Shihan-Ryu Logo

Japanese Terminology and Glossary

A | B | C | D | E | F | G | H | I | J | K | L | M | N | O | P | Q | R | S | T | U | V | W | X | Y | Z

Martial Arts Rank | Useful Expressions | Counting Number

A
Age tsuke	rising punch
Age uke gyaku ashi	upper block (reverse foot)
Age uke	rising block
Ago	chin
Ashi waza	foot techniques
Ashi	foot
Ashibo kake uke	leg hooking block
Ashikubi kake uke	ankle hooking block
Atama	head
Ate waza	smashing technique
Atemi	striking the vital points
Awase tsuke	U punch

Back to top of page

B
Bassai	breaking down the fortress
Budo	martial ways
Bunkai	application of techniques in kata
Bushido	way of the warrior

Back to top of page

C
Choku tsuke	straight punch
Chudan	middle or chest area
Chudan choku tsuke	straight punch to body
Chudan mae geri	front kick to the middle area
Chudan shuto uke	middle knifehand block
Chudan uchi uke	block from inside out with top of wrist
Chudan ude uke	forearm block against body attack

Back to top of page

D
Dachi	stance
Dan tsuke	consecutive punches
De ashi harai	advancing foot sweep
Deai osae uke	pressing block stepping in
Do	way
Dojo	Practice Hall, literally "Place of Learning the Way"

Back to top of page

E
Empi uchi	elbow strike
Empi	elbow
En sho	round heel
Eri	collar or lapel

Back to top of page

F
Fudo dachi	rooted stance
Fumikiri	cutting kick
Fumikomi age uke	upper block, stepping in
Fumikomi shuto uke	knifehand block, stepping in
Fumikomi ude uke	forearm block, stepping in
Fumikomi	stomping kick

Back to top of page

G
Gai wan	Outer arm
Gedan Barai Uke	Downward Sweeping Block
Gedan Choku Tsuke	Straight punch to groin
Gedan Kake Uke	Downward Hooking Block
Gedan Kekomi	Thrust Kick to groin
Gedan Tsuke	Punch to groin
Gedan Uke	Downward Block
Gedan	Lower body area
Geri	Kick
Gi	Uniform
Goshi (or Koshi)	Hip
Goshin Waza	Self Defense Techniques
Gyaku Ashi	Reverse Foot
Gyaku Juji Gatame	Palms up Strangle
Gyaku Mawashi Geri	Reverse Round Kick
Gyaku Tsuke	Reverse Punch

Back to top of page

H
Hachiji dachi	open leg stance
Hadaka jime	naked strangle
Hai wan	back arm
Hai wan negashi uke	back arm sweeping block
Haishoku	instep
Haishu	backhand
Haishu uchi	backhand strike
Haishu uke	backhand block
Haito	ridgehand
Haito uchi	ridgehand strike
Hajime	begin
Hangetsu dachi	half-moon stance
Hangetsu kata	half-moon formal exercise
Hanmi	half front facing
Hara	stomach
Harai	sweeping
Hariken	fore-knuckle fist
Hasami tsuke	scissors punch
Heian	peaceful mind
Heiko dachi	parallel stance
Heiko tsuke	parallel punch
Heisoku dachi	closed feet stance (attention)
Hidari shizen tai	left natural position
Hidari teiji dachi	left t-stance
Hidari	left
Hiji ate	elbow strike
Hiji suri uke	elbow sliding block
Hiji uchi	elbow strike
Hiraken tsuke	fore knuckle-fist straight punch
Hiraken	fore knuckle fist
Hiriki no yosei	elbow power
Hiza	knee
Hiza geri	knee kick
Hizagashira	kneecap

Back to top of page

I
Ichitaita	one against many
Ikkaijo	first control
Ippon ken tsuke	one knuckle-fist straight punch
Ippon ken	one knuckle fist
Ippon kumite	one step exercise
Ippon seoi nage	one arm shoulder throw
Irimi	entering
Irimi nage	entering throw

Back to top of page

J
Jo sokutei	Raised sole
Jodan	Head Level
Jodan Age Uke	Upper block against head attack
Jodan Choku Tsuke	Upper Straight Punch
Jodan Kekomi Geri	Thrust Kick to head
Jodan Mae Geri	Front Kick to head
Jodan Uke	High Block
Judo	Gentle Way
JuJitsu (also JuiJitsu)	Gentle Art
Juji Kumite	Free Exercise
Juji Nage	Crossed Arm Throw
Juji Uke	Cross Block
Jumbi Undo	Warming up Exercises

Back to top of page

K
Kage geri	hooking kick
Kage tsuke	hook punch
Kaisho	open hand
Kaiten nage	open and turn throw
Kaiten	turning
Kakato geri	heel kick
Kakato	heel
Kake geri	hooking kick
Kake shuto uke	hooking knifehand block
Kake tsuke	hooking punch
Kake uke	hooking block
Kakiwaki uke	reverse wedge block
Kakuto uke	bent wrist block
Kakuto	bent-wrist block
Kamae	posture
Kanku	viewing the sky
Kansetsu waza	joint manipulation techniques
Karate	empty hand
Kata	formal exercise
Kata	shoulder
Keage	snap (kick)
Kebanashi	kick off (snap kick)
Keito uke	chicken head wrist block
Keito	chicken head wrist
Kekomi	thrust (kick)
Kendo	sword fighting
Kentsui uchi	fist hammer strike
Kentsui	fist hanmer
Keri (or geri) waza	kicking techniques
Kesa geri	diagonal kick
Ki	inner spirit or strength
Kiai	yell or shout
Kiba dachi	horse (straddle leg) stance
Kihon dosa	Basic movements
Kihon kumite	basic sparring
Kihon waza	fundamental techniques
Kihon	basics or fundamentals
Kime	focus
Kin geri	groin kick
Kiostuke	attention (command)
Kizami tsuke	jab
Ko soto gari	minor outside reaping throw
Ko uchi gari	minor inside reaping throw
Koken uke	wrist block
Kokutsu dachi	back stance
Konoe gaeshi	leaf turning wristbend
Kosa dachi	crossed leg stance
Ko-shi	ball of the foot
Kote gaeshi	outward turning wristbend
Kote hineri	inward turning wristbend
Kubi nage	neck throw
Kubi	neck
Kumade	bear hand
Kumite	free exercise

Back to top of page

M
Ma ai	Distancing
Mae Ashi Geri	Front Leg Kick
Mae Empi Uchi	Forward Elbow Strike
Mae Geri Keage	Front "snap" Kick
Mae Geri Kekomi	Front Thrusting Kick
Mae Geri	Front Kick
Mae Hiji Ate	Forward elbow smash
Mae Tobi Geri	Jumping Front Kick
Maeude deai uke	Forearm pressing block
Maeude hineri uke	Forearm twist block
Makiwara	Striking Board
Masubi Dachi	Informal Attention Stance
Matte	Stop
Mawashi Geri	Round Kick
Mawashi Tsuke	Round Punch
Migi	Right
Mikazuki Geri	Cresent Kick
Momo	Thigh
Morote sukui uke	Two-handed twist block
Morote Tsukami Uke	Two-handed Grasping Block
Morote Tsuke	Double Fist Punch
Morote Uke	Augmented Forearm Block
Mudansha	Ranks below Black Belt
Mune	Chest
Musubi Dachi	Open feet stance, heel together

Back to top of page

N
Nagashi tsuke	flowing punch
Nage waza	throwing techniques
Nai wan	inner arm
Naihanchi	iron horse
Nakadaka ippon ken	middle finger one knuckle fist
Nami juji gatame	half cross strangle
Negashi uke	sweeping block
Nekoashi dachi	cat stance
Nidan geri	double kick
Nihon nukite	two finger spearhand
Nikaijo	second control
Nukite	spearhand

Back to top of page

O
Obi	belt
O soto gari	major outside reaping throw
O uchi gari	major inside reaping throw
Oi tsuke	stepping or lunge punch
Okuri ashi harai	sliding (or gathering) foot sweep
Okuri eri jime	sliding collar throw
Osae uke	pressing block
Otoshi empi uchi	downward elbow block
Otoshi hiji ate	downward elbow strike
Otoshi uke	dropping block

Back to top of page

R
Rei	bow
Reinoji dachi	"l" stance
Ren tsuke	alternate punching
Renzoku geri	combination kick
Ritsu rei	standing bow

Back to top of page

S
Sanchin Dachi	Pigeon-toed (or hour-glass) Stance
Sankaijo	Third Control
Sanren Tsuke	Three Consecutive Punches
Seiken Choku Tsuke	Forefist Straight Punch
Seiken Tsuke	Forefist Strike
Seiken	Forefist
Seiryuto Uke	Ox-jaw Block
Seiryuto	Ox-jaw hand
Sensei	Teacher or Instructor
Shihan	Head Instructor
Shiho Nage	Four-corner Directional Throw
Shiho Wari	Breaking boards on Four Side to test power
Shikko ho	Knee walking
Shiko Dachi	Square Stance
Shime Waza	Strangulation Techniques
Shintai	Body Movement
Shitage	Uniform Pants
Shittsui	Knee-hammer
Shizen Dachi	Natural Stance
Shizen tai	Natural position
Shomen Tsuke	Front Punch
Shomen Uchi	Front Strike
Shotei Uchi	Palmheel Strike
Shotei Uke	Palmheel Block
Shu wan	Palm arm
Shubo	Arm stick
Shumatsu Undo	Cool down Exercises
Shuto Uchi	Knifehand
Shuto Uke	Knifehand Block
Sochin Dachi	Diagonal Straddle-leg Stance
Sode	Sleeve
Sokumen awase uke	Side two-hand block
Sokutei Mawashi Uke	Circular Sole Block
Sokutei Osae Uke	Pressing Block with sole
Sokuto Keage Geri	"Snap" kick with edge of foot
Sokuto Keage	Snap kick with foot edge
Sokuto Osae Uke	Pressing Block with foot edge
Sokuto	Foot Edge
Soto Uke	Block from outside inward with bottom of wrist
Suki	Opening
Sukui Uke	Scooping Block
Sutemi Waza	Sacrifice Technique

Back to top of page

T
Tai no henko	Body change
Tai Subaki No Kihon	Basics of Body Movement
Tai Subaki	Body movement; pivoting
Taikyoku	First Cause
Tameshigeri	Test cutting with the sword
Tameshiwari	power demonstration, breaking
Tanden	Area below the navel and the center of ki
Tatami	Mat
Tate Empi Uchi	Vertical Elbow Strike
Tate Hiji Ate	Upward Elbow Strike
Tate Shuto Uke	Vertical Knifehand Strike
Tate Tsuke	Vertical Fist Punch
Te nagashi Uke	Hand Sweeping Block
Te Osae Uke	Hand Pressing Block
Teiji dachi	stance
Teisho Awase Uke	Combined Palm heel block
Teisho Tsuke	Palm Heel punch
Teisho Uchi	Palm Heel Strike
Teisho Uke	Palm heel block
Teisho	Palm Heel
TeKatana	Hand Sword
Tekki	Iron Horse
Tekubi Kake uke	Wrist hook block
Tem ben Nage	Elbow Lock Throw
Tenkan	Turning
Tobi Geri	Jumping Kick
Tobi Yoko Geri	Jumping Side Kick
Tori	Defender
Tsukami Uke	Grasping Block
Tsuke Waza	Punching techniques
Tsuke	Punch
Tsumasaki	Tips of toes
Tsuro Ashi Dachi	Crane Stance

Back to top of page

U
Uchi hachiji dachi	inverted open leg stance
Uchi mawashi geri	inside cresent kick
Uchi uke	inside block
Uchi waza	striking techniques
Uchi	striking (also inner)
Ude garami	coiling armbar/figure four shoulder lock
Ude uke	forearm block
Ude	arm
Ukae	attacker
Uke	block
Ukemi	breakfalls
Ura tsuke	close punch
Uraken uchi	back fist strike
Uraken	backfist
Ushiro ashi geri	rear leg kick
Ushiro empi geri	back elbow strike
Ushiro geri	back kick
Ushiro hiji ate	back elbow strike
Ushiro	back, rear
Uwagi	uniform jacket

Back to top of page

W
Wake gatami	elbow lock
Wan	arm
Wanto	arm sword
Washide	eagle hand
Waza	technique

Back to top of page

Y
Yama tsuke	wide "u" punch
Yoko empi uchi	side elbow strike
Yoko geri keage	side "snap" kick
Yoko geri kekomi	side thrust kick
Yoko geri	side kick
Yoko hiji ate	side elbow strike
Yoko kekomi	side thrust
Yoko mawashi empi uchi	side round elbow strike
Yoko mawashi hiji ate	side round elbow strike
Yokomen Uchi	Side strike to head
Yoko tobi geri	jumping side kick
Yoko	side
Yokomen uchi	side strike to head
Yonhon uchi	four finger spearhand
Yonkaijo	fourth control
Yubi	finger
Yudansha	black belt level

Back to top of page

Z
Za-rei	Kneeing Salutation (bow)
Zenkutsu	Dachi Forward Stance

Back to top of page

MARTIAL ARTS RANK
BLACK BELT RANKS		PRE-BLACK BELT RANKS
1^st Dan	Shodan	10^th Kyu	JuKyu
2^nd Dan	Nidan	9^thKyu	KuKyu
3^rd Dan	Sandan	8^th Kyu	HachiKyu
4^th Dan	Yondan	7^th Kyu	SichiKyu
5^th Dan	Godan	6^th Kyu	RokKyu
6^th Dan	Rokudan	5^th Kyu	GoKyu
7^th Dan	Sichidan	4^th Kyu	YonKyu
8^th Dan	Hachidan	3^rd Kyu	SanKyu
9^th Dan	Kudan	2^nd Kyu	NiKyu
10^thDan	Judan	1^st Kyu	IkKyu

Back to top of page

USEFUL EXPRESSIONS
Ohayo Gozaimasu	"Good Morning"
Ohayo	"Good Morning"
Konnichiwa	"Good afternoon", "hello"
Kondanwa	"Good Evening"
Oyasuminasai	"Good night"
Soyonara	"Goodbye"
Dewa Mata	"Well then…see you again"
Ja Mata " "
Ja Ne " "
Arigato	"Thank you"
Arigato Gozaimasta	"Thank you very much"
Domo	"Thank you very much"
Do Itashimashite	"You are welcome"
Gomennasai	"I am sorry", "Pardon me"
Sumimasen	"Excuse me"
Wakarimasen	"I don’t understand
Mo Ichido Onegaishimasu	"Once more please"
Yukkuri Onegaishimasu	"Slowly please"

Back to top of page

JAPANESE COUNTING NUMBERS
1	Ichi
2	Ni
3	San
4	Shi
5	Go
6	Roku
7	Shichi
8	Hachi
9	Ku
10	Ju

Back to top of page

Home | Information | Profiles | News | Resources
Images | Links | Contact Info

This page, and all contents Copyright � 1997-2003 by The Shihan-Ryu Institute, 3816 Bellingham Drive, Reno, NV 89511.