gate |
|
Shochikubai |
Pine/bamboo/plum |
|
Densho Shizen |
Legend, history, story Natural |
|
Do |
Way |
|
Techniques or Tricks |
|
|
Aruku no waza |
Stepping tricks |
|
Ashi ate waza |
Foot and leg striking tricks |
|
Ashi Sabaki |
Foot movement |
|
Atemi waza |
Vital point striking tricks |
|
Onna |
Female |
|
Otoko |
Male |
|
Ato uchi waza |
Feinting tricks |
|
Bogyo geri waza |
Kicking defense tricks |
|
Chushin waza |
Centering exercises |
|
Debana waza |
Anticipation tricks |
|
Go shinjitsu |
Self defense study |
|
Harai waza |
Warding-off techniques |
|
Hyoshi |
Timing |
|
Iaido |
Sword drawing way |
|
Jikaku |
Awareness |
|
Jitsute waza |
Spontaneous practice |
|
Jodo |
Short staff way |
|
Kansetsu waza |
Locking tricks |
|
Kata |
Forms or patterns |
|
Katame Waza |
Holding and locking tricks |
|
Keiho waza |
Structured practice |
|
Kieru waza |
Disappearing tricks |
|
Kihon teki |
Basics |
|
Kime waza |
Focus exercises |
|
Koga ken keiko |
Repositioning with the sword |
|
Kokyu waza |
Breathing tricks |
|
Koshi nage waza |
Hip throwing |
|
Kuzushi waza |
Unbalancing tricks |
|
Kumite no waza |
Crossed hands training |
|
Maai |
Distancing |
|
Maki waza |
Rolling-off technique |
|
Nage waza |
Throwing tricks |
|
Nidan waza |
Two-step technique |
|
Ne waza |
Ground tricks |
|
Nige no waza |
Escaping tricks |
|
Nuki waza |
Displacement, dodging or avoidng technique |
|
Orashi no waza |
Avoidance tricks |
|
Randori waza |
Grappling tricks |
|
Renshu |
Practice |
|
Sandan waza |
Three-step technique |
|
Shiatsu |
Finger pressure therapy |
|
Shikake waza |
Offensive techniques |
|
Shime waza |
Choking tricks |
|
Shodo |
Calligraphy way |
|
Tai Sabaki |
Body Movement |
|
Te Sabaki |
Hand Movement |
|
Tsuki Waza |
Punching tricks |
|
Uchi Waza |
Striking tricks |
|
Ukemi waza |
Falling practice |
|
Uke no waza |
Blocking tricks |
|
Yawara waza |
Grab release tricks |
|
Basic Skills |
|
|
Dachi (tachi) |
Stances |
|
Gamae |
Posture |
|
Fudo Dachi |
Rooted Stance, Immovable |
|
Gankaku Dachi |
Crane Stance |
|
Hachiji Dachi |
Open Leg Stance, 'Figure Eight Stance |
|
Hangetsu Dachi |
Half-Moon Stance |
|
Heiko Dachi |
Parallel stance |
|
Heisoku Dachi |
A natural or informal attention stance |
|
Ippon Dachi |
One point stance |
|
Juji Dachi |
Cross Stance |
|
Kiba Dachi |
Straddle Stance. Also known as horse riding stance |
|
Kiza no kamae |
Kneeling but up on toes |
|
Kokutsu dachi |
Back Stance |
|
Naihanchi dachi |
Kiba Dachi, but with the feet turned in |
|
Neko ashi dachi |
Cat Foot Stance |
|
Sanchin dachi |
Three Conflicts / Hour-glass Stance |
|
Seiza no kamae |
Kneeling on both calves |
|
Shiko dachi |
Square Stance, Four Thigh Stance also sumo stance |
|
Tachi |
Stance |
|
Tachiagaru |
to stand up |
|
Tsuru ashi dachi |
Crane Leg Stance |
|
Zenkutsu dachi |
Front/Forward Stance, translation Front Knee Bent Stance |
|
Ashi |
Foot or Leg |
|
Fumikomi geri |
Stamping kick |
|
Geri |
Kick, when added to another word to describe the kick |
|
Hiza geri |
Knee Kick |
|
Kakato geri |
Axe Kick |
|
Kake geri |
Hook Kick |
|
Keage |
Kick Up, snapping |
|
Kekomi |
Thrust Kick (Literally, Kick Into/Straight) |
|
Keri |
Kick |
|
Keru |
Kick, this is used when saying kick as a verb |
|
Mae geri |
Front Kick |
|
Mae geri keage |
Front Snapping Kick |
|
Mae geri kekomi |
Front Thrust Kick |
|
Mae tobi geri |
Front Jump Kick |
|
Mawashi geri |
Round/Roundhouse Kick |
|
Mikazuki geri |
Crescent Kick |
|
Ren geri |
Consecutive Kicking, alternating kicking |
|
Tobi geri |
Jumping Kick |
|
Ushiro geri |
Back Kick |
|
Yoko geri |
Side Kick |
|
Blocks |
|
|
Age uke |
Rising Block |
|
Barai waza |
Sweeping techniques |
|
Chudan uke |
Middle Level Block |
|
Empi uke (hiji uke) |
Elbow Block |
|
Gedan barai uke |
Lower level Sweeping Block |
|
Jodan uke |
Upper/High Level Block |
|
Juji uke |
Cross or X Block |
|
Kaisho uke |
Open Hand Block |
|
Morote uke |
Augmented Block |
|
Otoshi uke |
Dropping Block |
|
Shuto uke |
Knife-hand Block |
|
Soto chudan uke |
Outside Mid-level Block |
|
Teisho barai |
Palm Heel Sweep |
|
Tettsui uke (or Kentsui uke) |
Hammer Fist Block |
|
Tsuki uke |
Punching Block |
|
Uchi chudan uke |
Inside Mid-level Block |
|
Uke |
Block |
|
Punches |
|
|
Age zuki |
Rising Punch |
|
Choku zuki |
Straight Punch, also Kara Tsuki |
|
Dan zuki |
Consecutive punching (same hand) |
|
Gyaku zuki |
Reverse Punch |
|
Hiraken |
Flat Fist or Fore knuckle fist |
|
Ippon ken |
One Knuckle Fist |
|
Kake zuki |
Hook Punch |
|
Kizami zuki |
Jabbing Punch |
|
Mawashi zuki |
Round/Roundhouse Punch |
|
Morote zuki |
Augmented Punch or U-Punch |
|
Nagashi zuki |
Flowing punch |
|
Nakadaka ippon-ken |
Middle Finger One Knuckle Fist |
|
Oi zuki |
Lunge punch |
|
Ren zuki |
Alternate punching |
|
Sanbon zuki |
A series of three punches |
|
Seiken |
Original Fist, Fore fist, Regular Fist |
|
Tate zuki |
Vertical Punch |
|
Tsuki |
A punch or thrust |
|
Yama zuki |
A wide U-shaped dual punch, also called Mountain Punch |
|
Zuki |
Punch, use 'Zuki' when you add the word to another |
|
Strikes |
|
|
Age-empi uchi |
Upward Elbow Strike, sometimes Tate empi uchi |
|
Empi uchi |
Elbow Strike |
|
Haito uchi |
Ridge-hand Strike |
|
Ippon tsuki |
One Finger Thrust, also Ippon Nukite |
|
Tettsui ken uchi (or Kentsui uchi ) |
Hammer Fist Strike |
|
Nihon nukite |
Two Finger Strike |
|
Nukite |
Spear Hand |
|
Shuto uchi |
Knife hand strike |
|
Tate empi uchi |
Upward Elbow Strike, also called Age empi |
|
Teisho uchi |
Palm Heel Strike |
|
Uchi |
Striking |
|
Uraken uchi |
Back Fist Strike |
|
Ushiro mawashi empi uchi |
Back Roundhouse Elbow Strike |
|
Yoko empi uchi |
Side Elbow Strike |
|
Embu |
Demonstration |
|
Kata |
Structured practice; form or pattern |
|
Kakari-geiko |
Practice where the instructor offers openings to the student, who must attack the openings immediately |
|
Keiko |
Practice |
|
Mi tori keiko |
Watching practice |
|
Shiai |
Competition |
|
Bugei |
Martial arts |
|
Jujutsu |
Gentle art |
|
Karate |
Empty hand |
|
Kobujutsu |
Weapon arts |
|
GI |
Top of uniform |
|
Keiko gi |
Uniform |
|
Zekken |
Chest patch embroidered with own name and dojo name |
|
Obi |
Belt |
|
Hakama |
Split skirt, wide legged pants |
|
Etiquette |
|
|
Arigato |
Thank you (informal) |
|
Domo |
Thanks (informal) |
|
Domo arigato |
Thank you (formal) |
|
Domo arigato gozaimasu |
Thank you very much (very formal) |
|
Dozo |
Please go ahead |
|
Gomen nasai |
Excuse me, I'm sorry |
|
Hajime no saho |
Beginning etiquette |
|
Joseki ni rei |
Bow to the high section of the Dojo |
|
Kamiza ni rei |
Bow to kamiza (heritage) |
|
Onegai shimasu |
Please (asking for something, please lets practice together) |
|
Oshiete (kudasai) |
(Please) teach me, Let's practice (play) together, shall we? |
|
Onegai otsukare sama deshita |
A thank-you that is used after training |
|
Otagai ni rei |
Bow to each other |
|
O tsukare sama deshita |
You have become tired (because of the hard work you have done teaching) An expression of thanks |
|
Owari no saho |
Finishing etiquette |
|
Rei |
Bow |
|
Reigi |
Etiquette |
|
Reiho |
Etiquette, method of bowing |
|
Reishiki |
Etiquette, method of bowing |
|
Ritsu rei |
Standing bow |
|
Saho |
Method of etiquette |
|
Sensei (gata) ni re |
Bow to Teachers |
|
Sumimasen |
Excuse me (to attract attention) |
|
Tachi rei |
Standing Bow |
|
To rei |
Bow to sword |
|
Za rei |
Kneeling Bow |
|
Gakkusei |
Student |
|
Ko hai |
Junior student |
|
Sempai |
Senior student |
|
Sensei |
Teacher |
|
Shihan |
A senior, or exemplary teacher, properly used within the school only |
|
Soke |
Head of style (actually head of family, unifier of gods and lineage) |
|
Hanshi |
Root master, source |
|
Kyoshi |
Middle title |
|
Renshi |
Title bestowed in addition to Dan ranks |
|
Kancho |
Owner of school (building, hall) |
|
Kaicho |
Owner of school (organization) |
|
Yudansha |
Members of the Dan grades |
|
Mudansha |
Members of the Kyu grades |
|
Kyu |
Student grade, from 8 up to 1, the highest |
|
Hachikyu |
8th Rank |
|
Shichikyu |
7th Rank |
|
Rokyu |
6th Rank |
|
Gokyu |
5th Rank |
|
Shikyu |
4th Rank |
|
Sankyu |
3rd Rank |
|
Nikyu |
2nd Rank |
|
Ikkyu |
1st Rank |
|
Yudansha |
Members of the Dan grades |
|
Dan |
More advanced grades from 1 to 10, after attaining a black belt |
|
Shodan |
1st degree Black Belt |
|
Practice Hall Arrangement and Definitions |
|
|
Dojo |
Practice hall |
|
Ge |
Side of dojo opposite shinzen |
|
Joseki (jo) |
High side, shinzen |
|
Shomen |
Front of room |
|
Kamiza |
Spirit seat |
|
Shimoza |
opposite sensei, where students sit |
|
Ato |
move back |
|
Hajime |
Begin, start |
|
Hayaku |
Quickly, Hurry |
|
Iai kisogeiko |
Fundamental practice |
|
Iie |
No |
|
Ijo |
that is all (after recitation) |
|
Junbitaiso o hajimemasu |
Begin warm-up |
|
Junbitaiso o owarimasu |
Warm-ups are finished |
|
Kaette |
Pivot, change direction |
|
Hai |
Yes |
|
Katana o motte |
Get your sword(s) |
|
Kiai |
Shout, yell |
|
Kiyotsukete |
Be careful |
|
Kogemi |
Attack |
|
Mate |
Wait |
|
Mawatte |
Turn around |
|
Moichido |
One more time |
|
Mo motte |
More, eg. mo oki, bigger |
|
Mokuso |
Close the eyes, meditation |
|
Narande |
Line up |
|
Osame to |
Replace swords into saya |
|
Roe |
Bow |
|
Shitsurei |
Excuse me |
|
Suwari kudasai |
Please sit down |
|
Tachi nasai |
Stand up |
|
Tadashi |
Correct |
|
Uchimoni |
Practice motion |
|
Yame |
Stop |
|
Yasume |
Relax, at ease |
|
Yoi |
Ready, attention |
|
Yukuri |
Slowly |
|
Yuru yaka ni |
Smooth |
|
Aruki |
Walking |
|
Ayumi ashi |
Normal walking motion, back foot slides up to become front foot |
|
Fumi komi |
Shift forward, as in a strike, using the hips |
|
Fumi komi ashi |
Foot motion as shifting forward, front and back slide together, not two different movements |
|
Okuri ashi |
Following foot, step forward with front foot, then rear foot moves same distance forward to regain original distance apart |
|
Tsugi ashi |
Half step, rear foot up to front then front forward again |
|
Names of Roles |
|
|
Kasso teki |
Invisible opponent |
|
Motodachi |
Defender, teacher side in waza practice |
|
Nage |
Performer of technique |
|
Shidachi (shi tachi) |
Completing sword. Finishes partner practice |
|
Teki |
Opponent |
|
Tori |
Attacker |
|
Uchidachi (uchi tachi) |
Entering sword. Attacker in partner practice |
|
Uke |
Receiver (of technique) |
|
General Vocabulary |
|
|
Age |
Lift or raise up |
|
Ato de |
Afterwards |
|
Chigau |
Different |
|
Chiisai |
Small |
|
Chikaku |
Near |
|
Dame |
Not like that, wrong |
|
Hai |
Yes |
|
Heta |
Unskillful, poorly done |
|
Iie |
No |
|
Jozu |
Skillful |
|
Kogesa |
Small form |
|
Kyojun |
Standard, basic level |
|
Machigai |
Mistake |
|
Miru |
Look |
|
Naza |
Why |
|
Ogesa |
Large form |
|
Oki |
Big |
|
Semeru |
Push, press |
|
Shita |
Under |
|
Shito kokyu |
One breath |
|
Shizukani |
Soft, gentle |
|
Sukoshi |
A little, a small amount |
|
Tate |
Standing, upright |
|
Wakarimasu |
I understand |
|
Warui |
Bad |
|
Tai Sabaki |
Body Motions |
|
Tai |
Body |
|
Sabaki |
Movement |
|
Hiraki ashi |
Rear foot moves forward and turns to face opponent, front foot turns to establish feet again in kamae but with opposite foot forward |
|
Irimi |
Entering |
|
Jiku ashi |
Turning foot, the main axis of rotation |
|
Kaiten |
Turning |
|
Mawari |
Swinging around |
|
Seme ashi |
Pushing or pressing foot |
|
Suri ashi |
Sliding foot |
|
Tenkan |
Moving one foot behind the other to turn 180 degrees |
|
Directions |
|
|
Mae |
Forward |
|
Migi |
Right |
|
Hidari |
Left |
|
Ushiro |
Rearward, behind |
|
Omote |
Front |
|
Ura |
Back |
|
Uchi |
Inside, inward |
|
Soto |
Outside, outward |
|
Jodan |
High |
|
Chudan |
Middle |
|
Gedan |
Low |
|
Fukaku |
Low |
|
Ichi mon ji |
A straight line |
|
Tate ichi mon ji |
A vertical line |
|
Yoko ichi min ji |
A horizontal line |
|
Chokkaku |
Right angles |
|
Do |
Degrees, eg. kuju do is 90 degrees |
|
Heiko |
Parallel |
|
Kakudo |
Angle |
|
Massugu |
Straight ahead |
|
Naname |
Diagonal |
|
Otoshi |
Dropping |
|
Shomen |
Straight ahead |
|
Ue |
Up |
|
Yoko |
Horizontal, to the side |
|
Asoko |
Over there |
|
Biki |
To move, as in saya biki or hakama biki |
|
Gyaku |
Reverse, opposite, inverted |
|
Hantai |
The other way around |
|
Kiku |
Lower |
|
Komi |
Coming close or drawing near |
|
Soko |
There, that position |
|
Anatomy |
|
|
Nakazumi |
Centerline of body |
|
Atama |
Head |
|
Men |
Head |
|
Shomen |
Front or top of head |
|
Yokomen |
Side of head |
|
Shamen |
Side of head, temple |
|
Gammen |
Point on face between eyes |
|
Me |
Eye |
|
Mimi |
Ear |
|
Jinchu |
Center of upper lip |
|
Kubi |
Neck |
|
Nodo |
Throat |
|
Do |
Chest / side of body at ribs |
|
Sui getsu |
Solar plexus |
|
Mune |
Chest |
|
Te |
Hand |
|
Te kubi |
Wrist |
|
Omote |
Open / palm of hand |
|
Kote |
Wrist (forearm) |
|
Hiji |
Elbow |
|
Kata |
Shoulder |
|
Ude |
Arm in general |
|
Ura |
Back of hand |
|
Yubi |
Finger / toe |
|
Koshi |
Hip |
|
Hara |
Abdomen |
|
Tanden |
Centre of balance, below navel |
|
Seika tanden |
As per tanden |
|
Ashi |
Foot or leg |
|
Ashi kubi |
The ankle |
|
Philisophical Concepts |
|
|
Budo |
Way of war |
|
Bushido |
Way of the warrior |
|
Dai kyo soku kei |
Big strong fast smooth |
|
Fudoshin |
Immovable mind, calm spirit |
|
Fukaku |
Personal character |
|
Gokai |
Grandeur, large, full motions |
|
Heijishin |
Ordinary mind |
|
Jo ha kyu |
Slow, faster, fastest |
|
Ki |
Spirit, energy |
|
Kiai |
Spirit/breath union, shout |
|
Kime |
Focus, sharpness of movement |
|
Kokoro or Shin |
Heart/mind |
|
Kokyu |
Breath, breath power |
|
Ma |
Distance, space, interval (in time) |
|
Maai |
Mutual distance (in space) |
|
Mushin |
No mind, no rationalization |
|
Muga |
No ego |
|
Munen |
No thought |
|
Riai |
Unification of action and theory |
|
Sei |
Motionless, inactive |
|
Shu ha ri |
Absorb, digest, omit. Memorize, question and understand, forget |
|
Sutemi |
Sacrifice technique, accept a blow to deliver one |
|
Zanshin |
Lingering mind |