TERMINOLOGY
Counting to Ten English Chinese 1 ichi 2 ni 3 san 4 shi 5 go 6 roku 7 shichi 8 hachi 9 ku/kyu 10 ju Japanese have two numbering systems: Japanese and Chinese. The Japanese system is native to the islands of Japan. The Chinese system is taken from Chinese and modified for their use. Generally, you count to ten using the Chinese system.
Stances
Japanese Term Literal Translation musubi-dachi informal attention stance heisoku-dachi feet together kosa-dachi crossed feet stance shizen-tai yoi (natural body position) zenkutsu-dachi front stance kohkutsu-dachi back stance kiba-dachi horse stance neko-ashi-dachi cat stance fudo-dachi rooted stance reinoji-dachi L stance hangetsu-dachi half-moon stance sagi ashi-dachi one-legged stance hachiji-dachi open-leg natural stance teiji-dachi T stance back to the top
Blocks
Japanese Term Literal Translation age-uke upper block soto ude-uke middle block (outside to inside middle forearm block) chudan uchi-uke inside-outside middle forearm block gedan-barai down block te-nagashi-uke open hand sweeping block shuto-uke knife hand block kakiwake-uke wedge block juuji-uke x-block tate-shuto vertical knife-hand block morote-uke support block te-osae-uke pressing block
Hand Attacks
Japanese Term Literal Translation tsuki punch oi-zuki stepping punch kizami-zuki jab or short punch choku-zuki straight punch gyaku-zuki reverse punch sanbon zuki triple punch nukite-uchi spear hand attack uraken-uchi back fist strike enpi-uchi elbow strike shuto-uchi knife-hand strike haito-uchi ridge hand strike kentsui-uchi hammer-fist strike Leg Attacks
Japanese Term Literal Translation keri kick mae-geri front kick mawashi-geri roundhouse kick yoko-geri kekomi side thrust kick yoko-geri keage side snap kick ushiro-geri back kick mikazuki-geri crescent kick ashi barai foot sweep fumikomi stamping kick tobi-geri jump kick renzoku-geri combination kick mae-ashi-geri front leg kick back to the top
Kumite
Japanese Term Literal Translation kumite sparring (kihon) gohon kumite five-step sparring (kihon) sanbon kumite three-step sparring (kihon) ippon kumite one-step sparring jiyuu ippon kumite semi-free sparring jiyu kumite free sparring back to the top
Miscellaneous
Japanese Term Literal Translation chudan middle level
dojo karate training gym gedan low level gi training uniform hajime begin hidari left jodan upper level kata formal exercise with a prescribed pattern of movement kiai yell/scream kihon basics kime focus of power
makiwara punching board mawatte turn around migi right mokusoh meditate rei bow seiza sit correctly sempai senior student sensei teacher shiai tournament match or contest shomen front of dojo waza technique yame
return to starting position yoi assume ready posture
Counting to Ten English Chinese 1 ichi 2 ni 3 san 4 shi 5 go 6 roku 7 shichi 8 hachi 9 ku/kyu 10 ju Japanese have two numbering systems: Japanese and Chinese. The Japanese system is native to the islands of Japan. The Chinese system is taken from Chinese and modified for their use. Generally, you count to ten using the Chinese system.
Stances
Japanese Term Literal Translation musubi-dachi informal attention stance heisoku-dachi feet together kosa-dachi crossed feet stance shizen-tai yoi (natural body position) zenkutsu-dachi front stance kohkutsu-dachi back stance kiba-dachi horse stance neko-ashi-dachi cat stance fudo-dachi rooted stance reinoji-dachi L stance hangetsu-dachi half-moon stance sagi ashi-dachi one-legged stance hachiji-dachi open-leg natural stance teiji-dachi T stance back to the top
Blocks
Japanese Term Literal Translation age-uke upper block soto ude-uke middle block (outside to inside middle forearm block) chudan uchi-uke inside-outside middle forearm block gedan-barai down block te-nagashi-uke open hand sweeping block shuto-uke knife hand block kakiwake-uke wedge block juuji-uke x-block tate-shuto vertical knife-hand block morote-uke support block te-osae-uke pressing block
Hand Attacks
Japanese Term Literal Translation tsuki punch oi-zuki stepping punch kizami-zuki jab or short punch choku-zuki straight punch gyaku-zuki reverse punch sanbon zuki triple punch nukite-uchi spear hand attack uraken-uchi back fist strike enpi-uchi elbow strike shuto-uchi knife-hand strike haito-uchi ridge hand strike kentsui-uchi hammer-fist strike Leg Attacks
Japanese Term Literal Translation keri kick mae-geri front kick mawashi-geri roundhouse kick yoko-geri kekomi side thrust kick yoko-geri keage side snap kick ushiro-geri back kick mikazuki-geri crescent kick ashi barai foot sweep fumikomi stamping kick tobi-geri jump kick renzoku-geri combination kick mae-ashi-geri front leg kick back to the top
Kumite
Japanese Term Literal Translation kumite sparring (kihon) gohon kumite five-step sparring (kihon) sanbon kumite three-step sparring (kihon) ippon kumite one-step sparring jiyuu ippon kumite semi-free sparring jiyu kumite free sparring back to the top
Miscellaneous
Japanese Term Literal Translation chudan middle level
dojo karate training gym gedan low level gi training uniform hajime begin hidari left jodan upper level kata formal exercise with a prescribed pattern of movement kiai yell/scream kihon basics kime focus of power
makiwara punching board mawatte turn around migi right mokusoh meditate rei bow seiza sit correctly sempai senior student sensei teacher shiai tournament match or contest shomen front of dojo waza technique yame
return to starting position yoi assume ready posture
Books Best Karate Series
By Masatoshi Nakayama
Vol. 1: Comprehensive
Vol. 2: Fundamentals
Vol. 3: Kumite I
Vol. 4: Kumite II
Vol. 5: Heian 1-5, Tekki 1-3
Vol. 6: Bassai-dai, Kanku-dai
Vol. 7: Jitte, Hangetsu, Empi
Vol. 8: Gankaku, Jion
Vol. 9: Bassai-sho, Kanku-sho, Chinte
Vol. 10: Unsu, Sochin, Nijushiho
Vol. 11: Gojushiho-sho, Gojushiho-dai, Meikyo
Dynamic Karate
By Masatoshi Nakayama
Karate-Do Kyohan, The Master Text
By Gichin Funakoshi
Karate-Do, My Way of Life
By Gichin Funakoshi
Moving Zen: Karate as a Way to Gentleness
By C.W. Nicol
A Book of Five Rings
By Miyamoto Musashi
Translated by Victor Harris
The Spirit of the Empty Hand
By Stan Schmidt
Meeting Myself-Beyond the Spirit of the Empty Hand
By Stan Schmidt
DVD's/Videos
All Kata of Karate
By the Japan Karate Association
· Volume 1
· Volume 2
· Volume 3
JKA Kata - Original Series
By Masatoshi Nakayama
· Volume 1 - Heian 1, 2, 3
· Volume 2 - Heian 4, 5; Tekki 1
· Volume 3 - Tekki 2, 3
· Volume 4 - Bassai Dai
· Volume 5 - Kanku Dai
· Volume 6 - Jitte
· Volume 7 - Hangetsu
· Volume 8 - Enpi
· Volume 9 - Jion
· Volume 10 - Sochin
· Volume 11 - Unsu
Above are a few of the resources that we are fond of. There are many additional works that may be of interest to karate-ka. Consider subjects that will increase your knowledge of Japanese culture. Subjects such as history, philosophy, language, etc. may be of interest.
Be cautious of relying on resources concerning other styles of martial arts. The information may not be applicable to your organization's theories and guidelines. The above resources pertain specifically to the practice of JKA/ISKF Shotokan Karate. "Remember, true karate is only learned through practice!"
Dojo Kun
By Masatoshi Nakayama
Vol. 1: Comprehensive
Vol. 2: Fundamentals
Vol. 3: Kumite I
Vol. 4: Kumite II
Vol. 5: Heian 1-5, Tekki 1-3
Vol. 6: Bassai-dai, Kanku-dai
Vol. 7: Jitte, Hangetsu, Empi
Vol. 8: Gankaku, Jion
Vol. 9: Bassai-sho, Kanku-sho, Chinte
Vol. 10: Unsu, Sochin, Nijushiho
Vol. 11: Gojushiho-sho, Gojushiho-dai, Meikyo
Dynamic Karate
By Masatoshi Nakayama
Karate-Do Kyohan, The Master Text
By Gichin Funakoshi
Karate-Do, My Way of Life
By Gichin Funakoshi
Moving Zen: Karate as a Way to Gentleness
By C.W. Nicol
A Book of Five Rings
By Miyamoto Musashi
Translated by Victor Harris
The Spirit of the Empty Hand
By Stan Schmidt
Meeting Myself-Beyond the Spirit of the Empty Hand
By Stan Schmidt
DVD's/Videos
All Kata of Karate
By the Japan Karate Association
· Volume 1
· Volume 2
· Volume 3
JKA Kata - Original Series
By Masatoshi Nakayama
· Volume 1 - Heian 1, 2, 3
· Volume 2 - Heian 4, 5; Tekki 1
· Volume 3 - Tekki 2, 3
· Volume 4 - Bassai Dai
· Volume 5 - Kanku Dai
· Volume 6 - Jitte
· Volume 7 - Hangetsu
· Volume 8 - Enpi
· Volume 9 - Jion
· Volume 10 - Sochin
· Volume 11 - Unsu
Above are a few of the resources that we are fond of. There are many additional works that may be of interest to karate-ka. Consider subjects that will increase your knowledge of Japanese culture. Subjects such as history, philosophy, language, etc. may be of interest.
Be cautious of relying on resources concerning other styles of martial arts. The information may not be applicable to your organization's theories and guidelines. The above resources pertain specifically to the practice of JKA/ISKF Shotokan Karate. "Remember, true karate is only learned through practice!"
Dojo Kun
