Japanese Martial Arts Dictionary

A B C D E F G H I J K M N O R S T U W Y Z

A

Age: Rising.
Age tsuki: Rising punch.
Age uke: Rising block.
Ai: Love, Harmony.
Ai Hammi: Harmony stance, when partners are standing with the same foot forward.
Aiki: Harmonious Spirit.
Aikiho: Harmonious Spirit Division or Method.; Principle Of Loving Harmony.
Aikoshin: Love of the school in mind.
Aite: Partner.
Arashi: Storm.
Ashi: Foot; leg.
Ashi guruma: Leg wheel.
Ashi waza: Foot techniques.
Atama: Head.
Atemi: Striking.
Atemi waza: Striking techniques.

B

Bo: Staff (long).
Bokken: Wooden sword.
Bojutsu: Staff techniques (long).
Budo: Martial Way.
Bugei: Martial Arts.
Bujutsu: Martial Art.; Fighting arts of the warrior class of Japan.
Bukai: Martial ranks; Belts.
Buki: Weapons.
Bukiho: Weapons Principle.
Bun: Writing; Basic education.
Bunkai: Analysis; Practical application of form.
Buke: Martial house; Family.
Bushi: Warrior class of Japan.
Bushido: Way of the warrior.
Bushi Te: Warrior Hand.

C

Choku: Straight.
Choku tsuki: Straight punch.
Choshi: Rhythm.
Chuan fa: (Chinese) Fist Law.
Chudan: Middle rank;; Middle (of body, i.e. torso).

D

Daigaku: University.
Dan: Rank of black belt; 1st dan is the lowest, 10th the highest.
De ashi harai: Forward Foot Sweep.
Deshi: Students.
Do: Way; Way Of Life.
Dokusan: Private Interview.
Dojo: Place Of The Way;; Exercise Hall;; Training Hall, the place where one practices the martial arts.
Doshu: Way Master.

E

Eku: Oar, used as a weapon in Okinawan Karate.
Embu: Demonstration of Martial Spirit;; Two Person Training Form.
Embusen: Line of performance of a kata.
Empi: 1. Elbow.; 2. Name of a kata.
Empi uchi: Elbow strike.
Encho: Extensions of kihon kumite.

F

Fudo dachi: Rooted stance.
Fumikomi: Stomp.
Funikoshi, Gichin: Father of Shotokan Karate, nicknamed Shoto.

G

Gakka: Lesson; Learn a lesson.
Gatame: Arm bar.
Gedan: Downward; Lower, waist or below.
Gedan barai: Low block.
Gedan juji uke: Lower X-block.
Genki: Original spirit; Health.
Geri: Kick.
Gi: Uniform.
Go: Strength;; Five. See also numerals.
Goho: Strength Prnciple.; Strength Division or Method.
Gohon: Five-finger strike.
Goshin: Self Defense.
Goshin Jutsu: Self Defense Art.
Goshin Kan: Self Defense School.
Guruma: Wheel-like throw.
Gyaku: Reverse.
Gyaku Hammi: Reverse stance, where partners are standing with the opposite foot forward.
Gyaku tsuki: Reverse punch.
Gyaku juji jime: Reverse cross choke.

H

Hachi: Eight. See also numerals.
Hachiji dachi: Open leg stance.
Hachimachi: Towel used as a headband.
Hadaka jime: Naked choke.
Hadaka: Naked.
Hai: Yes.
Haishu: Back of the hand.
Haishu uchi: Back hand strike.
Haisoku: Instep.
Haisoku geri: Instep kick.
Haito: Ridge hand .
Haito uchi: Ridge hand strike.
Hajime: Begin.
Hakkaku: Eight angles, used in kobujutsu.
Hane goshi: Hip spring.
Hane makikomi: Springing winding throw.
Hangetsu dachi: Hourglass stance.
Hanshi: Grand Master;; Senior Master;; Exemplary Teacher.
Hara: Stomach; Abdomen.
Hara tsurikomi ashi: Lifting pulling foot sweep.
Harai goshi: Hip sweep.
Hashi: Chopsticks.
Heisoku dachi: Attention stance.
Henka: Variation.
Hidari: Left (side).
Hiji: Elbow.
Himitsu Kempo: Secret fist law, pre-Ninjutsu stealth art.
Hittsui: Knee hammer.
Hittsui geri: Knee strike .
Hiza: Knee.
Hiza guruma: Knee wheel.
Hon: Fingers. See also Gohon.
Hokai: Law ranks in Kiyojute ryu; Titles.
Hombu: Headquarters.
Hombu Dojo: Headquarters Training Hall.
Hotei: Dedication.
Hyohakusha: Wendell; Traveller.
Hyoshi: Timing.

I

Ichi: One. See also numerals.
Ikken: One fist or strike.
Ikkyu: First Class (Brown Belt)
Iie: No.
Ippon: Full point in a contest.
Ippon ken (tsuki): One knuckle fist.
Ippon kumite: One step sparring.
Ippon Seoi Nage: One-armed shoulder throw.
Irimi: Enter; Entering.
Irimi waza: Entering techniques.
Itten: One point, center of ki.

J

Jigo-tai: Defensive posture.
Jiyu: Freedom; Freestyle.
Jiyu kumite: Free sparring.
Jishu: Self-mastery.
Jo: Short staff.
Jodan: Upper, shoulders or above.
Jodan juji uke: High X-block.
Jo jutsu: Short staff techniques.
Joseki: Upper seat.
Ju: Gentle;; Ten. See also numerals.
Judo: A martial arts style featuring throwing.; Literally, "gentle way", referring to giving way in order to gain victory.
Judoka: Practitioner of Judo.
Ju-ichi: Eleven. See also numerals.
Juji: X; Cross. Juji gatame, juji uke.
Juji gatame: Cross-body arm bar through legs and across hips.
Juji uke: X-block.
Jujutsu: Gentle art.
Jute: Gentle Hand or Person.

K

Kagi tsuki: Hook punch.
Kai: Organization; Understand.
Kaicho: Association President.
Kaiden: All traditions.
Kaisho: Club.
Kaishocho: Head Instructor of a Club.
Kaiso: Opening Ancestor.
Kakato: Heel.
Kake: Attack; Application of the technique.
Kakuto: Bent sword; Bent wrist.
Kakuto uke: Bent wrist block.
Kaiten: Spin; Rotary.
Kama: Sickle, used in pairs in Okinawan Karate.
Kamae: Posture.
Kami shiho gatame: Upper four-corner hold.
Kan: School; Intuition.
Kancho: School President;; Head Instructor of a School.
Kanji: Oriental Writing;; A Character in the Japenese System of Writing Based Upon Borrowed or Modified Chinese Characters.
Kano, Jigoro: Founder of Judo.
Kansetsu: Joint lock.
Kansetsu waza: Joint locking techniques.
Kanzen Muketsu: Absolute perfection.
Kara: Empty.
Karadatsuki: Body Build.
Karate: Empty hand;; A martial arts style featuring strikes.
Kata: Form, sometimes stylized and pre-arranged; Nage no kata.; Shoulder. Kata guruma.
Kata gatame: Shoulder hold.
Kata guruma: Shoulder wheel throw.
Kata ha jime: Single edge choke.
Kata Ido: Form movement.
Kata juji jime: Half cross choke.
Katame: Grappling.
Katame waza: Mat work.; Grappling and ground-fighting techniques.; Also known as Ne-waza.
Katana: Long sword.
Katsu: Revival techniques.
Ke: House; Family.
Keage: Kick upward.
Kekomi: Kick through; Kick thrust.
Keiko: Practice; Training the spirit.
Keikogi: Practice Uniform.
Kempo: Fist law; Fist way.
Kempoka: Practictioner of Kempo.
Kendo: Japanese sword fighting.
Kenko: Health and Peace.
Kensho: Insight; Religious insight.
Kentsui: Fist hammer.
Keri: Kick.
Keri waza: Kicking techniques.
Kesa gatame: Scarf hold.
Ki: Vital energy; Spirit; Spiritual Energy; Spirit of God.
Kiai: Spiritual harmony;; Shout or yell with vital energy (ki).
Kiba dachi: Horse stance.
Kihon: Basics.
Kihon Ido: Basic movement.
Kihon Kumite: Basic sparring.
Kime: Focus.
Kiotsuke: Attention.
Kirikami: Cut of Paper.
Kiyo: Positive spirit.
Kiyojute Ryu: The Family of Spiritually Positive, Gentle People.
Ko: Skill.
Kobujutsu: Ancient martial art; Weapon arts.
Kodokan: Headquarters of Judo in Japan.; Literally, "school for studying the way".
Koko: Tiger mouth.
Koko uchi: Tiger mouth strike.
Kokutsu dachi: Back stance.
Kokyu Ho: Breathing division or method.
Koppo: Bone method; Bone breaking.
Koshi: 1. Hip.; 2. Ball of the foot.
Koshi guruma: Hip wheel throw.
Koshi waza: Hip techniques.
Kosoto gakae: Minor outer hook.
Kosoto gari: Minor outer reaping throw.
Kote: Forearm.
Kouchi gari: Minor inner reaping throw.
Ku: Nine. See also numerals.
Kumikata: Forms of gripping; Methods of holding.
Kumite: Sparring.
Kunren: Discipline.
Kurisuchan: Christian.
Kusarigama: Sickle with a rope or chain attached.
Kuzushi: Balance breaking.
Kyoshi: Faith Teacher;; Head Instructor.
Kyu: Grade under black belt; 10th kyu is the lowest and 1st the highest.
Kyusho: Vital point.
Kyusho jutsu: Pressure point strikes.

M

Ma-ai: Distance; Distancing.
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: Circular; Roundhouse.
Mawashi geri: Roundhouse kick.
Mawashi tsuki: Roundhouse punch.
Meijin: Wise Man.
Menkyo: License.
Migi: Right (side).
Mikazuki: Crescent.
Mikazuki geri: Crescent kick.
Mikazuki geri uke: Crescent kick block.
Mondo: Questions and answers.
Moro: Double or Two. Morote tsuki.
Morote seoi nage: Two hand shoulder throw.
Morote tsuki: Double forward fist strike.
Morote uke: Double hand block.
Mudansha: Colored belt holder; Non black belt holder.
Mugen: No Limit; Infinite.
Mukei: No Form.
Munen: No Thought.
Mushin: Mind Of No Mind; No Conscious Thought.

N

Nage: Throw.
Nage waza: Throwing techniques.
Nage no kata: Formalized throws.
Naginata: Halberd.
Nami juji shime: Normal cross choke.
Neko: Cat.
Neko ashi dachi: Cat stance.
Ne-waza: Ground fighting techniques, also known as katame waza.
Ni: Two. See also numerals.
Nidan geri: Double jump kick.
Nihon nukite: Two finger spear hand.; See also Gohon nukite, Nukite.
Ni-ju: Twenty. See also numerals.
Ni-ju-ichi: Twenty one. See also numerals.
Nikkyu: Second Class (Brown Belt)
Nimpo: Patience Principle.
No: Ability; Talent; Skill.
Noritsu: Efficiency.
Nukite: Spear hand.
Nunchaku: Flail-like weapon of two rods joined by rope or chain.
Nyujo: Flow into tranquility; Meditative contemplation.
Nyunan Shin: Soft hearted.

O

Obi: Belt.
O goshi: Major Hip Throw.
O guruma: Major Wheel Throw.
Oi: Lunge.
Oi tsuki: Lunge Punch.
Okinawa te: Okinawan Hand.
Okuri ashi harai: Foot Sweep.
Okuri eri jime: Sliding Collar Choke.
Omote: Front.
Osae komi: Hold-down.
Osae komi waza: Hold-down techniques.
Osoto gari: Major outer reaping throw.
Osoto guruma: Major outer wheel throw.
Ouchi gari: Major inner reaping throw.
Oyayubi: Thumb.
Oyo: Application.

R

Randori: To take the throw;; Freedom to take;; Free practice (judo sparring).
Rei: Bow.
Reigi: Courtesy.
Ren: Polish.
Renoji Dachi: V stance.
Renshi: Disciple Teacher.
Renshu: Practice; Training; Training The Body.
Rienzoku Ken: Continuous Fist.
Rikai: Understanding.
Rikairyoku: The Power Of Understanding.
Roku: Six. See also numerals.
Ryo: Both.
Ryu: Family; System; Dragon.
Ryukyu: Okinawa.

S

Sai: Three-pronged metal weapon.
Sagi: Heron.
Sammai: Concentration; Absorption.
San: Three. See also numerals.
Sanchin: Three battle; Tension.
Sanchin dachi: Three Battle stance.
San-ju: Thirty.
Sankaku: Triangle.
Sasae tsurikomi ashi: Lifting pulling foot prop.
Satori: Enlightenment.
Seigyo: Control.
Seiho: Spirit (healing) division or method.
Seiken: Forefist.
Seishin: Soul; Spirit of God.
Seiza: Correct sitting; Formal sitting position.
Sempai: Senior.
Sensei: Teacher.
Senshin: Concentration; Undivided attention; Singleness of purpose.
Sesshin: Concentrating; Unifying the mind.
Shi: Four. See also numerals.
Shiai: Contest.
Shichi: Seven. See also numerals.
Shiden: Historical tradition.
Shihan: Master.
Shika: Historian.
Shiken: Test; Examination.
Shimbun: Newspaper.
Shime: Choke/Strangle.
Shime waza: Choking techniques.
Shinai: Bamboo Sword.
Shinjitsu: Reality.
Shinken: Real sword; Real fist; Earnest.
Shinko: Faith; Faith that looks up; Stretch.
Shinsei: Divine nature; Holiness; Godliness.
Shinwa: Friendship; Fellowship.
Shinyo: Faith; Faith effort, in your own work.
Shizen: Natural.
Shizen-tai: Natural posture.
Shodai: First generation; Founder.
Shodai Soke: Founding Father; First Soke.
Shogei: All Arts.
Shomei: Summons of destiny; Call of God.
Shorei: Encouragement.
Shotei: Palm heel strike (also may use as block).
Shotokan: A Karate System Founded by Gichin Funikoshi. See also Funikoshi, Gichin.
Shu: To Learn.
Shudo: Leadership; Guidance.
Shugyo: Austere practice; Hard training.
Shuho: Taking Principle.
Shuto: Swordhand; Chop.
Shuto uchi: Knife hand strike.
Shuto uke: Knife hand block.
So: Head; Master; Phase.
Sode: Sleeve.
Soke: Head Master; Grand Master; Head of the Family.
Soke Sho: The Head Master Writes.
Sokuji: The Diet Cure.
Sokuto: Foot sword.
Soto: Outer; Outside.
Soto makikomi: Outer winding throw.
Soto shuto: Outside knife-hand block.
Suki: Gap; Ungaurded moment; Dead time.
Sukui: Scooping.
Sukui nage: Scooping throw.
Sumi gaeshi: Corner throw.
Sumi otoshi: Corner drop.
Sun Dome: To stop one inch.
Sutemi: Sacrifice.
Sutemi waza: Sacrifice techniques.
Suwari Waza: Sitting techniques.

T

Tachi: Standing.
Tachi waza: Standing techniques.
Taido: Attitude.
Taiho: Arrest; Capture; Holding methods.
Taikaku: A Good Physique.
Taiko: Body cavity.
Tai otoshi: Body drop.
Taisabaki: Body movement.
Taiso: Body manipulation; Exercise.
Tameshiwari: Test by breaking;; Breaking demonstration.
Tanden: Point just below the navel.
Tani otoshi: Valley drop.
Tanto: Short sword.
Tate: Vertical.
Tate tsuki: Vertical punch (boxer's jab).
Te: Hand. See also Karate.
Tetsui: Iron twin.
Teisho: Heel palm.
Teisho tsuki: Heel palm thrust.
Teisho uchi: Heel palm strike.
Teisho uke: Heel palm block.
Teiji dachi: T-stance.
Tenkan: Pivoting; Pivot.
Tenoji Dachi: T or L stance.
Tenshin Sho: Divine Illumination; Inspiration for creating a Ryu.
Tettsui: Iron hammer.
Te-waza: Hand techniques.
To: Sword.
Tobi: Leaping; Jumping; Flying.
Toide: Taking hand, Okinawan Grappling Art.
Toitsu: Unified Principle.
Tomoe: A Three Section Circle; Circle.
Tomoe nage: Circle throw.
Tonfa: Wooden rod with handle at right angle, used in pairs.
Tori: Defender, demonstrator of technique.
Torite: Taking hand, Japanese pronounciation.
Tsugi no kata: Following form.
Tsuki: Punch; knuckle strike with first two knuckles only.
Tsuki no sandan: Three levels of thrusts.
Tsukamu: Grab.
Tsukkomu: Hand thrust.
Tsuki waza: Punching techniques.
Tsukuri: Stepping into the throw.
Tsume: Claw.
Tsuriai: Balance.
Tsuru: Crane.
Tsuri goshi: Lifting hip throw.
Tsurikomi goshi: Lifting-pulling hip throw.
Tsuzumi: Hand drum.
Tuite: 1. Grappling techniques.; 2. Using pressure points for joint manipulation.

U

Uchi: Inside.
Uchideshi: Special Disciple.
Uchikomi: Fitting-In.; Repeated practice of throwing techniques.
Uchi mata: Inner Thigh Throw.
Uchi waza: Striking Techniques.
Ude: Arm.
Ude uki: Forearm Block.
Uke: Block. Age uke.
Ukemi: Falling and rolling exercises.
Uki: Attacker, to whom techniques are done.
Uki goshi: Floating Hip Throw.
Uki otoshi: Floating Drop.
Uki waza: Floating Throw.
Undo ryoho: Exercise Cure.
Ura: Rear.
Uraken uchi: Back Fist Ftrike.
Ura nage: Back Throw.
Ushiro: Back; Rear.
Ushiro geri: Back Kick.
Ushiro goshi: Back Hip Throw.

W

Waza: Techniques.

Y

Yama: Mountain.
Yama bushi: Mountain Priests.
Yama tsuki: Mountain Punch.
Yari: Spear.
Yojimbo: Someone Of Discretion; Protector; Bodyguard.
Yojin: Discretion.
Yoi: Ready.
Yoko: Side.
Yoko gake: Side Hook.
Yokogiru: Cross.
Yoko geri: Side Kick.
Yoko guruma: Side Wheel.
Yoko kekomi: Side thrust kick.
Yoko otoshi: Side drop.
Yoko shiho gatame: Side four corner hold.
Yoko tobi geri: Jump side kick.
Yoko taeru: Laying.
Yoko wakare: Side separation.
Yudansha: One who is a black belt; Blackbelt Holders

Z

Zanshin: Ready mind; Alertness.
Zazen: Sitting meditation.
Zen: Meditation; Buddhist sect.; Religious meditation.
Zenkutsu dachi: Forward stance.
Zenshin: Gradual progress; Steady advance.