MARTIAL ARTS DICTIONARY

A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T V U W X Y Z

A
Age	Rising.
Age tsuki	Rising punch.
Age uke	Rising block.
Ago	jaw
Ai	Love, Harmony.
Ai Hammi	Harmony stance, when partners are standing with the same foot forward.
Aiki	Harmonious Spirit.
Aikiho	Harmonious Spirit Division or Method.
Aikoshin	Love of the school in mind.
Aite	Partner.
Arashi	Storm.
Ashi	Foot; leg.
Ashi guruma	Leg wheel.
Ashi waza	Foot techniques.
Atama	Head.
Atemi	Striking.
Atemi waza	Striking techniques.

B
Bo	Staff (long).
Bokken	Wooden sword.
Bojutsu	Staff techniques (long).
Budo	Martial Way.
Bugei	Martial Arts.
Bujutsu	Martial Art. Fighting arts of the warrior class of Japan.
Bukai	Martial ranks; Belts
Buki	Weapon
Bun	Writing; Basic education
Bunkai	Analysis; Practical application of form.
Buke	Martial house; Family
Bushi	Warrior class of Japan
Bushido	Way of the warrior

C
Choku	Straight
Choku tsuki	Straight punch
Choshi	Rhythm
Chuan fa	Fist way
Chudan	Middle (of body, i.e. torso).

D
Dachi	Stance
Daigaku	University
Dan	Rank of black belt; 1st dan is the lowest, 10th the highest
De ashi harai	Forward foot sweep
Denzook	No count
Do	Way; Way of life
Dokusan	Private interview
Dojo	Exercise hall Place of the Way Training hall, the place where one practices the martial arts.

E
Eku	Oar, used as a weapon in Okinawan Karate.
Embu	Demonstration of Martial Spirit Two man practice form;
Embusen	Line of performance of a kata.
Empi	1. Elbow. 2. Name of a kata
Empi uchi	Elbow strike
Encho	Extensions of kihon kumite

F
Fudo dachi	Rooted stance.
Fumikomi	Stomp.
Funikoshi, Gichin	Father of Shotokan Karate, nicknamed Shoto.

G
Gakka	Lesson; Learn a lesson
Gatame	Arm bar
Gedan	Downward; Lower, waist or below.
Gedan barai	Lower block
Gedan juji uke	Lower X-block
Genki	Original spirit; Health
Geri	Kick
Gi	Uniform
Go	Five. See also numerals
Goho	Hard Division or Method
Gohon	Five-finger strike.
Goshin	Self Defense.
Guruma	Wheel-like throw.
Gyaku	Reverse.
Gyaku Hammi	Reverse stance, where partners are standing with the opposite foot forward
Gyaku tsuki	Reverse punch
Gyaky juji jime	Reverse cross choke

H
Hachi	Eight. See also numerals
Hachiji dachi	Open leg stance
Hachimachi	Towel used as a headband
Hadaka jimi	Naked choke
Hadake	Choke/strangle
Hadari	Left
Hae makikomi	Springing winding throw
Hai	Yes
Haishu	Back of the hand
Haishu uchi	Back hand strike
Haisoku	Instep
Haisoku geri	Instep kick
Haito	Ridge hand .
Haito uchi	Ridge hand strike.
Hajimae	Begin.
Hakkaku	Eight angles, used in kobujutsu.
Hane goshi	Hip spring.
Hangetsu dachi	Hourglass stance.
Hanshi	Grand Master; Senior Master.
Hara	Stomach; Abdomen.
Hara tsurikomi ashi	Lifting pulling foot sweep.
Harai goshi	Hip sweep.
Hashi	Chopsticks.
Heisoku dachi	Attention stance.
Henka	Variation.
Hidari	Left (side).
Hiraken	Flat fist
Hiji	Elbow.
Himitsu Kempo	Secret fist law, pre-Ninjutsu stealth art.
Hittsui	Knee.
Hittsui geri	Knee strike .
Hiza	Knee.
Hiza guruma	Knee wheel.
Hon	Fingers. See also Gohon.
Hokai	Law ranks in Kiyojute ryu; Titles.
Hombu	Headquarters
Hotei	Dedication
Hyoshi	Timing

I
Ichi or Sho	One. See also numerals.
Ikken	One fist or strike.
Iie	No.
Ippon	Full point in a contest.
Ippon ken (tsuki)	One knuckle fist.
Ippon kumite	One step sparring
Ippon Seoi Nage	One-armed shoulder throw
Irimi	Enter; Entering
Irimi waza	Entering techniques
Itten	One point, center of ki

J
Jigo-tai	Defensive posture.
Jimi	Choke/strangle.
Jiyu	Freedom; Freestyle.
Jiyu kumite	Free sparring.
Jishu	Self-mastery
Jo	Short staff
Jodan	Upper, shoulders or above
Jodan juji uke	High X-block
Jo jutsu	Short staff techniques
Joseke	Upper seat
Ju	Ten. See also numerals
Judo	A martial arts style featuring throwing Literally, "gentle way", referring to giving way in order to
Judoka	Practitioner of Judo
Judo gi	Judo suite
Ju-ichi	Eleven. See also numerals
Juji	X; Cross. Juji gatame, juji uke.
Juji gatame	Cross-body arm bar through legs and across hips.
Juji uke	X-block.
Jujutsu	Gentle art.
Jute	Gentle Hand or Person.

K
Kagi tsuki	Hook punch
Kaisho	Club
Kaishocho	Head Instructor of a Club
Kakato	Heel
Kake	Attack; Application of the technique
Kakuto	Bent sword; Bent wrist
Kakuto uke	Bent wrist block
Kaiten	Spin; Rotary
Kama	Sickle, used in pairs in Okinawan Karate.
Kamae	Posture
Kami shio gatame	Upper four-corner hold
Kan	School; Intuition
Kancho	Head Instructor of a School
Kanji	A Character in the Japanese System of Writing Based Upon Borrowed or Modified Chinese Characters
Kano, Jigoro	Founder of Judo
Kansetsu	Joint lock
Kansetsu waza	Joint locking techniques
Kanzen Muketsu	Absolute perfection
Kara	Empty
Karate	Empty hand A martial arts style featuring strikes.
Karate gi	Karate suite
Kata	Form, sometimes stylized and pre-arranged;
Kata guruma	Shoulder Wheel throw
Kata gatame	Shoulder hold
Kata ha jime	Single wing choke
Kata Ido	Form movement
Kata juji jime	Half cross choke
Katame	Grappling
Katame waza	Mat work Grappling and ground-fighting techniques Also known as Ne-waza
Katana	Long sword
Katsu	Revival techniques
Ke	House; Family
Keage	Kick upward
Kekomi	Kick through; Kick thrust
Keiko	Practice; Training the spirit
Kempo	Fist law; Fist way
Kempoka	Practictioner of Kempo
Ken	Knuckle
Kendo	Japanese sword fighting
Kensho	Insight; Religious insight
Kentsui	Fist hammer.
Keri	Kick.
Keri waza	Kicking techniques.
Kesa gatame	Scarf hold.
Ki	Vital energy.
Kiai	Spiritual harmony; Shout or yell with vital energy (ki).
Kiba dachi	Horse stance
Kihon	Basics
Kihon Ido	Basic movement
Kihon Kumite	Basic sparring
Kime	Focus
Kiotsuke	Attention
Kiyo	Positive spirit
Ko	Skill
Koken	Wrist
Kobujutsu	Ancient martial art; Weapon arts
Kodokan	Headquarters of Judo in Japan. Literally, "school for studying the way".
Koko	Tiger mouth
Koko uchi	Tiger mouth strike.
Kokutsu dachi	Back stance.
Kokyu Ho	Breathing division or method.
Koppo	Bone method; Bone breaking.
Koshi	1. Hip. 2. Ball of the foot
Koshi guruma	Hip wheel throw
Koshi waza	Hip techniques
Kosoto gakae	Minor outer hook
Kosoto gari	Minor outer reaping throw
Kote	Forearm
Kouchi gari	Minor inner reaping throw
Kubi	Neck
Ku	Nine. See also numerals
Kumikata	Forms of gripping; Methods of holding
Kumade	Bear hand
Kumite	Sparring
Kunren	Discipline
Kurisuchan	Christian
Kusarigama	Sickle with a rope or chain attached
Kusho	Vital points of the body
Kuzushi	Balance breaking
Kyu	Grade under black belt; 10th kyu is the lowest and 1st the highest
Kyusho	Vital point
Kyusho jutsu	Pressure point strikes

M
Ma-ai	Distance; Distancing.
Mae	Front.
Mae geri	Front kick.
Mae geri keage	Front snap kick.
Mae geri kekomi	Front thrust kick
Mae tobi geri	Jump front kick
Makiwara	Punching board
Matae	Stop
Mawashi	Circular; Roundhouse
Mawashi geri	Roundhouse kick.
Mawashi tsuki	Roundhouse punch
Menkyo	License
Migi	Right (side).
Mikazuki	Crescent
Mikazuki geri	Crescent kick.
Mikazuki geri uke	Crescent kick block
Mond	Questions and answers
Moro	Augmented. Morote tsuki
Morote	Reinforced
Morote seoi nage	Two arm shoulder throw
Morote tsuki	Double forward fist strike
Morote uke	Double forearm block
Mudansha	Colored belt holder; Non black belt holder.
Mugen	No limit; Infinite.
Munen	No thought.
Mushin	Mind of no mind; No conscious thought..

N
Nage	Throw
Nage waza	Throwing techniques
Nage no kata	Formalized throws
Naginata	Halberd, used by primarily Japanese women
Nami juji jime	Normal cross choke
Neko	Cat
Neko ashi dachi	Cat stance
Ne-waza	Ground fighting techniques, also known as katame waza.
Ni	Two. See also numerals
Nidan geri	Double jump kick
Nihon nukite	Two finger spear hand See also Gohon nukite, Nukite

Ni-ju	Twenty. See also numerals.
Ni-ju-ichi	Twenty one. See also numerals.
No	Ability; Talent; Skill.
Noritsu	Efficiency.
Nukite	Spear hand.
Nunchaku	Flail-like weapon of two rods joined by rope or chain.
Nyujo	Flow into tranquility; Meditative contemplation.
Nyunan Shin	Soft hearted.

O
Obi	Belt
O goshi	Major hip throw
O guruma	Major wheel throw
Oi	Lunge
Oi tsuki	Lunge punch
Okinawa te	Okinawan hand
Okuri ashi harai	Foot sweep
Okuri eri jime	Sliding collar choke
Osae komi	Hold-down
Osae komi waza	Hold-down techniques
Osoto gari	Major outer reaping throw
Osoto guruma	Major outer wheel throw
Ouchi gari	Major inner reaping throw.
Oyayubi	Thumb
Oyo	Application

R
Randori	Freedom to take To take the throw Free practice (judo sparring).
Rei	Bow
Renoji Dachi	T,L,V stance
Renshi	Disciple Teacher
Renshu	Training; Training the body
Renzoku Ken	Continuous Fist
Ritsu Rei	Standing bow
Roku	Six. See also numerals
Ryo	Both
Ryu	Family; System; Dragon
Ryukyu	Okinawa

S
Sai	Three-pronged metal weapon
Sagi	Heron
Sammai	Concentration; Absorption
San	Three. See also numerals
Sanchin	Three battle; Tension
Sanchin dachi	Three Battle stance
San-ju	Thirty
Sankaku	Triangle
Sasae tsurikomi ashi	Lifting pulling foot prop
Satori	Enlightenment
Seigyo	Control
Seiho	Spirit (healing) division or method.
Seiken	Forefist
Seishin	Soul; Spirit of God
Seiza	Correct sitting; Formal sitting position.
Sempai	Senior
Sensei	Teacher
Senshin	Concentration; Undivided attention; Singleness of purpose
Sesshin	Concentrating; Unifying the mind.
Shi	Four. See also numerals
Shiai	Contest
Shichi	Seven. See also numerals
Shiden	Historical tradition
Shihan	Master instructor (4th-5th Dan).
Shika	Historian
Shiken	Test; Examination
Shimbun	Newspaper
Shime	Choke/Strangle
Shime waza	Choking techniques
Shinai	Bamboo Sword
Shinjitsu	Reality
Shinken	Real sword; Real fist
Shinko	Faith; Faith that looks up; Stretch.
Shinsei	Divine nature; Holiness; Godliness
Shinwa	Friendship; Fellowship
Shinyo	Faith; Faith effort, in your own work
Shizen	Natural
Shizen-tai	Natural posture
Shodai	First generation; Founder
Shodai Soke	Founding Father; First Soke
Shomei	Summons of destiny; Call of God.
Shorei	Encouragement.
Shotokan	A Karate System Founded by Gichin Funikoshi. See also Funikoshi, Gichin
Shudo	Leadership; Guidance
Shugyo	Austere preactice; Hard training
Shuto	Swordhand; Chop
Shuto uchi	Knife hand strike
Shuto uke	Knife hand block
So	Head; Master; Phase
Sode	Sleeve
Soke	Head Master; Grand Master; Head of the Family
Soke Sho	Soke Writes
Sokuto	Foot sword
Soto	Outer; Outside
Soto makikomi	Outer winding throw
Soto shuto	Outside knife-hand block
Suki	Gap; Ungaurded moment; Dead time.
Sukui	Scooping
Sukui nage	Scooping throw
Sumi gaeshi	Corner throw
Sumi otoshi	Corner drop
Sun Dome	To stop one inch
Sutemi	Sacrifice
Sutemi waza	Sacrifice techniques
Suwari Waza	Sitting techniques

T
Tachi	Standing.
Tachi waza	Standing techniques.
Taido	Attitude.
Taiho	Arrest; Capture; Holding methods.
Taiko	Body cavity.
Tai otoshi	Body drop
Taisabaki	Body movement
Taiso	Body manipulation; Exercise
Tameshiwari	Test by breaking Breaking demonstration
Tanden	Point just below the navel
Tani otoshi	Valley drop
Tanto	Short sword
Tate	Vertical
Tate tsuki	Vertical punch (boxer's jab).
Te	Hand. See also Karate
Teisho	Heel palm
Teisho tsuki	Heel palm punch.
Teisho uchi	Heel palm strike.
Teisho uke	Heel palm block.
Teiji dachi	T-stance.
Tenkan	Pivot.
Tenshin Sho	Divine Illumination; Inspiration for creating a Ryu.
Tettsui	Iron hammer.
Te-waza	Hand techniques.
To	Sword.
Tobi	Leaping; Jumping; Flying.
Tomoe	Circle.
Tomoe nage	Circle throw.
Tonfa	Wooden rod with handle at right angle, used in pairs.
Tori	Defender, demonstrator of technique.
Torite	See tuite.
Tsugi no kata	Following form.
Tsuki	Punch; knuckle strike with first two knuckles only.
Tsuki no sandan	Three levels of thrusts.
Tsukamu	Grab.
Tsukkomu	Hand thrust.
Tsuki waza	Punching techniques.
Tsukuri	Stepping into the throw.
Tsume	Claw.
Tsuriai	Balance.
Tsuru	Crane.
Tsuri goshi	Lifting hip throw.
Tsurikomi goshi	Lifting-pulling hip throw.
Tsuzumi	Hand drum.
Tuite	1. Grappling techniques. 2. Using pressure points for joint manipulation

U
Uchi	Inside.
Uchideshi	Special disciple.
Uchikomi	Repeated practice of throwing techniques.
Uchi mata	Inner thigh throw.
Uchi waza	Striking techniques.
Ude	Arm.
Ude uki	Forearm block.
Uke	Block. Age uke.
Ukemi	Falling and rolling exercises.
Uki	Attacker, to whom techniques are done.
Uki goshi	Floating hip throw.
Uki otoshi	Floating drop.
Uki waza	Floating throw.
Ulna	(English) Bone on little-finger side of wrist.
Ulna press	(English) Straight arm bar with wrist on opponent's elbow.
Undo ryoho	Exercise cure.
Uraken uchi	Back fist strike.
Ura nage	Back throw.
Ushiro	Back; Rear.
Ushiro geri	Back kick.
Ushiro goshi	Back hip throw.

W
Waza	Techniques

Y
Yama	Mountain.
Yama bushi	Mountain warriors.
Yama tsuki	U-punch.
Yari	Spear.
Yoi	Ready.
Yoko	Side.
Yoko gake	Side body drop.
Yokogiru	Cross.
Yoko geri	Side kick.
Yoko guruma	Side wheel.
Yoko kekome	Side thrust kick.
Yoko otoshi	Side drop.
Yoko shio gatame	Side four corner hold.
Yoko tobo geri	Jump side kick.
Yoko taer	Laying.
Yoko wakare	Side separation.
Yudansha	One who is a black belt; Blackbelt Holders

Z
Zanshin	Ready mind; Alertness.
Zazen	Sitting meditation.
Zen	Meditation
Zenkutsu dachi	Forward stance.
Zenshin	Gradual progress; Steady advance.

Home Page