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Basic Shotokan Karate Terminology

  counting:
  • ichi = 1
  • ni = 2
  • san = 3
  • shi (or yon) = 4
  • go = 5
  • roku = 6
  • shichi = 7
  • hachi = 8
  • ku = 9
  • ju = 10

kumite (sparring):
  • kihon ippon kumite = one-step sparring
  • kihon sanbon kumite = three-step sparring
  • kihon gohon kumite = five-step sparring
  • jyuu ippon kumite = semi-free sparring
  • jyuu kumite = free sparring

kata (forms):
  • Heian Shodan
  • Heian Nidan
  • Heian Sandan
  • Heian Shidan (or Heian Yondan)
  • Heian Godan
  • Bassai Dai
  • Bassai Sho
  • Jion
  • Kanku Dai (or Kusanku)
  • Tekki Shodan
  • Tekki Nidan
  • Tekki Sandan
  • Jo Kata (4-ft staff)
  • Tsue Sho (6-ft staff)
  • Bo Sho (6-ft staff)

kihon (basic techniques):
  • shizentai = 'natural' standing position
  • haisokudachi = standing position with feet together and knees bent
  • heikodachi = standing position with feet apart & parallel
  • zenkutsudachi = front stance
  • kokutsudachi = back stance
  • kibadachi = side stance
  • tsuki = punch
  • keri = kick
  • uke = block
  • harai(barai) = sweep
  • chokuzuki = straight punch
  • kizamizuki = jab
  • gyakuzuki = reverse punch
  • oizuki = lunge (stepping in) punch
  • maegeri = front kick
  • yokogeri = side kick
  • ushirogeri = back kick
  • mawashigeri = roundhouse kick
  • keage = rising/snapping kick (often refers to side snap kick)
  • kekomi = thrusting kick (often refers to the side thrust kick)
  • ashibarai = foot/leg sweep
  • ageuke = rising block
  • sotouke = outside block
  • uchiuke = inside block
  • gedanbarai = down (sweeping) block
  • shutouke = knife=hand block
  • uraken(uchi) = back=fist (strike)
  • empi(uchi) = elbow (strike)
  • shomen = hips straight/facing front
  • hanmi = hips to the side (half=face)
  • gyakuhanmi = hips twisted to the reverse side (reverse half=face)

body parts & targets:
  • jodan = upper level (usually refers to the head)
  • chudan = middle level (usually refers to the solar plexus)
  • gedan = lower level (usually refers to the groin)
  • te = hand (as in karate, which means 'empty hand')
  • ude = arm
  • ashi = leg or foot
  • kubi = neck
  • tekubi = wrist (lit. 'hand-neck')
  • ashikubi = ankle (lit. 'foot-neck')
  • hiza = knee
  • hiji = elbow
  • koshi = hip(s)

other terms frequently used in the dojo:
  • dojo = training hall
  • seiza = traditional (formal) sitting position
  • rei = bow
  • shomen = front of the dojo
  • sensei = instructor
  • sempai = senior
  • osu = all=purpose martial arts greeting
  • yoi = ready
  • hajime(ru) = begin
  • yame(ru) = stop/finish
  • mokuso = silent meditation
  • makiwara = literally, 'rolled straw' -- the traditional striking board of karate used to increase focus of punches & strikes. The board was covered with a straw pad at the striking area (usually cotton/canvas nowadays).
  • kime = focus (lit. decisiveness)
  • waza = technique
  • tokui kata = test/favorite (lit. specialty) kata
  • owari = the end




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