Karate Terminology
Age
Rising or upper
Age-empi-uchi
Upward elbow
strike or rising elbow strike, see tate empi uchi (vertical elbow strike)
Age-uke
Rising block
Age-haisoku-uchi
Rising instep strike, raising your instep into your
attackers groin
Age-zuki
Rising punch, see age tsuki
Ago
Jaw or chin, as in mouth
Agura-wo-kaku
Informal seating
position this is sitting with the legs
crossed
Ai
Harmony
Ai-kamae
Harmony posture, when your opponent and you are in matching
or mirrored stances
Ai-ki
Harmonious spirit. This is where you integrate all your
movements, breathing etc. To exactly match your opponents and you then control
him from it. It is also called "spirit meeting" or "harmony
meeting".
Aikido
A martial art meaning the “way of harmony”
Aite
Opponent in a contest
Aite-no-tsukuri
Conditioning of your opponent or partner. This is the preparing or setting up of your opponent in order to execute your technique so that it is most effective. Once you have got him in the most advantageous position for you, you then execute your technique.
Aiuchi
Simultaneous strike
Aka
Red
Akiresu-ken
Achilles tendon
Ananku
An Okinawan Shorin ryu kata meaning “light from the south”
Antei
Balance, stability or equilibrium, see fu-anti
Aoyagi
A kata meaning “green willow tree”
Ashi
Foot or leg, one leg or single leg
Ashi-ate
Foot strikes or leg strikes. These are methods of attacking
with the knee, ball or edge of the foot, heel, etc.
Ashi-barai
Foot or leg sweep, see ashi harai
Ashi-dachi
Single leg stance, a general term for one leg stances, see
sashi ashi dachi, tsuru ashi dachi and sagi ashi dachi
Ashi-fumikae
Changing feet
Ashi-gake
Hooking foot displacement, where you hook your foot behind
your attackers and then pull your foot back towards you, pulling your attackers
foot with you, and pulling him off balance. This is different to an ashi barai
because this is not done in a sweeping motion.
Ashi-harai
Foot or leg sweeping, see ashi barai
Ashi-hishigi
Leg lock or pin, where you apply pressure to your
opponent’s lower calf in order to pin him to the floor
Ashi-sabaki
Foot work or foot movement
Ashi-waza
Name given to all leg and foot techniques
Ashi-yubi
Toes, ashi meaning "of the foot" and yubi being
"the digit"
Ashibo-kake-uke
Leg hooking block, in which the leg is raised to the side
and swung in a circle to deflect an opponent’s side kick to the abdomen
Ashi-kubi
Ankle, ashi means "of the foot" and kubi means
"of the joint"
Ashikubi-kake-uke
Ankle hooking block, normally used to block a front kick,
similar in motion to ashibo-kake uke
Ashizoko
Bottom foot
Atama
Head, or the top of the head
Ate
Strike or striking
Ate-waza
Striking or smashing techniques
Atemi
Body strike or striking
Atemi-waza
Body striking techniques, used in conjunction with
grappling and throwing techniques
Ateru
To place, to put, or to hold
Ato-uchi
Delayed strike or feint
Attate-iru
Contact
Au
To encounter an opponent
Awase
Combined
Awase-age-uke
Crossed two arm upper rising block, both arms coming up
together performing the block
Awase-hiki-tsukami
Combined pulling grasp
Awase-koko-uke
Combined tiger mouth block, as seen in the kata Empi
against a jo or bo 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 where the thumbs and index
fingers touch forming a triangle, as seen in the kata rohai nidan and kata
koshokun dai
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
Awase-zuki
U-punch, see morote zuki
Ayumi
Step or pace
Ayumi-ashi
Slide stepping
Ayumi-dachi
A natural walking stance with the weight over the center
B
Barai
Sweep
Bassai-dai
Kata meaning to “penetrate a fortress” (greater of pair),
originally called passai
Bassai-sho
Kata meaning to “penetrate a fortress” (lesser of pair)
Betei
The bones at the base of the spine
Bo
A wooden staff, approximately 6 feet in length
Bo-jutsu
Wooden staff art
Bogu
Body armor
Bogu-kumite
A method of fighting wearing armor
Bokken
Wooden practice sword
Bo-uchi
Bo strike, a general term for any strike using a bo
Bo-uke
Bo block, a block against an attack from a bo, a general
term that covers any block against a bo attack
Bo-waza
Bo techniques
Bo-jutsu
Wooden staff art
Bogu
Protective equipment, body armor
Bogu-kumite
Sparring when wearing protective equipment or armor
Budo
Martial way. In karate, there is an assumption that the best way to prevent violent conflict is to emphasize the cultivation of individual character. The way (do) of karate is thus equivalent to the way of bu, taken in this sense of preventing or avoiding violence so far as possible.
Bugei
Martial arts
Bunkai
Applications of kata movements
Bushi
Warrior
Bushi-te
Warrior hands. One of the old names for
karate.
Bushido
Way of the warrior
Byobudaoshi
To topple a folded screen. This is a throwing technique where you step your leg behind your attackers front leg and at the same time that you sweep his leg you attack his chin withyour open hand pushing his head back in the opposite direction that which his leg is being swept in.
C
Chi
Blood
Chikara
Power or strength
Chinte
Strange hands
Chinto
An Okinawan Shorin ryu kata whose name was changed by
Funakoshi , meaning “fighting to the east”, the old name for the kata Gankaku
meaning "crane on a rock"
Chokkaku
Right angle
Choku
Straight
Choku-zuki
Straight punch from horse stance
Chowa
The harmonious mental and physical reaction while at
practice
Chowasuru
To have harmony with opponent, to harmonize movement
Choyaku-hangeki
Jumping counter attack
Chu
Middle
Chudan
Mid-level, mid-section, or stomach area
Chudan-barai-uke
Middle level sweeping block
Chudan-choku-zuki
A straight punch to the mid-section of the opponent's body
Chudan-no-kamae
Middle level posture, middle level guard, and a freestyle
posture where your hands are held at middle level in a defensive guard
Chudan-teisho-furi-uchi
Middle level palm heel circular strike
Chudan-uchi-ude-uke
Middle level inside forearm block, see uchi ude uke
Chudan-ude-uke
Middle level forearm block
Chudan-uke
Middle level block, a general term for middle level blocks
Chudan-zuki
A punch to the mid-section of the opponent's body
Chusoku
Ball of foot
Counting - 1. Ichi 2. Ni 3. San 4.
Shi 5. Go 6. Roku 7. Shichi 8. Hachi 9. Ku 10.Ju
D
Dachi
Stance or position, see tachi
Dai
Lesser or minor
Dan
Level, rank or degree of black belt rank. Northend Karate-Do
does not participate in the Dan ranking system
Dan-zuki
Consecutive punching (same hand)
Danchu
Summit of breastbone or sternum
De
Advancing
Deai
Encountering, see deai osae uke
Deai-osae-uke
Pressing block
Deashi-barai
Advanced foot sweep, see deashi harai
Denko
The area between the seventh and eighth ribs
Deshi
Trainee, see karate-ka
Do
Way or path. In karate, the connotation is that of a way of
attaining enlightenment or a way of improving one's character through
traditional training.
Do-kyaku
Moving leg
Dogu
Tools, equipment, instruments, etc. used in martial arts
practice
Doji
Simultaneous
Doji-waza
Techniques are performed simultaneously
Dojo
Literally, "place of the way" or "place of
enlightenment", the place where we practice karate
Dojo-kun
School oath, or standard of the school, i.e. Northend
Karate-Do has the motto “Persistence is more important than natural ability”
Dokan
The ring of the way; repetition, consistent practice
Dokko
The mastoids, located up behind the base of the ears
Domo-arigato-gozaimashita
Japanese for "thank you very much" at the end of
each class, it is proper to bow and thank the instructor and those with whom
you've trained
Dori
Practice
Doshu
Master of the way
E
Eku
A wooden oar used by the Okinawans that was improvised as a
weapon
Embusen
The floor pattern of a given kata
Empi
or Enpi
Elbow, see hiji. Kata Empi means "flying
swallow", this kata was originally called wanshu. It is named after a
flying swallow because the alternate high and low attacks that are seen in it
are said to resemble a swallow in flight. It is considered to be one of the
oldest kata.
Empi-uchi
Elbow strike, see hiji ate
Empi-uke
Elbow block, a general term for the blocking action using
the elbow
En
Circle
En-sho
Round heel, see kakato
Engetsu-uke
Circular foot block
Relax
Enshin
Center of a circle or circular
Eri
Lapel
Eri-seoi-nage
Lapel shoulder throw
Eri-tsukami
Lapel grab
F
Fu-anti
Instability or lack of balance
Fudo-dachi
Immovable stance or rooted stance, sochin dachi
Fukai
Hold strongly
Fukurahagi
Calf (of the leg)
Fukuto
The outside of the lower part of the thigh
Fumi-waza
Stamping techniques
Fumikiri-geri
Cutting kick, a stamping sidekick using the edge or blade
of the foot to strike
Fumikomi-geri
Stamping kick, usually applied to the knee, shin, or instep
of an opponent
Furi
Swing or circular or round
Furi-kosa-barai
Circular cross sweep block, it is used in the kata
Nijushiho
Furiage
Swing up
Furikaeru
Turn (look) round, rotate and look back
Furisute
Swing
Fuse
Ground defense
Fushi
Joint, knuckle
Fusho
Injury, wound
G
Gaeshi
Counter, see kaeshi
Gai-wan
Outer arm, part of the forearm located on the side opposite
the thumb
Gan
Eye
Ganchu
Area below the nipples
Gankaku
Kata meaning "crane on a rock"
Gankaku-dachi
Crane stance, see tsuru ashi dachi and sagi ashi dachi
Gankaku-kamae
Crane posture
Gasshukua
Special training camp
Gedan
Lower level, lower section of the body
Gedan-barai or Gedan-barai-uke
Lower level sweeping block with a closed fist
Gedan-choku-zuki
A punch to the lower section of the opponent's body,
normally the groin
Gedan-juji-uke
Lower level crossed block, used to block a front kick
Gedan-kake-uke
Lower level hooking block
Gedan-shuto-osae
Lower level knife hand press
Gedan-soto-ude-uke
Lower level outside forearm block
Gedan-sukui-uke
Lower level hooking block
Gedan-ude-uke
Low forearm block
Gedan-uke
Lower level block
Gedan-zuki
Lower level punch, usually directed at the groin area
Gekon
The spot beneath the lower lip
Geri
Kick
Geri-nuke
Best described as slipping through the enemy by kicking
Geri-waza
Kicking techniques
Gerigaeshi
Return kick or kick counter
Gerihanashi
Kick release or retraction. After executing a kick you must
withdraw the leg with the same speed.
Gi
Training uniform. Traditionally in Japanese and Okinawan
karate dojo, the student gi must be white
Go-no-sen
The tactic where one allows the opponent to attack first so
to open up targets for counterattack
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 kiai.
Goju-ryu
An Okinawan style of karate meaning “hard, soft way of
defense”
Gojushiho
An Okinawan kata meaning “54 steps”
Goshi
Hip
Goshin
Self defense
Gyaku
Reverse or opposite
Gyaku-ashi
Reverse foot or reverse leg
Gyaku-hanmi
Reversed side-on, half front facing position.
Gyaku-mawashi-geri
Reverse roundhouse kick or hook kick, see ura mawashi geri
Gyaku-mawashi-empi-uchi
Reverse roundhouse elbow strike
Gyaku-mikazuki-geri
Back or reverse crescent kick (inside to outside), see ura
mikazuki geri
Gyaku-te
Reverse hand
Gyaku-zuki
Reverse punch
H
Ha
Tooth
Hachiji-dachi
A natural stance, feet positioned about shoulder width
apart, and pointed slightly outward
Hada
Skin, see hifu
Hadashi
Bare feet
Haguki
Gums
Hai
Yes or lung
Hai-wan
Back arm
Hai-wan-nagashi-uke
Back arm sweeping block
Hai-wan-uke
Back arm block
Haishu
Backhand
Haimen
Back or rear side
Haishu
Backhand or back of the hand
Haishu-age-uchi
Back hand rising strike, as seen in kata Nijushiho
Haishu-awase-uke
Backhand combined block, the opening block in the kata
Gankaku and as seen in kata Bassai sho
Haishu-juji-uke
Backhand cross block
Haishu-uchi
Back hand strike with the back of the hand where the hand
and fingers are straight
Haishu-uke
Back hand block using the back of the hand
Haisoku
Instep of the foot
Haito
Ridge hand
Haito-koshi-kamae
Ridge-hand hip posture, 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 to counter a front kick. As
you scoop the leg you sink in stance, then raising to a shortened stance and
raising the leg taking your attacker off balance and throwing him to the floor
Haito-uchi
Ridge hand strike
Haito-uke
Ridge hand block
Hajime
Begin, a command given to start a given drill, kata, or
kumite
Han
Half
Han-zenkutsu-dachi
A shortened front stance, see moto dachi
Hana
Nose
Hanaji
Nosebleed
Hangetsu
or Hungetsu
A breathing kata meaning “half moon”
Hangetsu-dachi
Half moon stance, or a 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 Hangestsu
Hanmi-kamae
Half facing position
Hanshi
Master, an honorary title given to the highest black belt
of an organization, signifying their understanding of their art
Hara
Abdomen or belly, see tandan
Harai
Sweep or sweeping, see barai
Harai-fumikomi-geri
Sweeping stamping kick, as seen in the kata Bassai dai
Harai-te
Sweeping technique with the hand
Harai-waza
Sweeping technique
Haru
Spread
Hasami
Scissors
Hasami-(ude)-uke-hiza-
kamae
Scissor (forearm) block knee posture. Both forearms perform
a scissor block and at the same time the right knee raises attacking the groin.
Hasami-geri
Scissor kick
Hasami-tettsui-uchi
Scissor bottom fist strike. Both bottom fists perform a
scissor strike in to the sides of your attackers body.
Hasami-zuki
Scissor punch
Hayai
Quick, fast or rapid
Hazushi
Pulling away
Hazushi-te
Pulling away hand, used to describe the action of pulling
your hand away, after it has been grasped
Heian
Kata meaning “peaceful mind or peace or tranquility”. These
five kata were originally called Pinan and renamed by Funakoshi.
Heiko-dachi
Parallel stance, a natural stance, shoulder stance with the
feet positioned about shoulder width apart, pointed straight forward
Heiko-tate-zuki
Parallel vertical fist punch
Heiko-ura-zuki
Parallel close punch, as seen in kata Bassai sho
Heiko-zuki
A double, simultaneous parallel punch
Heisoku
Instep
Heisoku-dachi
An informal attention stance where the feet and toes are
together and pointed straight forward
Henka
Changing
Henka-waza
Changing techniques
Hente
Changing hands or switching guard
Hente-waza
Changing hands techniques
Hichu
The base of the throat, Adam’s apple or projection of the
thyroid cartilage of the larynx
Hidari
Left or left side
Hidari-jigo-tai
Left defensive posture
Hidari-kamae
Left leg leading stance
Hidari-naneme-ni-yokeru- koto
Left diagonal evasion
Hidari-te
Left hand
Hifu
Skin, see hada
Hiji
Elbow, see empi
Hiji-atemi
Elbow strikes
Hiji-uke
A blocking action using the elbow
Hiji-waza
Elbow techniques
Hiji-ate
Elbow strike, see empi uchi
Hijizume
Elbow joint
Hiki
Retract or pull back
Hiki-ashi
Retracting leg
Hiki-te
The retracting (pulling and twisting) arm during a technique
Hikkaku
Scratch or to wound with the nails, as seen in kata Bassai
sho where you bring your fingers back across your attackers eyes or in a tiger
claw rake
Hikume
Low
Twist
Hineri-tenshin
A move where you twist your wrist out of the grip of your
opponent and at the same time change your body course, as seen in kata Pinan
Sandan and Koshokun Dai
Hineri-yoko-empi-uchi
Twisting lateral elbow strike
Hinerite-uke
Twisting hand block
Hira
Flat or level
Hira-hasami
Flat scissors, see koko or tiger mouth
Hira-nukite
Level spear hand or level piercing hand with palm facing
down
Hira-kote
Center of the outer and inner forearms
Hiraken
Flat fist or fore knuckle fist (leopard fist), as in a
punch but with the knuckles extended, see hiraken zuki
Hiraken-zuki
Fore-knuckle strike
Hirate
Flat or level hand
Hirate-de-utsu
Slap open handed strike
Hirate-osae-uke
Fore hand pressing block, or flat hand pressing block
Hishiryo
Think without thinking; consciousness beyond thought
Hitai
Brow or forehead
Hitosashi-ippon-ken
Forefinger knuckle fist, see ippon ken
Hitosashiyubi-ippon-ken
Fore finger fist, see ippon ken
Hiza
Knee or lap
Hiza
Knee
Hiza-dachi
One knee kneeling stance position, as seen in kata Empi
Hiza-geri
Knee kick
Hiza-uke
Knee block, a blocking action using the knee
Hiza-waza
Knee techniques
Hizagashira
Knee cap
Hizakansetsu
Knee joint
Hizatsui
Knee hammer
Ho
Step or pace
Hoko
Direction
Hombu
Headquarters
Hombu-dojo
A term used to refer to the central dojo of an organization
Hon
Basic or fundamental
Hone
Bone
Hoo
Cheek
Horan-no-kamae
A wrapped fist, the "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-ka) over
comes angry fist (a non-karate person).
Hyoshi
Rhythm
I
Iai
Sparring which begins with both the attacker and the
defender seated and facing each other or swordplay
Iaido
A martial art meaning “way of the sword”
Ibuki
Breathing method
Ichi
One or position / location
Ichibyoshi
In one breath
Iie
No, that is incorrect
Ikken-hissatsu
To kill with one blow
Inasu
Moving off center, evasion of an on-coming attack through
the course of removing the body from the line of attack
Ippon
One point in sport karate
Ippon-dachi
Another term for a one-legged stance, or crane stance, see
ashi dachi
Ippon-ken
One knuckle fist
Ippon-kumite
One step sparring in sport karate
Ippon-nukite
One finger spear hand aimed at the eyes or throat
Ippon-zuki
One finger thrust, see ippon nukite
Irimi
To penetrate, to enter an opponent’s defense
Isshin ryu
Okinawan style of karate meaning "one heart school"
J
Ji-in
Temple grounds
Ji-on
A Shorei ryu kata from the temple of Ji-on
Jiai
A kata meaning “to be in harmony with one's self” that has
the beginning position from a form of greeting used by the monks from the
temple of Ji-on meaning, as seen in kata Ji and Bassai Dai
Jiai-no-kamae
Meaning “to be in harmony with one's self” and is the
beginning position from a form of greeting used by the monks from the temple of
Ji-on meaning, as seen in kata Ji and Bassai Dai
Jiku-ashi
Pivot leg
Jinchu
Philtrum, or the spot just under the nose
Jinzo
Kidney
Jion
A Shorei -ryu kata
Jitte
A kata meaning “ten hands or ten opponents”, this kata is
unique in that there is not a single punch in it
Jiyu
Freedom of movement
Jiyu-dachi
Free sparring posture
Jiyu-ippon-kumite
One step free sparring
Jiyu-kumite
Free sparring
Jo
Wooden staff about 4'-5' in length, the jo originated as a
walking stick
Jo-tsukami-waza
Jo grasping techniques
Jo-uke
Jo block, a block against a jo
Jodan
Upper level
Jodan-morote-uke
Upper level augmented forearm block, see kata Ji-on
Jodan-uke
Upper level block
Jo-do
Way of the 4 foot staff
Jogai
Out of bounds
Joko
Slow
Jomyaku
Vein
Joso-kutei
Raised sole
Jotai
Upper body
Ju
Soft, gentle
Judo
A martial art meaning the “gentle way”
Juji
Cross
Juji-uke
X block
Jujutsu
A martial art meaning the “art of gentleness”
Jun-kaiten
Regular rotation
Jun-zuki
Punching with the same arm as the leg that is forward
Jutte
A Shorei ryu kata
or a forked iron truncheon
K
Ka
Person or practitioner
Kachi
Win or victory
Kachikake
Point on jaw, see ago
Kaeshi
Counter, the countering of an opponent’s offensive action
Kaeshi-ippon-kumite
Returning one step sparring, or countering one step
sparring
Kafukubu
Abdomen
Kagi
Hook
Kagi-uke
Hooking block
Kagi-zuki
Hook punch
Kahanshin
Lower half of the body
Kaho
Downward
Kai
Style
Kaishin
Open heart or rising sun, the beginning move of the kata
koshokun dai
Kaisho
Open hand strike or block
Kaisho-kosa-uke
Open hand cross block
Kaisho-uke
Open hand block
Kaiten
Turn or rotate
Kakae-nage
Trapping throw
Kakae-te-uke
Trapping hand block
Kakato
Heel of the foot
Kakato-geri
Heel kick or axe kick, striking with the back of the heel
of the foot
Kake
Hooking
Kake-dori
Hooking grasp or pull
Kake-te
Hooking hand
Kake-uke
Hooking block
Kake-waza
Hooking techniques
Kakiwake
A two handed block using the outer surface of the wrist to
neutralize a two-handed attack
Kakiwake-uke
Reverse wedge block double outside block
Kakuto
Bent wrist or heel of the hand
Kakuto-uchi
Bent wrist or heel of the hand strike, see ko uchi
Kakuto-uke
Bent wrist or
heel of the hand block, see ko uke
Kama
A grass sickle, an Okinawan weapon
Kamae
Attitude, posture
Kamae-te
A command given by the instructor for students to get into
position
Kami
Hair, see ke
Kami-tsukami
Hair grab
Kamitsuku
Bite
Kan
Fighting awareness, or penetrating the true nature of
things
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 or Koshokun dai
Kata meaning "to view the sky" developed from the Okinawan kata Kusanku
Kanku-sho
Kata meaning “viewing the sky”, sho describes
the movements of the kata rather than its impotance
Kansetsu
Against the joint
Kansetsu-geri
Kick to a joint
Kansetsu-uchi
Joint strike
Kansetsu-waza
Against the joint techniques, or locking
techniques
Kao
The face
Kara
Empty. In karate we use the kara to imply that we are
weapon-less or empty handed. Also, Master Funakoshi said "that the person who follows karate must make himself
void or empty by ridding himself of all self-centeredness and greed, making
yourself empty within, but upright without. This is the real meaning of the
"empty" in karate.
Karada
Body, physique
Karate
Open hand, empty hand
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.
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"
Karikomi
Cutting in
Kasei
Under
Kasei-geri
Kicking the underside of an opponent
Kasumi
Temple on the side of the head, see komikami
Kasusatsu
The area between the fifth and sixth vertebra
Kata
Formal exercise, figure or shape. In karate, kata is a form
or prescribed pattern of movement fighting imaginary opponents.
Katana
The longer of the two swords worn by samurai
Katate
One hand or single hand
Katate-uke
One hand or single hand block
Katsu
A resuscitation technique
Kawashi
Evasion interaction with an opponent
Ke
Hair
Ke-tsukami
Hair grab, see kami tsukami
Keage
Snapping a kick
Kebanashi
Kick off
Kega
Injury or wound
Keichu
Nape of the neck
Keiko
Training or practice
Keito
Joined fingertips or chicken head hand
Keito-uchi
Chicken head strike
Keito-uke
Chicken head block
Keito-uke-nagashi
Chicken head blocking sweep
Kekkan
Blood vessel
Kekomi
Thrust, see kerikomi
Kempo
Fist law, a generic term to describe fighting systems that
uses the fist
Ken
Fist or sword
Kendo
Way of the sword
Kensei
The technique with silent kiai
Kenseitai
Feint
Kentsui
Hammer fist, see tetsui
Kentsui-uchi
Hammer fist stike, see tetsui uchi
Kentsui-uke
Hammer fist block, see tetsui uke
Keri
Kick, see geri
Keri-waza
Kicking techniques
Keriage
Kick up; this is the original name for a snap kick keage
Kerikome
Kick in; this is the original name for a thrust kick or
kekomi
Ketto
Blood
Ki
Mind. Spirit. Energy. Vital-force. Intention. (Chinese
"chi") ki cannot easily be translated directly into any language.
Ki-ken-tai-no-itchi
Spirit, technique and body as one
Ki-o-tsuke
Attention, musubi dachi with open hands down both sides
Kiai
A shout delivered for the purpose of focusing all of one's
energy into a single movement, one translation of kiai is "the expression
of vital spirit"
Kiba-dachi
Horse straddle stance or horse riding stance, see naihanchi
dachi
Kihaku
Spirit
Kihon
Basic techniques
Kihon-ippon-kumite
Basic one-step sparring, one attack and one defense
Kime
Focus of power and concentration
Kin-geri
Front kick with the instep aimed at the groin
Kinniku
Muscles
Kinteki
Testicles
Kirei-tu
Stand up
Kiri
Cut or repeat
Kiri-kaeshi
Repeated counter
Kisho-ippon-kumite
Returning one step sparring
Kizami-geri
Jabbing kick with the front leg and thrown with a jabbing
action, see kizami mae geri
Kizami-zuki
Jabbing punch
Ko
Arc of back
Ko-bo-ichi
The concept of "attack-defense connection"
Ko-empi-uchi
Rear elbow strike, see ushiro empi uchi
Ko-uchi
Wrist joint strike, see kakuto uchi
Ko-uke
Crane block or arch block, see kakuto uke
Kobayashi-ryu
An Okinawan form of Shorin ryu
karate meaning "small forest"
Kobore
Tibia
Kobudo
Ancient warrior art, referring to weapons training
Kobushi
Fist
Kodenko
The base of the spine
Kohai
A student junior to oneself
Koho
Back, behind or rear
Koho-kaiten-tobi
Rear turning jump, as used in the kata empi
Koho-osae
Rear grab or bear hug
Koho-tenkan
Reversing direction
Koken
Wrist joint or bent wrist
Koko
Tiger mouth
Koko-hiza-kuzushi
Tiger mouth knee pull down, as in the kata Nijushiho
Koko-osae
Tiger mouth grasp
Koko-uchi
Tiger mouth strike
Koko-uke
Tiger mouth block
Kokoro
Spirit in the heart, in Japanese culture the spirit dwells
in the heart
Kokotsu
The center point of the fibula and tibia (shin bone)
Kokutsu-dachi
Back stance
Kokyu
Breath or breathing
Komanage
Spinning top. This is a throwing technique where you place
your hand in the armpit area of your attacker whilst your other hand holds his
wrist. You then force your opponent down.
Komekami
The temple area of the head
Komi
Near or against
Kompai
Peers, those of similar grade
Kori
The upper surface of the instep
Kosa
Cross
Kosa-dachi
Crossed stance, twisted horse stance, or transitional
stance, see kosa ashi dachi
Koshi
Hip or waist
Koshi-kamae
Hip posture or stance, a stance where the fists are held
one above the other against the hip
Koshi-no-kaiten
Hip rotation
Koshin
Rearward
Kote
Wrist, back of hand or forearm
Kote-hodoki-waza
Wrist releasing techniques
Kote-uchi
Forearm strike
Kowasu
Break
Kubi
Neck
Kubiwa
Neck circle or "to encircle the neck", this is a
throwing technique where you encircle your opponents neck with your arm and
then force his head and body off balance backwards throwing him to the ground.
Kuchi
Mouth
Kuchibiru
Lip
Kumade
Bear hand
Kumade-uchi
Bear hand strike
Kumite
Fighting or sparring
Kun
Oath
Kusagakure
The outside edge of the top of the foot
Kusanku
An Okinawan Shorin ryu kata, named after a Chinese master
Kussu
Bent
Kutsu
Pain
Kuzushi
Breaking or upsetting
Kyo
Teach or teaching
Kyoei
Area below the armpits, approximately the spot between the
fifth and sixth ribs
Kyoku
Breathing
Kyosen
Solar plexus, see suigetsu
Kyoshi
Knowledgeable person
Kyototsu
Base of breastbone or sternum
Kyu
Grade or ranks below Shodan
Kyushin
To study or seek, see kyoshin
Kyusho
Vital points or pressure points
Kyusho-waza
Vital point technique
M
Ma-ai
Distancing
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-empi
Forward elbow strike
Mae-empi-uchi
Front elbow strike
Mae-geri
Front kick
Mae-geri-keage
Front snap kick, see mae keage
Mae-geri-kekomi
Front thrust kick, see mae kekomi
Mae-hiji-ate
Front elbow strike
Mae-ni-ite
Going forward
Mae-tobi-geri
Front jumping kick or flying front kick
Mae-ukemi
Forward fall or roll
Makiwara
Punching board or post
Makoto
A feeling of absolute sincerity, which requires a pure
mind, free from pressure of events
Manabu
Learning by imitating
Manji-kamae
A double block where one arm executes gedan barai to one
side, while the other arm executes jodan haiwan uke.
Manji-uke
See manji kamae
Mata
Top of the thigh
Matsukaze
The side of the neck. A kata meaning “wind flowing through
pines”
Matte
Stop or wait
Mawari-komi
Turning (like a top)
Mawashi-empi-uchi
Round house or circular elbow strike, see mawashi hiji ate
Mawashi-geri
Roundhouse kick
Mawashi-hiji-ate
Roundhouse elbow strike, see mawashi empi uchi
Mawashi-hiza-geri
Roundhouse knee kick
Mawashi-tobi-geri
Roundhouse jumping kick, or flying roundhouse kick
Mawashi-zuki
Roundhouse punch
Mawat-te
A command given by the instructor for students to turn
around
Mayu
Eyebrow
Me
Eye
Meijin
Expert or master
Meikyo
A kata meaning “polished mirror”
Men
Side, face or surface
Migamae
Physical readiness
Migi
Right or right side
Migi-kamae
Right leg forward stance
Migi-naneme-ni-yokeru-koto
Right diagonal evasion
Migite
Right hand
Mikazuki
Crescent or the lower ridge of the lower jaw, the mandible
base
Mikazuki-geri
Crescent kick
Mikazuki-geri-uke
Crescent kick block
Miken
Summit of the nose in the center of the forehead
Mimi
Ear(s)
Miru
Look
Mizo-nagare-kamae
Water flowing or sweeping posture, see nagare
Mizu
Water
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, quiet thought
Momo
Thigh
Moroashi-barai
Two leg sweep
Morote
Augmented, double or two handed
Morote-jo-uke
Double handed jo block
Morote-koko-dori
Double tiger mouth grasp
Morote-koko-uke
Double tiger mouth block
Morote-kubi-osae
Two-handed head or neck hold, where both hands are used to
grab either side of the opponent’s head
Morote-seiryuto-uchi
Two handed ox-jaw strike against the collarbones
Morote-ude-uke
Augmented forearm block where the opposite fist is placed
close to the elbow of the blocking forearm, see morote uke
Morote-uke
Augmented block where the opposite fist is placed on the
arm of the blocking arm
Morote-zuki
Augmented punch or u-punch with punching with both fists
simultaneously, see awase zuki
Moto
Original
Mudansha
Students without black-belt ranking
Muki
Facing
Mune
Chest
Munen-muso
Free of all idea's and thoughts, acting with a clear mind
and dedicating yourself to the task in hand
Murasame
The front portion of the throat on either side just above
the collarbone, the supraclavicular fossa
Mushin
No mind, or without mind, meaning a clear, calm spirit
Musubi-dachi
Informal attention stance, heels placed together and feet
turned out at 45 degrees
Myaku
Pulse
Myojo
Area about one
inch below the navel
N
Nagari
Flowing stream or current, see nagashi, nagare or nagareru
Nagashi
Flowing, or sweeping
Nagashi-uke
Sweeping open handed block
Nage-waza
Throwing techniques
Naihanchi
This was the original name for the Tekki kata, but was
changed by Funakoshi
Naihanchi-dachi
See kiba dachi
Nakadaka-ippon-ken
Middle finger one knuckle fist, see nakayubi ippon ken
Nakayubi-ippon-ken
Middle finger fist, see nakadaka ippon ken
Nami
Wave
Naname
Diagonal
Neko
Cat
Neko-ashi-dachi
Cat stance
Ni
Two or second
Ni-no-koshi-no-hyoshi
In two beats (feint)
Nihon-nukite
Two finger spear hand, striking with the index and middle
fingers
Nihon-zuki
Two consecutive punches from alternate hands
Nijushiho
A kata meaning “twenty four steps”
Niku
Flesh
No-muko-hofaku
Facing opposite way
Nobashi
Extend
Nodo
Throat
Nogare
A style of breathing used in karate that advocates proper breath control even in the face of danger
Nukite
Spear hand
Nunchaku
An Okinawan weapon made of two lengths of wood hinged together by cord. Was possibly developed from a horse bridle, and not rice flail
O
Obi
Belt
Oi-zuki
Lunge punch
Okinawa
One of a group of island south east of Japan where karate
was developed
Okinawa-te
An old name for what today is known as karate, see To-de
and To-te
Okuri-ashi-barai
Omote
Front
Omote-kote
Front forearm or inner forearm
Onaji-waza
Same technique
Osae
Pressing or holding
Osae-uke
Forearm pressing block
Oshi
Pressing, see osae
Oss
A word peculiar to karate; it is used as a form of respectful greeting, “yes", or “I understand
Osu
Push
Otoshi
Drop or dropping
Otoshi-empi-uchi
Dropping (downward) elbow strike, see otoshi hiji ate
Oyayubi-ippon-ken
Thumb knuckle
Oyo-waza
Self-defensive applications interpreted from techniques in kata
P
Passai
An Okinawan Shorin ryu kata, the meaning unknown
Pinan
A series of 5 kata formulated by Itosu in 1903
R
Rei
Bow, respect. A method of showing respect in Japanese culture is the bow
Rei
Zero
Reigi
Etiquette, see reishiki
Reishiki
Etiquette, see reigi
Remnei
Association
Ren
Consecutive punches or kicks
Ren-geri
Consecutive kicking; alternating kicking left and right
Ren-zuki
Consecutive kicking; alternating punching left and right
Renraku
Combinations
Renraku-waza
Combination techniques
Renshi
A person who has mastered oneself, this person is
considered an expert instructor
Rohai
Shodan
A kata meaning “vision of the crane”
Rohai
Shodan
A kata meaning “mirror if the soul”
Rokkotsu
Rib
Ronin
A leaderless samurai, he was seen as being of low moral
virtue
Ryo
Both or both sides
Ryo-ashi
Both feet or legs
Ryo-koshi-kamae
Both hip stance, a stance where the fists are clenched and placed on the hips so that the knuckles are touching the hips, as seen in Pinan Sandan
Ryo-soku
Both sides
Ryo-te
Both hands
Ryu
School or style. The literal translation of ryu is to flow, drift or circulate. The style was "handed down"-"circulated" from master to pupil.
Ryu
Dragon
S
Saei-rei-tu
Line up
Sageta-empi-uchi
Lowered elbow, see otoshi empi
Sagi
Heron
Sagi-ashi-dachi
One leg stance or heron stance, see gankaku dachi or tsuru
ashi dachi
Saho
Etiquette
Sai
An Okinawan weapon, a steel pronged truncheon
Sakotsu
Collarbone
San
Three or friend
Sanbon-kumite
Three step sparring; strikes are oi zuki jodan, oi zuki
chudan and mai geri
Sanbon-shobu
Tournament three point match
Sanbon-zuki
A series of three punches; oi zuki jodan, chudan gyaku
zuki, and then chudan choku zuki
Sanchin
The core Goju ryu kata (hard form) which emphasizes correct breathing and selective muscle control, meaning “3 battles or forging the mind”
Sanchin-dachi
Hourglass stance where the feet are grasping the earth in a
pigeon toed angle
Sankaku
Triangular meaning "three angles"
Sasae
Prop or propping
Sashi-ashi-dachi
Stepping across or extending the foot
Sashite
Raising of the hand either to strike, grab, or block
Sebone
Backbone, spine
Sei
Tranquility or inactivity
Seidokan
An Okinawan karate system founded by Soke Toma. It encompasses the punching, kicking and blocking techniques of karate; the throwing and joint locking techniques of aiki-ju-jutsu; and the traditional weaponry of Okinawa.
Seidon
The area above and below the eyes
Seiken
Forefist, basic Okinawan style punch. This is the basic fist where the fingers are rolled tightly in to the palm and the thumb presses on top. The two largest knuckles are used to strike.
Seiken-zuki
Fore fist punch
Seipai
An Okinawan Shorei ryu kata meaning “dragon or 18 hands”
Seiryuto
Ox jaw
Seiryuto-uke
Ox jaw block
Seisan
An Okinawan Shorin ryu kata meaning “13 battles”
Seishin
Mind and spirit
Seiyunchin
A kata meaning “lull in the storm”
Seiza
Proper sitting position, kneeling. It is used for the formal opening and closing of the class.
Sekaku
Accuracy
Sempai
A senior student
Sen-no-sen
To counter attack or attack at the precise moment your
opponent attacks you
Senaka
The back
Sensei
Teacher, meaning "one whom as gone before"
Bow to the teacher
Seoi
Shoulder
Seoi-nage
Shoulder throw
Shihan
A formal title meaning master or master instructor, a
teacher of teachers
Shiko-dachi
Square stance, weight distributed 50/50, horse
riding stance used in Goju
ryu and Shito ryu
Shin
Core, center
Shinkei
Nerves
Shintai
Body
Shinzo
Heart
Shiro
White
Shiryoku
Eyesight
Shita
Tongue
Shittsui
Knee hammer
Shizen-dachi
Natural stance
Shizentai
Natural position, the body remains relaxed but alert
Sho
Major or greater
Shodan
A first level black belt
Shofu
Side of neck
Shomen
Front or top of head, or front of the dojo
Shomen-ni-rei
Bow to the front
Shorei
-ryu
An Okinawan karate system originating in Naha
Shorin-ryu
A major style of Okinawan karate meaning "pine
forest" school
Shotokan
A style of karate derived from the pen name of Gichin Funakoshi . The name is made up of "shoto", meaning waving pines, which was Funakoshi 's pen name, and "kan" meaning house or school.
Shrui-te
An ancient Okinawan style of karate, the forerunner of
Shorin ryu
Shuko
Back of the hand, see haishu
Shuto
Knife hand
ShuTo-te
See shuto uke
Shuto-uchi
Knife hand strike
Shuto-uke
Knife hand block
Shutsui
Hammer hand, see tetsui
Sobi
The area on the inside of the lower part of the leg,
approximately at the base of the calf
Sochin
A kata meaning “immovable in the face of danger”
Sochin-dachi
Diagonal straddle leg stance or immovable stance (weight distribution 50/50), see fudo dachi
Soda
The area between the shoulder blades
Sode
Sleeve
Soeru
Attach or to attach
Soesho
Palm on or palm assisted
Soesho-kaeshi-ude
Palm assisted counter forearm
Soete
Hand on or hand assisted
Soete-mae-empi-uchi
Hand on or hand assisted front elbow strike
Soete-sokumen-uke
Hand assisted side block
Sokko
Top of the foot
Sokudo
Speed
Sokumen
Side or flank
Sokumen-awase-uke
Side combined block
Sokumen-morote-zuki
Side double punch
Sokumen-soete-gedan-uchi-ude-uke
Side hand assisted lower level inside forearm block
Sokutei
Sole of foot
Sokutei-mawashi-uke
Sole (foot) circular block
Sokutei-osae-uke
Sole (foot) pressing block
Sokuto
Edge of foot
Sokuto-geri
Edge of foot kick, see ashi gatana
Sokuto-kake-uke
Hooking foot block using the inside edge of the foot
Sokuto-osae-uke
Foot edge pressing block
Sonu
Area between the throat and top of the breastbone or
sternum
Sorashi
Feint
Soto
Outside, outer or exterior
Soto-(ude)-uke
Outside (forearm) block
Soto-ude-uke
Outside forearm block
Soto-uke
Outside block, see soto ude uke
Soto-yoko-te
See uchi ude uke
Sotojakuzawa
The outer part of the forearm where the pulse can be felt
Sowan
Both arms
Sowan-uke
Both arm block
Suashi
Bare foot
Suberkomi
Sliding in
Suhada
Bare skin
Suigetsu
Solar plexus
Suihei
Horizontal or level
Suihei-bo-dori
Horizontal bo grasp
Suji
Muscle fiber
Suki
Opening
Sukui
Scooping or to scoop up
Sukui-te
See sukui uke
Sukui-uke
Scooping block
Sumi
Corner
Sundome
No contact, arresting a technique
Sune
Shin
Sune-uke
Shin block
Suri
Sliding
Suri-ashi
To slide your feet along the floor
Sutemi-waza
last chance technique
Suwari-waza
Techniques from a sitting position
T
Tachi
A Japanese long sword
Tachi
Standing or stance, zenkutsu tachi is the old term for
zenkutsu dachi
Tachi-waza
Standing techniques
Tachikata
Stances
Tai
Body
Tai-sabaki
Body movement, shifting or evasion
Taikaku
Build or physique, body shape
Taikyokyu
A Shotokan kata meaning “first cause”. Funakoshi 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
Taira-na
Level or even
Tamerau
Hesitate
Tameshieari
or Tameshiwari
To test and to break
Tanden
Abdomen, navel area, center of gravity
Taniotoshi
This is a form of shoulder throw where you step in to your attacker so that your shoulder goes under your attackers same armpit while holding on to his same arm, meaning “to push off a cliff”
Taoshi
Down
Tatami
Floor mat
Tate
Vertical
Tate zuki
Vertical punch
Tate-empi-uchi
Vertical (or upward) elbow strike, see age empi
Tate-nukite
Vertical spear hand
Tate-shuto-osae
Vertical knife hand press or push block
Tate-shuto-uke
Vertical knife hand block
Tate-uraken-uchi
Vertical back fist strike
Tate-zuki
Vertical punch
Te
Hand
Te-gatana
Hand sword, see shuto
Te-gatana-uchi
Hand sword strike, see shuto uchi
Te-gatana-uke
Hand sword block, see shuto uke
Te-tsukami
Hand grasp
Te-waza
Hand techniques
Te-nagashi-uke
Hand sweeping block or flow block, see nagashi uke
Te-osae-uke
Hand pressing block or push block, see osae uke
Teiji-dachi
A basic Kendo stance with the feet in a "t" shape
Teisho
Palm heel
Teisho-barai
Palm heel sweep
Teisho-uchi
Palm heel strike
Teisho-uke
Palm heel block
Tekki
Horse riding, see naihanchi
Tekki-shodan-/-nidan-/-sandan
A group of three katas each performed from kiba dachi or
horse riding stance
Tekubi-kake-uke
Wrist hooking block
Ten-no-kata
A Shotokan kata created and designed under the guidance of
Funakoshi
Tenchi
Heaven and earth
To simultaneously block with the same technique for arms,
one high and one low
Tendo
The crown of the head
Tenshin
Changing course, see hineri tenshin
Tensho
A kata meaning “flowing hands”, a soft version of kata
Sanchin
Tento
The space between the crown of the head and the forehead
Tetsui
Hammer fist or bottom fist
Tetsui-uchi
Bottom fist strike or hammer fist strike, see kentsui uchi
To-de
An old Okinawan name for karate, see Okinawa-te and To-te
To-te
An Okinawan form of karate, see To-de and Okinawa-te
Tobi
Jump or jumping
Tobi-ashi-barai
Jumping foot sweep
Tobi-geri
Jumping kick
Tobi-tettsui-uchi
Jumping hammer fist strike to head or collarbone
Tobi-ushiro-geri
Jumping back kick
Tobi-zuki
Jumping punch
Tobigoshi
Jumping over
Tobikomi-zuki
Jumping front punch
Tokui
Favorite
Tomoe
Stomach
Tonfa
A farm tool developed into a weapon by the Okinawans
Tora
Tiger
Toshi
Fighting spirit
Tsugi-ashi
A method of moving where one foot follows the other, but
never passes it
Tsukami-uke
Grasping block
Tsukami-waza
Grasping technique
Tsukami-yose
Grasping and pulling
Tsuki
A punch or thrust, see zuki
Tsukkomi
Charging
Tsumasaki
Tips of the toe
Tsumasaki-geri
Kicking using the tips of the toes to strike
Tsume
Nail rake
Tsuru
Crane, as in the bird
Tsuru-ashi-dachi
Crane stance, see gankaku dachi and sagi ashi dachi
Tsuyoi
Strong or powerful
Tuite
Grappling skills
U
Uchi
Strike or striking, Inner or interior
Uchi-(ude)-uke
Inside (forearm) block, inner to outer middle block
Uchi-deshi
Number one student, sometimes a live-in student or trainee
Uchi-komi
Striking thrust
Uchi-mawashi-geri
Inside roundhouse kick
Uchi-uke
Inside block, see uchi ude uke
Uchi-yoko-te
See soto ude uke
Uchijakuzawa
The inner parts of the forearm where the pulse can be felt,
called miyakudokoro
Uchikurobushi
The inside of the ankle joint
Uchite
Striking hand
Ude
Forearm
Ude-uke
Forearm block
Udekansetsu
Arm joint
Ue
Top, as in on, above or over
Uke
Block or receive a strike
Uke-gae
Changing blocks
Uke-kime
Blocking and finishing
Ukemi
Breakfalling
Ukemi-waza
Breakfall techniques
Ukete
Blocking hand.
Unkoku
Rhythm and fluidity of movement
Unsoku
Moving (leg movement)
Unsu
An advanced kata meaning “hands in the clouds”
Ura
Reverse, rear, reverse side or back
Ura-mawashi-geri
Back or reverse roundhouse kick
Ura-mikazuki-geri
Back or reverse crescent kick
Ura-waza
Reverse techniques
Ura-zuki
An upper cut or close punch used at short distance, see
staz zuki
Uraken
Back fist
Uraken-uchi
Snapping back fist strike
Uraken-uke
Back fist block
Uraomote
Both sides; back and front
Ushiro
Back or rear
Ushiro-ashi-barai
Rear leg sweep targeting the opponent's back leg
Ushiro-empi-uchi
Striking to the rear with the elbow.
Ushiro-geri
Back kick
Ushiro-kakato-geri
Back heel kick to lower leg
Ushiro-mawashi-empi-uchi
Back roundhouse elbow strike
Ushiro-mawashi-geri
Back roundhouse kick
Ushiro-ni-ite
Going back
Ushiro-osae-komi
A bear hug from behind
Ushiro-suri-ashi
The movement of the rear leg to meet the front leg
Uto
The point at the base of the nose between the eyes
W
Wa
Circle, ring, or peace
Wa-uke
Circle block, where the path taken is a half-circle. At the end of the block the hand is angled slightly to the outside
Wado-ryu
A Japanese style of karate meaning “way of peace school”
Waki
Side or flank
Wakibara
Side of the chest
Wakizashi
The shorter of two swords worn by the samurai
Wan
Arm
Wankan
A Shotokan kata
Wanshu
An Okinawan Shorin ryu kata named after a Chinese master
Wanshun
Top of outside edge of upper arm
Washi
Eagle
Washide
Eagle hand, previously called washi-te
Washide-age-uchi
Eagle hand rising strike
Washide-otoshi-uchi
Eagle hand dropping strike
Washide-uchi
Eagle hand strike
Washide-uke
Eagle hand block
Y
Yako
The inside of the upper thigh
Yama-uke
Mountain block
Yama-zuki
Mountain punch, a wide u-shaped dual punch
Yame
Finish or stop
Yasume
Rest between drills
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, see yoko keage
Yoko-geri-kekomi
Side thrust kick, see yoko kekomi
Yoko-mawashi-empi-uchi
Side roundhouse elbow strike
Yoko-tobi-geri
Side jumping kick or flying sidekick
Yonhon-nukite
Four finger spear hand, see nukite
Yori-ashi
Sliding the feet or shuffling without legs crossing
Yose
Pulling
Yubi
Finger or toe
Yubi-no-kansetsu
Knuckle
Yubisaki
Fingertip
Yudancha
Black belt holder (any rank)
Yumi
Bow, as in archery
Yumi-zuki
Bow punch or a
bow drawing punch where one hand pulls your opponent forward as you execute the
punch
Z
Za
Seated or kneeling
Za-rei
The traditional Japanese bow from the kneeling position
Zanshin
Awareness of one's surroundings, literally, "remaining
mind or heart"
Zanshin-kamae
Awareness posture
Zempo
Front or forward
Zen-empi-uchi
Front elbow strike, see mae empi uchi
Zenkutsu-dachi
Forward stance or front stance, the actual translation
means front knee bent stance
Zenshin
Forward or advance
Zenwan
Forearm
Zoe
Supporting
Zori
Japanese slippers
Zukami
Grasping, see tsukami
Zuki
See tsuki
Zuno
Head