As Karate is a martial art that originated in Okinawa, Japan, Japanese terms and etiquette are used during its practice. As a student progresses, they learn these Japanese terms from hearing them in continual use during training. Included here are some of the most commonly used terms and technique names to help students revise what they hear in their training.
Stances
Zenkutsu Dachi......................Front Stance
Kiba Dachi..........................Horse Stance
Shiko Dachi.........................Sumo Stance
Kokutsu Dachi.......................Back Stance
Neko-Ashi Dachi.....................Cat Stance
Sanchin Dachi.......................Hour Glass Stance
Tsuru-Ashi Dachi....................Crane Stance
Punching Techniques
Jodan Zuki.........................Face Punch
Chudan Zuki........................Body Punch
Gedan Zuki.........................Lower level Punch - below waist
Oi Zuki............................Lunge Punch
Gyaku Zuki.........................Reverse Punch
Ura Zuki...........................Uppercut Punch
Mawashi Zuki.......................Roundhouse Punch
Kagi Zuki..........................Hook Punch
Morote Zuki........................Double Fist Punch
Okazaki Sensei conditioning his gyaku zuki - reverse hand punch - on the makiwara.Striking Techniques
Shuto Uchi..........................Knife Hand Strike
Haito Uchi..........................Ridge Hand Strike
Uraken Uchi.........................Back Fist Strike
Haishu Uchi.........................Back Hand Strike
Tettsui Uchi........................Hammer/Bottom Fist Strike
Taisho/Shotei Uchi..................Palm Heel Strike
Empi Uchi...........................Elbow Strike
Nukite Uchi.........................Spear Hand Strike
Shuto uchi - knife hand strike - a particularly effective blow!Kicking Techniques
Mae Geri............................Front Kick
Mawashi Geri........................Round House Kick
Yoko Geri Kekomi....................Side Thrust Kick
Yoko Geri Keage.....................Side Snap Kick
Ushiro Geri.........................Back Kick
Ushiro Mawashi Geri.................Back Roundhouse Kick
Fumikomi Geri.......................Stamping Kick
Tobi Mae Geri.......................Flying Front Kick
Tobi Mawashi Geri...................Flying Roundhouse Kick
Tobi Yoko Geri......................Flying Side Kick
Tobi Ushiro Geri....................Flying Back Kick
Tobi Ushiro Mawashi Geri............Flying Back Roundhouse Kick
Mikazuki Geri.......................Cresent Kick
Hiza Geri...........................Knee Kick
Kakato otoshi Geri.........................Axe Kick
Andre Bertel Sensei, 6th Dan, New Zeland demonstrates yoko geri keage - side snap kick. Note use of the blade of the foot as the striking surface.Blocking Techniques
Age Uke..............................Rising Block
Shuto Uke............................Knife Hand Block
Soto ude Uke.........................Outside Block
Uchi ude Uke.........................Inside Block
Gedan Bari...........................Downward Sweeping Block
Shotei Uke...........................Palm Heel Block
Morote Uke...........................Double Fist Reinforced Block
Kakuto Uke...........................Bent Wrist Block
Tsukami Uke..........................Grasping/grabbing Block
Kosa Uke.............................Cross Block
Nagashi Uke..........................Parry/"Sweeping" Block
Sukui Uke............................Scooping Block
Haishu Uke...........................Back Hand Block
Kanazawa Hirokazu Sensei demonstrating a basic form of soto ude uke- outside block. Other Terms
Sensei.................................Instructor/Teacher
Rei....................................Bow/Respect
OSU!...................................Persevere!/Acknowledgement
Yoi....................................Ready
Kame...................................Ready/fighting position
Mawate.................................Turn
Kiai...................................Shout (Energy release)
Yame...................................Stop
Dojo.................................."Place to follow the way"/Karate training Hall
Obi....................................Belt
Gi/Dogi................................Karate suit
Jodan..................................Head Area
Chudan.................................Abdominal Area
Gedan..................................Lower Area (groin and below)
Dachi..................................Stance
Zuki...................................Punch
Uke....................................Block
Geri...................................Kick
Uchi...................................Strike
Gyaku..................................Reverse Position
Hidari.................................Left
Migi...................................Right
Hiza...................................Knee
Empi/Hiji..............................Elbow
Seiken.................................Fist
Sokuto.................................Side of Foot
Ippon Ken..............................One Knuckle Fist
Surikomi...............................Short Step
Kekomi.................................Thrust
Kokyu..................................Breathing
Zanshin................................Awareness
Kata...................................Solo practice form
Ashi Barai.............................Leg Sweep
Kumite.................................Fighting/Sparring
Yakusoku Kumite........................Pre Arranged Sparring
Ippon Kumite...........................One Step Sparring
Jiyu Kumite............................Free Sparring
Shiai Kumite...........................Competition Sparring
The legendary Mikio Yahara Sensei - yoko tobi geri!
