Karate Titles

Bushi: Great martial artist (Okinawan); Warlord (Japanese)

Hanshi : Head person of an organization

Karateka : A practitioner of Karate

Kohai: A student junior to oneself

Kyoshi: Master instructor

Mudansha : Students without black belt rank

Reigi renshi: Polished instructor

Sensei: Instructor, Teacher

Sempai: A senior student

Shihan : Formal title, Master Instructor, or Teacher of Teachers

Shushin : Referee in a bout

Uchi Deshi: A live-in student

Yudansha : Black belt holder (any rank)

 

Stances

Hachiji dachi: Natural stance

Han zenkutsu dachi: Half forward stance

Heiko dachi: Parallel stance

Heisoku dachi: Informal attention stance

Kokutsu dachi: Back stance

Kosa dachi: Crouched stance

Musubi dachi: Informal attention stance, feet turned out

Neko ashi dachi: Cat stance

Reinoji dachi - L stance (sometimes called "haraisa dachi")

Sanchin dachi: Hour glass stance

Sesan dachi: Side facing straddle stance

Shiko dachi : Box stance (sometimes called "square stance" or "sumo stance")

Zenkutsu dachi: Long stance

Fudo dachi: Rooted stance, "Immovable stance"

Gankaku dachi: One legged stance

Sagi ashi dachi Gedan no kamae : Lower level combative posture

Shizen dachi: Natural combative posture

Hangetsu dachi: Half moon stance

Hanmi: Half front facing position

Hanmi no kamae : Half forward facing combative posture

Hidari shizen tai: Left natural position

Hidari teiji dachi: "Left T" stance

Jodan no kamae : Upper level combative posture

Kiba dachi: Straddle stance (sometimes called Naihanchin dachi; Naifanchin dachi)

Naihanshi dachi: Kiba dachi with knees turned in and down

Sagi ashi dachi: Propped leg stance

Shizen dachi no kamae : Natural combative posture

Shizentai: Natural position

Sochin dachi: Diagonal straddle leg "Immovable" stance, rooted stance

Teiji dachi: T stance

Tsugi ashi: Shuffling step

Tsuri ashi dachi: Crane stance with propped leg

Uchi hachiji dachi: Inverted open-leg stance

Yori ashi : Dragging step

 

Blocks

Age uke : Rising block

Chudan uke : Middle level block

Gedan barai : Lower level sweep

Jodan uke : Upper level block

Hiji uke : Elbow block

Hiki uke : Pulling / grasping block

Hiza uke : Knee block

Jodan uke : Upper level block

Ko uke : Wrist block

Shotei barai : Palm heel sweep

Shotei uke : Palm heel block

Soto uke : Forearm block (from outside moving inward to the centre line of the body)

Sukui uke : Scooping block

Tora guchi uke - Tiger mouth block (sometimes called mawashi uke)•

Age uke, gyaku ashi : Upper block (reverse foot)

Ashibo kake uke : Leg hooking block

Ashikubi kake uke : Ankle hooking block

Awase uke : Joined hand block

Cho cho uke : Butterfly block

Chudan uchi uke : Block from inside outward with forearm

Chudan ude uke : Forearm block against body attack.

Deai osae uke : pressing block stepping in

Fumikomi ude uke : Forearm block stepping in

Gedan kake uke : Low level hooking block

Gedan uke : Low level block

Gedan ude uke : Low forearm block

Haishu uke : Back hand block

Haiwan nagashi uke : Back arm sweeping block

Heiwan uke : Upper forearm block

Hiji suri uke : Elbow sliding block

Juji uke : X block

Kake uke : Hooking block

Kakiwake uke : Reverse wedge block

Kakuto uke : Bent wrist block

Keito uke : Chicken head wrist block

Kuri uke : Elbow block (as used in the kata Seiyunchin)

Mae ude deai osae : Forearm pressing block

Mae ude hineri uke : Forearm twist block

Mawashi uke : Roundhouse block (sometimes called Tora Guchi uke)

Morote sukui uke : Two handed scooping block

Morote tsukami uke : Two handed grasping block

Morote uke : Augmented forearm block

Nagashi uke : Sweeping block

Oroshi uke : Descending block

Osae uke : Pressing block

Otoshi uke: Dropping block

Sashite uke: Rising hand block

Seiryuto uke : Ox-jaw block

Shuto uke: Knife hand block

Sokumen awase uke: Side two hand block

Sokutei mawashi uke: Circular sole block

Sokutei osae uke: Pressing block with sole

Sokuto osae uke: Pressing block with foot edge

Tate shuto uke : Verticle knife hand block

Tate uke : Vertical block

Te nagashi uke : Hand sweeping block

Te osae uke : Hand pressing block

Teisho awase uke : Combined palm heel block (sometimes called Shotei awase uke)

Teisho uke : Palm heel block (sometimes called Shotei uke)

Tekubi kake uke : Wrist hook block

Tetsui uke : Hammer block (sometimes called "outside forearm block")

Tsukami uke : Grasping block

Uchi uke : Block from inside outward

Ude uke : Inside forearm block

Uke : Blocking

 

 

Equipment and Weapons

Bo : Wooden staff, 6 feet long

Chi ishi: Lever weighted stone

Ishi sashi: Stone padlocks

Jo : Wooden staff, approximately 4 feet long

Kendo : Sword fighting

Kongo ken : Iron ring

Makiwara : Striking board

Nigiri game : Training jars (Nih-gee-ree gam-ay)

Sai: Three pronged knife

Tan : Barbells

Tetsu wa : Iron rings (sometimes called "Tekkan")

Tonfa : Farm tool developed into weapon by the Okinawan people

 

General Terms

Ashi barai: Foot sweep

Budo : Martial Way; Martial arts

Busaganishi: Martial arts deity

Bunkai: Study of kata applications and techniques

Chiru no chan chan : Fast, springy action

Chudan : Middle level

Dan : Level

Do : Way; Path

Dojo : Training place

Dojo kun : Dojo rules

Gasshuku : Special karate training camp

Gedan : Lower level

Geri : Kick

Gi: Jacket; training costume; tunic

Go : Hard; unyielding

Go kumite : Hard sparring

Goju Ryu Karate Do : Hard / Soft style, empty handed Way

Hai: Yes

Hajime : Begin

Hara : Stomach

Heishugata : "Closed Fist" kata (Sanchin and Tensho)

Hidari : Left

Hiji : Elbow

Hiza : Knee

Hojo undo : Supplementary exercises

Honbu Dojo : Central dojo of an organization

Ippon kumite : One point sparring

Jodan : Upper level

Ju : Soft; flexible

Junbi Undo : Warm up exercises

Kaishugata : "Open fist" kata (Gekisai, Saifa, etc.)

Kakie : Push hands

Kamae : Combative posture

Kamae te : Assume stance

Kanji: Chinese characters

Karate : Empty hand

Karate-Do : The way of Karate

Kata : Forms

Keage : Snap action

Kenkon : The symbol of the I.O.G.K.F. Literally "Heaven and Earth"

Ki o tsuke : Attention (phonetically" kee-ut-ski")

Kiai: Focusing shout

Kihon : Basic techniques

Kokomi: Thrust action

Koshi: Ball of the foot

Kumite : Sparring

Kyu : White to brown belt rank

Mae : Front

Mawatte : Turn around

Migi: Right

Mokuso : Silent contemplation, meditation

Muchimi: Heavy, sticky action

Obi: Training uniform belt

Oyo bunkai: Study of techiques in kata (similar to Bunkai but including follow-ups)

Otagai: Training partner

Randori: Free sparring, relaxed sparring (sometimes called "Jiyu kumite")

Rei: Bow

Sandan gi: Three level sparring

Seiken : Fore fist

Seiza : Formal sitting position (kneeling on your haunches, feet crossed)

Semete : Attacking partner

Shime : Sanchin testing

Shomen : The front

Shugo : Line up

Ski atte : Change hands

Suri ashi : Sliding step

Tai sabaki : Body evasion ability

Tanden : Navel

Te : Hand

Ude : Forearm

Ude tanren : Forearm conditioning

Uke harai: Blocking exercises

Ushiro : Back, rear

Waza : Techniques

Yobi undo : Warm up exercises

Yakusoku kumite : Pre-arranged sparring

Yame : Stop

Yoi: Ready

Yoko : Side

Zanshin : Awareness

Agura : Informal sitting (legs crossed)

Asobidi: Playful martial arts

Ayumi ashi : Natural stepping

Chakuchki : Replacing

Embusen : Pattern of a given kata

Gai-wan : Outer arm

Gohon kumite : Five step basic sparring

Gyakute : Grappling, wrestling, joint locking (Literally "hand reverses")

Haishu : Back-hand; Closed hand

Haisoku : Instep

Happo sabaki: All types of footwork and evasion movements

Hiku no chikara : The power of recoil

Jiyu ippon : One step freestyle sparring

Josokutei: Ball of the feet

Judo : The Gentle Way

Junan taiso : Stretching exercises

Kaette : Return, or Go Back

Kaikoken : Crab Fist

Kaisho : Open hand

Kakato : Heel

Kakuto : Bent-wrist

Keiko : Training (also means 'Joined fingertips')

Keito : Chicken head wrist

Kentsui: Fist hammer

Ki: Mind, Spirit, Energy

Kihon ippon : Basic one point sparring

Kihon kumite : Basic sparring

Kime : Focus of power

Koken : Wrist Joint

Koshin : Rearward

Kyusho jutsu : The art of attacking the vital points of the body

Ma : Distance between opponents

Ma ai: Distancing

Mae ukemi: Front fall / roll

Maete : Jab (Literally "Front Hand")

Matte : Wait

Morote no kamae : Augmented handed combative posture

Nai-wan : Inner arm

Nin : Perseverance; tolerance; endurance; patience.

O swate : Sit down

O tate : Stand up

Reigi: Etiquette, manners (sometimes called "Reishiki")

Sandan kumite : Three step, three level sparring

Sanbon kumite : Three step sparring

Sanbon zuki: Three step sparring, one hand blocks three punch combination

Seishin tanren : Forging oneself through karate training

Shiho-wari: Breaking boards on four sides to test power, awareness and focus (sometimes

called 'Tameshiwari')

Shinzen : Shrine

Shinzui: Truth

Shizen tai: Natural position

Tachi: Stances

Tachi zen : Standing meditation

Tameshiwari: Test of technique's power via breaking

Tandoku Renshu : Preparatory exercise

Tako ashi: Octopus foot

Tenshin : Moving, shifting

Tome : Return to original position

Torite : Escape methods

Tsugi ashi: Chassis step

Ukete : Defending party

Unsoku ho : Footwork

Wan : Arm

Yasume : At ease

Zenshin : Forward

Zuki or Tsuki: Punch or thrust (sometimes pronounced "ski")

 

Goju-Ryu Kata

A brief foreword regarding Goju-Ryu Kata kanji translation:

Many of the kata of the Goju-Ryu style, in spite of the fact that they are known universally by a singular name, have a seemingly endless number of interpretations when translated from Okinawan to English.

The following list has been compiled from a number of sources, showing many of the popular translations offered on this subject today.

However, it is important to bear in mind that it is not the translation of the name of a given kata that is of any real importance. The important thing is the kata itself.

Gekisai Dai Ichi:

• Attack and smash, number one
• Attack, crush, number one
• Attack and subdue with closed palms
• Smash and destroy, number one

Gekisai Dai Ni:

• Attack and smash, number two
• Attack, crush, number two
• Attack and subdue with open palms
• Smash and destroy, number two

Saifa :

• Smash and tear
• To smash and tear into pieces
• Crush, shatter, tear
• Breaking ground

Seiyunchin :

• To draw/suck/pull in and battle
• Conquer over distance
• Marching/Conquer far quietly
• Control, supress and pull
• To pull off balance and fight

Shisochin :

• Four gated battle
• Four direction battle
• Conquer in four directions
• To defeat attacks from four sides

Sanseru :

• 36 hands

Sepai:

• 18 hands

Kururunfa:

• Ku (Long) Ru (Hold) Run (Sudden) Fa (Break)
• Forever peacefulness, stops, shatter
• To remain still, then quickly attack and destroy
• Holding ground
• Armageddon
• "Silence before the storm"

Sesan :

• 13 hands

Suparinpei :

• 108 hands
• Pechurin

Sanchin :

• Three battles

Tensho :

• Revolving hands Turning palms

 

Kicks

Fumikomi geri: Stamping kick

Geri: Kicking

Hiza geri: Knee kick

Kensetsu geri: Stamping kick, joint kick

Mae ashi geri: Front leg kick

Mae geri: Front kick

Mawashi geri: Roundhouse kick

Tobi geri: Flying front kick

Ushiro geri: Back kick

Yoko geri: Side kick

Ago geri: Chin kick

Chudan mae geri: Front kick to body

En-sho : Round heel

Fumikiri geri: Cutting kick

Gedan kekomi geri: Thrust kick to low level

Gyaku ashi: Reverse foot

Geri ashi: Kicking foot

Gyaku geri: Reversed kick

Gyaku mawashi geri: Reverse round kick

Jodan kekomi geri: Thrust kick to face

Jodan mae geri: Front kick to face

Kaiten geri: Spinning slap kick (as in the kata Suparinpei)

Keage geri: Snap kick

Kebanashi: Kick off (snap kick)

Kekomi geri: Thrust kick

Kesa geri: Diagonal kick

Kin geri: Groin kick

Mae ashi kekomi: Front leg thrust

Mae geri keage : Front snap kick

Mae geri kekomi: Front thrust kick

Mae tobi geri: Jumping front kick

Mikazuki geri: Crescent kick (sometimes called "jaw kick")

Nidan geri: Double jump kick

Renzoku geri: Combination kick

Sokuto : Edge of foot

Sokuto Keage : Snap kick with foot edge

Tobi yoko geri: Jumping side kick

Uchi mawashi geri: Inside roundhouse kick

Ushiro ashi geri: Rear-leg kick

Yoko geri keage : Side snap kick

Yoko geri kekomi: Side thrust kick

Yoko kekomi: Side thrust kick

Yoko tobi geri: Jumping side kick

 

Numbers

1. Ichi: One

2. Ni : Two

3. San : Three

4. Shi: Four

5. Go : Five

6. Roku : Six

7. Shichi: Seven

8. Hachi: Eight

9. Ku : Nine

10. Ju : Ten

Phrases, Etiquette

Domo Arigato Gozai imasu : Thank you very much

Gaayu no hito : One who possesses a strong spirit and never gives up

Gokurosan : Thank you for doing what was expected of you

Gokurosahma : Thank you for doing what was expected of you (with respect)

Ho go ju donto : "The way of inhaling and exhaling is hardness and softness"

Kon banwa : Good evening (after daylight)

Konnichi wa : Good evening (day light hours)

Mo ichi do : Once more time

Ohiyo Gozai imasu : Good morning

Onegai shimasu : Please teach me

Osu : Versatile greeting

Oyasumi nasai: Good night (upon departing)

Punches

Age zuki : Rising punch

Choku zuki : Straight punching from a parallel stance

Chudan zuki : Middle area punch

Furi zuki : Circular punch

Gedan zuki : Punch to low area

Gyaku zuki : Reverse punch

Jodan zuki : Upper punch

Kizame Zuki : Jab Punch

Oi zuki : Lunge punch

Seiken zuki : Forefist punch

Ura zuki : Close range punch

Awase zuki : U punch

Choku zuki chudan : Straight punch to body

Dan zuki : Consecutive punching

Hasami zuki : Scissors punch

Heiko zuki : Double punch, simultaneous

Hiraken zuki : Fore-knuckle-fist straight punch

Hon zuki : Frontal punch

Ippon ken zuki : One-knuckle-fist straight punch

Jun zuki : Double punch, consecutive

Kagi zuki : Hook punch

Mawashi zuki : Roundhouse punch

Morote zuki : Double-fist "U" punch

Nagashi zuki : Flowing punch

Nihon zuki : Double punch

Oroshi zuki : Descending punch

Ren zuki : Alternate punching

Sanbon zuki : Three punch combination

San ren zuki : Three consecutive punches

Seiken choku zuki : Fore-fist punching from a parallel stance

Tate zuki : Vertical fist punch

Ten zuki : Heaven punch

Tsun zuki : One inch punch (as used in the kata Sesan)

Yama zuki : Mountain punch

Yoko zuki : Side punch

 

Strikes

Empi ate : Elbow strike (sometimes called "hiji ate", "empi uchi", "hiji uchi")

Haito uchi : Ridge hand strike

Hiji atemi : Elbow strikes

Hiraken : Fore knuckle fist

Hiza uchi : Knee strike (sometimes called "hiza geri")

Ko uchi : Wrist strikeMawashi empi uchi : Round elbow strike

Nukite uchi : Spear hand strike

Shuto uchi : Knife-hand strikeSokuto uchi : Foot edge strikeTeisho uchi : Palm heel strike

(sometimes called "Shotei uchi")

Tetsui uchi : Bottom fist strike

Uchi : Striking

Uraken uchi : Back fist strike

Atama uchi : Strike with head

Ganmen uchi : Facial strike

Hai wan : Back arm

Haishu uchi : Back hand strike

Heiwan uchi : Forearm strike

Hitosashi ippon ken : Forefinger knuckle

Hizagashira : Knee cap

Ippon ken : One knuckle fist

Ippon nukite : Stabbing action with extended forefinger

Kentsui uchi : Hammer fist strike

Kumade uchi : Bear hand strike (as used in the kata Sepai)

Mae empi uchi : Forward elbow strike (sometimes called Mae hiji ate)

Mawashi hiji ate : Circular elbow strike

Nakadaka ippon ken : Middle finger one knuckle fist (as used in the kata Sepai)

Nakadaka ken : Middle finger knuckle fist

Nihon nukite : Two finger spear-hand

Otoshi empi uchi : Downward elbow strike (sometimes called "Otoshi hiji ate")

Oyayubi ippon ken : Thumb knuckle

Sashite : Raising hand to strike

Seiryuto : Ox jaw hand

Shittsui : Knee hammer

Shu wan : Palm arm

Shubo : Arm stick

Tate empi uchi : Upward elbow strike (sometimes called "Tate hiji ate")

Ushiro empi uchi : Back elbow strike (sometimes called "Ushiro hiji ate")

Wanto : Arm sword

Washide : Eagle hand

Yoko empi uchi : Side elbow strike (sometimes called "Yoko hiji ate")

Yoko mawashi empi uchi : Side round elbow strike (also "Yoko mawashi hiji ate")

Tournament Terminology

Aiuchi: Simultaneous points by both opponents

Aka : Red

Atoshi baraku : 30 seconds to go

Atenai Yoni: Warning without penalty

Attate Iru : Contact

Chui: Warning

Encho-sen : Extension of bout

Fujubun : Not enough power

Fukushin : Referee's mirror in a bout; the judge

Fukushin Shugo : Judges conference

Hansoku : Foul

Hansoku chui: Warning with an ippon penalty

Hantei: Judgement

Hikiwake : Draw

Ippon : One point

Jogai: Exit from fighting area

Jo sokutei: Raised sole (also "double entry")

Kachi: Victorious winner

Kansa : The timekeeper in a bout; the arbitrator

Keikoku : Warning with waza ari penalty

Kiken : Renunciation

Ma-ai ga toh : Improper distancing

Moto no ichi: Return to your starting position

Mubobi: Warning for lack of regard for one's own safety

No Jikan : Time

Nukete Iru : Out of target

Shiai: Match

Shikaku : Disqualification and dismissal

Shushin : Referee

Shiro : White

Shobu ippon : One point match

Shobu nihon : Two point match

Shobu sanbon : Three point match

Sore made : End of match

Suki: Opening

Taiming go osoi: Not proper timing

Torimasen : No point

Tsuzukete : Resume; Carry on (phonetically "Soo-zoo-keh-tay")

Ukete Iru : Blocked

Waza ari: Half-point

Yowai: Weak focus

Vital Points

Bitei: Coccyx

Danchu : Breastbone

Denko : Ribs (slightly below ganka)

Dokusen : Side of neck

Fukuto : Hollow of knee

Ganka : Ribs (point located directly under the nipple)

Hayauchi: Upper back

Hichu : Windpipe

Hijisume : Inside of elbow

Inazuma : Stomach wall (ganka level)

Jinchu : Philtrum (dimple between top lip and nose)

Kakon : Chin

Kassatsu : Spine, middle of back

Kasumi: Temple on the side of the head

Keichu : Back of neck; Base of cerebellum

Kinteki: Groin

Kokotsu : Shinbone

Komekami: Cheekbone

Kori: Area around the toes

Kutaku : Inner wrist

Kyosen : Sternum

Mikazuki : Jaw

Murasame : Clavicle

Myosho : Navel area, abdomen

Naira : Achilles tendon

Seimo : Eye socket

Shomon : Skull

Shuko : Back of hand

Soin : Instep

Soma : Calves

Soto shakutaku : Outer wrist

Suigetsu : Solar plexus

Tanden : Abdomen (the power center of the body)

Tsumasaki : Tips of toes

Ushiro denko : Kidney area (Literally "back ribs")

Ushiro inazuma : Backside

Uto : Bridge of nose

Yako : Inner thigh