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Ataru SKC Grading Success

Terminology - Japanese to English (Click HERE for English to Japanese)

-A-

Age - Rising
Age Tsuki (Zuki) - Rising Punch
Age Uke - Rising reception (Block)
Age Zuki - See Age Tsuki
Aka - Red
Aoi - Blue
Ai Ki - Harmonious Spirit
Ai - Harmony
Ashi Barai - "Foot Sweep"
Ashi Ura - Sole of foot
Ashi Waza - Foot Techniques
Ashi Yubi - Toes (also called Tsuma)
Ashi - Foot.
Atama - Head
Atemi Waza - Striking Techniques. (Esp. pressure points.)
Atemi - Striking. (Esp. pressure points)
Awase Uke - "Joined Hand Reception (Block)"
Awase Tsuki - "U Punch". Also referred to as MOROTE ZUKI

-B-

Bitei - Coccyx
Bo - Long Staff
Bojutsu - Long staff techniques
Bokken - Wooden sword
Budo - Martial way
Bugei - Martial arts
Bujutsu - Martial techniques
Bunkai - Applications of Kata
Bushi - Warrior class
Bushido - Way of the warrior

-C-

Cha-iroi - Brown
Cha-iroi Ichi Shiroi - Brown and White
Cha-iroi Ni Shiroi - Brown and Double White
Choku Tsuki - Straight punch
Choku - Straight
Chudan - The Middle section of the body. The torso and
up to just below shoulder height
Chui - Foul

-D-

Dachi - Stance
Dai - Great/Greater
Dan (& Kyu) - "Level", "Rank" or "Degree"
Do - The Way
Dojo - Place of the Way ; Training Hall
Dokko - Mastoid process (behind the ear)

-E-

Embusen - Floor pattern of movement in a given KATA
Empi (Anatomical) - Elbow
Empi Uchi - Elbow strike
Empi - Name of a kata
Enorei - Relax
Eri - Collar

-F-

Fudo Dachi - Rooted stance
Fumikomi - "Stamp kick"

-G-

Gankaku Dachi - "Crane Stance"
Gasshuku - A special training camp
Gatame - Arm Bar
Gedan Juji Uke - Lower cross reception (block)
Gedan - The lower region of the body, usually from the
hips down
Gedan Barai - Low block
Gedan Ude Uke - "Low Forearm reception (block)".
Geri - Kick
Gi - Karate Training uniform
Go No Sen - The tactic where one allows the opponent to
attack first so to open up targets for
counterattack
Gohon Kumite - Five step basic sparring
Gyaku Tsuki - Punch performed with the hand opposite the
forward leg in stance.

-H-

Hachiji Dachi - Open leg stance
Hadari - Left
Hai - Yes
Haishu Juji Uke - 'X' shaped reception (block) using the back of the hands.
Haishu Uchi - A strike with the back of the hand
Haishu Uke - A reception (block) using the back of the hand
Haito - Ridge Hand Strike
Haiwan Uke - Back of the arms reception (block)
Hajime - "Begin"
Hangetsu Dachi - "Half-Moon Stance"
Hanmi - Three quarter facing
Hanshi - "Master"
Hansoku-make - Lose through violation of rules
Hantei - Call to referees for judgement
Hasami Tsuki - "Scissor Punch".
Harai Te - "Sweeping technique with the arm."
Harai Waza - "Sweeping techniques".
Hara - Belly
Hayai - Fast
Heiko Dachi - Natural stance
Heiko Tsuki - "Parallel Punch" (A double, simultaneous
punch)
Heisoku Dachi - An informal attention stance
Hichu - Adams apple.
Hidari - "Left"
Hiji - "Elbow", also known as EMPI
Hiji Ate - "Elbow Strike". Also referred to as EMPI UCHI.
Hiji Uke - A recieving action using the elbow
Hikite - The retracting (pulling and twisting) arm during
a technique
Hikiwake - Draw
Hiku - Pull
Hiraken - Strike made with the back of the knuckles on a
fist
Hitosashi Ippon Ken - "Forefinger Knuckle"
Hiza Geri - See Hizaken Geri
Hizaken Geri - Strike driving the knee into the target
Hizagashira - Kneecap
Hombu Dojo - A term used to refer to the central dojo of an
organization.
Hon - Basic, Fundamental
Horan No Kamae - "Egg in the Nest Ready Position"

-I-

Ippon - One point
Ippon Ken - A fist made with one knuckle extended, usually
the index or middle finger
Ippon Kumite - "One step sparring"
Ippon Nukite - A stabbing attack using only the extended
index finger

-J-

Jikan - Time up
Jiyu Ippon Kumite - One attack semi free sparring
Jiyu Kumite - "Free Sparring"
Jo - Short staff
Jodan - The upper section of the body, the head
Jogai - "Out of Bounds". Used in tournaments
Joko - Slow
Ju - Ten
Juji Uke - Reception (block) with both forearms crossed

-K-

Kachikake - Point of jaw
Kaeshi - Counter attack
Kaeshu Ippon Kumite - Counter attack semi free sparring
Kage Uke - Hooking reception (block)
Kai - Style
Kaisho - Open handed
Kakae Te - Trapping block
Kakato Geri - Kick where heel is used
Kagi Tsuki - "Hook Punch"
Kakiwake Uke - Wedging open reception (block)
Kaisho - "Open hand"
Kake-te - "Hook Block" or "Hooking Technique"
Kake-waza - "Hooking Technique"
Kakiwake - Two handed block
Kakushi waza - "Hidden techniques"
Kakuto uchi - "Wrist joint strike." Also known as "KO UCHI"
Kakuto uke - "Wrist Joint reception (Block)"
Kamae - A posture or stance
Kami - Hair
Kansetsu waza - Joint-lock techniques
Kappo - Techniques of resuscitating people
Kara Te - Ancient - "China (Empty) Hand"
Kata - A complete set of choreographed martial
movements
Katana - Japanese curved long sword
Kasumi - Temple
Kawashi - Evasion
Keage - Snap Kick. (Literally, Kick rising)
Keichu - Back of neck
Keito Uchi - Base of thumb strike
Kekomi - Thrust Kick ( Literally, Kick Into/Straight )
Kempo - "Fist Law."
Kentsui - "Hammer Fist" Also known as TETTSUI.
Ki Ai - Shout used to harmonise the body and energy
during a martial technique.
Ki - Vitality
Kiba Dachi - Stance with feet parallel and twice shoulder
width apart
Ki Rei Tu - Stand Up
Kihon - (Something which is) fundamental. Basic
techniques
Kime - Focus of Power
Kin Geri - Instep kick to groin
Kinteki - Testicles
Kiroi - Yellow
Kizami Tsuki - "Jab Punch"
Ko - Small, Minor
Ko bo ittchi - The concept of "Attack-Defence Connection"
Kobore - Tibia
Ko uchi - "Wrist joint strike." Also known as KAKUTO
UCHI.
Ko uke - "Crane reception (Block)" or "Arch reception (Block)". Same as
KAKUTO UKE
Kohai - A student junior to oneself
Kokoro - "Spirit, Heart." In Japanese culture, the spirit
dwells in the Heart
Koken - "Wrist Joint"
Kokutsu dachi - A stance which has most of the weight to the
back. Referred to in English as "Back Stance"
Kosa dachi - "Crossed-Leg Stance".
Koshin - "Rear/Back-ward"
Kuatsu - The method of resuscitating
Kubotan - A self-defence tool developed usually on a key-chain
Koshi - Hips and also ball of foot
Kubi - Neck
Kumade - "Bear hand"
Kumite - Sparring
Kuroi - Black
Kyoku - Breathing
Kyosen - Solar plexus (also Suigetsu)
Kyoshi - "Master Instructor." A Dan level in the
sequence of RENSHI, KYOSHI, and HANSHI
Kyototsu - Sternum
Kyu - "Grade". Any rank below Shodan
Kyusho waza - Pressure Point techniques

-L-

-M-

Ma-ai - Proper distancing or timing
Mae - Front
Mae Geri - Front Kick. Kick with the ball of the foot
impacting target parallel to the kicking leg
Mae ashi geri - Kicking with the front leg
Mae geri keage - "Front Snap Kick"
Mae geri kekomi - "Front Thrust Kick
Mae ukemi - "forward fall/roll"
Makiwara - Striking Post
Makoto - A feeling of absolute sincerity and total
frankness, which requires a pure mind, free
from pressure of events.
Manabu - "Learning by imitating"
Manji uke - A Double armed reception (block)
Mata - Top of thigh
Matte - "Wait"
Mawashi Geri - This kick pivots at the knee, rotates around the
body, hitting with the ball of the foot
Mawashi Tsuki - "Roundhouse Punch"
Mawashi hiji ate - "Circular Elbow Strike". Also referred to as
MAWASHI EMPI UCHI.
Mawat-te - A command given by the instructor for students
to turn around
Midori - Green
Migi - Right
Mikazuki geri - "Crescent Kick"
Mimi - Ears
Mokuso - Meditation
Moroashi Dachi - Semi forward stance
Morote Tsuki - "U-Punch". Punching with both fists
Morote uke - "Augmented reception (Block)"
Moto dachi - A short forward stance
Mudansha - Students without black-belt ranking
Mune - Chest
Murasaki - Purple.
Mushin - "No Mind." The state of being that allows
freedom and flexibility to react and adapt to a
given situation.
Musubi dachi - An attention stance with feet pointed slightly
outward.

-N-

Nagashi uke - "Sweeping reception (Block)" using the palm of the hand
to sweep the attack to the side of the body
Nage waza - Throwing/take-down techniques
Naginata - A pole arm with a blade affixed to the end
Naifanchi dachi - "Straddle Stance." Also referred to as
NAIHANCHI DACHI and KIBA DACHI
Naihanchi dachi - "Straddle Stance". Also referred to as KIBA
DACHI and NAIFANCHI(N) DACHI
Naiwan Uke: Inside of the arms reception (block)
Naha Te - The martial art which comes from the Naha
village in Okinawa
Naha - One of the three major villages in Okinawa
from which Martial traditions spring
Nakadaka ippon ken - "Middle Finger Knuckle"
Nami-gaeshi - "Returning Wave." Foot technique found in
Tekki Shodan
Neko ashi dachi - "Cat Leg Stance"
Nihon nukite - Two finger spear hand "stabbing" attack
Nidan - Second Level, as in Second Degree Black Belt
Nidan geri - "Double Kick"
Nukite - A strike made with the open hand, thrusting
forward with the tips of the fingers
Nunchaku - An Okinawan weapon consisting of two sticks
connected by rope or chain

-O-

O - Big, Major
Obi - A belt
Oi Tsuki - Punch performed with the hand over the
forward leg in stance
Onaji waza - "Same technique"
Orenji - Orange
Osae uke - "Pressing reception (Block)"
Oss - Agreement
Osu - Push
Otoshi - Dropping
Otoshi empi uchi - An elbow strike by dropping the elbow. Also
referred to as Otoshi Hiji Ate
Oyayubi ippon ken - "Thumb Knuckle"
Oyo waza - Applications interpreted from techniques in
Kata, implicated according to a given condition.

-P-

-Q-

-R-

Rei - "Respect". A method of showing respect in
Japanese culture is the Bow
Reigi - Etiquette
Renoji dachi - A stance with feet making a 'L-shape.'
Rensei - Practice Tournament
Renshi - "A person who has mastered oneself"
Ryu - School

-S-

Saei Rei Tu - Line Up
Sagi ashi dachi - One Leg Stance
Sai - An Okinawan weapon that is shaped like the
Greek letter 'Psi'
Sakotsu - Collar bone
Sanbon kumite - "Three Step Sparring"
Sanbon shobu - Three Point match. Used in tournaments
Sanbon Tsuki - Triple punch
Sanchin dachi - "Hour-glass Stance"
Sasae - Prop, Propping
Sashite - Raising of the hand either to strike, grab, or
block
Seiken - Strike made with knuckles on fist held
vertically
Seiryuto - "Bull Strike." A hand technique delivered with
the base of the SHUTO (Knife hand)
Seiza - ''Proper'' sitting position
Sempai - A senior student
Sen no sen - Attacking at the exact moment when the opponent
attacks
Sen sen no sen - Attacking before the opponent attacks, a
Pre-emptive attack
Sensei - Teacher
Seppuku - The ritual of suicide in Japanese culture used
to regain ones lost honour
Shiai - A match or a contest (Event)
Shidoin - Formally recognized Instructor who has not yet
been recognized as a SENSEI
Shihan - A formal title meaning, approximately, "master
instructor." A "teacher of teachers"
Shiko dachi - "Square Stance". A stance often used in Goju-
Ryu and Shito-Ryu.
Shime waza - Choking/Strangling techniques
Shiroi - White
Shizentai - "Natural Position". The body remains relaxed
but alert
Sho - Less, Lesser
Shobu - Official contest
Shomen - Front or top of head. Also the designated front
of a Dojo
Shuri Te - The martial art which comes from the Shuri
village in Okinawa
Shuto - Strike made with the bottom edge of hand with
hand open
Sochin dachi - "Immovable Stance". Also referred to as Fudo
Dachi
Sode - Sleeve
Sokuto Geri - Kick performed with blade edge of foot
Sorashi - Feignt, Fake attack
Soto Uke - Mid body reception (block) with an outside to inside
motion of the forearm
Sukui uke - "Scooping reception (Block)"
Sutemi - Sacrifice
Suwari waza - "Techniques from a sitting position"

-T-

Tachi - Long one edged slightly curved sword
commonly used by samurai. Slightly longer
than the Katana
Tai - Body
Tai sabaki - Body movement/shifting
Tameshiwari - Breaking
Tanto - Short dagger or long knife, often used during
seppuku
Tate - Vertical
Tate empi - "Upward Elbow Strike"
Tate tsuki(zuki) - "Vertical Punch"
Te - Hand
Te Kubi - Wrist
Teiji dachi - A Stance with the feet in a 'T-shape'
Teisho - Strike made with the palm or "heel" of the
hand
Tento - Top of skull
Tettsui - Hammerfist strike
Tobi geri - "Jump Kick"
Tobi Tsuki(zuki) - Jumping in punch
Tomoe - Stomach
Tonfa - A farm tool developed into a weapon by the
Okinawans
Tsukami waza - "Catching technique"
Tsuki - A strike made with a closed fist using the
knuckles
Tsuru ashi dachi - "Crane Stance", also referred to as SAGI ASHI DACHI
Tuite - Grappling skills

-U-

Uchi deshi - A live-in student/disciple. A student who lives
in a dojo
Uchi mawashi geri - "Inside Roundhouse Kick"
Uchi Uke - Mid body reception (block)
Ude Uke - Forearm reception (block)
Ude - Forearm
Uke - A defensive motion
Ukemi waza - "Break-fall techniques."
Uki ashi dachi - A stance similar to the cat-stance, performed
in the kata HANGETSU
Ura zuki - An upper cut punch used at close range
Uraken - "Back Knuckle"
Ushiro empi uchi - Striking to the rear with the elbow
Ushiro Geri - Reverse Kick
Ushiro Mawashi Geri - Reverse roundhouse kick
Ushiro - Back or Reverse

-V-

-W-

Wan - Arm
Wakizashi - Short sword of the same style as the katana,
about three quarters the length
Washide - Eagles beak hand
Waza - Technique(s)
Waza-ari Awasette-Ippon - Two half points making Ippon.
Waza-ari - Half point

-X-

-Y-

Yama zuki - "Mountain Punch". A wide U-shaped dual
punch
Yame - "Stop"
Yari - A pole arm with a straight narrow blade
designed for thrusting
Yoi - "Ready"
Yoko - "Side"
Yoko geri keage - "Side Snap Kick"
Yoko geri kekomi - "Side Thrust Kick"
Yoko mawashi empi uchi - Striking with the elbow to the side
Yoko tobi geri - "Flying Side Kick"
Yonhon Nukite - Four finger spearhand thrust
Yubi - Finger
Yudansha - Black belt holder (any rank)
Yusei-gachi - Winner by superiority

-Z-

Zanshin - Lit. "remaining mind/heart." Even after a Karate
technique has been completed, one should
remain in a balanced and aware state
Za-rei - The traditional Japanese bow from the
kneeling position
Zenkutsu dachi - "Forward Stance"
Zenshin - "Forward"
Zori - Japanese slippers

Number System

1 Ichi One
2 Ni Two
3 San Three
4 Shi ( Or Yon ) Four
5 Go Five
6 Roku Six
7 Shichi ( Or Nana ) Seven
8 Hachi Eight
9 Ku (Or Kyu) Nine
10 Ju Ten
11 Ju Ichi Eleven
12 Ju Ni Twelve
13 Ju San Thirteen
20 Ni Ju Twenty
21 Ni Ju Ichi Twenty One
22 Ni Ju Ni Twenty Two
23 Ni Ju San Twenty Three
30 San Ju Thirty
31 San Ju Ichi Thirty One
32 San Ju Ni Thirty Two
33 San Ju San Thirty Three
40 Yon Ju Forty
50 Go Ju Fifty
60 Roku Ju Sixty
70 Nana Ju Seventy
80 Hachi Ju Eighty
90 Kyu Ju Ninty
100 Hyaku One Hundred
101 Hyaku Ichi One Hundred and One
102 Hyaku Ni One Hundred and Two
200 Ni Hyaku Two Hundred
300 San Hyaku Three Hundred
1,000 Sen One Thousand
2,000 Ni Sen Two Thousand
3,000 San Sen Three Thousand
10,000 Man Ten Thousand