General Terms| Instructions| Counting| Stances| Blocks| Punches| Kicks|Strikes| Belt Colors| Body| Kata| The 15 Basic, Original, Shotokan Kata's | WKF Referee Terms | Dojo Kun | Formal Bow| Gichin Funakoshi| Dojo Etiquette |
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Gichin Funakoshi, in 1922, brought this kata to Japan. The main value of each kata is expressed.
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General Terms
Okaigan | Big Enlightenment OR Big eye opening (zen meaning) |
Shotokan | House of Shoto/Pine Sea Style |
USA-NKF USA National Karate Federation. | The National Governing Body for the Sport of Karate in the United States. In 1996 the (USOC) United States Olympic Committee sanctioned the USA-NKF as a member. |
WKF | World Karate Federation. |
Shuri-Te | Old name for the Shotokan Style |
Karate | Empty Hand |
Gichin Funakoshi | Founder of Shotokan Karate |
Budo | Martial Way (to prevent violence |
Gashuku | The gathering of an entire dojo for training |
Do | Way |
Karate-Do | The Way of Karate |
Karate-Ka | Karate Practitioner |
Kata | Practice Form |
Bunkai | Formal application of Kata techniques |
OYO | The full analysis; multiple applications; alternate meanings |
Sensei | Teacher |
O' Sensei | "O" Means "Great" |
Sempai | Assistant Instructor |
Shihan | Master Instructor 6th Dan or higher |
Ikken Hissatsu | To kill with one blow |
Osu | Used for respect of acknowledgement (only in the dojo) |
Ryu | Karate Style |
Sun-Dome | End technique 3cm. Before point of contact |
Kiai | Spirit Yell |
Dojo | School or training hall |
Obi | Belt |
Kyu | Colored Belt Level |
Dan | Black Belt Rank |
Gi | Karate Uniform |
Embusen | Performance Line of a kata |
Kihon | Basic Techniques |
Jodan | Head Level |
Chudan | Mid-Level/Abdomen |
Gedan | Low Level/Belt or groin area |
Maai | Distance |
Kumite | Sparring |
Jiyu Kumite | Free style sparring |
Ippon Kumite | One-Step Sparring |
Gohan Kumite | Five-Step Sparring |
Waza | Technique |
Reigi | Etiquette |
Mokuso | Deep breathing meditation |
Instructions
Yoi | Ready |
Rei | Bow |
Onaji-Waza | Same Technique |
Keiretsu | Line up by rank |
Narande | Line up |
Naore | Return to Shizen-tai (ready position) |
Hajime | Begin |
Yame | Stop |
Yasume | Relax |
Shomen Ni Rei | Bow to the front (of the dojo) |
Sensei Ni Rei | Bow to the Sensei |
Otaigai Ni Rei | Bow to one another |
Seiza | Formal Japanese Sitting Position |
Age-te | Hands up |
Kamae-te | Guard up/fighting position |
Matte | Wait |
Migi | Right |
Hidari | Left |
Kamae | Posture |
Mawatte (Kaette) | Turn around |
Naname | 45 Degree Angle |
Zenshin | Forward |
Koshin | Backward |
Maee | Step up |
Kaete | Switch |
Motono ichi | Original Position |
KI HA KU | Projection of Spirit "KI" |
Counting
1 | ICHI |
2 | NI |
3 | SAN |
4 | SHI |
5 | GO |
6 | ROKU |
7 | SHICHI |
8 | HACHI |
9 | KU |
10 | JU |
11 | JU-ICHI |
12 | JU-NI |
13 | JU-SAN |
14 | JU-SHI |
15 | JU-GO |
16 | JU-ROKU |
17 | JU-SHICHI |
18 | JU-HACHI |
19 | JU-KU |
20 | NI-JU |
Stances
Zenkutsu Dachi | Front Stance |
Kokutsu Dachi | Back Stance |
Kiba Dachi | Straddle Stance |
Shiko Dachi | Square Stance- Feet point at 45 degree angle |
Fudo Dachi | Fighting Stance- aka "Rooted Stance" |
Musubi Dachi | Informal Attention Stance (Heels together-V) (Bowing Stance) |
Heisoku Dachi | Parralel Attention Stance-Feet together |
Hachiji Dachi | Ready Stance-Feet Apart (Yoi Position) |
Shizen-Tai Dachi | Natural Stance-Feet Apart |
Gyaku Hanmi Dachi | Reverse Half Front Facing Position (Heian Nidan) |
Neko Ashi Dachi | Cat Stance |
Kosa Dachi | Cross Legged Stance |
Hangetsu Dachi | Wide Hourglass Stance (Hangetsu/Half Moon) |
Sanchin Dachi | Hourglass Stance |
Sochin Dachi | Diagonal Straddle Stance |
Tsuru Dachi | One legged Stance (Gankaku) |
Renoji Dachi | "L" Stance |
Sagi Ashi Dachi | Crane Stance (Jitte) |
Blocks
Age Uke | Rising Block |
Gedan Uke | Down Block |
Soto Ude Uke | Outside Forearm Block |
Uchi Ude Uke | Inside Forearm Block |
Shuto Uke | Knife Hand Block |
Morote Uke | Augmented Block |
Juji Uke | "X" Block |
Gyaku Uke | Reverse -Form Block |
Yama Uke | Mountain Block |
Kakiwake Uke | Wedge Block |
Gedan Shuto Uke | Low Knife Hand Block |
Teisho Uke | Palm Heel Block |
Tate Shuto Uke | Vertical Knife Hand Block |
Haishu Uke | Back-Hand Block |
Nagashi Uke | Sweeping Block (Heian Nidan) |
Haiwan Nagashi Uke | Back of fore-arm Block (Heian Yodan) |
Osae Uke | Pressing Block (Heian Godan) |
Kake Uke | Hooking Block (Heian Godan) (Tekki Shodan) |
Punches
Gyaku Zuki | Reverse Punch |
Kizami | Zuki Jab |
Oi Zuki | Lunge Punch |
Ren Zuki | Double Punch |
San Zuki | Triple Punch |
Choku Zuki | Straight Punch |
Oi Gyaku Zuki | Lunging Reverse Punch |
Kage Zuki | Hook Punch (Heian Godan) |
Morote Zuki | Two Hand Punch |
Yama Zuki | "U" Punch |
Tate Zuki | Vertical Punch (Heian Nidan) |
Nagashi Zuki | Flowing Punch (Heian Godan) |
Ippon Ken Zuki | Single-Point Fist Punch (Hangetsu) |
Hasami Zuki | Scissors Punch (Chinte) |
Nakadate Zuki | Middle Finger Punch (Chinte) |
Kicks
Mae Geri Keage | Front Snap Kick |
Mae Geri Kekome | Front Thurst Kick |
Mawashi Geri | Roundhouse Kick |
Yoko Geri Keage | Side Snap Kick |
Yoko Geri Kekome | Side Thrust Kick |
Ushiro Geri | Back Thrust Kick |
Nidan Geri | Double Kick |
Fumikomi Geri | Stomping Kick |
Soto Mikazuki Geri | Outside crescent Kick |
Uchi Mikazuki Geri | Inside Crescent Kick |
Gyaku Mawashi Geri | Reverse Round Kick |
Mae Tobi Geri | Flying Front Kick |
Yoko Tobi Geri | Flying Side Kick |
Mawashi Tobi Geri | Flying Round Kick |
Ono Geri | Axe Kick |
Ashi Barai | Sweep |
Hiza Geri | Knee Kick/Strike |
Nami Ashi Geri | Returning Wave Kick (Tekki) |
Strikes
Mae Empi Uchi | Front Elbow Strike |
Mawashi Empi Uchi | Round Elbow Strike |
Yoko Empi Uchi | Side Elbow Strike |
Otoshi Empi Uchi | Downward Elbow Strike |
Ippon Nukite | Single Finger Strike |
Nihon Nukite | Two Finger Strike (fork to the eyes) |
Shihon Nukite | Four Point Spear Strike |
Haito Uchi | Ridge Hand Strike |
Uchi Haito Uchi | nside Ridge Hand Strike |
Hiza Uchi | Knee Strike |
Kumade Uchi | Bear Claw Strike |
Tettsui Uchi | Hammer Fist Strike |
Tiesho Uchi | Palm Heel Strike |
Uraken Uchi | Back Fist Strike |
Soto Shuto Uchi | Outside Knife-Hand Strike |
Uchi Shuto Uchi | Inside Knife-Hand Strike |
Hiraken Uchi | Fore-Knuckle Strike |
Ippon Ken Uchi | One Knuckle Strike (Chinte) |
Washide Uchi | Eagle-beak Hand Strike |
Haishu Uchi | Back Hand Strike |
Seiryuto Uchi | Ox-jaw Hand Strike (Empi) |
Belt Colors
White | Shiro |
Yellow | Kiiro |
Gold | Kin |
Orange | Orange |
Green | Midori |
Blue | Ao |
Purple | Murasaki |
Aka | Red (Also used in Tournament Kumite) |
Brown | Chairo |
Black | Kuro |
Body
Ashi | Leg |
Atama | Head |
Kata | Shoulder |
Kyosen/Suigetsu | Solar Plexus/Bottom of Sternum |
Koshi | Hip |
Wan | Arm |
Haisoku | Top of the Foot |
Kakato | Heel of the Foot |
Koshi | Ball of the Foot |
Ensho | Back of the Heel |
Tekubi | Wrist |
Tate Ken | Vertical Fist |
Ken | Fist |
Seiken | Fore-Fist |
Sokuto | Knife edge of the Foot |
Ude | Forearm |
Higi/Empi | Elbow |
Te | Hand |
Kaishu | Open-Handed |
Haishu | Back of Hand |
Hiza/Hitsui | Knee |
Koshi no Kaiten | Hip Rotation |
Kata
Taikyoku -Shodan, Nidan, Sandan | First Cause - Level 1,2,3 |
Heian- Shodan, Nidan, Sandan, Yodan, Godan | Long lasting peace. "Hei " is peace and "an" is stable, safe, or relief. Sensei Anko Itosu created these kata's and named them Heian - Level 1,2,3,4,5 |
Tekki Shodan | Iron Knight - First level |
Bassai-Dai | To Penetrate a Fortress |
Jion | A Buddest Temple in China; Compassion |
Empi | The Flight of the Swallow |
Hangetsu | Half Moon |
Kanku-Sho | Look to the Void; To View the Heavens |
Tekki Nidan | Iron Knight - Second Level |
Bassai-Sho | To Penetrate a Fortress |
Chinte | Extraordinary Hands |
Jitte | Ten Hands |
Nijushiho | Twenty-Four Steps |
Gankaku | Crane on a Rock |
Jiin | In the Shade of Compassion. "JI" means compassion and "IN" means in the shadow or shade |
Sochin | To Keep the Peace |
Gojushiho-Sho | Fifty-Four Step (or directions) |
Gojoshiho-Dai | Fifty-Four Step (or directions) |
Unsu | Cloud Hands |
Meikyo | Bright Mirror or Clear Mirror |
Wankan | King's Crown |
Sho | Lesser, Minor |
Dai | Greater, Major |
Shorin | Speed, Swiftness |
Shorei | Power, Strong |
The 15 Basic, Original, Shotokan Kata's
Heian Shodan | Front Stance, back stance, stepping patterns, lunge punch |
Heian Nidan | Front kick, side kick while changing directions |
Heian Sandan | Body connections in forearm blocking, back-fist strike |
Heian Yodan | Balance and variation in technique |
Heian Godan | Balance and jumping |
Tekki Shodan | Straddle leg stance-hip vibration |
Tekki Nidan | Grasping and hooking blocks |
Tekki Sandan | Continuous middle level blocking |
Bassai-Dai | Changing disadvantage into advantage by use of switching blocks and differing degrees of power |
Kanku-Dai | Variation in fast and slow techniques, jumping |
Jion | Turning, shifting, variations in stepping patterns |
Jutte | Powerful hip action, use of the staff |
Empi | Fast slow movements, high and low body positions, reversal of body positions |
Hangetsu | Inside tension stance, coordination of breathing with stepping, blocking and punching; circular arm and leg movements |
Gankaku | Balancing on one leg; side kick; back fist strike |
WKF Referee Terms
Shobu Hajime | Start the match or bout |
Yame | Stop |
Tsuzukete | Fight on (unauthorized Interruption) |
Tsuzukete Hajime | Resume Fighting, Begin! |
Shugo | Judges Called |
Hantei | Judgement;Decision |
Hikiwake | Draw |
Torimasen | Unacceptable as a scoring techniques |
Aka (Shiro) No Kachi | Red (Blue) wins |
Aka (Shiro) Ippon | Red (Blue) scores three points |
Aka (Shiro) Wazari | Red (Blue) scores two points |
Aka (Shiro) Yuko | Red (Blue) scores one points |
Chukoku | First category warning I or category II warning with out penalty |
Keikoku | Warning with Ippon penalty |
Hansoku-Chui | Warning with Nihon penalty |
Hansoku | Disqualification |
Jogai | Exit from the match area |
Shikkaku | Disqualification |
Kiken | Renunciation |
Mubobi | Self Endangerment |
Mienai | Did not see |
Uke-te | Blocked |
Atoshi Baraku | a little more time left |
Moto No Ichi | Original Position |
Encho-Sen | Extension of the bout |
Dojo Kun
The Five Precepts of the dojo-Kun encodes the moral essence of the study of karate, which serves to balance the physical aspect of the sport. It is thus elevated the level of being simply a method of ritualized violence or a modern competitive sport. It is thought that to ignore these moral goals would eventually lead to negative consequences for both the karate-ka and karate as a whole.
SEEK PERFECTION OF CHARACTER |
DEFEND THE PATH OF TRUTH |
ENDEAVOR TO EXCEL |
DISPLAY COURTESY |
REFRAIN FROM VIOLENT BEHAVIOR |
Formal Bow
KNEELING IN SEIZA | Place your left knee on the floor, then the right knee. Sit down on your feet. The toes overlap (either one on top) Keep your back straight and shoulders relaxed. Rest each hand on your thighs (fingers together). |
BOWING IN SEIZA | Slide your left hand to the floor first, in front of your knee, then do the same with your right. (Palms touching the floor). Bow at the waist, the forehead comes close to the floor but does not touch. When you sit back up place your left hand on your left thigh first then your right. |
FORMAL BOW-Beginning of Class | The Senior student or Sensei will call out "Narande" or line up. Students stand shoulder to shoulder, even lines, facing the front of the dojo in belt order. The senior student calls out "Seiza" The senior student calls out "Mokusou" (meditation-lower head/and or close eyes) The senior student calls out "Mokusou yame" The senior student calls out " Shomen ni rei" (Bow to the front of the room) The senior student calls out " Sensei ni rei" (Bow to the sensei) (When bowing to sensei you may say, "onegaishimas" translates to Please teach me/please hold class) or you may say, "Osu") |
FORMAL BOW-Ending of Class | Same as opening except after mediation ends "Mokusou yame" the class recites the DOJO KUN. Also when you bow to the Sensei you may say, "arigatoh gozaimas" which means, Thank you. |
Gichin Funakoshi
SHIHAN GICHIN FUNAKOSHI Shihan Gichin Funakoshi Born in Shuri, Okinawan Prefecture 1868-April, 1957 The Okinawan Prefecture is located South of Japan and was formerly known as the Kingdom of the Ryukyus. Shihan Gichin Funakoshi's Instructors *Yasutsune Azato *Yasutsune "Anko" Itosu *Matsumura Sokon Shihan Gichin Funakoshi's son *Gigo Funakoshi Karate was first introduced to the public, in Japan, in 1902.
Dojo Etiquette
The karate dojo is a formal place to practice karate. It is important to respect the environment, its surroundings, and fellow karatekas.
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Bow before entering and exiting the dojo. It is also polite to bow when addressing the Sensei, a senior ranking student, and when beginning practice with another student.
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Have respect for other students and the people instructing.
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No talking during class.
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No running in the dojo.
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Gum chewing or food is not allowed in the dojo.
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All students 1st blue and above must wear a karate gi. The gi should be clean with no holes, stains, etc. Students may wear a black gi to class; however, black uniforms are not allowed during testing, tournaments and demonstrations.
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Students should be bare foot during class, unless they have some type of foot problem that requires them to wear shoes. Please advise the Sensei as to the nature of your problem and agree on the proper type of shoe to wear.
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Hats, sun glasses, bracelets, watches, long earrings, rings, or necklaces are not allowed during practice. This is for the safety of the student, other students, and prevents damage to the articles mentioned. A watch may be worn looped around your belt, if you want to risk it.
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Keep finger and toe nails trimmed for your safety and the safety of others.
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Never wash a karate belt; this is disrespectful. A belt should fade with time, not with the washing machine.