Terminology

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Karate: Empty Hands

Do: Way

Karate Do: The Way of Empty Hands

Karateka: Practitioner of Karate

Shotokan: “House of Shoto”; “Pine Sea”; pen name of Funakoshi.

Dojo: School or training room

Sensei: Teacher

Sempai: Senior students

Renshi: Entry Level Master

Shihan: Master Instructor

Kyu: Rank (Lower colored belts)

Dan: Rank (Upper black belts)

Gi: Uniform

Obi: Belt

Hai: Yes

Iie: No

Osu: “I understand and will try my best.”

Kiai: Spirit shout/focus of spiritual energy

Dozo: Please

Domo Arigato Gozaimashita: “Thank:you very much”

Onegai Shimasu: Said to one’s partner when initiating practice.

Kime: Focus

Kihon: Fundamentals/Basics

Kata: Practice form

Embusen: Floor pattern/lines of a kata

Bunkai: Application (interpretation) of kata techniques

Rei: Bow

Seiretsu: Line up by rank

Seiza: Meditation position:kneeling

Mokuso: Meditate/Gather Your Thoughts

Shomen ni: Face towards the front

Sensei ni: Face towards the teacher

Yoi: Ready

Hajime: Begin

Yame: Stop

Mawatte: Turn around

Mae: Front

Yoko: Side

Ushiro: Back

Mawashi: Round

Jodan: Head high level

Chudan: Mid:high level

Gedan: Low level; Down

Migi: Right

Hidari: Left

Gyaku: Reverse

Age: Rising

Uchi: Inner

Soto: Outer

Ichi: One

Ni: Two

San: Three

Shi: Four

Go: Five

Roku: Six

Shichi: Seven

Hachi: Eight

Ku: Nine

Ju: Ten

Waza: Technique

Dachi: Stance

Tsuki (Zuki): Punch

Uchi: Strike

Uke: Block

Geri: Kick

Heisoku dachi: Feet Together Stance

Zenkutsu dachi: Front Stance

Kokutsu dachi: Back Stance

Musubi dachi: Formal Attention Stance (feet in a ‘V”)

Hachiji dachi: Open:legged Stance (Yoi)

Kiba Dachi – Horse Stance

Kokutsu Dachi – Back Stance

Sochin Dachi – Rooted Stance

Neko Ashi Dachi – Cat Stance

Kame: Fighting Stance

Gyaku tsuki: Reverse punch

Kizami tsuki: Jab

Oi:gyaku tsuki: Lunging reverse punch

Nee Tsuki: double punch

Sambon Tsuki: triple punch

Shihon Tsuki : four punches

Gohon Tsuki : five punches

Gedan Tsuki : lower punch

Chudan Tsuki : middle punch

Jodan Tsuki : face punch

Yoko Tsuki : side punch

Nukite: Spear:hand

Uraken:uchi: back of fist strike

Enpi:uchi: elbow strike

Heisoku dachi: Feet Together Stanc

Age uke: Rising block

Gedan barai: Down block

Soto ude uke: Outside forearm block

Uchi ude uke: Inside forearm block

Shuto uke: Knife:hand block

Morote uke: Augmented block

Osai uke : Pressing block

Juji uke: X block

Heivan uke: square side block

Theisho: Palm Heel Strike

Heito: Ridge Hand

Mae gri: Front kick

Mawashi geri: Roundhouse kick

Yoko geri keage: Side snap kick

Yoko geri kekomi: Side thrust kick

Ushiro geri: Back thrust kick

Kin Geri: groin kick

Kensutsu Geri:

Ashi Geri: Shin Kick

Ashi Barai: tapping kick

Ura Mawashi Geri: Back Roundhouse kick

Ushiro Udi Mawashi Geri: Spinning reverse roundhouse kick

Kakato Geri: Axe Kick

Hiza Geri: Knee strike

Fumikomi geri: Stomping kick

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