Japan Karate Institute of North Carolina

Japanese Terminology

NUMBERS

Ichi

Ni

San

Shi

Go

Roku

Shichi

Hachi

Ku

Jyu

COMMANDS
Kiyotsuke		Line up
Hajime		Start/Begin
Yame		Stop
Naore		Relax
Rei		Bow
Shomen ni		To the front
Otagai ni		To each other
Mawata		Turn Around
Yoi		Ready
Mukuso		Begin Meditation
Kiai		Shout 'AI'
Kritsu		Stand to Attention

STANCES (DACHI)
Yoi		Ready
Naihanchi		Horseback
Neko Ashi		Cat Foot
Hachiji		Natural
Musubi		Attention
Heisoku		Feet Together

TECHNIQUES (WAZA)

BLOCKS (UKE)
Jodan		High, such as to the head
Chudan		Middle, such as to the chest
Gedan		Low, such as to the belt
Chudan Soto		Outward Block
Chudan Uchi		Inward Block
Gedan Barai		Low Block
Shuto		Open Hand Block
Marote		Double Hand Block
Mawashi		Round Block
Hiji		Elbow Block

KICKS (GERI)
Mae		Front Kick
Mawashi		Round Kick
Yoko		Side Kick
Ushiro		Back Kick
Kekomi		Thrust Kick
Keagi		Snap Kick
Kage		Hook Kick

PUNCHES(TSUKI) / STRIKE(UCHI)
Choku		Straight Punch
Jyn		Same Side Punch
Gyaku		Opposite Side Punch
Kage		Hook Punch
Ippon Ken		One Knuckle Punch
Nukite		Open Hand Poke
Uraken		Backfist
Tettsui		Hammerfist
Shuto Uchi		Open hand Strike
Empi Uchi		Elbow Strike

PHONETICS
A		AH		Car
I		EE		Knee
U		OO		Zoo
E		ED		Fed
O		OH		Go
EI		AY		Play
AI		I		I

GENERAL TERMS
Osu		Greeting reflecting a positive attitude and strong spirit
Dojo		Place to train in martial arts
Seiza		Kneeling position for meditationor concentration
Kohai		Junior Student (usually refers to an assistant instructor)
Senpai		Senior Student (usually refers to an assistant instructor)
Sensei		Instructor/Teacher
Shihan		Instructor of Instructors
Gi		Uniform
Obi		Belt
Kata		Set series of exact techniques fighting an imagenary opponent
Kihon		Basics
Kumite		Sparring
Zanshin		Awareness
Kime		Focus
Maie		Distance
Kamae		Ready
Taisabaki		Body Shifting
Wa		Peace, Harmony
Do		the Way
Ryu		Style