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Karate Terminology

 

The onslaught of new terms to the beginning karateka can sometimes seem overwhelming. This translation of terms will hopefully help beginner and advanced students alike in their search for understanding.


General Dojo Terms  
Japanese English
Sensei Teacher
Sempai Senior Belt
Karate-ka Person practising Karate
Dojo Training Hall
Rei Bow
Mokuso Meditate
Kamaete Assume Stance
Shihai Tournament
Makiwara Punching Board
Hajime Begin
Yame Finish
Enorae Relax
Mokso Breathing Exercise
Seiza Formal Kneeling Position
Osu I understand
Gi Uniform
Obi Belt
Kyu Junior Rank
Dan Senior Rank
Shihan Master
Mawatte Turn
Shugo Assemble (line up)
Yoi Ready
Kiai Vocal show of Spirit
Kihon Training in the Basics
Kata Training of Forms
Kumite Training in Sparring
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Targets 
Jodan Face Level
Chudan Stomach Level
Gedan Lower Level
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Striking surfaces 
Ken Fist
Seiken Fore Fist
Ippon-ken One Knuckle Fist
Nakadaka-ken Middle Knuckle Fist
Nukite Spear Hand
Ippon-nukite One Finger Spear Hand
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Sparring  
Sanbon Kumite Three Step Basic Sparring
Gohon Kumite Five Step Basic Sparring
Kihon Ippon Kumite One Step Basic Sparring
Jiyu Ippon Kumite One Step Semi Free Sparring
Jiyu Kumite Sparring Free Sparring
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Striking Techniques
Uraken Back Fist
Shuto-uchi Knife Hand Strike
Teisho-uchi Palm Heel Strike
Kentsui-uchi Hammer Fist Strike
Empi-uchi Elbow Strike
Haito-uchi Ridge Hand Strike
Nukite Spear Hand
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Punching Techniques 
Single Hand Punches
Choku-zuki Straight Punch
Oi-zuki Lunge Punch
Gyaku-zuki Reverse Punch
Kizami-zuki Short Punch
Ura-zuki Close Punch
Kagi-zuki Hook Punch
Mawashi-zuki Round House Punch
Age-zuki Rising Punch
Tate-zuki Verticle-fist punch
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Two Handed Punches
Yama-zuki Wide U Punch
Awase-zuki U punch
Heiko-zuki Parallel Punch
Hasami-zuki Scissors Punch
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Counting  
Ichi One
Ni Two
San Three
Shi Four
Go Five
Roku Six
Shichi Seven
Hachi Eight
Ku Nine
Ju Ten
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Stances 
Fundamental Stances (10) - Kihon Dachi
Zenkutsu-dachi Front Stance
Kiba-dachi Side Stance
Kokutsu-dachi Back Stance
Fudo-dachi Diagonal straddle leg stance
Hangetsu-dachi Half-Moon Stance
Sanchin-dachi Hour-Glass Stance
Shiko-dachi Square Stance
Sagi ash-dachi One Leg Stance
Kosa-dachi Cross Leg Stance
Neiko ashi-dachi Cat Stance
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Natural Stances (7) - Shizen Tai
Heisoku-dachi Feet and toes together
Musubi-dachi Heels together, toes at 45 degrees
Hachiji-dachi Feet shoulder Width and toes at approx. 45 degrees
Heiko-dachi Feet shoulder width and straight
Uchi Hachiji-dachi Feet shoulder width and pointed in
Teiji-dachi T-Angled Stance
Renoji-dachi L-Angled stance
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Blocks 
Age-uke Rising Block
Soto Ude-uke Outside Forearm Block
Uchi Ude-uke Inside Forearm Block
Shoto-uke Knife Hand Block
Gedan-barei Downward Block
Juji-uke X-Block
Haishu-uke Backhand Block
Kakiwaki-uke Inside Wedge Hand Block
Moroto-uke Reinforced Block
Nagashi-uke Sweeping Block
Tate Shuto-uke KnifeHand Block (arm straight)
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Kicking 
Front Kicks
Mae-geri Front Kick
Mikasuki-geri Crescent Kick
Mawashi-geri Roundhouse Kick
Gyaku Mawashi-geri Reverse Round House Kick
Mae shittsui geri Front knee kick
Mawashi shittsui geri Roundhouse knee kick
Gyaku Mawashishittsui geri Reverse roundhouse knee kick
Kakato-geri Axe Kick
 
Ashi Barai Leg sweep
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Side Kicks
Yoko-geri Keage Side Snap Kick
Yoko-geri Kekomi Side Thrust Kick
Fumikiri geri Cutting Kick
Fumikomi geri Stamping Kick
Yoko mawashi geri Side roundhouse kick
Ashi-barei Foot or Leg Sweep
Kakato-geri Axe Kick
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Back Kicks
Ushiro geri kekomi Back thrust kick
Ushiro geri keage Back snap kick
Ushiro mawashi geri Back roundhouse kick

 

Class Schedule & Location

Beginner Class Starts

September 12, 2023
Tuesday & Thursday
6:30pm - 7:30pm

Intermediate/Advanced Class Starts

September 12, 2023
Tuesday & Thursday: 7:30pm - 9:00pm

Homburg Centre for Health & Wellness
Saint Marys University

To Register for classes please call the Homburg Centre front desk at 902-420-5555

More Informtion >>

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