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Basic Shotokan Karate Glossary
- Belt Ranking - The belt a student wears is color-coded to indicate his or her progress in Karate. For specifics, see our rankings page.
- Dojo - "School" or place where one trains.
- Gichin Funakoshi - The founder of Shotokan Karate
- Japan Karate Association (JKA) - The JKA is the largest and most prestigious karate organization in the world. Headquartered in Tokyo, Japan, the JKA oversees many schools of Japanese martial arts.
- Karate - "Empty Hand" - a form of self-defense taught without the use of weapons.
- Kata - Sometimes referred to in other styles as "Forms", a Kata is a series of movements put together into an imaginary battle against multiple opponents. Its purpose is to teach coordination of movement from one technique to another.
- Kumite - Sparring - the act of training with an opponent.
- Senpai - "Senior student" - assists the Sensei with teaching and instruction.
- Sensei - An instructor of karate
- Shotokan Tiger - The symbol of Shotkan
Targets:
From the neck up: | Jodan level |
From the neck down to the belt: | Chudan level |
From the belt down: | Gedan level |
Left: | Hidari |
Right: | Migi |
Karate Stances: (Dachi)
Natural Stance: | Shizen Tai |
Formal (attention) Stance (feet together): | Heisoku Dachi |
Heels Together (feet at a 45° angle): | Musubi Dachi |
Front Stance: | Zenkutsu Dachi |
Side (horse-riding) Stance: | Kiba Dachi |
Back Stance: | Kokutsu Dachi |
Half Moon Stance: | Hangetsu Dachi |
Rooted Stance: | Sochin Dachi |
Cat Stance: | Neko-Ashi Dachi |
Hourglass Stance: | Sanchin Dachi |
Punching:
Fist: | Seiken |
Punch: | Zuki |
Step-in (Lunge) Punch: | Oi-Zuki |
Reverse Punch: | Gyaku-Zuki |
Jab: | Kizami-Zuki |
Triple Punch: | San Bon Zuki |
Spear Hand: | Nukite |
Back Fist: | Ura-ken |
Elbow: | Empi |
Heel of Palm: | Teisho |
Mountain Punch: | Yama zuki |
Kicking:
Front Snap Kick: | Mae Geri |
Round-house Kick: | Mawashi Geri |
Side Snap Kick: | Yoko Geri Keage |
Side Thrust Kick: | Yoko Geri Kekomi |
Back Kick: | Ushiro Geri |
Foot/Leg Sweep: | Ashi Barai |
Hook Kick: | Ushiro Mawashi Geri |
Front Leg Front Kick: | Mae Ashi Mae Geri |
Front Leg Round-house Kick: | Mae Ashi Mawashi Geri |
Blocking:
Downward Block: | Gedan Barai |
Rising Block: | Age Uke |
Knife-hand Block: | Shuto Uke |
Outside Block (middle block): | Soto Uke |
Inside-outside Block: | Uchi Uke |
Reinforced Inside-outside Block: | Morote Uke |
Other Karate Terms:
Dan: | Black Belt Ranks |
Dojo: | Training Room/Hall/Gym |
Dojo Kun: | Principles of the Dojo |
Gi: | Karate Uniform |
Gohon Kumite: | Five-step Sparring |
Gyakuhanmi: | Reverse Half-face (hips twisted to the reverse side) |
Haito: | Ridge Hand |
Hajime: | Start, Begin |
Hanmi: | Half-face (hips to the side) |
Ippon Kumite: | One-step Sparring |
Kamae: | Take Position |
Kata: | Formal Exercise (forms) |
Kiai: | Focusing Yell |
Kihon: | Basics, Basic Training |
Kime: | Focus |
Kumite: | Sparring |
Kyu: | Belt ranks below black belt |
Mawatte: | Turn Around |
Mokuso: | Meditation, "close your eyes" |
Rei: | Bow |
Ren zuki: | Double Punch |
Sanbon Kumite: | Three-step Sparring |
Sanbon zuki: | Triple Punch |
Seiza: | Kneeling (proper kneeling position) |
Sempai: | Senior Karate Student |
Sensei: | Instructor/Teacher |
Sensei Ni Rei: | Bow to the Instructor |
Shomen: | Front (of the dojo), hips straight/facing front |
Shomen Ni Rei: | Bow to the front |
Obi: | Belt |
Oss: | Acknowledgement, hello, yes |
Otogai Ni Rei: | Bow to each other |
Uchi: | Strike |
Yame: | Stop, Recover |
Yoi: | Ready Position (a command to take ready stance) |
CEREMONY:
Seiretsu | Line Up |
Seiza | Sit Down |
Makso | Close Your Eyes for Meditation |
Yame | Open Your Eyes |
Shomen Ni Rei | Bow to the School |
Sensei Ni Rei | Bow to the Teacher |
DOJO KUN: (PRINCIPLES OF THE DOJO)
- Seek Perfection of Character
- Be Faithful
- Endeavor to Excel
- Respect Others
- Refrain From Violent Behavior
Ijo (So Be It)
COUNTING
Ichi | One |
Ni | Two |
San | Three |
Shi (Yon) | Four |
Go | Five |
Rokku | Six |
Sichi | Seven |
Hachi | Eight |
Ku | Nine |
Ju | Ten |
SHOTOKAN KATA (Forms)
- Taikyoku Shodan
- Heian Shodan
- Heian Nidan
- Heian Sandan
- Heian Yondan
- Heian Godan
- Tekki Shodan
- Bassai Dai
- Kanku Dai
- Empi
- Jion
- Hangetsu
- Jitte
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- Gankaku
- Tekki Nidan
- Tekki Sandan
- Nijushiho
- Chinte
- Sochin
- Meikyo
- Unsu
- Bassai Sho
- Kanku Sho
- Wankan
- Gojushiho Sho
- Gojushiho Dai
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MEANING OF SHOTOKAN KATA NAMES
Heian | Peaceful Mind |
Tekki | Iron Horse |
Bassai | Storm a Fortress |
Kanku | Viewing the Sky |
Empi | Flying Swallow |
Jion | (named after a Buddhist Temple in China) |
Hangetsu | Half Moon |
Jitte | 10 Hands |
Gankaku | Crane on a Rock |
Nijushiho | 24 Steps |
Chinte | Incredible Hands |
Sochin | Preserve Peace |
Meikyo | Mirror of the Soul |
Unsu | Hands of the Cloud |
Wankan | Crown of a King |
Gojushiho | 54 Steps |
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