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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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