Japanese | English |
Age Uke | Upper Rising Block |
Age Zuki | Upper Rising Punch |
Aka | Red |
Ashi Barai | Leg Sweep |
Ashikubi | Ankle |
Ate | Strike |
Awase | Combined |
Azato (1827/8 - 1906) | Master Yasutsune Azato was one the two most important teachers of Master Funakoshi. Note Master Azato shares his forename with Master Itosu. |
Japanese | English |
Bassai-dai (Kata) | To Storm a Fortress |
Bo | Staff |
Budo | Martial Way |
Bunkai | Application |
Japanese | English |
Chinte (Kata) | Chinese Hands |
Choku Zuki | Straight Punch |
Chudan | Chudan |
Japanese | English |
Dachi | Stance |
Dai (as in Bassai-dai) | Major |
Dan | Level (or Man) |
Do | Way |
Doji | Simultaneous |
Dojo | Place of the Way; Training Place |
Japanese | English |
Embusen | Line(s) of movement (in Kata) |
Empi | Elbow |
Empi Uchi/Uke | Elbow Strike/Block |
Engetsu Uke | Circle Foot Block |
Enoy | Spirit of getting ready |
Enpi (Kata) | Flying Swallow |
Japanese | English |
Fudo Dachi | Rooted Stance |
Fumikomi | Stamping Kick |
Funakoshi ((November?) 1868 - April 26th, 1957) | Gichin Funakoshi - the master, and founder of modern Karate-do |
Japanese | English |
Gamae | Withdrawing |
Gankaku (Kata) | Crane on a Rock |
Gedan | Lower Level |
Gedan Barai | Downward Block |
Gedan Zuki | Lower Level Punch |
Geri | Kick |
Gi | Training Clothes |
Gojushiho (-sho, -dai) (Kata) | Fifty-four Steps |
Gohon Kumite | Five Attack Sparring |
Gyaku | Reverse |
Gyaku Zuki | Reverse Punch |
Japanese | English |
Hachiji Dachi | Naural Stance |
Hai | Yes |
Haishu | Back-hand |
Haishu Uke | Back-hand Block |
Hajime | Begin |
Haisoku | Instep of Foot |
Haito | Ridge Hand |
Haito Uchi | Ridge Hand Strike |
Haiwan | Back-arm |
Hangetsu (Kata) | Half Moon |
Hangetsu Dachi | Half Moon (or Wide Hour Glass) Stance |
Hanmi | Half Front (45 degrees, facing opponent) |
Hara | Belly |
Heian | Peaceful |
Heian Kata's (Shodan, Nidan, Sandan, Yondan, Godan) | The Five Heian Kata's, derived from Kanku-dai |
Heisoku Dachi | Informal Attention Stance |
Hidari | Left |
Hikite | Both Hands Retracting |
Hiraken | Fore-knuckle fist (striking with second joint of fingers) |
Hiza | Knee |
Hiza Geri | Knee Kick |
Hombu | Main Dojo |
Hyosh | Timing |
Japanese | English |
Iee Iie | No |
Ippon | One |
Ippon Ken | One-knuckle Fist |
Ippon Nukite | One Finger Spear Hand |
Itosu (1830/32 - 1916) | Master Yasutsune Itosu was one the two most important teachers of Master Funakoshi. Note Master Itosu shares his forename with Master Azato. |
Japanese | English |
Ji'in (Kata) | Temple Grounds, or Gardens |
Jion (Kata) | From the Temple of Jion |
Jitte (Kata) | Ten Hands |
Jiyu Dachi | Free Stance |
Jiyu Ippon Kumite | Semi-free One-attack Sparring |
Jiyu Kumite | Free Sparring |
Jodan | Upper Level |
Juji Uki | Juji Uki |
Japanese | English |
Ka | Student |
Kage Uki | Hook Block |
Kage Zuki | Hook Punch |
Kaisho | Open Hand (palm) |
Kaiten | Rotating |
Kakato | Heel |
Kakiwake Uke | Wedge Block |
Kamaete | Get Ready |
Kan | Hall |
Kanazawa (1931 - ) | Hirokazu Kanazawa, successor to Master Funakoshi |
Kanku (-sho, -dai) (Kata) | Look to the Sky |
Kara | Empty |
Karate | Empty Hand |
Kata | Form, or Formal Exercise |
Keagi | Snap |
Keito Uke | Chicken-head Wrist-block |
Kekomi | Thrust |
Ken | Fist |
Kensei | Technique carried out with silent Kiai |
Kesa Geri | Diagonal Kick |
Ki | Inner Strength |
Kiai | Shout |
Kiba Dachi | Horse riding Stance |
Kihon | Basics |
Kihon Ippon Kumite | Basic One Attack Sparring |
Kime | Focus (Tension and Relaxation) |
Kin Geri | Groin Kick |
Kizami Zuki | Jabbing Punch |
Kohai | Junior (to oneself) |
Kokutsu Dachi | Back Stance |
Kosa | Crossing |
Kosa Uke | Crossing Block |
Koshi | Ball of the Foot |
Kumade | Bear Hand |
Kumite | Sparring |
Kun | Oath |
Kyu | Grade (or Boy) |
Japanese | English |
Ma-ai | Distance |
Mae | Front |
Mae Geri | Front Kick |
Makiwara | Striking Post |
Mawashi Geri | Roundhouse Kick |
Mawate | Turn |
Meikyo (Kata) | Bright Mirror |
Migi | Right (opposite to Left) |
Mika Zuki Geri | Crescent Kick |
Mokuso | Meditation |
Morote | Augmented |
Morote Uke | Augmented Block |
Morote Zuki | Augmented Punch |
Moto Dachi | Original Stance |
Japanese | English |
Nagashi Uke | Sweeping Block |
Nakadaka Ippon Ken | Middle Finger One Knuckle Fist |
Nami Ashi | Inside Leg Block |
Neko Ashi Dachi | Cat Stance |
Nidan Geri | Double Kick |
Nihon Nukite | Two-finger Spear Hand |
Nijushiho (Kata) | Twenty-four Steps |
Nukite | Spear Hand |
Japanese | English |
Obi | Sash, or Belt |
Oi Zuki | Stepping Punch |
Okinawa | Influential home of Japanese Karate |
Osae | Pressing |
Osae Uke | Pressing Block |
Oss | General term, predominately meaning "Yes, I understand", but is also used for "Thank-you", or "Hello" |
Japanese | English |
Rei | Bow |
Ren Zuki | Combination Punching |
Ryo | Both |
Ryoken | Both Fists |
Ryowan | Both Arms |
Ryu | School |
Japanese | English |
Sanbon Kumite | Three Attack Sparring |
Sanchin Datchi | (Narrow) Hour Glass Stance |
Sashi Ashi | Stepping Over |
Seiken | Fore Fist |
Seiryuto Uke | Ox-jaw Block |
Seiza | Kneeling Position |
Sempai | Senior |
Sensei | Teacher (One who has gone before) |
Shihan | Master |
Shiro | White |
Sho (as in Bassai-sho) | Minor |
Shoto | Pine Waves (Master Funakoshi's pen-name) |
Shotokan | Hall of Shoto |
Shushin | Referee |
Shizentai | Natural, Relaxed Stance |
Shobu | Competition |
Shuto | Knife Hand |
Shuto Uchi | Knife Hand Strike |
Shobu | Competition |
Sochin (kata) | Immovable Stance |
Sochin Dachi | Immovable, Straddle-leg Stance (from Sochin Kata) |
Soete | Open Hand |
Sokumen | Side |
Sokuto | Side of Foot |
Soto Ude Uke | Outside Forearm Block |
Sukui | Scooping |
Japanese | English |
Taikyoku Shodan (Kata) | First Cause |
Tai Sabiki | Test by Breaking |
Tameshiwara | Stepping Over |
Tate Shuto | Vertical Knife Hand |
Te | Hand |
Teiji Dachi | T-Stance |
Teisho | Palm Heel |
Tekki | Iron Horse, or Iron Knight |
Tekki Shodan, Nidan, Sandan (Katas) | Tekki Katas of 1st, 2nd, and 3rd levels |
Tekubi | Wrist |
Tettsui | Bottom Fist |
Tettsui Uchi | Bottom Fist Strike |
Te Wazza | Hand Techniques |
Tobi | Jumping |
Tokui | Favourite |
Tora | Tiger |
Tsukami | Grasping |
Tsumasaki | Tips (of Fingers or Toes) |
Tsuru Ashi Dachi | Crane Leg Stance |
Japanese | English |
Uchi | Strike |
Uchi Ude Uke | Inside Forearm Block |
Ude | Forearm |
Uke | Block |
Unsu (Kata) | Hands Like a Cloud |
Ura Zuki | Close-quarter Punch |
Uraken | Back Fist |
Ushiro Geri | Back Kick |
Japanese | English |
Wa | Harmony |
Wan | Arm |
Wankan (Kata) | Kings Crown |
Waza | Technique |
Japanese | English |
Yama Zuki | Wide U-Punch |
Yame | Stop |
Yoi | Ready |
Yoko | Side |
Yoko Empi | Side Elbow (Strike) |
Yoko Geri | Side Kick |
Japanese | English |
Zanchin | Awareness |
Zenkutsu Dachi | Front Stance |
Zuki (or Tsuki) | Punch |
Numeral | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 |
Japanese | Ichi | Ni | San | Shi | Go | Roku | Sichi | Hachi | Ku | Jyu |
Numeral | 11 | 12 | 13 | 14 | 15 | 16 | 17 | 18 | 19 | 20 |
Japanese | Jyu Ichi | Jyu Ni | Jyu San | Jyu Shi | Jyu Go | Jyu Roku | Jyu Shichi | Jyu Hachi | Jyu Ku | NiJyu |