Shotokan Karate Terminology
A great thing about karate is no matter where you train, in any country in the world all the terms are in Japanese. Here are the main terms you will hear:
Our lessons end after reciting The Dojo Kun...
DOJO KUN:
Hitotsu! Jinkaku kansei ni tsumuru koto!
Hitotsu! Makoto no michi o mamoru koto!
Hitotsu! Doryoku no seishin o yashinau koto!
Hitotsu! Reigi yo omonzuro koto!
Hitotsu! Kekki no yu o imashimuro koto!
STUDENT CREED:
One! To strive for perfection of character!
​One! To defend the way of truth!
​One! To foster the spirit of effort!
​One! To honour the principles of etiquette!
​One! To guard against impetuous courage!
These five statements were passed down by Master Gichin Funakoshi to his students. They emphasize his desire to ensure correct attitude towards behaviour in the dojo and towards life in general. The are spoken and reflected on at the end of class.
Sensei - Teacher
Dojo - Training hall
Rei - Bow
Yoi - Ready
Seiza - Kneel
Mokuso - Meditation
Keritsu - Stand up
Hajime - Begin
Kihon Waza - Basic Techniques
Kata - Series of set movements (forms)
Kumite - Fight / Sparring
Yame - End / Finish
Dogi - Uniform
Obi - Belt
Osu - Yes / I understand
Senpai - Senior
Kohai - Junior
Kyu - Junior rank, colored belt
Dan - Senior rank, black belt
COUNTING FROM ONE TO TEN:
One - Ichi
Two - Ni
Three - San
Four - Shi
Five - Go
Six - Roku
Seven - Shichi
Eight - Hachi
Nine - Ku
Ten - Ju
Dachi: Stances
Zenkutsu Dachi - Front Stance
Kiba-Dachi - Horse riding Stance
Kokutsu-Dachi - Back Stance
Shizen-Dachi - Natural Stance (Shizentai)
Heiko-Dachi - Feet shoulder width apart
Hachiji-Dachi - Feet shoulder width apart and pointed out
Uchu-Dachi - Feet shoulder width apart and pointed in
Musubi-Dachi - Heels together, feet turned out 45 degrees
Heisoku-Dachi - Feet and toes together
Teiji-Dachi - T-angled stance
Renoji-Dachi - L-stance
Hangetsu-Dachi - Half Moon Stance
Kosa-Dach-Crossed - feet stance
Neko-ashi-Dachi - Cat stance
Tsuki-Waza: Punching techniques
Choku-tsuki - Front punch
Oi-tsuki - Lunge punch
Gyaku-tsuki - Reverse punch
Kizami-tsuki - Leading hand snap punch
Sanbon-tsuki - Three punch combination
Age-tsuki - Rising punch
Ura-tsuki - Half punch (upper-punch)
Kage-tsuki - Hook punch
Mawashi-tsuki - Round punch
Morote-stuki - Double punch
Yama-tsuki - Over the Mountain double punch
Tate-tsuki - Verticle punch
Uke-Waza: Blocking Techniques
Gedan-barai - Downward block
Age-uke - rising block
Soto-uke - otside forearm block
Uche-uke - Inside forearm block
Shuto-uke - knife hand block
Juji-uke - block
Haishu-uke - backhand block
Teisho-uke - palm block
Kakiwaki-uke - Inside wedge hand block
Morote-uke - Reinforced forearm block
Nagashi-uke - Sweeping block
Tate shuto-uke - Verticle knife hand block
Keri-Waza: Geri-Waza: Kicking techniques
Mae-geri - Front kick
Mawashi-geri - Round kick
Ushiro-geri - Back kick
Yoko-geri - Side kick
Tobi-geri - Jumping kick
Hiza-geri - Knee kick
Kakato-geri - Axe kick
Fumikomi-geri - Downward thrust kick
Mikazuki-geri - Cresent kick
Gyaku Mawashi - geri-Reverse round kick
