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Matsubayashi-ryu / Shorin-ryu Karate Terms
The following is a list of Japanese terms commonly used in karate training. Some of these terms are used at the Academy of Traditional Karate, though many more are included for reference. The typical pronunciations and English meanings are given, along with a kanji representation where available. These are not presented as the literal translations, but rather how the terms are generally used in karate training. They have been researched and compiled from a rich variety of sources across the web.
Note: In order to see the Japanese Kanji characters in the tables below, Windows users may need to select View->Encoding->Japanese to install Japanese Language Support. Then select View->Encoding->Unicode (UTF-8). Mac users shouldn’t need to do anything.
Click here to contact the Academy ofTraditional Karateto find out about Wilmington and Reading's only Private Karate School or call 978-658-2077 or 781-944-4885 |
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Kazu (Numbers) |
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Tachikata (Stances) |
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| Japanese | Pronunciation | Kanji | English |
|---|---|---|---|
| Tachikata | tah-chee kah-tah | 立方 | Stances (lit. Standing Methods) |
| Tachi, -dachi | tah-chee, dah-chee | 立ち | Stance |
| Fudo-dachi, Sochin-dachi, Sanchin-dachi |
foo-doe dah-chee, sahn-chin dah-chee |
不動立 三戦立 |
Immovable Stance, Hourglass Stance (lit. three-battles stance) |
| Genkaku-dachi Tsuri-ashi-dachi Sagi-ashi-dachi |
ghen-kah-koo dah-chee tsoo-ree ah-she dah-chee sah-gee ah-she dah-chee |
厳鶴立 鶴足立 鷺足立 |
Rigid Crane Stance Crane Leg Stance Heron Leg Stance |
| Kamae | kah-mah-eh | 構え | Fighting Posture, Take a Stance |
| Heiko-dachi | hay-koh dah-chee | 平行立 | Parallel Stance |
| Heisoku-dachi | hay-sow-koo dah-chee | 閉足立 | Closed-foot Stance |
| Iaigoshi-dachi | ee-ai go-she dah-chee | 居合腰立 | Kneeling Stance |
| Ippon-ashi-dachi | ee-pohn ah-she-dah-chee | 一本足立 | One-leg Stance |
| Kiba-dachi Naihanchi-dachi |
key-bah dah-chee nai-han-chee dah-chee |
騎馬立 |
Horse Riding Stance |
| Kokutsu-dachi | koe-koo-tsu dah-chee | 後屈立 | Back-leg-bent Stance (lit. back-ducking Stance) |
| Kosa-dachi | koe-sah dah-chee | 交差立 | Cross-leg Stance |
| Kumite-dachi Moro-ashi-dachi Moto-dachi |
koo-mih-tay dah-chee moh-row ah-she da-hchee moh-tow dah-chee |
組手立 | Fighting Stance |
| Musubi-dachi | moo-sue-be dah-chee | 結立 | Heels Together Stance (lit. tying-together Stance) |
| Naname Zenkutsu-dachi | nah-nah-may zen-koo-tsue dah-chee | 斜め前屈立 | Slanted Front-leg-bent Stance (lit. Diagonal Front-ducking Stance) |
| Nekoashi-dachi | neh-koh ah-she-dah-chee | 貓足立 | Cat Stance |
| Seisan-dachi | say-san dah-chee | 十三立 | Forward Stance |
| Seiza | say-zah | 正座 | Sit/Kneel Quietly |
| Shiko-dachi Jigotai-dachi |
she-koe dah-chee jih-go-tie dah-chee |
四股立 | Wide Open-leg Stance |
| Shizentai-dachi | shih-zen-tie dah-chee | 自然体立 | Natural Stance |
| Soto-Hachiji-dachi | soh-toh-hah-chee-jee dah-chee | 外八時立 | Open Natural Stance (feet point outward (外) at same angle as character for eight, 八) |
| Zenkutsu-dachi | zen-koo-tsue dah-chee | 前屈立 | Front-leg-bent Stance (lit. Front-ducking Stance) |
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Ukekata (Blocking Methods) |
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| Japanese | Pronunciation | Kanji | English |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ukekata | oo-kay kah-tah | 受方 | Blocking Methods |
| Uke | oo-kay | 受 | Block |
| Chudan-soto-uke | chew-dahn so-toe oo-kay | 中段外受 | Middle Outward Bock |
| Chudan-soto-mawashi-uke | chew-dahn so-toe mah-wah-she oo-kay | 中段外回し受 | Middle Sideward Round Block |
| Chudan-yoko-uke | chew-dahn yoh-koh oo-kay | 中段横受 | Middle Sideward Block |
| Chudan-uchi-uke | chew-dahn oo-chee oo-kay | 中段内受 | Middle Inward Block |
| Gedan-barai Gedan-uke Hari-uke |
geh-dahn bah-rye geh-dahn oo-kay hah-rae oo-kay |
下段払い 下段受 払受 |
Lower Sweeping Block Lower Level Block Sweeping Block |
| Gedan-yoko-barai-uke | geh-dahn yoh-koh bah-rye oo-kay | 下段横払受 | Lower Sideward Sweeping Block |
| Haito-uke | hai-toh oo-kay | 背刀受 | Reverse Knife-hand Block |
| Hangetsu-barai-uke | hahn-geh-tsue bah-rye oo-kay | 半月払受 | Half-moon Sweeping Block |
| Hazushi-uke | hah-zoo-she oo-kay | 外受 | Removing Block |
| Hasami-uke | hah-sah-me oo-kay | 鋏受 | Scissor Block |
| Hiji-uke | he-jee oo-kay | 肘受 | Elbow Block |
| Jodan-uke Age-uke |
joh-dahn oo-kay ah-gay oo-kay |
上段受 上げ受 |
Upper Level Block Rising Block |
| Kosa-uke | koe-sah oo-kay | 交差受 | Cross Block |
| Magetori-barai-uke | mah-geh-toh-ree bah-rye oo-kay | 髷取 払受 | Rising Double Knife-hand Block (lit. Grabbing the Topknot Block) |
| Makite-uke | mah-key-teh oo-kay | 巻手受 | Winding Knife-hand Block |
| Morote-soe-uke | moh-row-teh so-eh oo-kay | 諸手添受 | Augmented Forearm Block, Wedge Block |
| Morote-barai-uke | moh-row-teh bah-rye oo-kay | 諸手払受 | Augmented Lower Block |
| Otoshi-uke | oh-toe-she oo-kay | 落受 | Dropping Block |
| Sagurite-uke | sah-gu-ree-teh oo-kay | 探手受 | Searching-hand Block |
| Sasae-uke | sah-sa-eh oo-kay | 支受 | Supported Forearm Block |
| Sayu-barai-uke | sah-yoo bah-rye oo-kay | 左右払受 | Double Sweeping Block (lit. Left-right Sweeping Block) |
| Shotei-uke | show-tay oo-kay | 掌底受 | Palm Heel Block |
| Shuto-uke | shoe-toe oo-kay | 手刀受 | Knife Hand Block |
| Torite-uke | toh-ree-teh oo-kay | 捕手受 | Grasping-hand Block |
| Wari-uke | wah-rhee oo-kay | 割受 | Split Block |
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Semekata (Attacking Methods) |
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| Japanese | Pronunciation | Kanji | English |
|---|---|---|---|
| Semekata | seh-meh kah-tah | 攻方 | Attacking Methods |
| Seiken-waza | say-ken-wah-zah | 正拳技 | Fist Techniques |
| Tsuki, -zuki | tsoo-key, zoo-key | 突 | Punch (lit. Thrust) |
| Age-zuki | ah-gay-zoo-key | 上げ突 | Rising Punch |
| Chudan-zuki | choo-dahn zoo-key | 中段突 | Middle Level Punch |
| Gedan-zuki | gey-dahn zoo-key | 下段突 | Lower Level Punch |
| Gyaku-zuki | gya-koo zoo-key | 逆突 | Reverse Punch |
| Ippon-ken | ee-pohn-ken | 一本拳 | One Knuckle Fist |
| Ippon-ken Naka-daka | ee-pohn-ken-nah-kah-dah-kah | 一本拳中高 | Middle Knuckle Fist |
| Jodan-zuki | joe-dahn zoo-key | 上段突 | Upper Level Punch |
| Kaku-zuki | kah-koo zoo-key | 角突 | Square Punch |
| Kakushi-zuki | kah-koo-shee zoo-key | 隠し突 | Hidden Fist Punch |
| Morote-zuki Awase-zuki |
moh-row-tay zoo-key Ah-wah-say zoo-key |
諸手突 合突 |
Augmented Punch |
| Oi-zuki | oy-zoo-key | 追突 | Lunge Punch, Chasing Punch |
| Sayu-zuki | sah-yoo zoo-key | 左右突 | Double Side Punch |
| Tomoe-zuki | toh-mo-eh zoo-key | 巴突 | Circular Block and Punch |
| Wari-uke-zuki | wah-ree oo-kay zoo-key | 割受突 | Split-block Punch |
| Yubi-waza | yoo-bee wah-zah | 指技 | Finger Techniques |
| Morote-nuki-zuki | moh-row-tay new-key zoo-key | 諸手貫突 | Double Spear-hand Thrust |
| Nukite-zuki | new-key-tay zoo-key | 貫手突 | Spear-hand Thrust |
| Shi-zuki Toride-zuki |
she zoo-key toh-ree-day zoo-key |
鶏口突 鳥手突 |
Chicken Beak Thrust Bird Hand Strike |
| Uchi-waza | oo-chee wah-zah | 打ち技 | Striking Techniques |
| Haito-uchi | hi-tow oo-chee | 背刀 打 | Reverse Knife-hand Strike |
| Kentsui-uchi Tettsui-uchi |
ken-tsu-ee oo-chee, te-tzoo-ee oo-chee |
拳槌打 鉄槌打 |
Hammer-fist Strike Iron Hammer Strike |
| Kyobu-shuto-uchi | key-oh-boo shoo-tow oo-chee | 胸部手刀打 | Knife-hand Strike (to the chest area) |
| Kyobu-morote-shuto-uchi | key-oh-boo moh-row-tay shoo-tow oo-chee | 胸部諸手手刀打 | Double Knife-hand Strike (to the chest area) |
| Kyobu-soete-shuto-uchi | key-oh-boo soh-eh-tay shoo-tow oo-chee | 胸部添手手刀打 | Augmented Knife-hand Strike (to the chest area) |
| Shuto-uchi | shoo-tow oo-chee | 手刀打 | Knife-hand Strike |
| Uraken-uchi | oo-ra-ken oo-chee | 裏拳打 | Backfist Strike |
| Ate-waza | ah-tay wah-zah | 当技 | Smashing Techniques |
| Hiji-ate Empi Uchi |
hee-jee-ah-tay em-pee oo-chee |
肘当 猿臂打 |
Elbow Smash Elbow Strike |
| Hiza-ate | hee-zah-ah-tay | 膝当 | Knee Smash |
| Sasae-hiji-ate | sah-sa-eh hee-jee ah-tay | 支肘当 | Supported Elbow Smash |
| Shotei-ate Teisho |
show-tay-ah-tay tay-show |
掌底当 底掌 |
Palm Heal Smash |
| Tate-hiji-ate | tah-tay hee-jee ah-tay | 縦肘当 | Upward Elbow Smash |
| Ushiro-hiji-ate | oo-shee-row hee-jee ah-tay | 後肘当 | Backward Elbow Smash |
| Yoko-hiji-ate | yoh-koh hee-jee ah-tay | 横肘当 | Side Elbow Smash |
Click here to contact the Academy ofTraditional Karateto find out about Wilmington and Reading's only Private Karate School or call 978-658-2077 or 781-944-4885 |
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Kerikata (Kicking Methods) |
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| Japanese | Pronunciation | Kanji | English |
|---|---|---|---|
| Keri, -geri | keh-ree, geh-ree | 蹴 | Kick |
| Ashi-barai | ah-she bah-rye | 足払 | Leg Sweep |
| Fukubu-geri | foo-koo-boo geh-ree | 腹蹴 | Abdomen Kick |
| Hiza-geri | hee-zah geh-ree | 膝蹴 | Knee Kick |
| Keri-age, Keage | keh-ree-ah-gay, key-ah-gay | 蹴上 | Snap Kick, Rising Kick |
| Keri-komi, Kekomi | keh-ree-koh-mee, key-ko-mee | 蹴込 | Thrust Kick |
| Kinteki-geri | keen-tekee geh-ree | 金的蹴 | Groin Kick (lit. Gold-like Kick!) |
| Kyobu-geri | key-oh-boo geh-ree | 胸部蹴 | Chest Area Kick |
| Mae-geri | my-geh-ree | 前蹴 | Front Kick |
| Mae-geri-kakato | my-geh-ree kah-kah-toe | 前蹴踵 | Front Kick with the Heel |
| Mawashi-geri | mah-wah-she-geh-ree | 廻蹴 | Round-house Kick with Top of Foot |
| Mikazuki-geri | mee-kah-zoo-key geh-ree | 三日月蹴 | Crescent Kick (lit. Three Days Moon Kick) |
| Nidan-geri Maetobi-geri |
nee-dahn geh-ree my-toh-bee geh-ree |
二段蹴 前飛蹴 |
Flying Front Kick, Two-level Kick Flying Front Kick |
| Ushiro-geri | oo-she-row-geh-ree | 後蹴 | Back Kick |
| Ura mawashi-geri | oo-rah mah-wah-she geh-ree | 裏廻蹴 | Back Roundhouse Kick |
| Yoko-geri Sokuto-geri |
yoh-koh-geh-ree soh-koo-tow geh-ree |
横蹴 足刀蹴 |
Side Kick Foot-edge Kick |
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Kata (Forms) |
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| Japanese | Pronunciation | Kanji | English |
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| Kata | kah-tah | 型 | Form |
| Dai Nihon Tenno Kata | die-nee-hohn ten-noh kah-tah | Great Heavenly Japanese Karate Form | |
| Fujikata (Fukyukata) Dai Ichi | foo-jee-kah-tah die-eech | 普及型第一 | First Basic (common) Form |
| Fujikata (Fukyukata) Dai Ni | foo-jee-kah-tah die-nee | 普及型第二 | Second Basic (common) Form |
| Pinan Nidan (Heian Shodan*) | pee-nahn nee-dahn | 平安二段 | Second Peace Form *Heian is mainland Japanese pronunciation. Pinan is Okinawan |
| Pinan Shodan (Heian Nidan) | 平安初段 | First Peace Form | |
| Pinan Sandan (Heian Sandan) | 平安三段 | Third Peace Form | |
| Pinan Yondan (Heian Yondan) | 平安四段 | Fourth Peace Form | |
| Pinan Godan (Heian Godan) | 平安五段 | Fifth Peace Form | |
| Niahanchi Shodan Tekki Shodan |
內步進初段 鉄騎初段 |
First Inner-stepping Form | |
| Niahanchi Nidan Tekki Nidan |
內步進二段 鉄騎二段 |
Second Inner-stepping Form | |
| Niahanchi Sandan Tekki Sandan |
內步進三段 鉄騎三段 |
Third Inner-stepping Form | |
| Ananku | Name of a visting monk from China | ||
| Rohai | 鷺牌 | Bird on a Rock | |
| Wankan | 王冠 | Kings Crown | |
| Wanshu | 腕秀, 汪楫 | Name of a visting monk from China | |
| Passai | 拔塞, 拔砦 | To Storm a Fortress | |
| Chinto | 鎭東 | ||
| Gojushiho | 五十四步 | 54 Step Form | |
| Kusanku Koshokun |
公相君, 觀空大 |
Name of a visting monk from China |
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Commands & Phrases |
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| Japanese | Pronunciation | Kanji | English |
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| Arigato Gozaimasu | ah-ree-gah-toh goh-zai-mas | ありがとうございます | Thank You Very Much |
| Do Itashimas'te | doh-ee-tash-ee-ma-she-tay | どういたしまして | You're Welcome |
| Hajime | hah-jee-may | 始め | Begin |
| Karate ni Sente Nashi | kah-rah-tay nee sen-tay nah-she | 空手に先手なし | There is no first attack in karate. |
| Kawate | kah-wah-tay | On Guard | |
| Kiotsuke | Kee-oh-skay | 気を付け | Attention! Stand up straight! |
| Matte | mah-tay | 待って | Wait |
| Mawatte | mah-wah-tay | 回って | Turn Around |
| Mokuso | moh-koo-soh | 黙想 | Quiet Meditation |
| Onegai Shimasu | oh-neh-guy-she-mas | お願いします | Please (Teach Me) |
| Otagai ni | oh-tah-gah-ee nee | お互いに | Toward Each Other |
| Otagai ni Rei | oh-tah-gah-ee nee ray | お互いに礼 | Bow to Each Other |
| Otagai ni Taishi | oh-tah-gah-ee nee ta(i)-sh(e) | お互いに対し | Face Each Other |
| Rei | ray | 礼 | Bow with Respect |
| Sensei ni Rey | sen-say nee ray | 先生に礼 | Bow to the Teacher |
| Sensei ni Taishi | sen-say nee ta(i)-sh(e) | 先生に対し | Face the Teacher |
| Shomen ni Rei | shoh-men ni ray | 正面に礼 | Bow to the Front |
| Shomen ni Taishi | shoh-men nee ta(i)-sh(e) | 正面に対し | Face the Front |
| Shugo | shoo-go | 集合 | Line Up, Gather together |
| Yame | yah-may | 止め | Stop |
| Yoi | yoy | 用意 | Ready, Attention |
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Parts of the Body |
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| Japanese | Pronunciation | Kanji | English |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ago | ah-goh | 顎 | Chin, Jaw |
| Ashi | ah-she | 足 | Foot and/or Leg |
| Atama | ah-tah-mah | 頭 | Head |
| Hana | hah-nah | 鼻 | Nose |
| haisoku | hai-sow-koo | 背足 | Reverse Foot (Instep) |
| Haito | hai-tow | 背刀 | Reverse Knife Hand (Ridge Hand) |
| Heiken | 平券 | Flat Fist (Bear Paw) | |
| Hiji, Empi | hee-jee, em-pee | 肘, 猿臂 | Elbow |
| hiraken | Hee-rah ken | 四本拳 | Four Finger Fist (Knuckles) |
| Hiza | he-zah | 膝 | Knee |
| Kakato | kah-kah-toe | 踵 | Heel |
| Karada/shin-, -mi | kah-rah-dah/ shin-, -mi | 体, 身 | Body, prefix/suffix for Body |
| Ken | ken | 拳 | Fist |
| Koshi Josokutei zenzoku |
koh-shee joh-soh-koo-tay zen-zoh-koo |
中足 上足底 前足 |
Middle Foot (Ball of Foot) Raised Sole Ball of Foot |
| Koshi | koh-she | 腰 | Hips |
| Kubi | koo-bee | 首 | Neck |
| Kumade | koo-mah-day | 熊手 | Bear Hand (Tiger Claw) |
| Me | meh | 目 | Eye |
| Mune | moo-neh | 胸 | Chest |
| Nakadaka ken | Nah-kah dah-kah ken | 中指一本拳 | Middle Finger Fist (Knuckle) |
| Nodo | noh-doe | 咽, 喉 | Throat |
| Nukite | noo-key-tay | 貫手 | Spear Hand |
| Oya-yubi Ippon-ken | Oiyah-yoo-bee ee-pohn ken | 親指一本拳 | Thumb Fist (Thumb Knuckle) |
| Seiken | say-ken | 正拳 | Proper Fist, Straight Fist, (Front 2 Knuckle Punch) |
| Shinkei | shin-keh | 神経 | Nerve |
| Shuto | shoo-tow | 手刀 | Knife Hand |
| Soku | soh-koo | 足 | Foot |
| Sokutei | soh-koo-tay | 足底 | Sole of the Foot |
| Sokuto | Soh-koo-toe | 足刀 | Foot Blade, Foot Edge |
| Suigetsu | Soo-ee-geh-tsoo | 水月 | Solar Plexus (lit. Water Moon) |
| Sune | su-nay | 脛 | Shin |
| Te | tay | 手 | Hand |
| Teisho | tay-show | 掌底 | Palm Heel |
| Tekubi | tay-koo-bee | 手首 | Wrist |
| Tettsui | teh-tsu-ee | 鉄槌 | Iron Hammer (Hammer Fist) |
| Toriguchi | 鶏口 | Chicken Beak (Finger Tips) | |
| Tsumasaki | tsoo-mah-sah-key | 爪先 | Tips of the Toes |
| Ude | oo-day | 腕 | Forearm |
| Uraken | oo-ra-ken | 裏拳 | Back Fist |
| Wanto | wahn-tow | 腕刀 | Sword Arm (Side of forearm) |
| Yubi | yoo-bee | 指 | Finger |
Click here to contact the Academy ofTraditional Karateto find out about Wilmington and Reading's only Private Karate School or call 978-658-2077 or 781-944-4885 |
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Miscellaneous Terms |
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| Japanese | Pronunciation | Kanji | English |
|---|---|---|---|
| Atemi | ah-teh-me | 当身 | Strike (Often to distract) |
| Barai | Bah-rye | 払い | Sweep |
| Bunkai | Boon-kai | 分解 | Application of Kata Techniques (lit. picking apart) |
| Bushido | boo-she-doh | 武士道 | The Way of the Warrior |
| Dai Ichi | die-eech | 第一 | The First |
| Deshi | deh-she | 弟子 | Student, Pupil |
| Dojo | doe-joe | 道場 | Place to Learn the Way |
| Gi | ghee | 着 | Karate Uniform |
| Goshin Jutsu | go-shin ju-tsoo | 護身術 | Self Defense Techniques |
| Hai | hi | はい | Yes |
| Hidari | hee-dah-ree | 左 | Left |
| Iya | ee-yay | いいえ | No |
| Jiyu Kumite | jee-yu koo-meh-tay | 自由組手 | Freestyle Sparring |
| Kamiza | kah-me-zah | 上座 | Seat of Honor, Shrine |
| Karateka | kah-rah-tay-kah | 空手家 | Karate Student |
| Kiai | key-eye | 気合 | Spirit Yell |
| Kihon | key-hon | 基本 | Basics |
| Kokyu Ho | koh-kyu how | 呼吸法 | Breathing Methods |
| Kumite | koo-meh-tay | 組手 | Sparring |
| Obi | oh-bee | 帯 | Karate Belt |
| Makiwara | mah-kee-wah-rah | 巻藁 | Striking Board |
| Migi | mee-gee | 右 | Right |
| Shiai | she-eye | 試合 | Sparring Match |
| Tameshi Wari | Tah-meh-she wah-rhee | 試割り | Breaking (Boards, Bricks, etc.) |
| Waza | wah-zah | 技 | Technique |
| Yakusoku Kumite | yah-k(oo)-soh-koo koo-meh-tay | 約束組手 | Pre-arranged Sparring |
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Ranks & Titles |
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| Japanese | Pronunciation | Kanji | English |
|---|---|---|---|
| Karate Ranks | |||
| Kyu | kyew | 級 | Ranks below Black Belt |
| Mukyu | moo-kyew | 無級 | No Level (Red Belt) |
| Jukyu | joo-kyew | 十級 | Tenth Level (White Belt) |
| Kukyu | koo-kyew | 九級 | Ninth Level (Orange Belt) |
| Hachikyu | hach-kyew | 八級 | Eigth Level (Gold Belt) |
| Nanakyu | nah-nah-kyew | 七級 | Seventh Level (Purple Belt) |
| Rokyu | roh-kyew | 六級 | Sixth Level (Green/White Stripe Belt) |
| Gokyu | go-kyew | 五級 | Fifth Level (Green Belt) |
| Yonkyu | yohn-kyew | 四級 | Fourth Level (Blue Belt) |
| Sankyu | san-kyew | 三級 | Third Level (Brown Belt) |
| Nikyu | nee-kyew | 二級 | Second Level (Brown/1 Black Tip Belt) |
| Ikkyu | eek-kyew | 一級 | First Level (Brown/2 Black Tip Belt) |
| Dan | dahn | 段 | Ranks of Black Belt |
| Shodan-Ho | show-dahn hoe | 初段補 | Probationary First Degree Black Belt |
| Shodan | show-dahn | 初段 | First Degree Black Belt |
| Nidan | nee-dahn | 二段 | Second Degree Black Belt |
| Sandan | san-dahn | 三段 | Third Degree Black Belt |
| Yondan | yohn-dahn | 四段 | Fourth Degree Black Belt |
| Godan | go-dahn | 五段 | Fifth Degree Black Belt |
| Rokudan | rohk-oo-dahn | 六段 | Sixth Degree Black Belt |
| Nanadan | nah-nah-dahn | 七段 | Seventh Degree Black Belt |
| Hachidan | hach-ee-dahn | 八段 | Eighth Degree Black Belt |
| Kudan | koo-dahn | 九段 | Ninth Degree Black Belt |
| Judan | joo-dahn | 十段 | Tenth Degree Black Belt |
| Joshu-Shoban | joh-shoo show-ban | 助手初版 | Junior First Degree Black Belt |
| Shidokan Teaching Ranks | |||
| Shidoin | she-doyn | 指導員 | Assistant Instructor |
| Sempai, Senpai | sehm-pie | 先輩 | Senior Student |
| Sensei | sehn-say | 先生 | Teacher |
| Renshi | rehn-she | 錬士 | Senior Teacher |
| Shihan | she-han | 師範 | Teacher of Teachers |
| Kyoshi | kyoh-she | 教士 | Expert Teacher |
| Hanshi | hahn-she | 範士 | Master Teacher |
| Other Titles | |||
| Shidoshi | she-doh-she | 指導師 | Director |
Click here to contact the Academy ofTraditional Karateto find out about Wilmington and Reading's only Private Karate School or call 978-658-2077 or 781-944-4885 |
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Martial Arts Styles |
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| Japanese | Pronunciation | Kanji | English |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ryu | roo | 流 | Style or School |
| Aikido | eye-key-doh | 合気道 | The way of harmony, a Japanese martial art |
| Goju-ryu | goh-joo roo | 剛柔流 | Hard/Soft Style from Naha-te Okinawan karate |
| Iaido | eye-ay-doh | 居合道 | The Japanese art of drawing the sword |
| Isshin-ryu | ish-in roo | 一心流 | "The One Heart Way" style from the strengths of Shorin-ryu & Goju-ryu Okinawan karate |
| Judo | joo-doh | 柔道 | The gentle way, a Japanese martial art |
| Ju-jutsu, Ju-jitsu | joo-jut-soo | 柔術 | The gentle art, self defence |
| Karate-do | kah-rah-tay-doh | 空手道 | The Way of the Empty Hand |
| Kempo, Kenpo | kem-poh, ken-poh | 拳法 | Fist principles, an Okinawan karate style |
| Kendo | ken-doh | 剣道 | The way of the sword, a Japanese martial art |
| Kobudo | koh-boo-doh | 古武道 | Old martial way. A weapons martial art |
| Kung-fu | kung-foo | 功夫 | Chinese martial arts |
| Matsubayashi-ryu | mat-soo-by-ashi roo | 松林流 | Pine Forest Style of Okinawan Shorin-ryu karate |
| Naha-te | nah-hah-tay | 那覇手 | One of the two main original Okinawan karate styles |
| Shiatsu | she-ah-tsoo | 指圧 | Meridian Massage |
| Shito-ryu | she-toh roo | 糸東流 | Combination of Naha-te & Suri-te Okinawan karate |
| Shorin-ryu | show-rin roo | 小林流 | Little Forest Style from Shuri-te Okinawan Karate |
| Shotokan | show-toh-kahn | 松涛館 | Sports Style of Japanese Karate |
| Shuri-ryu | shur-ee ryu | 首里流 | Okinawan/american style of karate |
| Shuri-te | shur-ee tay | 首里手 | One of the two main original Okinawan karate styles |
| Taekwon-do | tay-kwon-doh | テコンドー | Korean Martial Art with an emphasis on kicks |
| Uechi-ryu | ee-chi roo | 上地流 | Way of Uechi, a Kung fu flavored Okinawan karate style |
| Wado-ryu | wah-doh roo | 和道流 | A Japanase style of Karate |
Click here to contact the Academy ofTraditional Karateto find out about Wilmington and Reading's only Private Karate School or call 978-658-2077 or 781-944-4885 |
Sources: Special thanks to Sempai Vinny Miccio for corrections.
The Essence of Okinawan Karate-do by Shoshin Nagamine, Public Domain Budo Dictionary, Wikipedia (the free encyclopedia), Index of Karate Terms (PDF) by Stephan Yamamoto, Karate Terms & Translations (PDF) by Bruce A. Brunger, Akido terms - dictionary, Matsukaze Nihongo Annai - Japanese Nouns, Japanese in Karate-Chikara Karate Studios, Karate Terminology 101, UCLU Shorinji Kempo - Vocabulary, Japanese Karate Terms by Rob Redmond, The Japanese Pronunciation Guide - The Anime Cafe, Jim Breen’s WWWJDIC Japanese-English Dictionary, Mahou Dictionary, Mahou Kanji Dictionary, Jisho - The Japanese English Dictionary for Macintosh
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