Shotokan Karate Terminology

A

• AGE – Upper or Rising. If you were to say Rising by itself it would be Ageru.
• AGE-EMPI UCHI – Upward Elbow Strike or Rising Elbow Strike. Sometimes called TATE EMPI UCHI (Vertical Elbow Strike).
• AGE HAISOKU UCHI – Rising Instep Strike. Raising your instep into your attackers groin. Usually combined with a knee kick. It is used in the Kata Nijushiho.
• AGE TSUKI (ZUKI) – Rising Punch. Seen in the Kata EMPI. One of the applications for this technique would be using it to come up under a block.
• AGE UKE – Upper Rising Block. A basic block to a Jodan attack. Your arm comes from your hip across the body and lifts the attack above your head. You should end up looking out from under your blocking arm. People forget that the same arm movement can also be used to break your attackers arm or as a strike to the throat or under the chin.
• AGE UKE GYAKU ASHI – Upper Rising Block, reverse Leg. An upper rising block where the arm performing the block is the opposite one to the leg that it forward. This technique is good for getting the hip in to allow a quick front kick to be used as a counter.
• AGO – Jaw or Chin, as in mouth.
• AI – Harmony.
• AI KI – Harmonious Spirit.
• AITE – Opponent or Partner.
• AKIRESU-KEN – Achilles Tendon. The large tendon at the back of the foot.
• ANTEI – Balance, Stability or Equilibrium.
• ASHI – Foot or Leg.
• ASHI ATE – Foot Strikes or Leg Strikes.
• ASHI BARAI – Foot/Leg Sweep. You may also see this as Ashi Harai. A lot of people think that to sweep some one is ‘Ashi Barai’ but there is more to it than this. You must also try and sweep the person so that he comes off his feet and lands in the position that is most advantageous to YOU, so you can then follow up with another technique and totally finish your opponent. There is no point sweeping your opponent so that he falls so far away from you that by the time you get up to him he is all ready back on his feet and ready for you.
• ASHIBO-KAKE UKE – Leg Hooking Block, in which the leg is raised to the side and swung in a circle to deflect an opponents side kick to the abdomen.
• ASHI FUMIKAE – Changing Feet.
• ASHI GAKE – Used in the Kata Bassai Sho, where you hook your foot behind your attackers and then pull your foot back in towards you pulling your attackers foot with you, pulling him off balance. This is different to an Ashi Barai because this is not done in a sweeping motion.
• ASHI GATANA – Foot Sword, a Karate kick where the toes are turned up and the striking point is the outer edge of the foot. This is one of the older terms.
• ASHI HARAI – Foot or Leg Sweeping, another name for Ashi Barai.
• ASHIKUBI – Ankle. Ashi means that it is of the foot and Kubi means that it is the joint, in the same way that Te-Kubi would be the corresponding hand joint or wrist.
• ASHIKUBI-KAKE UKE – Ankle Hooking Block.
• ASHI NO URA – It translates as foot reverse and is an alternative for Sole Of Foot.
• ASHI SABAKI – Foot Work or Foot Movement.
• ASHI URA – Sole of foot.
• ASHI WAZA – Name given to all leg and foot techniques, ASHI meaning either leg or foot and WAZA meaning Technique.
• ASHI YUBI – Toes. Ashi meaning of the foot and Yubi being the digit.
• ASHIZOKO – Bottom Foot. You use this to sweep your opponents foot during Ashi Barai.
• ATAMA – Head, or top of the head.
• ATE – Strike or Striking. In some dictionaries you will also see Ataru or Ateru as Strike or Hit.
• ATEMI – Body Strike or Striking.
• ATEMI WAZA – Body Striking techniques.
• ATERU – To Place, To put, To Hold. You may also see this as strike or hit.
• ATE WAZA – Smashing Techniques.
• ATO UCHI – Delayed strike or feint.
• ATTATE IRU – Contact.
• AWASE – Combined. If saying Combined by itself it would be Awaseru.
• AWASE AGE UKE – Combined Upper Rising Block, both arms coming up together performing the block. It is seen in the kata Bassai Dai. It can also be used as a defence when someone attempts a two handed grab.
• AWASE HIKI TSUKAMI – Combined Pulling Grasp, As seen in the kata Heian Godan after the hand pressing block.
• AWASE KOKO UKE – Combined Tiger Mouth Block, as seen in the kata Empi. A good technique against a Jo or Bo attack, or in modern terms a Pool Cue Attack.
• AWASE MAWASHI KAKE UKE – Combined Round House Hooking Block. Seen in the Kata Nijushiho. This technique can also be used to unbalance or throw your attacker.
• AWASE MAWASHI UKE – Combined Roundhouse Block, as seen at the start of kata Kankau Dai.
• AWASE SHUTO AGE UKE – Combined Knife Hand Rising Block. As seen in the Kata Chinte. The thumbs touch forming a triangle.
• AWASE TSUKI – Combined Punch, or U Punch. Also referred to as MOROTE TSUKI.
• AWASE UCHI – Combined Strike. A general term for all combined strikes.
• AWASE UKE – Combined Block. A general term for all combined blocks.
• AWASE WAZA – Combined Techniques.
• AYUMI – Step or Pace.
• AYUMI ASHI – Stepping Foot, a method of footwork, where the feet move alternatively one ahead of the other each sliding along the floor.
• AYUMI DACHI – It is a natural Walking stance where the weight is over the centre.

B

• BARAI – Sweep, sometimes seen as Harai.
• BASSAI DAI – To penetrate a fortress, Minor or Lesser. Normally taught once third Kyu has been obtained. Bassai Dai is the first of the so-called brown belt kata. This kata was originally called Passai.
• BASSAI SHO – To penetrate a fortress, Major or Greater. A technically more advanced kata than Bassai Dai, it is not normally taught until black belt status has been achieved. The kata is notable for its leg sweeps and blocks against a staff or bo.
• BETEI – The coccyx.
• BO – Staff. A long stick used as a weapon (approximately 6 feet long).
• BOKKEN – A Wooden Sword.
• BO UCHI – Bo Strike.
• BO UKE – Bo Block, a block against an attack from a Bow. This is a general term that covers any block against a Bo attack.
• BO WAZA – Bo Techniques.
• BUNKAI – Analysis, A study of the techniques and applications in KATA (to describe Bunkai in full would take pages).
• BUSHI – Warrior.
• BUSHIDO – Way Of The Warrior. Bushi meaning warrior and Do meaning Way Of.

C

• CHI – Blood.
• CHI GA DERU – Bleed.
• CHINTE – Strange Hands. A higher grade Kata. Master Funakoshi named this kata Shoin. The kata originally came from China and is very suitable for women as it contains techniques that do not require much power to be effective.
• CHOKKAKU – Right Angle.
• CHOKU – Straight.
• CHOKU TSUKI – Straight Punch. Also known as Kara Tsuki.
• CHOYAKU HANGEKI – Jumping Counter Attack.
• CHU – Middle.
• CHUDAN – Mid-Level or Mid-Section. If called prior to an attack it indicates that the attack will be to the stomach area. The student should still block what ever attack is thrown. This takes in to account that mistakes do happen.
• CHUDAN BARAI UKE – Middle level Sweeping Block. The same as a Gedan Barai Uke but used against a middle level attack.
• CHUDAN CHOKU TSUKI – A straight punch to the mid-section of the opponent’s body.
• CHUDAN NO KAMAE – Middle Level Posture, or Middle Level Guard. A freestyle posture where your hands are held at middle level.
• CHUDAN TEISHO FURI UCHI – Middle Level Palm Heel Circular Strike. Used in the kata Chinte.
• CHUDAN TSUKI – Middle Level Punch.
• CHUDAN UCHI UDE UKE – Middle Level Inside Forearm Block. A basic Shotokan block.
• CHUDAN UDE UKE – Middle Level Forearm Block, blocking an attack to the mid-section.
• CHUDAN UKE – Middle Level Block. A general term for middle level blocks.

D

• DACHI – Stance or Position. You may also see this as Tachi.
• DAI – Minor or Lesser
• DAN – Level, Rank or Degree. A Black Belt rank. Grades under Black Belt are known as KYU grades.
• DANCHU – Summit of breast bone or sternum. A good technique to drop your opponent to the floor is to push your fingers down behind the top of the sternum. When you do it properly you will find that the persons legs will give and they will drop to the floor. This is a good technique to use when there are people watching as there is no real outward sign of aggression. For this reason it is a technique used by some body guards.
• DAN-TSUKI – Consecutive punching (same hand). This can be effective if done quickly because your opponent will not expect a second punch from the same hand.
• DE – Advancing.
• DEAI – Encountering. see Deai Osae Uke.
• DEAI OSAE UKE – Pressing Block, Stepping in at the time, or Encountering as the attack comes forward, or Suppressing it.
• DEASHI BARAI – Advanced Foot Sweep. Sometimes seen as Deashi Harai.
• DENKO – The area between the seventh and eighth ribs.
• DO (1) – Way/path. The Japanese character for ‘DO’ is the same as the Chinese character for Tao (as in Taoism). In Karate, the connotation is that of a way of attaining enlightenment or a way of improving one’s character through traditional training. To look at it deeper, ‘Do’ means ‘A Road’, ‘A Way’, ‘A Path’, ‘The truth’, ‘A Doctrine or a Principle’ or ‘A Reason’. The Kanji is made up in two parts, the left component means ‘To Go’ and the right component means ‘The Head’ or ‘Thoughts’. When combined it means ‘The way, not only for the feet to walk, but also for the thoughts to move in’.
• DO (2) – Torso or Trunk of Body.
• DO (3) – Movement or Activity.
• DOJI – Simultaneous. When said by itself this would be Doji ni.
• DOJI WAZA – Simultaneous Techniques. Used to describe any time that techniques are performed simultaneously.
• DOJO – Place Of The Way. The place where we practice Karate. Traditional etiquette prescribes bowing when ever entering or leaving the dojo.
• DOKAN – The ring of the way; repetition, constant practice.
• DOKKO – The Mastoids. Found by pressing up behind the base of the ears. Because the pain can be quite intense when pressure is applied to this area with little chance of permanent or serious harm being caused this is an area that the Police are taught to attack on demonstrators who will not comply with their requests.
• DO KYAKU – Moving Leg.
• DORI (1) – Practice.
• DORI (2) – Pull or Hold, as in Holding/Grasping.

E

• EMBUSEN – Performance Line, the Floor pattern of a given kata. All Shotokan Kata will start and finish on the same spot. If in competition you finish more than one pace from your start point, marks will be deducted.
• EMPI (1) – One the Black Belt level KATA, translated as ‘Flying Swallow’. This Kata was originally called Wanshu. It is also said to be one of the oldest kata.
• EMPI (2) – Elbow. Sometimes referred to as HIJI or spelt Enpi.
• EMPI SURI UKE – See Hiji Suri Uke.
• EMPI UCHI – Elbow Strike (also called HIJI-ATE).
• EMPI UKE – Elbow Block, a blocking action using the elbow.
• EN – Circle.
• ENGETSU UKE – Circular Foot Block.
• ENOREI – Relax. You may also see this as Enoy.
• ENOY – Relax. Students should stay in the ‘Yame’ position until Enoy is called. You may also see this as Enorei.
• ENPI – Elbow, now normally spelt as Empi but you may still see it spelt this way.
• ENSHIN – Centre of a Circle / Circular.
• EN-SHO – Round Heel, an alternative name for KAKATO.
• ERI – Lapel, as in the lapel on a Gi.
• ERI TSUKAMI – Lapel Grab.

F

• FUDO DACHI – Rooted Stance, Immovable Stance. Now also referred to as SOCHIN DACHI but they are two separate stances. In Fudo Dachi the weight is more over the front ankle than in Sochin Dachi. They are now taught as the same stance.
• FUKURAHAGI – Calf (of the leg).
• FUKUTO – The outside of the lower part of the thigh.
• FUMIKIRI GERI – Cutting Kick, using the edge/blade of the foot. A good technique for striking in to an opponents wind-pipe after you have got him on the floor.
• FUMIKOMI GERI – Stamping kick, usually applied to the knee, shin, or instep of an opponent.
• FUMITSUKI – ‘Tread On’, With the sole of your foot you either stamp on your opponents instep and either thrust or push him down. If done properly this technique should break your attackers leg and place him on the floor.
• FUMI WAZA – Stamping Techniques.
• FURI – Swing / Circular / Round.
• FURIAGE – Swing Up.
• FURIKAERU – Turn (look) Round, Rotate and Look Back.
• FURI KOSA BARAI – Circular Cross Sweep, It is used in the Kata Nijushiho.
• FURISUTE – Swing.
• FUSE – Defense or Ground.
• FUSHI – Joint, Knuckle.
• FUSHO – Injury, Wound.

G

• GAESHI – Counter. This is also spelt Kaeshi.
• GAI WAN – Outer Arm, part of the forearm located on the side opposite the thumb.
• GAN – Eye. You may also see this as Gansei. One of the main target area’s for ‘Spear Hand’ techniques.
• GANCHU – Area below the nipples.
• GANKAKU – Crane on a Rock, a Kata from Shotokan Karate.
• GANKAKU DACHI – Crane Stance, as used in the kata GANKAKU. This stance was originally called Tsuru Ashi Dachi.
• GANKAKU KAMAE – Crane Posture, as used in the kata GANKAKU. The legs are in Tsuru Ashi Dachi and the arms in Manji Uke.
• GEDAN – Lower Level or Lower Section. If called prior to an attack it indicates that the attack will be to the lower area of the body. The student should still block what ever attack is thrown. This takes in to account that mistakes do happen.
• GEDAN BARAI – Lower Level Sweep. Normally the first move students make prior to going on to do their combinations, one of the reason’s for this is so that the first move in Karate is a block which demonstrates that Karate is for self-defence.
• GEDAN BARAI UKE – Lower level Sweeping Block.
• GEDAN CHOKU TSUKI – A punch to the lower section of the opponent’s body, normally the groin.
• GEDAN JUJI UKE – Lower Level X Block. As seen in the Kata Heian Yondan and other’s. Normally used to block a front kick. A common mistake students make is not to move in to the block enough. The block should land after the attacker has raised his knee but prior to his leg beginning to extend.
• GEDAN KAKE-UKE – Lower Level Hooking Block.
• GEDAN SHUTO OSAE – Lower level Knife Hand Press. As seen in the Kata Gojushiho Dai.
• GEDAN SUKUI UKE – Lower Level Hooking Block, as seen in the Kata Bassai Dai.
• GEDAN SOTO UDE UKE – Lower Level Outside Forearm Block, as seen in the Kata Tekki Nidan.
• GEDAN TSUKI – Lower Level Punch, usually directed at the groin area.
• GEDAN UDE UKE – Lower Level Forearm Block. (The fist faces to the ground).
• GEDAN UKE – Lower Level Block.
• GEKON – The spot beneath the lower lip. Ippon Ken is a good technique to use to attack this target.
• GERI – Kick, sometimes also seen as being spelt as KERI.
• GERIGAESHI – Return Kick or kick Counter. After you have executed the kick and performed Gerihanashi you then re-extend the kick back in to the target. This technique often works because after you have put your first kick in which may have been blocked by your opponent he doesn’t expect the second kick to come from the same leg and drops his guard to it.
• GERIHANASHI – Kick Release. After executing a kick you must withdraw your leg with at the same speed as the kick went in. If you take a kick to be in three parts, the first being the stance, the second or halfway point being where you have lifted the leg prior to extending it and the third part being the extension of the leg, the above translation is ‘Kick Half Leg’. If you leave your leg out after a kick it can be grabbed by your opponent who can then easily break your supporting leg with a simple kick.
• GERI NUKE – Best described as Slipping Through The Enemy By Kicking.
• GERI WAZA – Kicking Techniques.
• GI (ghee) – Training costume.
• GOHON KUMITE – Five step basic sparring. The attacker steps in five consecutive times with a striking technique with each step. The defender steps back five times, blocking each technique. After the fifth block, the defender executes a counter-strike and Kiais.
• GO NO SEN – The tactic where you allow your opponent to attack first so to open up targets for your counter attack.
• GOJUSHIHO SHO / DAI – Fifty Four Steps. Two high grade Katas which were originally performed over fifty four steps. This Kata is odd in that different associations have them different ways round. If you count the steps in today’s version there are 62 steps.
• GOKOKU – A resuscitation point in the fleshy area between the thumb and index finger.
• GOSHI (KOSHI) – In some books and translations KOSHI which means Hip, is spelt as GOSHI.
• GOSHIN – Self defense.
• GYAKU – Reverse or Opposite.
• GYAKU ASHI – Reverse Foot or Reverse Leg.
• GYAKU HANMI – Reversed Side-on, half front facing position. This stance is useful in assisting kicking off the back leg as a counter move because the hip is all ready in.
• GYAKU MAWASHI-EMPI UCHI – Reverse Roundhouse Elbow Strike.
• GYAKU MAWASHI GERI – Reverse Round-house Kick. Sometimes also called Ura Mawashi Geri. You normally use the ball of the foot to strike with in the dojo, but the heel in real life as it will cause more damage.
• GYAKU MIKAZUKI ERI – Back or Reverse Crescent Kick, as seen in the Kata Empi. May also be seen as Ura Mikazuki Geri.
• GYAKU TE – Reverse Hand.
• GYAKU TSUKI – Reverse Punch. A basic Shotokan punch, in boxing this would be the ‘right cross’.

H

• HA – Tooth.
• HACHIJI DACHI – Open Leg Stance. The feet are positioned about one shoulder width apart and pointed outwards at 45 degrees. It actually translates to ‘Figure Eight Stance’ and the true full name for this stance should be ‘Soto Hachiji Dachi’, and when the feet are angled in at 45 degrees the name is ‘Uchi Hachiji Dachi’.
• HADA – Skin. also see Hifu.
• HADASHI – Bare Feet.
• HAGUKI – Gums.
• HAI (1) – Yes.
• HAI (2) – Lung.
• HAIMEN – Back or Rear Side.
• HAISHU – Backhand or Back of the hand. The ‘back’ part of the translation is on the ‘HAI’ which if said by itself would be HAIGO. (the ‘go’ is taken off when added to another Kanji).
• HAISHU AGE UCHI – Back Hand Rising Strike. Used in the Kata Nijushiho.
• HAISHU AWASE UKE – Backhand Combined Block, the opening block in the Kata Gankaku. Also seen in Bassai Sho.
• HAISHU JUJI UKE – Backhand Cross Block.
• HAISHU UCHI – Back Hand Strike. A strike with the back of the hand where the hand and fingers are straight.
• HAISHU UKE – Back Hand Block. A block using the back of the hand.
• HAISOKU – Instep of the foot. The area at the base of the shin bone and the top of the foot.
• HAITO – Ridge Hand. Thumb extended across the palm touching the base of the little finger and striking with the area just below the base of the index finger to the first joint of the thumb. The temple is a good target for this technique.
• HAITO KOSHI KAMAE – Ridge-hand Hip Posture. Used in the Kata Bassai Sho. The bottom hand is held as Seiken and the top hand is held in haito with the palm facing up.
• HAITO SUKUI NAGE – Ridge-hand Scooping Throw. Used in the Kata Bassai Sho. Used to counter a front kick. As you scoop the leg you bring it up high, hopefully taking your attacker off balance and throwing him to the floor. In the Kata this move then finishes with a lower level bottom fist strike.
• HAITO UCHI – Ridge-hand Strike.
• HAITO UKE – Ridge-hand Block.
• HAI-WAN – Back Arm.
• HAI-WAN NAGASHI UKE – Back Arm Sweeping Block. Nagashi actually means FLOWING as in Nagashi Tsuki, or Flowing Punch as seen in the Kata Sochin but in this translation we say Sweeping.
• HAI-WAN UKE – Back Arm Block.
• HAJIME – Begin. A command given to start a given drill, Kata, or Kumite. In strict Japanese this should really be Hajimeru, but we take off the ‘ru’.
• HAN – Half. When said by itself it would be Hansu.
• HANA – Nose.
• HANAJI – Nosebleed.
• HANGETSU – A Black Belt level Kata. Meaning Half Moon. Sometimes this Kata is seen as Hungestsu.
• HANGETSU DACHI – Half-Moon Stance. As above this is also seen spelt as Hungestsu. It is also known as Wide Hour Glass Stance.
• HANMI – Side-on, half front facing position.
• HANMI SASHI ASHI DACHI – Side-on or Half Front Facing Stepping Across Position, as seen in the Kata Hungestsu.
• HAN ZENKUTSU DACHI – Half Front Stance, where the feet are only half the distance apart from the full stance. Also see Moto Dachi.
• HARA – Abdomen, Belly, means the same as Tandan.
• HARAI – Sweep or Sweeping. Normally seen as BARAI.
• HARAI FUMIKOMI GERI – Sweeping Stamping Kick, as seen in the Kata Bassai Dai.
• HARAI TE – Sweeping technique with the hand. Harai = Barai = Sweeping and Te = Hand.
• HARAI WAZA – Sweeping techniques.
• HARU – Spread.
• HASAMI – Scissors.
• HASAMI GERI – Scissor Kick.
• HASAMI TSUKI – Scissor Punch.
• HASAMI (UDE) UKE HIZA KAMAE – Scissor (Forearm) Block Knee Posture. As seen in the kata Nijushiho. Where both forearms perform a scissor block and at the same time the right knee raises attacking the groin.
• HASAMI TETTSUI UCHI – Scissor Bottom Fist Strike. As seen in the kata Bassai Dai. Where both bottom fists perform a scissor strike in to the sides of your attackers body.
• HAYAI – Quick, Fast or Rapid.
• HAZUSHI – Pulling Away.
• HAZUSHI TE – Pulling Away Hand, used to describe when you pull your hand away, after it has been grasped in the Kata Heian Shodan, prior to the Tettsui Uchi.
• HEIAN – Peace or Tranquillity, or peaceful mind. These five kata were originally called Pinan. Funakoshi noted that each of the Heian kata should take about one minute to perform.
• HEIKO DACHI – Parallel stance. A natural stance. Feet positioned about one shoulder width apart, with feet pointed straight forward.
• HEIKO IPPON KEN – Parallel One Knuckle Fist, as seen in the Kata Hungestsu.
• HEIKO TSUKI – Parallel Punch (A double, simultaneous punch).
• HEIKO TATE TSUKI – Parallel Vertical Fist Punch, As seen in the Kata Gojushiho Dai.
• HEIKO URA TSUKI – Parallel Close Punch. Used in the Kata Bassai Sho.
• HEISHIN – Closed Heart. The last move in the kata Kanku Dai.
• HEISOKU DACHI – An informal attention stance. Feet and toes are together and pointed straight forward. This stance used to be called ‘Blocked Foot Stance’.
• HENKA – Changing.
• HENKA WAZA – Changing Techniques.
• HICHU – The base of the throat, Adam’s apple or projection of the thyroid cartilage of the larynx.
• HIDARI – Left or Left Side. Sometimes also see spelt as Hadari.
• HIDARI KAMAE – Left Posture. Used to describe when your left side is forward in a stance.
• HIDARITE – Left Hand.
• HIDARI JIGO TAI – Left defensive Posture, although TAI means body it translates better in this case as Posture.
• HIDARI KAGI KAMAE – Left Hooking Stance/Posture, as seen in the Kata Hiean Godan.
• HIDARI NANEME NI YOKERU KOTO – Left diagonal evasion.
• HIFU – Skin. also see Hada.
• HIHO – Secret Method.
• HIJI – Elbow, also known as Empi. HIJI is the older version. EMPI is now the most commonly used. You may also see it spelt as Enpi.
• HIJI-ATE – elbow strike (also called EMPI-UCHI).
• HIJI ATEMI or HIJI ATE – Elbow Strikes.
• HIJI-SURI UKE – Elbow Sliding Block. Some find this a hard technique to master because of the timing, as the elbow comes up and blocks you then extend your arm so that it slides along and as it extends you strike your attacker but it has to be done in one fast fluid movement.
• HIJI UKE – Elbow Block, a blocking action using the elbow.
• HIJI WAZA – Elbow Techniques.
• HIJIZUME – Elbow Joint.
• HIKI – Retract or Pull Back. Also sometimes spelt as Hiku.
• HIKI-ASHI – Retracting Leg, pulling your front leg back so that it is level with what was the rear leg. i. e. to avoid a sweep.
• HIKIOROSHI – Lower. i. e. Dropping fist either side of knee seen in the kata Heian Yondan.
• HIKI-TE – The retracting (pulling and twisting) arm during a technique. It gives the balance of power to the forward moving technique. It can also be used as a pulling technique after a grab, or a backward elbow strike.
• HIKITE UKE – Pulling Hand Block.
• HIKKAKU – Scratch, to wound with the nails. This is can be an application from the Kata Bassai Sho, where you bring your fingers back across your attackers eyes, slicing open his eyeballs.
• HIKUME – Low.
• HINERI – Twist. Sometimes this is also seen spelt as Hineru.
• HINERI KAESHI – Twist Counter, As seen after each Lunge Punch in the Kata Kanku Sho.
• HINERI TENSHIN – A move where you twist and change your course, for example when you twist your wrist out of the grip of your opponent and at the same time change your body course, Hineri = Twisting and Tenshin = Changing Course. It is seen in the Katas Heian Sandan and Kanku Dai.
• HINERITE UKE – Twisting Hand Block.
• HINERI YOKO EMPI UCHI – Twisting Lateral Elbow Strike.
• HINERU – Twist. Sometimes this is also seen spelt as Hineri.
• HIRA – Flat or Level.
• HIRA HASAMI – Flat Scissors. Today this is normally called Koko or Tiger Mouth.
• HIRAKEN – Flat Fist or Fore knuckle fist, as in a punch but with the knuckles extended. Some times referred to as Flat Fist or Level Fist. Also referred to as Hiraken Tsuki.
• HIRA-KOTE – Level Forearm. Centre of the outer and inner forearms.
• HIRA NUKITE – Level Spear Hand or Level Piercing Hand. This is when the palm is facing down.
• HIRATE – Flat or Level Hand.
• HIRATE DE UTSU – Slap, as in open handed strike.
• HIRATE OSAE UKE – Fore Hand Pressing Block, or Flat Hand Pressing Block. Used in the Kata Kanku Sho.
• HISHIRYO – Think without thinking; consciousness beyond thought.
• HITAI – Brow/Forehead.
• HITOSASHI IPPON KEN – Forefinger Knuckle Fist, more commonly seen as IPPON KEN, but also seen as Hitosashiyubi Ippon Ken.
• HITOSASHIYUBI IPPON KEN – Fore Finger Fist. Today it is normally just called Ippon Ken, but may also be seen as Hitosashi Ippon Ken.
• HIZA – Knee or Lap.
• HIZAGASHIRA – Knee Cap.
• HIZAGASHIRA GERI – Knee Cap Kick.
• HIZA GERI – Knee Kick.
• HIZAKANSETSU – Knee Joint.
• HIZKEN GERI – Kneefist Kick. Another name for Hiza Geri.
• HIZATSUI – Knee Hammer.
• HIZA UKE – Knee Block, A blocking action using the knee.
• HIZA WAZA – Knee Techniques.
• HO – Step or Pace.
• HOKO – Direction.
• HOMBU DOJO – A term used to refer to the central dojo of an organisation.
• HON – Basic or Fundamental.
• HONE – Bone.
• HOO – Cheek.
• HORAN NO KAMAE – ‘Egg in the Nest Posture’ or Ready Position used in some KATA where the fist in covered by the other hand. Another way of explaining this position is that Empty Hand (karate) over comes Angry Fist. (A non-karate person). It is also called Wrapped Fist. Also see JIAI NO KAMAE which I think is a better term for this position.
• HUNGETSU – Half Moon. A black belt kata mainly performed from Hungetsu Dachi. This kata is sometimes seen spelt as Hangetsu and as ‘Mangetsu’ means ‘Full Moon’ and ‘Han’ means ‘Half’ the spelling ‘Hangetsu’ may be more correct.
• HUNGETSU DACHI – Half Moon Stance. Also seen spelt as Hangetsu Dachi.
• HYOSHI – Rhythm.

I

• ICHI (1) – One.
• ICHI (2) – Position or Location.
• ICHIBYOSHI – In One Breath.
• IKKEN HISSATSU – To Kill With One Blow.
• INASU – evasion of an on-coming attack through the course of removing the body from the line of attack.
• INAZUMA – The side of the body slightly above the hips.
• IPPON DACHI – Another term for a One Legged Stance, also see Kata Ashi Dachi.
• IPPON DACHI CHUDAN TATE SHUTO UKE – One Leg Middle Level Vertical Knife Hand Block. Seen in the Kata Gojushiho Dai.
• IPPON KEN – One Knuckle Fist.
• IPPON KEN FURI OTOSHI – One Knuckle Fist Circular Drop. This move is from the kata Chinte.
• IPPON KEN GYAKU FURI OTOSHI – One Knuckle Fist reversed Circular Drop. This move is from the kata Chinte.
• IPPON KUMITE – One step sparring.
• IPPON NUKITE – One Finger Spear Hand. A stabbing action using the extended index finger. Normally aimed at the eye’s or throat.
• IRIMI – to penetrate, to enter. Usually describes moving closer to the opponent than the attack as you close in defense.

J

• JIAI – To be in harmony with oneself. (start of Ji katas). It said that it was a form of greeting used by the monks at the temple of JI-ON.
• JIAI NO KAMAE – In Harmony With One’s Self Posture, a term used by Kanazawa in his Kata books. Best described as the Wrapped Fist posture seen at the start of the Katas Bassai Dai, Jion, Jiin etc. It describes the state of mind that you should be in before you begin the Kata.
• JI-IN – Temple Grounds.
• JIKU ASHI – Pivot Leg.
• JINCHU – Philtrum, or the spot just under the nose.
• JINZO – Kidney.
• JI-ON – From The Temple Of Ji-On. A higher grade Kata.
• JITTE – Ten Hands. A higher grade Kata. The translation implies that if the kata is mastered you can face ten opponents. This kata is unique in that there is not a single punch in it.
• JISSEN – Actual Fighting.
• JIYU – Freedom (of movement etc. ).
• JIYU IPPON KUMITE – One step free sparring.
• JIYU KUMITE / KAMAE – Free Sparring. / Free Sparring Posture.
• JO – Wooden staff about 4′-5′ in length. The JO originated as a walking stick.
• JODAN – Upper level. If called prior to an attack it indicates that the attack will be to the head area. The student should still block what ever attack is thrown. This takes in to account that mistakes do happen.
• JODAN KAMAE or JODAN NO KAMAE – High Level Posture.
• JODAN MOROTE UKE – Upper Level Augmented Forearm Block. As seen in the Kata JI-ON.
• JODAN UKE – High Level Block.
• JO HINERI – Jo Twist, as seen in the Kata Bassai Sho. It is the movement after blocking the Jo, the twist movement takes the attacker off balance.
• JOHO – Another spelling of KOHO, which means Back or Behind. (Koho Tsuki Age, Koho Shuto Gamae).
• JOKO – Slow.
• JOMYAKU – Vein.
• JOSHIN KAMAE – An open handed posture from the kata Meikyo. A term used by Kanazawa meaning ‘The Heart Of Buddhism’
• JOSO KUTEI – Raised Sole.
• JOTAI – Upper Body.
• JO TSUKAMI WAZA – Jo Grasping Techniques.
• JO TSUKE DEASHI – used to describe a Jo Thrust whilst stepping forwards, as used in the kata Jitte.
• JO UKE – Jo Block, A block against a Jo (a short stick, about walking stick length).
• JO UKE WAZA – Jo Blocking Techniques. Used in the KATA BASSAI SHO.
• JUJI – Cross.
• JUJI UKE – Cross Block or X Block. Where the arms cross and block at the base of where they cross.
• JUJI KAMAE – Cross Block Stance, as seen in the Kata Kanku Dai.
• JU NEN GOROSHI – Ten Year Kill.
• JUN KAITEN – Regular Rotation, Corresponding Rotation. The hip and arm going in the same direction.
• JUN TSUKI – Corresponding Punch. i. e. Punching with the same arm as the leg that is forward.

K

• KA – Person or Practitioner.
• KACHIKAKE – Point on Jaw. Also see Ago.
• KAESHI – Counter, the countering of an opponents offensive action. Sometimes this seen spelt as Kaesu.
• KAESHI IPPON KUMITE – Returning One Step Sparring, or Countering One Step Sparring. ‘A’ calls the first attack against ‘B’ and then attacks. B then steps back and blocks A’s attack. B then returns stepping forwards and attacks A, A steps back and blocks and counters this attack.
• KAFUKUBU – Abdomen.
• KAGI – Hook.
• KAGI TSUKI – Hook Punch. Sometimes called ‘Flowing Water Punch’.
• KAGI UKE – Hooking Block.
• KAHANSHIN – Lower half of the body.
• KAHO – Downward.
• KAI – Style, as in Shotokai.
• KAISHIN – Open Heart, The beginning move of the kata Kanku Dai.
• KAISHO – Open hand. This refers to the type of blow/block which is delivered with the open hand. It can also be used to describe other hand blows in which the fist is not fully clenched or blocks with an open hand.
• KAISHO KOSA UKE – Open Hand Cross Block.
• KAISHO RYO WAN KAMAE – Open Handed Both Arm Posture, as seen in the Kata Hungestsu.
• KAISHO UKE – Open Hand Block.
• KAISHO YAMA KAMAE – Open Handed Mountain Posture, as seen in the Kata Hungestsu.
• KAITEN – Turn or Rotate.
• KAITEN TE – Rotate Hands, As seen in the Kata Empi after the Jo Uke.
• KAIUN NO TE – Open The Cloud. From the Kata Unsu
• KAKAE NAGE – Trapping Throw.
• KAKAE TE UKE – Trapping Hand Block
• KAKATO – Heel (of the foot)
• KAKATO GERI – Heel Kick or also known as Axe Kick, striking with the back of the heel of the foot.
• KAKE – Hooking.
• KAKE DORI – Hooking Grasp/Pull, as seen three times in the Kata Hungestsu.
• KAKEHIKI – Tac-Tic’s.
• KAKE SHUTO UKE – Hooking Knife Hand Block.
• KAKE TE – Hooking Hand.
• KAKE UKE – Hooking Block.
• KAKE WAZA – Hooking Techniques.
• KAKIWAKE UKE – Reverse Wedge Block. A two handed block used when an attacker attempts to grab the front chest area of the defender. The defender brings both of his arms up between the attackers arms and then pulls them apart. As seen in the Kata HEIAN YONDAN.
• KAKUSHI WAZA – ‘Hidden techniques’ You may also see hidden as Kakusu.
• KAKUTO – Bent Wrist.
• KAKUTO UCHI – Bent Wrist Strike. Wrist joint strike. Also known as ‘KO UCHI’.
• KAKUTO UKE – Bent Wrist Block. Wrist Joint Block. Also known as KO UKE.
• KAMAE – Posture or Stance. Kamae is sometimes spelt GAMAE.
• KAMAE KATA – Posture of the upper body.
• KAMAE-TE – A command given by the instructor for students to get into position.
• KAMI – Hair. Kami Dori/Tsukami is Hair grab, from the kata Empi. Also see Ke.
• KAMI TSUKAMI – Hair Grab, as seen in the Kata Empi. This could also be called ‘Ke Tsukami’.
• KAMITSUKU – Bite. Some might find this a strange entry on this site, but in a real fight there are no rules and if biting your attacker helps you win the fight, then do it.
• KAMU – Bite.
• KAN – Fighting awareness, or penetrating the true nature of things.
• KANANERU – Put One On Top Of Another.
• KANI BASAMI – Crab Claw(s).
• KANJI – The symbols of Japanese writing. Karate is made up of two kanji. The first being the symbol for ‘Empty’ and the second symbol being for ‘hand’.
• KANKU DAI / SHO – Viewing The Sky. Two black belt Kata’s. Dai = Minor and Sho = Major.
• KANSETSU – Against the joint. Also used to describe locking techniques against joints.
• KANSETSU UCHI – Against the joint Strike.
• KANSETSU WAZA – Against the joint Techniques, or Locking Techniques.
• KANTAN NA MONO YOKU KACHI O SEISU – The Balance Between Victory And Defeat Often Hangs On Simple Matters.
• KANZO – Liver, also seen spelt as ‘Kimo’.
• KANJI – The symbols of Japanese writing.
• KAO – Face, as in of the head.
• KAO HIDARI MUKI – Face Left Facing. This applies only to the head, it is different to Left Facing, as this means the Face is facing left, even though the body may be facing a different direction.
• KAO MIGI MUKI – Face Right Facing. This applies only to the head, it is different to right Facing, as this means the Face is facing right, even though the body may be facing a different direction.
• KAPPO – Techniques of resuscitating people who have succumbed to a shock to the nervous System. In some books this is seen as Katsu.
• KARA – Empty, when said by itself this would be ‘Kara no’. In Karate we use the Kara to imply that we are weapon-less or empty handed, which is correct, but Master Funakoshi said “that the person who follows Karate must make himself void or empty by ridding himself of all self-centredness and greed, making yourself empty within, but upright without. This is the real meaning of the ‘Empty’ in Karate.
• KARADA – Body, Physique.
• KARATE – The word karate is formed by the joining of two Japanese kanji or written characters. The first means ’empty'(it also means ‘Leisure’) whilst the second means ‘hand'(it also means ‘Handy’, ‘Skill’ or ‘Workman’). Karate is therefore simply translated as ’empty-hand’. When Funakoshi came to Tokyo karate translated as ‘Chinese-hands’. Karate was sometimes referred to as ‘Okinawan-te’. Funakoshi changed the kanji to read empty hand and is credited with doing so in 1935 with the publication of ‘karate-do kyohan’. Looking at the Kanji for ‘Kara’ in more detail it is made up off two components. The top one meaning ‘Cave’ and the bottom one meaning ‘Labour’ and combinatively the characters may have been originally used for caves made by man, a place made empty by labour. For ‘Te’ the character depicts a full palm. In the ancient writing the palm is depicted with representation of the lines of the palm.
• KARATE-DO – The Way of the Empty Hand. This implies not only the physical aspect of Karate, but also the mental and social aspects of Karate. The true translation is ‘Empty Hand Way’.
• KARATE-D0 NYUMON – The first book written by Gichin Funakoshi. It translates literally as ‘A passage through the gates of the Karate way’.
• KARATE-KA – A practitioner of Karate.
• KARATE NI SENTENASHI – A term which sums up the essence of the art, it means ‘In Karate There Is No First Strike’. This saying can be found engraved on Master Funakoshi’s memorial stone.
• KARA TSUKI – Empty Punch. This is another name for Choku Tsuki or Straight Punch. If you take a ‘full’ punch to be one where the hips, etc are used to deliver maximum power, then this punch is the opposite as only the arms are used, the opposite of ‘full’ being ’empty’. It is a term used by Kanazawa Sensei.
• KARIKOMI – Cutting In.
• KASEI – Under.
• KASEI GERI – Under Kick. This is a strict translation. It is kicking from under your opponent. It is seen in the Kata Unsu where you are kicking from the floor under your opponent.
• KASEI NAGE – Under Throw, an application from the Kata Chinte where you are countering a Mae Geri.
• KASUI UKE – Fire and Water Block. From the Kata Kanku Sho.
• KASUI KEN – Fire and Water Fist. From the Kata Kanku Sho.
• KASUMI – Temple on the side of the head. Also see Komikami
• KASUSATSU – The area between the fifth and sixth vertebra.
• KATA (1) – Form, Figure or Shape. In Karate, Kata is a form or prescribed pattern of movement fighting imaginary opponents. There are a total of twenty seven in Shotokan.
• KATA (2) – Shoulder.
• KATA (3) – Single or One.
• KATA-ASHI – One Leg or Single Leg.
• KATA ASHI DACHI – Single Leg Stance, a general term for one leg stances used in Kata, this terminology is used by Hirokazu Kanazawa in his Kata books. See also Sashi Ashi Dachi, Tsuru Ashi Dachi and Sagi Ashi Dachi.
• KATACHI – Good Form, as in shape, stance etc.
• KATA HIZA DACHI – One Knee Stance. Best described as a half kneeling position. As used in the Kata Gankaku.
• KATANA – A type of Sword or Blade.
• KATATE – One Hand or Single Hand.
• KATATE UKE – One Hand or Single Hand Block.
• KATSU (1) – Win.
• KATSU (2) – A resuscitation technique.
• KATSU (3) – A type of loud shout, similar to a Kiai.
• KAWASHI – ‘Interaction’, In practice you pass through your opponents attack, in effect exchanging places with him. Stepping in towards the attacker, while turning (kawasu) your body to avoid the attack. Evasion.
• KE – Hair.
• KEAGE – ‘Kick Up’ in karate we use this when describing snapping as opposed to thrusting kicks. But see Keriage
• KEBANASHI – Kick Off.
• KEGA – Injury or Wound. May also see it spelt as ‘Kizu’.
• KEICHU – Nape of the neck.
• KEIKO (1) – Training or Practice. The only secret to success in Karate.
• KEIKO (2) – Joined Fingertips.
• KEITO UCHI – Chicken Head Strike.
• KEITO UKE – Chicken Head Block.
• KEITO UKE NAGASHI – Chicken Head Blocking Sweep. As seen in the Kata Gojushiho Dai
• KEKKAN – Blood Vessel.
• KEKOMI – Thrust Kick ( Literally, Kick Into/Straight ). See Kerikomi.
• KEMPO – ‘Fist Law’. A generic term to describe fighting systems that uses the fist. In this regard, KARATE is also KEMPO. Although Fist is normally spelt Ken.
• KEN (1) – Fist.
• KEN (2) – Sword.
• KEN EMPI ZOE – Fist On Elbow, as in Morote Uke.
• KENSEI – The technique with silent KIAI. Related to meditation.
• KENSEITAI – Feint. From the Kata Nijushiho.
• KENTSUI – Hammer Fist Also known as TETTSUI. Hammer can also be spelt as Kanazuchi.
• KENTSUI UCHI (Or TETTSUI UCHI) – Hammer Fist Strike.
• KENTSUI UKE (Or TETTSUI UKE) – Hammer Fist Block.
• KERI – Kick, you will see kick spelt this way. My normal spelling used on this site is GERI. From my research I would suggest that ‘Keri’ is in fact the older of the two spellings.
• KERIAGE – Kick Up, this is the original name for a snap kick or ‘Keage’. Before the 1960’s there was no such kick as a ‘Keage’ it was Keriage. This has become shortened through time to Keage. You may see translations of Keage as ‘Kick Up’ this in fact relates back to the original name for the kick or ‘Keriage’.
• KERIKOME – Kick In, this is the original name for a thrust kick or ‘Kekomi’. Before the 1960’s there was no such kick as a ‘Kekomi’ it was Kerikomi. This has become shortened through time to Kekomi. You may see translations of Kekomi as ‘Kick In’ this in fact relates back to the original name for the kick or ‘Kerikomi’.
• KERI WAZA – Kicking Techniques.
• KERU – Kick. Mainly now spelt Geri, but also can be seen as Keri.
• KESA GERI – Diagonal Kick, aimed at the opponents side.
• KE TSUKAMI – Hair Grab, as seen in the Kata Empi. This could also be Kami Tsukami.
• KETTO – Blood.
• KI – Mind, Spirit, Energy, Vital-force, Ether, Breath, Air, Primal Aura, Vital Fluid, Life-giving principle, Intention. (Chinese ‘chi’) The definitions presented here are very general. KI is one word that cannot be translated directly into any language. The kanji is made up of two components, the top one being vapour curling and rising from the ground and forming clouds. The bottom one being rice after it is hulled. The combination of these two shows the fumes rising from the fermented rice, ether; breath; air.
• KIAI – A shout delivered for the purpose of focusing all of one’s energy into a single movement. One translation of kiai that I have found is “the expression of vital spirit”. It is often translated as “spirit yell” but it really means “spirit harmony”.
• KIBA DACHI – Straddle Stance. Also known as HORSE RIDING STANCE.
• KIHAKU – Spirit.
• KIHON – Basic, (Something which is) fundamental. Basic techniques.
• KIHON IPPON KUMITE – Basic one step sparring. The attacking student calls the attack. The defender blocks and counters the attack. All carried out in basics. Kihon Kumite would be Basic Sparring.
• KI KAMAE – Mental Preparation Posture. It is the posture you hold when you are preparing yourself prior to action.
• KI KEN TAI NO ITCHI – Spirit, Technique and body as one.
• KIME – Focus of Power and concentration. Kime comes about as a result of Shin-Gi-Tai.
• KIN GERI – Front Arch Kick. A kick to the groin using the instep.
• KING SHO HASHI (1372-1439) – A Chuzan King, said to be the man who by banning the carrying of weapons in Okinawa during the 15th century indirectly led to the martial arts being formed.
• KINNIKU – Muscles.
• KINTEKI – Testicles.
• KI-O-TSUKE – Attention. Musubi Dachi with open hands down both sides.
• KIREI TU – Stand Up.
• KIRI – Cut or Repeat, you may also see this spelt as ‘Kiru’.
• KIRI KAESHI – Repeated Counter, as used in the Kata Bassi-Dai. It means to ‘repeat’ or ‘do over again’. You may also see it spelt as ‘Kiri-Kaesu’
• KISHO IPPON KUMITE – Returning One Step Sparring. A calls the first attack against B and then attacks. B then steps back and blocks A’s attack. B then returns stepping forwards and attacks A, A steps back and blocks and counters this attack.
• KITSUTSUKI NO KAMAE – Woodpecker Posture. From the Kata Gojushiho Dai.
• KIZAMI GERI – Jabbing Kick. Also called Kizami Mae Geri, It is a front kick off the front leg. Thrown with a jabbing action.
• KIZAMI TSUKI – Jabbing Punch.
• KO (1) – Arc.
• KO (2) – Back.
• KO BO ICHI (ITTCHI) – The concept of Attack-Defence Connection. There is no attack, there is no defence, the two are simultaneous
• KOBORE – Tibia.
• KOBUSHI – Fist, but in Karate we use ‘Seiken’
• KODENKO – The base of the spine.
• KO EMPI UCHI – Rear Elbow Strike. Today we normally say Ushiro Empi Uchi.
• KOHAI – A student junior to oneself.
• KOHO – Means either Back, Behind or Rear.
• KOHO KAITEN TOBI – Rear Turning Jump, as used in the Kata Empi.
• KOHO OSAE – Rear Grab, Describing when you are grabbed from behind, in a ‘bear hug’.
• KOHO SHUTO KAMAE – Behind Knife Hand Posture, (as seen in the Katas Meikyo and Bassai Dai) KOHO describes where you have moved behind your attacker.
• KOHO TENKAN – Reversing Direction.
• KOHO TSUKI AGE – Back or reverse Punch Rising, a rising punch coming vertically up under the opponents chin. As seen in the Kata Heian Godan.
• KOKEN – Wrist joint or Bent Wrist. One of the translations is ‘Arc Fist’
• KOKO – Tiger Mouth.
• KOKO HIZA KUZUSHI – Tiger Mouth Knee Take / Pull Down as seen in the Kata NIJUSHIHO.
• KOKO OSAE – Tiger Mouth Grasp.
• KOKORO – Spirit, Heart. In Japanese culture, the spirit dwells in the Heart.
• KOKO UCHI – Tiger Mouth Strike. A strike using the area between the thumb and index finger.
• KOKO UKE – Tiger Mouth Block
• KOKOTSU – The centre point of the fibula and tibia(shin bone).
• KOKUTSU DACHI – Back Stance. A stance which has most of the weight (70%) to the back. The actual translation means Back Knee Bent Stance.
• KOKYU – Breath or Breathing.
• KOMEKAMI – The temple area of the head.
• KOMI – Near or Against.
• KORI – The upper surface of the instep.
• KOSA – Cross. If said by itself it would be ‘Kosa Suru’.
• KOSA DACHI – Crossed Stance referring to the feet. or Kosa Ashi Dachi.
• KOSA UKE – Crossed Block, different to Ju-Ji Uke as the arms do not finish crossed. An example of Kosa Uke can be seen at the second block in Heian Sandan where the arms cross in front of the body and perform two separate blocks.
• KOSHI (1) – Ball of Foot.
• KOSHI (2) – Hip/Waist.
• KOSHI KAMAE – Hip Posture/stance. A stance where the fists are held one above the other against the hip.
• KOSHIN – Rearward.
• KOSHI NO KAITEN – Hip Rotation.
• KOTE (1) – Wrist, another translation for Wrist. TE is on the end to signify that it is of the hand. Ko means Arc.
• KOTE (2) – Back Hand.
• KOTE (3) – Forearm. In some cases you will see KOTE as forearm as in ‘Omote-Kote’ or ‘Outer Forearm’
• KOTE HODOKI WAZA – Wrist releasing techniques.
• KO UCHI – Wrist joint strike. Also known as KAKUTO UCHI.
• KO UKE – Crane Block or Arc Block. Same as KAKUTO UKE.
• KOWASU – Break.
• KUBI – Neck.
• KUCHI – Mouth.
• KUCHI BUSHI – Mouth Warriors. A derogatory term for People who train insufficiently yet become ‘masters’. Funakoshi said “Kuchi Bushi are as common as grains of sand on a beach”.
• KUCHIBIRU – Lip.
• KUMADE – Bear Hand. (also means Rake or Fork). To say ‘Bear’ by itself it would be ‘Kuma’ so should ‘Bear Hand’ be ‘Kumate’ in stead of ‘Kumade’ which would make more sense? This technique is probably the least practice in karate. It also does not appear in a single shotokan kata.
• KUMADE UCHI – Bear hand strike.
• KUMITE – Fighting / Sparring
• KUN – Oath.
• KUSAGAKURE – The outside edge of the top of the foot.
• KUSSU – Bent, for example, Hiza Kussu is Bent Knee.
• KUTSU – Pain.
• KUZUSHI – Breaking or Upsetting.
• KYO – Teach or Teaching. When said by itself it would be ‘Kyoju’.
• KYO DACHI – Take Up Stance, seen in the Kata Sochin when you bring your rear leg up when performing the Hand Pressing Block and Spear Hand Strike. This movement could also be called Ushiro Suri Ashi or Rear Leg Sliding.
• KYOEI – Area below the armpits, approximately the spot between the fifth and sixth ribs.
• KYOKU – Breathing.
• KYOSEN – Solar Plexus. For this it is better to use Suigetsu.
• KYOTOTSU – Base of breastbone or sternum.
• KYU – Grade. Any rank below Shodan.
• KYUSHIN – To Study or Seek. You may also see this as Kyoshin.
• KYUSHO – Vital Spots. These will be your target areas when attacking.
• KYUSHO WAZA – Vital Spot Techniques.

M

• MA-AI – Distancing. Distancing with respect to one’s partner. Since Karate techniques always vary according to circumstances, it is important to understand how differences in initial position affect the timing and application of techniques.
• MA-AI GA TOH – not proper distance.
• MAE – Front or Forward.
• MAE ASHI – Front Leg or Front Foot.
• MAE ASHI GERI – Front Leg Kick.
• MAE ASHI GYAKU MAWASHI GERI – Front Leg Reverse Roundhouse Kick. Normally striking with the heel or sole of the foot.
• MAE ASHI MAWASHI GERI – Front Leg Round House Kick. This kick features in the higher Kyu grade and black belt gradings.
• MAE EMPI UCHI – Front Elbow Strike.
• MAE GERI – Front Kick.
• MAE GERI KEAGE – Front Snapping Kick. Also referred to as MAE KEAGE. This is a front kick, but the ‘Keage’ denotes the way in which it is delivered, as a snap as opposed to a thrust.
• MAE GERI KEKOMI – Front Thrust Kick. Also referred to as MAE KEKOMI. This is a front kick, but the ‘Kekomi’ denotes the way in which it is delivered, as a thrust as opposed to a snap.
• MAE HIJI ATE – Front Elbow Strike.
• MAE NI ITE (MY KNEE ITE) – Going Forward.
• MAE TOBI GERI – Front Jumping Kick.
• MAEUDE-DEAI-OSAE UKE – Front Forearm Pressing Block.
• MAEUDE HINERI UKE – Front Forearm Twist Block.
• MAE UKEMI – forward fall/roll.
• MAKIWARA – Punching Board or post.
• MANABU – Learning by imitating. A method of studying movement and techniques by following and imitating the instructor.
• MANJI KAMAE – Swastika Posture. A Double block where one arm executes GEDAN BARAI to one side, while the other arm executes JODAN UCHI UKE, usually carried out in KOKUTSU DACHI. and is also called. This move features in many Shotokan Kata.
• MANJI UKE – Swastika Block. It is another way of saying Manji Kamae.
• MATA – Top of the thigh.
• MAWARI KOMI – Turning (like a top).
• MAWASHI EMPI UCHI – Round House or Circular Elbow Strike. Also referred to as MAWASHI HIJI ATE. This is a devastating close in technique and when performed correctly with good hip movement you should be able to knock your opponent off his feet.
• MAWASHI GERI – Roundhouse Kick. This kick is considered to be a fairly ‘recent’ innovation and may explain why you do not see any of the Mawashi geri’s (mawashi geri, gyaku/ura mawashi geri or ushiro mawashi geri) in Shotokan Kata. Master Kanazawa did replace the Fumikomi in the kata Empi during the 1960’s and 1970’s because of this. A good practical target area in a real fight for this kick is the outside of your opponents knee. The kick should rip his ligaments and tendons and drop him to the floor.
• MAWASHI HIJI ATE – Roundhouse Elbow Strike. Also referred to as MAWASHI EMPI UCHI.
• MAWASHI HIZA GERI – Roundhouse Knee Kick. Done with the same action as a normal roundhouse kick but striking with the knee. A good target area for this is the solar-plexus as you pull your attacker on to it.
• MAWASHI KAKE UKE – Round House Hooking Block.
• MAWASHI TOBI GERI – Roundhouse Jumping Kick, or Flying Roundhouse Kick. The thing that I like about this kick is that you can show your first leg that comes up as a feint for a front kick, and thereby getting your opponent to start blocking down for it, exposing the side of his head to the full power of the roundhouse kick that follows.
• MAWASHI TSUKI – Roundhouse Punch. I like this punch as you are able to hook it round your opponents guard and as it is a punch that doesn’t seem to get used that often your opponents don’t have a re-active defence to it.
• MAWATE – A command given by the instructor for students to turn around.
• MAYU – Eyebrow.
• ME – Eye.
• MEIJIN – Expert or Master.
• MEIKYO – Polished Mirror. A black belt kata.
• MEN – Side, Face or Surface. For example Yokomen, Sokumen, Haimen.
• ME NO TSUKEKATA – Fixing The Eyes.
• MIGAMAE – Physical Readiness.
• MIGI – Right (Right Side). If said by itself it would be Migi No.
• MIGI KAGI KAMAE – Right Hooking Posture, as seen in the Kata Hiean Godan.
• MIGI NANEME NI YOKERU KOTO – Right diagonal evasion
• MIGI KAMAE – Right Posture. Used to describe when your right side is forward in a stance.
• MIGITE – Right Hand
• MIKAZUKI – Crescent.
• MIKAZUKI GERI – Crescent Kick.
• MIKAZUKI GERI UKE – Crescent Kick Block, where the kick is used to block an attack.
• MIKEN – Summit of the nose in the centre of the forehead.
• MIMI – Ear.
• MIRU – Look.
• MIYAKUDOKORO or UCHIJAKUZAWA – The inner parts of the forearm where the pulse can be felt.
• MIZU – Water.
• MIZO NAGARE KAMAE – Water Flowing Posture, Nagare also translates as ‘Flowing’ in the same way that Nagashi does. This stance is also seen as ‘Kagi Kamae’ or ‘Hooking Posture’.
• MIZO NAGARE URAKEN KAMAE – Water Flowing Back Fist Posture, As seen at the start of the Kata Gojushiho Dai.
• MIZU NO KOKORO – Mind Like Water. A psychological principle emphasising the need to calm your mind, like the surface of undisturbed water, while facing an opponent.
• MOKUSO – Meditation. Practice often begins or ends with a brief period of meditation. The purpose of meditation is to clear one’s mind and to develop cognitive equanimity. Perhaps more importantly, meditation is an opportunity to become aware of conditioned patterns of thought and behaviour so that such patterns can be modified, eliminated or more efficiently put to use.
• MOMO – Thigh.
• MOROASHI BARAI – Two Leg Sweep.
• MOROTE – Augmented, Double or Two Handed. A term synonymous with the use of two hands to perform a certain technique.
• MOROTE ENSHIN HAITO BARAI – Two Handed Circular Ridge Hand Sweep. A move from the kata Chinte. The circle is performed by both hands.
• MOROTE GEDAN IPPON NUKITE UCHI – combined lower level one finger spear hand strike. As seen in the Kata Gojushiho Dai.
• MOROTE GEDAN SHUTO UKE – Double Handed Lower Level Knife Hand Block. As seen in the Kata Gankaku.
• MOROTE GEDAN UKE – Double Handed Lower Level Block. As seen in the Kata Gankaku.
• MOROTE HIKI OTOSHI – Two Handed Pulling Drop. Used in the Kata Bassai Sho.
• MOROTE JO UKE – Double Handed Jo Block. As seen in the Kata Meikyo.
• MOROTE KAISHO GEDAN UKE – Double Open Handed Lower Level Block. As seen in the Kata Gojushiho Dai.
• MOROTE KIZAMI URA TSUKI – Double Jabbing Close Punch. As seen in the Kata Meikyo.
• MOROTE KOKO DORI – Double Tiger Mouth Grasp. As seen in the Kata Jitte when grabbing the Jo.
• MOROTE KOKO UKE – Double Tiger Mouth Block. As seen in the Kata Bassai Sho.
• MOROTE KUBI OSAE – Two Handed Head/Neck Hold, where both hands are used to grab, one either side of the opponents head. As seen in the Kata Heian Yondan.
• MOROTE SEIRYUTO UCHI – Two Handed Ox-jaw Strike. Generally used against the collar bones, as seen in the Kata Gojushiho-Sho.
• MOROTE SUKUI UKE – Augmented Scooping Block, or two handed scooping block. Generally used against a kick in which the attackers leg is scooped up.
• MOROTE TSUKAMI UKE – Augmented Grasping Block, or two handed grasping block.
• MOROTE TSUKI – Augmented Punch or U-Punch. Punching with both fists simultaneously. Also referred to as AWASE TSUKI or DOUBLE HANDED PUNCH.
• MOROTE UDE UKE – Augmented Forearm Block. The opposite fist is placed close to the elbow of the blocking forearm.
• MOROTE UKE – Augmented Block.
• MOROTE URA KIZAMI AGE TSUKI – Augmented Back Jabbing Punch Rising. As seen in the kata Kanku Dai.
• MOTO – Original.
• MOTO DACHI – Original Stance, a term that you may see in some older Karate books. Karate used to have much higher stances than are trained with today. Then when we started using lower stances Moto Dachi was the term used to tell you to go back to the higher original stance.
• MUDANSHA – Students without black-belt ranking.
• MUKI – facing. i. e. Kao Migi Muki = Head Facing Right. It also means direction; situation; exposure; aspect or suitability.
• MUNE – Chest.
• MUNEN MUSO – Free of all idea’s and thoughts. You are therefore ready to learn, or act with a clear mind, dedicating yourself to the task in hand.
• MUSHIN – No Mind, or Without Mind. It indicates a clear, calm spirit. This should be striven for in Kata or in meditation.
• MUSUBI DACHI – Informal attention stance, Heels placed together but with each foot turned out at 45 degrees. This used to be called ‘Linked Feet Stance’
• MUSO – Vision or Dream.
• MUSO KAMAE – A term used by Kanazawa for the first move in the Kata Sochin, which consists of an Upper Rising Block with a simultaneous Lower Level Bottom Fist Strike. (Age Uke Doji Gedan Tettsui Uchi) which are performed at slow speed and with tension.
• MUSO UKE – Vision or Dream Block. Kanazawa uses this terminology in the Kata Nijushiho. It would best be described as a Vertical Scissor Fore-arm Block.
• MYAKU – Pulse.
• MYOJO – Area about one inch below the navel.

N

• NAGARI – Flowing, Stream or Current. It has the same meaning/translation as NAGASHI. You may also see it spelt as ‘Nagare’ or ‘Nagareru’
• NAGASHI – Flowing, but in some terminology is used as Sweeping.
• NAGASHI TSUKI – Flowing punch. As you execute the punch your body angle changes and assists in avoiding an on-coming attack.
• NAGASHI UKE – Sweeping Block. This is one of the times that Nagashi is referred to as Sweeping.
• NAGE – Throwing or NAGE WAZA is throwing techniques. When said by itself it would be ‘Nageru’
• NAGEASHI – Throw Leg. This term applies to a technique designed to throw your opponent
• NAIHANCHI – This was the original name for the Tekki Katas, but was changed by Funakoshi.
• NAIHANCHI DACHI – Kiba Dachi, but with the feet turned in.
• NAI WAN – Inner Arm. Located on the same side as the thumb.
• NAI WAN UKE – Inside Of The Arm Block.
• NAI WAN SUKUI NAGE – Inner Arm Scooping Throw. As used in the Kata Chinte.
• NAKADAKA IPPON-KEN – Middle Finger One Knuckle Fist. This is sometimes also called Nakayubi Ippon Ken.
• NAKAYUBI IPPON KEN – Middle Finger Fist. Today this is normally called Nakadaka Ippon Ken.
• NANAME – Diagonal.
• NANAME SHIKO DACHI – Diagonal Straddle Leg Stance.
• NAMI – Wave.
• NAMI ASHI – Inside Snapping Block , also known as Returning Wave because of the motion of the leg, as seen in the Kata Tekki Shodan. It is also some times called Nami Geashi.
• NEKO – Cat.
• NEKO-ASHI DACHI – Cats Foot Stance. A stance that allows you to kick easily off of the front leg.
• NI – Two or Second.
• NIDAN – A Second Dan black belt
• NIDAN GERI – Double Kick, as seen at the end of the Kata KANKU DAI
• NIHON NUKITE – Two Finger Spear Hand. Striking with the index and middle fingers usually to the eyes.
• NIJUSHIHO – Twenty Four Steps. A black belt kata that is performed over twenty four steps.
• NIKEITO KAMAE – Double Chicken Head Posture, from the Kata Unsu.
• NIKU – Flesh.
• NIKU-SEN-SURI – Flesh Cut Into A 1000 Pieces, It was said that with training you can penetrate the skin of your attacker and pull out his vital organs.
• NI NO KOSHI NO HYOSHI – In Two Beats(feint).
• NOBASHI(U) – Extend.
• NODO – Throat.
• NOGARE – A style of breathing used in Karate that advocates proper breath control even in the face of danger.
• NO MUKO HOFAKU – Facing opposite Way.
• NUKITE – Spear Hand

O

• O’ – O’ prior to a word means great or big, therefore O’Sensei would be great Sensei, O’Furi would be great swing/circle.
• OBI – Belt
• OFURI – Big Swing.
• OI-TSUKI – Lunge punch.
• OKINAWA-TE – An old Okinawa name for what today is known as Karate, also see To-De and To-Te.
• OKURI – Chase, as in ‘to go after’ or Slide or Present.
• OKURI JIYU IPPON – Carried out from free-style position, the attacker calls the first attack. The defender then blocks and counters this attack and Kiais he/she then steps away, then with out calling it the original attacker then attacks with ANY technique. The original defender must then block and counter this technique and Kiai. The attacks go from Jodan through to Ushiro Geri OKURI translates as Chasing OR Moving On To.
• OKURI ASHI BARAI – Moving On To Foot Sweep. The opponents foot is swept out from under him as he steps forwards
• OMOTE – Front.
• OMOTE-KOTE – Front Forearm or Inner Forearm. The thumb edge side that when standing naturally faces to the front.
• ONAJI WAZA – Same Technique.
• OSAE – Pressing or Holding. You may also see it spelt as ‘Osu’ or ‘Oshi’
• OSAE UKE – Pressing Block.
• OSHI – Pressing. Also see Osae.
• OSHI KOMI GERI – Pressing In Kick.
• OSS – A word particular to Karate, although it is used as a form of greeting, or Yes etc. it is made up of two Chinese characters. The first equals Pushing, symbolising fighting spirit, effort, facing obstacles and pushing them away. The second equals suffering, expresses courage, spirit, perseverance, resisting depression without giving up. Keeping spirits high.
• OSU – Push.
• OTOSHI – Drop or Dropping. You may also see it spelt as ‘Otosu’
• OTOSHI EMPI UCHI – Dropping (downward) Elbow Strike An elbow strike made by dropping the elbow. Also referred to as Otoshi Hiji Ate.
• OTOSHI MAWASHI GERI – Dropping Round House Kick. Normally used to counter a Jodan Mawashi.
• OTOSHI-UKE – Dropping Block.
• OTOSHI TSUKI – Dropping Punch as seen in the Kata KANKU DAI
• OYAYUBI – Thumb or Big Toe.
• OYAYUBI IPPON KEN – Thumb Knuckle Fist.
• OYO WAZA – Applications interpreted from techniques in Kata, implicated according to a given condition.

P

• PANCHI – Punch, but in Karate we use Tsuki.

R

• REI (1) – Bow, Respect. A method of showing respect in Japanese culture is the Bow.
• REI (2) – Zero, Naught.
• REIGI – Etiquette. Also referred to as REISHIKI. Observance of proper etiquette at all times (but especially observance of proper DOJO etiquette) is as much a part of one’s training as the practice of techniques. Observation of etiquette indicates one’s sincerity, one’s willingness to learn, and one’s recognition of the rights and interests of others.
• REIMYO TOTE – Miraculous Karate.
• REISHIKI – Etiquette. See Reigi.
• REN – Consecutive (e. g. punches / kicks, Ren Tsuki / Ren Geri. )
• REN-GERI – Consecutive Kicking, alternate kicking i. e. left and then right.
• RENOJI DACHI – A stance with feet making a ‘L-shape. ‘ if called as Migi Renoji Dachi, it means the Right foot is in front and Hidari Renoji Dachi the left foot is in front.
• REN-TSUKI – Consecutive Punching, alternate punching i. e. left and then right.
• RENRAKU – Combinations. In relation to fighting combinations.
• RENRAKU WAZA – Combination Techniques. Multiple attacks and defences performed in succession.
• ROKKOTSU – Rib.
• RONIN – A leaderless samurai, he was seen as being of low moral virtue.
• RYO – Both or Both Sides. When said by itself this would be ‘Ryoho’.
• RYOASHI – Both Feet or Legs.
• RYO EMPI BARAI AGE – Both Elbows Sweeping Rise, As seen at the start of the Kata Tekki Nidan. This same move could also be called Ryo Hiji Harai Age. It can be used when you have been grabbed from behind in a ‘bear hug’ style grab, lifting your attackers arms and freeing yourself. When used for real you should at the same time bend your knees quickly in order to drop your body weight and therefore assist you.
• RYO GAN TSUKI – Both Eye Punch/Thrust. This is an application of Nihon Nukite.
• RYO KEN KOSHI KAMAE – Both Fists On Hip Stance. A stance where the fists are clenched and placed on the hips. So that the two large knuckles are touching the hips. As seen in the Katas Heian Sandan and Gankaku.
• RYO KOSHI KAMAE – Both Hip Stance. A stance where the fists are clenched and placed on the hips. So that the bottoms of the fists are touching the hips. As seen in the Kata Heian Yondan prior to the reverse wedge block.
• RYOSOKU – Both Sides.
• RYOTE – Both Hands.
• RYO TE DORI or RYO TE TSUKAMI – Both Hand Grasp. When you use both of your hands to grasp your attacker.
• RYO TE FUSE – Both Hand Defence / Both Hands To Ground, as seen in the Kata Kanku Dai. Where you drop to the ground with both of your hands on it.
• RYO WAN GEDAN KAKIWAKE – Both Arm Lower Level Reverse Wedge, As seen in the Kata JI-ON.
• RYO WAN KAMAE – Both Arm Stance a wide arm stance, where the arms are held at 45 degree’s from the body, helps gives stability when practising basic kicking techniques.
• RYO WAN MAWASHI UDE UKE – Both Arm Round House Forearm Block, as seen in the Kata Kanku Dai.
• RYO WAN UCHI-UDE KE – Both Arm Inside Fore-Arm Block, as seen in the Kata Meikyo.
• RYU – In Karate we use it to mean ‘School’ or ‘Style’. RYU really means to flow, drift or circulate. It is made up of two kanji. The left one being the symbol for water and the right one being a foetus in the ‘easiest position for delivery’ a head presentation. The foetus is pictured with flowing hair. The kanji when combined is used for the current or flow of a river. RYU has been used to mean “style” or “method” because of the way Karate was taught. In more primitive times, the style was “handed down”-“Circulated” from master to pupil – hence the use of the character RYU. Ryu is also the Japanese for Dragon.

S

• SAEI REI TU – Line Up.
• SAGETA EMPI UCHI – Lowered Elbow Strike. Today we normally say Otoshi Empi.
• SAGI – Heron.
• SAGI ASHI DACHI – Heron Leg Stance. A one Leg Stance where the sole of the raised foot is placed against the inside of the supporting legs knee.
• SAHO – Etiquette.
• SAKOTSU – Collar Bone.
• SAN (1) – Three.
• SAN (2) – Friend. When used as Friend it is the equivalent of Mr.
• SANBON KUMITE – Three Step Sparring. Usually carried out as, first attack being Oi Tsuki Jodan, the second being Oi Tsuki Chudan and the third being Mai Geri. The defender steps back blocking Age Uke, then Soto Ude Uke, then Gedan Bari the defender then counters and Kiais.
• SANBON TSUKI – A series of three punches, generally the first is OI TSUKI JODAN, followed by a slight pause then, CHUDAN GYAKU TSUKI, immediately followed by CHUDAN TSUKI, but it can be performed with three punches to the same target.
• SANCHIN DACHI – Hour-glass Stance. So named from the shape that the legs form. Moving in to this stance can also be used as a block by trapping your attackers foot as it kicks up towards your groin.
• SANKAKU – Triangular. It translates as ‘three angles’, ‘San’ being ‘three’. Shikaku means square or ‘four angles’.
• SANKAKU TOBI – Triangular Jump. In olden times this was said to be a secret jump where if you were fighting on a mountain path you could jump around your attacker landing back on the path. Today it is still a Triangular jump but the angles are achieved by grasping your attacker as you jump out and then using him to pull on to bring you back behind him. This technique is used in the Kata Meikyo.
• SAN NEN GOROSHI – Three Year Kill. A ‘secret’ technique in karate where it is said that the person dies from the result of the technique 3 years after it was performed.
• SAN REN TSUKI – Three Consecutive Punches. Delivered from the standing position.
• SASAE – Prop or Propping.
• SASHI ASHI-DACHI – Stepping across / extending the foot. As seen in the Kata Tekki Shodan.
• SASHITE – Raising of the hand, or extending the hand, either to strike, grab, or block.
• SAYU – Left and Right.
• SAYU IPPON KEN – Left and Right One Knuckle Punch. This is used in the Kata Chinte.
• SEBONE – Backbone, Spine.
• SEI – Tranquillity or Inactivity.
• SEIDON – The area above and below the eye’s.
• SEIKEN – Fore Fist or Normal Fist. ‘Sei’ dictates that it is ‘normal’ or ‘regular’. This is the basic fist where the fingers are rolled tightly in to the palm and the thumb presses on top. You strike with the two largest knuckles.
• SEIKEN TSUKI – Fore Fist Punch or Normal Fist Punch.
• SEIRYUTO – Ox Jaw. The area at the base of the Shuto.
• SEIRYUTO UKE – Ox Jaw Block. A hand technique delivered with the base of the SHUTO (Knife hand).
• SEKAKU – Accuracy.
• SEIZA – A proper sitting position. Sitting on one’s knees. Sitting this way requires acclimatisation, but provides both a stable base and greater ease of movement than sitting cross-legged. It is used for the formal opening and closing of the class.
• SEMPAI – A senior student.
• SENAKA – The Back.
• SEN NO SEN – To counter attack or attack at the precise moment your opponent attacks you.
• SENPU – Gust Of Wind, from the jumping kick in the Kata Unsu.
• SEN SEN NO SEN – Attacking before the opponent attacks. A Pre-emptive attack.
• SENSEI – Teacher. It is usually considered proper to address the instructor during practice as ‘Sensei’ rather than by his/her name. If the instructor is a permanent instructor for one’s Dojo or for an organisation, it is proper to address him/her as ‘Sensei’ off the mat as well.
• SENSEI NI REI – Teacher, We Bow. Carried out in the kneeling position at the start and finish of a lesson.
• SEOI – Shoulder.
• SEOI NAGE – Shoulder Throw. This can be shown as one of the applications for the turn in Heian Shodan after the last of the set of three age ukes.
• SHIDOIN – Formally recognised Instructor who has not yet been recognised as a SENSEI. Assistant Instructor.
• SHIHAN – A formal title meaning, approximately, master instructor. A teacher of teachers. One who teaches third Dans and above. Generally a 5th Dan or above.
• SHIHON NUKITE – Four Finger Strike. This in a real situation is delivered as a killing blow to the throat. In practice it is aimed to the solarplexus.
• SHIKO DACHI – Square Stance, or Four Thigh Stance also sometimes called SUMO STANCE. Similar to Kiba Dachi but with the feet turned out. This stance is strange in that it does not appear in a single Shotokan Kata.
• SHIMPI TOTE – Mysterious Karate.
• SHIN – Core, Center. Also see Shinzo.
• SHIN-GI-TAI – The study of karate and karate technique must be a focused effort of heart, body and mind/spirit. The unification of these three elements is essential for development in all traditional ways.
• SHINKEI – Nerves.
• SHINTAI – Body, another expression for body.
• SHINZO – Heart. When this is used with other words the ‘zo’ is left off, and it is said as ‘shin’.
• SHIRI – Buttocks.
• SHIRYOKU – Eyesight.
• SHITA – Tongue.
• SHITTSUI – Knee Hammer.
• SHIZEN DACHI – Natural Stance. A term used to describe any natural stance.
• SHIZEN KUMITE – Natural Fighting/freestyle.
• SHIZEN TAI – Natural Position. The body remains relaxed but alert, in the sense that potential for movement is present. To say Natural by itself would be ‘Shizen no’.
• SHO (1) – Major or Greater.
• SHO (2) – Palm, as in hand.
• SHODAN – A first level black belt.
• SHOFU – Side of neck.
• SHOMEN – Front. Also the designated front of a Dojo.
• SHOMAN-NI-REI – SHOSHIN O WASUREZU
• Bow to the front. – (In training) Do not forget the spirit and humility of a beginner.
• SHOTOKAN – A style of Karate. The name is derived from the pen name that Gichin Funakoshi, the founder of modern day Karate, and a well known calligrapher, used as a pen name when writing his verse. The name is made up of Shoto, meaning waving pines, (as his verse was often inspired while walking among the gently waving pines on the hills near his house), and Kan meaning House or School. When he started his first school of Karate it became known as Shoto’s Kan, eventually changing to Shotokan. The original Shotokan which was a wooden building with a floor area a little larger than a badminton court was destroyed in the early hours of the morning on the 10th March 1945, during an American B29 air raid. During that same raid and the fire that followed it, nearly 100,000 people were killed and 40 square miles of Tokyo destroyed.
• SHUBO – Stick Arm.
• SHUKO – Back Of The Hand. In Karate we use Haishu.
• SHUTO – Knife Hand.
• SHUTO UCHI – Knife hand strike.
• SHUTO UKE – Knife-hand Block.
• SHUTSUI – Hammer Hand.
• SHUWAN – Palm Side of Forearm. This is also seen as SHOWAN.
• SOBI – The area on the inside of the lower part of the leg. approximately at the base of the calf.
• SOCHIN – Immovable in the face of danger. A black belt kata mainly performed in Sochin Dachi.
• SOCHIN DACHI – Diagonal Straddle Leg stance or Immovable Stance. Also now referred to as FUDO DACHI but they were two different stances. In Sochin Dachi the weight is evenly distributed over both legs.
• SODA – The area between the shoulder blades.
• SODE – Sleeve and Sodeguchi is Cuff.
• SOERU – Attach or To Attach.
• SOESHO – Palm On or Palm Assisted.
• SOESHO KAESHI UDE – Palm Assisted Counter Fore-arm. An advanced block/release from the Kata Tekki Sandan.
• SOETE – Hand On or Hand Assisted.
• SOETE KAKE DORI – Hand Assisted Hooking Pull. As seen in the Kata Kanku Sho.
• SOETE KOSHI KAMAE – Hand On or Hand Assisted Hip Posture, as used in the Kata Gankaku after the Tate Empi Uchi, or at the start of Empi.
• SOETE MAE EMPI UCHI – Hand On or Hand Assisted Front Elbow Strike. As seen in the Kata Tekki Nidan.
• SOETE SOKUMEN UKE – Hand Assisted Side Block. As seen in the Kata Tekki Nidan.
• SOKKO – Top Of The Foot.
• SOKUDO – Speed.
• SOKUMEN – Side or Flank.
• SOKUMEN AWASE UKE – Side Combined Block.
• SOKUMEN EMPI UCHI – Side combined elbow strike. Where you pull your opponent on to the strike. As seen in the Kata Tekki Shodan.
• SOKUMEN MOROTE TSUKI – Side Double Punch. Used in the Kata Bassai Sho.
• SOKUMEN SOETE GEDAN UCHI UDE UKE – Side Hand Assisted Lower Level Inside Fore-arm Block.
• SOKUTEI – Sole of Foot.
• SOKUTEI-MAWASHI UKE – Sole (Foot) Circular Block.
• SOKUTEI-OSAE UKE – Sole (Foot) Pressing Block.
• SOKUTO – Edge of foot. The striking area in a Side Thrust Kick.
• SOKUTO GERI – Edge of foot Kick. Also called ashi Gatana.
• SOKUTO KAKE UKE – Hooking Foot Block. Using the edge of the foot.
• SOKUTO-OSAE UKE – Foot Edge Pressing Block.
• SONO MAMA – As Before, As It Is.
• SONU – Area between the throat and top of the breastbone or sternum.
• SORASHI – Feint.
• SOSOKU GERI – A double kick in which both feet extend simultaneously, either to the front or side.
• SOTO – Outside, Outer or Exterior.
• SOTOJAKUZAWA – The outer part of the forearm where the pulse can be felt.
• SOTO UDE UKE – Outside Forearm Block or sometimes said as Lower Wrist Block.
• SOTO UKE – Outside Block, normally a shortened version of Soto Ude Uke.
• SOWAN – Both Arms.
• SOWAN UCHI UKE – Both Arm Inside Block, As seen in the Kata JI-ON. SOWAN is an alternative for RYO WAN.
• SUASHI – Bare Foot.
• SUBERKOMI – Sliding In.
• SUHADA – Bare Skin.
• SUIGETSU – Solar-plexus.
• SUIHEI – SUIHEI BO DORI – Horizontal or Level. Horizontal Bo Grasp. This technique is used in the Kata Bassai Sho.
• SUJI – Muscle Fibre.
• SUKI – Opening.
• SUKUI – Scooping or to Scoop-up.
• SUKUI UKE – Scooping Block.
• SUMI – Corner.
• SUNDOME – No Contact, Arresting A technique.
• SUNE – Shin.
• SUNE UKE – Shin Block. When used right correctly against a roundhouse kick there is no reason why this block should not break your attackers leg.
• SURI – Sliding, as in Hiji Suri Uke or Elbow Sliding Block but is also used to describe when you slide your feet along the floor, Suri Ashi.
• SURI ZENKUTSU DACHI – Sliding Front Stance, as seen at the end of the Kata Jitte.
• SUTEMI WAZA – ‘Last Chance’ Technique. If in real life you have to use this technique it means everything has gone seriously wrong, and its your last chance to take out your attacker. I would suggest that you go for either the eye’s or windpipe.
• SUWARI WAZA – Techniques from a sitting position.

T

• TACHI (1) – A Japanese Long Sword.
• TACHI (2) – Standing or Stance. To stand up would be Tachiagaru. In some older works you may also see Zenkutsu Tachi etc. instead of Dachi.
• TACHI HIZA GEDAN BARAI – Sword Kneeling Lower Level Sweep. A downward block performed from a half kneeling position as seen at the start of the Kata ENPI. The application is for drawing a Tachi which is a long sword and at the same time cutting through your opponents legs.
• TACHI WAZA – Standing Techniques.
• TAI – Body, as in Tai-Sabaki tai = body, sabaki = shifting or movement.
• TAIKAKU – Build or Physique, body shape.
• TAIKYOKYU – First Cause. The first kata taught in Shotokan Karate. It was first introduced into the K. U. G. B. in 1976 although there is evidence of it being used in Japan somewhere between 1935 and 1943. Three Taikyo Kyu kata were originally devised and all share a common line of movement. Master Funakoshi noted a beginning would take appropriately 40 seconds 2 complete and a higher grade some 5 seconds less. Taikyo Kyu 4 to 6 are French inventions. some say that Taikyoku Kata were originally from the Goju-Ryu and as the name implies, consist of nine kata. Tai/body, Kyo/teaching(s), Ku/nine. Funakoshi Sensei has been said to have made the statement that if a student understood the concepts of the Taikyoku Kata, then he should be able to understand the idea that you begin with basics and return to basics.
• TAIMING GA OSOI – Not proper timing.
• TAI SABAKI – Body Movement or Shifting or Evasion. In Japanese this can also be said as ‘Tai o kawasu’.
• TAIRA NA – Level or Even.
• TAMESHIWARI – Breaking (of wood, tiles, etc. ). Trial By Wood.
• TAMERAU – Hesitate. Do this and the chances are you will lose the fight.
• TANDEN – Basically your centre of gravity, naval area.
• TAOSHI – Down.
• TATE – Vertical. To say it by itself would be ‘Tate no’.
• TATE EMPI UCHI – Vertical Elbow Strike. Sometimes also called AGE EMPI. Used in the kata nijushiho.
• TATE KEN GYAKU TSUKI – Vertical Fist Reverse Punch. As used in the Kata Chinte.
• TATE NUKITE – Vertical Spear Hand, or Vertical Piercing Hand.
• TATE SHUTO OSAE – Vertical Knife Hand Press, used to push your attackers punching arm further round than in just a block and therefore turning his body further away from you. Its is used in the Kata Sochin.
• TATE SHUTO UKE – Vertical Knife Hand Block.
• TATE URAKEN UCHI – Vertical back-fist Strike.
• TATE TSUKI – Vertical Fist Punch. A fist punch where the knuckles hit the target along a vertical plane.
• TE – Hand.
• TE GATANA – Hand Sword, this is now most commonly referred to as ‘Shuto’.
• TE GATANA UCHI – Hand Sword Strike, this is now most commonly referred to as ‘Shuto Uchi’.
• TE GATANA UKE – Hand Sword Block, this is now most commonly referred to as ‘Shuto Uke’.
• TEIJI DACHI – T STANCE – A Stance with the feet in a ‘T-shape. ‘ if called Migi Teiji Dachi then the right foot is forward, and if termed Hidari Teiji Dachi then the Left foot is forwards.
• TEISHO – Palm Heel. The area at the base of the palm. You can hit even the most solid targets with Teisho and not suffer any injury to your hand. If you go in to any inner-city hospital’s emergency room on a Friday or Saturday night you will basically see two types of people. The first are ones with facial injuries and the second are ones with hand injuries caused when they were punching the first group of people causing their facial injuries. If only this second group of people used a palm heel strike instead of punching, hospital waiting times would be halved on a Friday and Saturday night.
• TEISHO BARAI – Palm Heel Sweep. As seen in the Kata Unsu.
• TEISHO AWASE UKE – Palm Heel Combined Block, but generally called Combined Palm Heel Block.
• TEISHO UCHI – Palm Heel Strike.
• TEISHO UKE – Palm Heel Block.
• TEKKI – Horse Riding.
• TEKKI SHODAN / NIDAN / SANDAN – A group of three Kata’s each performed from Kiba Dachi or Horse Riding Stance.
• TEKUBI-KAKE UKE – Wrist Hooking Block. Seen in the Kata Nijushiho.
• TE-NAGASHI UKE – Hand Sweeping Block Nagashi actually translates as Flowing but in this we use it as sweeping.
• TENCHI – Heaven and Earth. You may some times see ‘Tenchi Uke’ or ‘Heaven and Earth Block’ used in some terminology books. It is where you perform the same technique, one high and one low, Heaven and earth.
• TENCHI HAITO UCHI – Heaven and Earth Ridge Hand Block. As seen in the Kata Nijushiho, in this case the right hand does a Jodan Haito Uchi whilst at the same time the left hand does a Gedan Ushiro Haito Uchi, one high, one low, Heaven and Earth.
• TENCHI KENSEITAI – Heaven and Earth Feint. From the Kata Unsu.
• TENDO – The crown of your head.
• TEN NO KATA – A Kata created and designed under the leadership and guidance of Master Funakoshi. It is a Kata unique to the Shotokai.
• TENSHIN – Changing Course. See Hineri Tenshin.
• TENTO – The Fontanelle or the space between the crown of the head and the forehead.
• TE-OSAE UKE – Hand Pressing Block. Seen in the Kata Heian Nidan.
• TE SUIGETSU KAMAE – Hand Solarplexus Posture. This posture is used to remind you to guard the solarplexus.
• TE TSUKAMI – Hand Grasp.
• TETTSUI – Bottom Fist. You may also see this as Iron Hammer. Like Teisho this is another technique in which you can hit the most solid targets without the risk of causing injury to your hand.
• TETTSUI UCHI – Bottom Fist Strike. Also called KENTSUI UCHI.
• TETTSUI HASAMI UCHI – Bottom Fist Scissor Strike. As seen in the Kata Bassai Dai.
• TE WAZA – Hand Techniques.
• TOBI – Jump or Jumping.
• TOBI ASHI BARAI – Jumping Foot Sweep. Used in the Kata Kanku Sho to clear the target area for the Tobi Ushiro geri.
• TOBI GERI – Jumping Kick.
• TOBIGOSHI – Jumping Over.
• TOBIKOMIASHI – Jumping-in Leg.
• TOBIKOMI TSUKI – Jumping Front Punch.
• TOBI TETTSUI UCHI – Jumping Bottom Fist Strike. The normal target area would be the top of the head or the collar bone.
• TOBI TSUKI – Jumping Punch.
• TOBI USHIRO GERI – Jumping Back Kick. Used in the Kata Kanku Sho.
• TO-DE – An old Okinawa name for what today is known as Karate, also see Okinawa-Te and To-Te.
• TOKUI – Favourite. i. e. your Tokui Kata would be your favourite Kata.
• TOMOE – Stomach.
• TORA – Tiger. The animal that represents Shotokan Karate. There are three explanations as to why the tiger came to represent shotokan karate. The first is that Funakoshi chose it because the attributes seen in the animal are observable in the art. The second explanation is that mount Torao (tiger tail) near Shure on Okinawa, was a deep you the psyche it of Funakoshi. The third explanation refers to the Japanese expression “Tora no maki” which means “the official document encapsulating an art”. This referred to the first book written about karate by Kosugi. As Tora also translates as tiger, the tiger was chosen.
• TOSHI – Fighting Spirit.
• TOTE – Tote was an Okinawan form of Karate, also see To-De and Okinawa-Te.
• TSUGI ASHI – Following Foot, a method of moving where one foot follows the other, but never passes it. This move is seen carried out to the side in the Kata Jitte which would therefore be Yoko Tsugi Ashi.
• TSUKAMI UKE – Grasping Block.
• TSUKAMI WAZA – Grasping technique. A blocking technique by seizing the opponent’s arm, leg or weapon.
• TSUKAMI YOSE – Grasping and Pulling.
• TSUKI – A Thrust or Punch.
• TSUKI AGE – Punch Rising, what we would term an upper-cut punch as the punch before the jump in Heian Godan, or it can be used to describe the last swinging punch in the Kata Heian Sandan.
• TSUKI UKE – Punching Block. A Karate block that that simultaneously becomes a punch. Usually to the opponents face.
• TSUKKOMI – Charging.
• TSUMASAKI – Tips of the Toes.
• TSUMASAKI GERI – Kicking using the tips of the toes to strike with. Should only be used to attack the soft parts of the opponents body e. g. groin.
• TSUME – Nail, of the fingers or toes. Used to effect in the kata Bassai Sho, to cut across the opponents eyeballs.
• TSURU – Crane, as in the bird.
• TSURU ASHI DACHI – Crane Leg Stance. A one leg stance where the instep of the raised leg is held against the rear of the knee of the supporting leg.
• TSUYOI – Strong / Powerful.
• TUITE – Grappling skills.

U

• UCHI (1) – Strike or Striking.
• UCHI (2) – Inner or Interior, when said by itself it would be Uchigawa.
• UCHI DESHI – A live-in student. A student who lives in a dojo and devotes him/herself both to training and to the maintenance of the dojo. Uchi being ‘Inside’ and Deshi being ‘Student’.
• UCHI-HACHIJI DACHI – Inverted open leg stance, or Inverted Figure Eight Stance. The feet are shoulder width apart but with the feet facing inwards.
• UCHIJAKUZAWA or MIYAKUDOKORO – The inner parts of the forearm where the pulse can be felt.
• UCHI KOMI – Striking Thrust.
• UCHIKUROBUSHI – The inside of the ankle joint.
• UCHI MAWASHI GERI – Inside Roundhouse Kick.
• UCHITE – Striking Hand.
• UCHI UDE UKE – Inside Forearm Block.
• UCHI-UKE – Inside Block generally used as a short version of Uchi Ude Uke.
• UDE – Forearm.
• UDEKANSETSU – Arm Joint.
• UDE UKE – Forearm Block.
• UE – Top, as in ‘on’, ‘above’ or ‘over’. For example hidari ken UE migi ken, would be left fist on top of right fist.
• UKE (1) – Block, or to Receive.
• UKE (2) – Receiver.
• UKE ASHI DACHI – Blocking Foot Stance.
• UKE GAE – Changing Blocks.
• UKE KIME – Blocking And Finishing.
• UKE KIME ICHIJO – Blocking And Finishing Are One.
• UKEMI WAZA – Break fall techniques.
• UKETE – Blocking Hand.
• UNSOKU – Moving (leg movement).
• UNSU – Hands In The Cloud. A senior black belt kata.
• URA – Reverse, Rear, Reverse Side or Back as in Uraken or Back fist.
• URA HIRA NUKITE – Back Level Spear Hand or Back Level Piercing Hand. This is when the palm is facing up.
• URAKEN – Back Fist or Reverse Fist.
• URAKEN UCHI – Back Fist Strike.
• URAKEN UKE – Back Fist Block. For when the Back Fist is used as a block. This application is seen in the Kata Heian Nidan.
• URA-KOTE – Reverse or Rear Forearm. The little finger side.
• URA MAWASHI GERI – Back or Reverse Round House Kick.
• URA MIKAZUKI GERI – Back or Reverse Crescent Kick, as seen in the Kata Empi.
• URAOMOTE – Both Sides.
• URA TSUKI – An upper cut / close punch used at close range. Sometimes called STAZ TSUKI.
• URA WAZA – Reverse Techniques.
• USHIRO – Back or Rear.
• USHIRO ASHI BARAI – Rear Leg Sweep. If ever you come up against an opponent who when you try to sweep his front leg just raises it up so that your sweep goes underneath it, just move further in and sweeping his rear supporting leg instead. If this technique is done hard and fast it will spin your opponent 90 degrees in the air before he lands.
• USHIRO ASHI GERI – Rear Leg/Foot Kick.
• USHIRO EMPI UCHI – Back Elbow Strike, Striking to the rear with the elbow.
• USHIRO GERI – Back Kick.
• USHIRO INAZUMA – The are below the buttocks.
• USHIRO KAKATO GERI – Back Heel Kick. A good technique for when you are grabbed from behind in what would be described as a bear-hug. You target area would be your attackers shin bone.
• USHIRO MAWASHI EMPI UCHI – Back Roundhouse Elbow Strike.
• USHIRO MAWASHI GERI – Back Round House Kick.
• USHIRO NI ITE – Going Back.
• USHIRO OSAE KOMI – Best described as holding someone in a ‘bear hug’ from behind.
• USHIRO SURI ASHI – Rear Sliding Leg.

W

• WA – Circle or Ring.
• WAKI – Side or Flank.
• WAKIBARA – Side Of The Chest.
• WAN – Arm.
• WANKAN – A proper name. One of the higher grade Kata’s. It is the only Shotokan Kata that has only one Kiai in it.
• WANSHUN – Top of outside edge of upper arm.
• WATSUKI – Circle Thrust. When your thrust out fist is stopped by your opponent then from that position you describe a complete circle with it and deliver a blow.
• WASHI – Eagle.
• WASHIDE – Eagle Hand. In some older books this is seen as Washite which would seem more correct as Te is hand and this is a hand technique.
• WASHIDE AGE UCHI – Eagle Hand Rising Strike. Seen in the Kata Gojushiho Dai.
• WASHIDE OTOSHI UCHI – Eagle Hand Dropping Strike. Seen in the Kata Gojushiho Dai.
• WASHIDE UCHI – Eagle Hand Strike
• WASHIDE UKE – Eagle Hand Block
• WA UKE – Circle Block, a block where the path taken is similar to the yoko-uke. Imagine wiping a wall in front of you with your palm in a half-circle. At the end of the block the hand is angled slightly to the outside.
• WAZA – Technique(s).
• WAZA O HODOKOSU KOKI – Psychological Moment To Execute Technique.

Y

• YAKO – The inside of the upper thigh.
• YAMA TSUKI – A wide U-shaped dual punch. Also called Mountain Punch, Yama = Mountain.
• YAMA UKE – Mountain Block, as seen in the Kata Jitte, in this Kata it is performed at the same time as Fumikomi.
• YAME – Finish, but remain alert.
• YASUMI – Rest. A term used by some instructor’s to have the students relax, normally following a long series of drills.
• YAYA – Slightly.
• YOBO – Face.
• YOI – Ready, in a state of alertness.
• YOKO – Side or Lateral.
• YOKO EMPI UCHI – Side Elbow Strike.
• YOKO GERI – Side Kick.
• YOKO GERI KEAGE – Side Snap Kick. Also referred to as YOKO KEAGE.
• YOKO GERI KEKOMI – Side Thrust Kick. Also referred to as YOKO KEKOMI.
• YOKO MAWASHI EMPI UCHI – Side Roundhouse Elbow Strike. Striking with the elbow to the side.
• YOKO SASHI ASHI DACHI – Side Stepping Across Foot Stance. It is Sashi Ashi Dachi but you are looking to the side as you perform it. As seen in the Kata Tekki Nidan.
• YOKO TOBI GERI – Side Jumping Kick / Flying Side Kick.
• YOKO UDE HASAMI UKE – Side Fore-arm Scissor Block. As seen in the Kata Tekki Sandan. In this block the Yoko means that your arms are horizontal as opposed to vertical in front of you.
• YONHON NUKITE – Four Finger Spear Hand. It is more commonly called Shihon Nukite.
• YORI ASHI – Sliding The Feet, Without Legs Crossing.
• YOSE – Pulling.
• YUBI – Finger or Toe.
• YUBI HASAMI – Finger Scissors. Can used to grab the windpipe after striking.
• YUBI NO KANSETSU – Knuckle.
• YUBISAKI – Fingertip.
• YUDANCHA – The collective noun for all dan grades present.
• YUDANSHA – Black belt holder (any rank).
• YUMI – Bow, as in archery
• YUMI TSUKI – Bow Punch, or normally called Bow Drawing Punch. As seen in the Kata Sochin. One hand pulls your opponent on to you as you execute the punch therefore increasing its effectiveness.

Z

• ZA – Seated/Kneeling.
• ZA-REI – The traditional Japanese bow from the kneeling position. Za meaning seated and Rei meaning bow.
• ZANSHIN – Awareness. Even after a Karate technique has been completed, one should remain in a balanced and aware state.
• ZANSHIN KAMAE – awareness posture. Used to describe the posture during OKURI JIYU IPPON. after you have blocked and countered the first attack and stepped back and are awaiting the second attack.
• ZEMPO – Front or Forward.
• ZEN EMPI UCHI – Front Elbow Strike. Today we normally say Mae Empi Uchi.
• ZENGO EMPI UCHI – Front And Rear Elbow Strike.
• ZENKUTSU DACHI – Forward Stance or Front Stance. The actual translation means Front Knee Bent Stance.
• ZENSHIN (1) – Forward or Advance.
• ZENSHIN (2) – Whole (entire) Body.
• ZENWAN – Forearm.
• ZOE – Supporting or On.
• ZUKAMI – An alternative spelling of TSUKAMI (Grasping).
• ZUNO – Head or Brains.
• ZUKI – A different spelling of TSUKI.