Glossary

Count to 10

  1.  Ichi
  2.  Ni
  3.  San
  4.  Shi
  5.  Go
  6.  Roku
  7.  Sichi
  8.  Hachi
  9.  Ku
10.  Ju

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Punches

Jodan Zuki
Punch to Head

Chudan Zuki
Punch to Mid Section

Gedan Zuki
Punch to Lower Section

Yaka Zuki
Reverse Punch

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Blocks

Jodan Uke
High Block

Chudan Uke
Middle Block

Gedan Uke
Low Block

Shuto Uke
Knife-hand Block

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Kicks

Mae Geri
Front Kick

Yoko Geri
Side Snap Kick

Mawashi Geri
Roundhouse Kick

Ushiro Geri
Back Kick

Mikazuki Geri
Crescent Kick

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Stances

Hachiji Dachi
A Natural Stance, feet about shoulder width apart, with feet pointed slightly outward

Heiko Dachi
A Natural Stance, feet about shoulder width apart, with feet pointed straight forward
Note: Some Kata begin from this position.

Musubi Dachi
An Attention Stance, with feet pointed slightly outward

Kiba Dachi
Horse Stance

Zenkutsu Dachi
Forward Stance

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Basic Karate Terms

Bo
Staff
Note: It is a long stick used as a weapon, it is approximately 6 feet long.

Dachi
Stance

Do
Way / Path
Note: In Karate, the connotation refers to a way of attaining enlightenment or a way of improving one's character through traditional training.

Dojo
Place of the Way or enlightenment
Note: This is the place where we practice Karate. Traditional etiquette prescribes bowing in the direction of the designated front of the dojo whenever entering or leaving the dojo.

Domo Arigato Gozaimashita
Thank you very much
Note: At the end of each class, it is proper to bow and thank the instructor and those with whom you've trained.

Geri
Kick

Gi
Training uniform

Hai
Yes

Hajime
Begin
Note: "Begin" is a command given to start a given drill, Kata, or Kumite.

Hombu Dojo
A term used to refer to the central dojo of an organization

Ippon Kumite
One step sparring

Jo
Wooden staff, about 4'-5' in length
Note: The "staff" originated as a walking stick.

Karate
Empty hand

Karate Do
The Way of Karate
Note: This implies not only to the physical aspect of Karate, but also the mental and social aspects.

Karateka
Practitioner of Karate

Kata
A form or prescribed pattern of movement

Ki
Mind. Spirit. Energy. Vital-force. Intention.

Kiai
A shout delivered for the purpose of focusing all of one's energy into a single movement

Kihon
Fundamental

Kime
Focus of power

Mokuso
Meditation
Note: Practice often begins or ends with a brief period of meditation, clearing of one's mind.

Nunchaku
An Okinawan weapon consisting of two sticks connected by a rope or chain

Obi
Belt

Rei
Respect
Note: A method of showing respect in Japanese culture is the bow.

Seiza
Proper sitting position

Sempai
Senior student

Sensei
Teacher
Note: It is usually considered proper to address the instructor during practice as "Sensei".

Shomen
Front or top of head, also the designated front of a Dojo

Tai Sabaki
Body movement / shifting

Uke
Block

Waza
Technique

Yame
Stop

Yoi
Ready

Zuki
Punch

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