Why We Learn Japanese Terms
Kyokushin Karate is practiced throughout the world by 10+ million people in over 140 countries by students that speak many different languages. While we often forget, we are at times reminded that our native language is not universal. At tournaments, clinics, and when hosting special guests, we are encouraged to find that we can all communicate, and train together as a Kyokushin family, using our “dojo language.”
When we use the universal commands, terms, and courtesies in our dojo language, all Kyokushin students understand; we can join together in class, in competition, and in expressing our mutual respect and appreciation. As Hanshi Arneil reminds us, “how can you call yourselves ‘family’ if you can’t communicate?” Beyond tradition, it is for this very important reason that we learn our “dojo language.”
KAZU |
NUMBERS |
| Ichi | One |
| Ni | Two |
| San | Three |
| Shi | Four |
| Go | Five |
| Roku | Six |
| Shichi | Seven |
| Hachi | Eight |
| Ku | Nine |
| Ju | Ten |
KIHON JUTSUGO |
BASIC TERMINOLOGY |
| Anza | Relaxed Sitting |
| Arigato Gozaimasu |
Thank You (polite) |
| Budo | Martial Way |
| Bunkai | Application (analysis) |
| Dan | Grade (Black Belt) |
| Dojo | Training Hall (Way place) |
| Dogi (Gi) | Karate Uniform (Way clothes) |
| Goshin Jutsu | Self-Defense Techniques |
| Hajime | Begin |
| Hanshi | Honorable Master |
| Hikite | Pulling Hand |
| Ibuki | Forced Tension Breathing |
| Kamaete | Take Ready Position |
| Kami no Kamae | Upper Body Posture |
| Karate | Empty Hand |
| Kata | Form |
| Ki | Inner Energy |
| Kiai | Explosive Scream |
| Kiai Irete | With Explosive Energy |
| Kihon | Basics |
| Kihon Waza | Basic Techniques |
| Kime | Focus |
| Kohai | Junior Student |
| Kosa | Switch (i.e. switch stance L to R orR to L) |
| Kotai | Switch (i.e. partners switch places ina drill) |
| Kumite | Fight |
| Kyokushin | Ultimate Truth |
| Kyu | Rank (below Black Belt) |
| Mawatte | Turn |
| Mokuso | Meditation (silent thought) |
| Mugorei | No Counting (no commands) |
| Mushin | Without Thought (no mind) |
| Naore | Return to Starting Position |
| Nogare | Calm, Controlled Breathing |
| Obi | Belt (sash) |
| Osu | Patience, respect, and appreciation |
| Otagai | Each Other |
| Rei (…ni Rei) | Bow (Bow to…) |
| Seishin | Spirit |
| Seiza | Formal Kneeling (correct sitting) |
| Sempai | Senior (1st & 2nd Dan) |
| Sensei | Teacher (born before) (3rd & 4thDan) |
| Shomen | Front (correct face) of the Dojo |
| Shihan | Expert (5th Dan & higher) |
| Sosai | President |
| Tameshiwari | Breaking Test |
| Tanden | Center of Body (below navel) |
| Waza | Technique(s) |
| Yame | Stop |
| Yasume | Rest, at Ease |
| Yoi | Ready |
| Yudansha | Black Belt Holder |
| Zanshin | Remain Alert (remaining mind) |
KIHON WAZA |
BASIC TECHNIQUES |
|
| Tsuki | Punch (thrust) | |
| Uchi | Strike | |
| Uke | Block | |
| Geri | Kick | |
BUKI |
WEAPONS |
|
| Ashi | Foot or Leg | |
| Chusoku | Ball (middle) of the Foot | |
| Haisho | Backhand | |
| Haisoku | Instep of the Foot | |
| Haito | Inner Knife Hand | |
| Hiji | Elbow | |
| Hiraken | Flat Fist | |
| Hiza | Knee | |
| Kakato | Heel | |
| Keiko | Chicken Beak | |
| Koken | Wrist Top | |
| Kote | Forearm | |
| Nakayubi Ippon Ken | Middle Finger Knuckle Fist | |
| Nukite | Spear Hand | |
| Oyayubi Ippon Ken | Thumb Knuckle Fist | |
| Ryutoken | Dragon’s Head Fist | |
| Seiken | Forefist (correct fist) | |
| Shotei | Palm Heel | |
| Shuto | Knife Hand | |
| Sokuto | Outside (knife) Edge of the Foot | |
| Sune | Shin | |
| Te | Hand | |
| Teisoku | Arch of the Foot | |
| Tetsui | Hammer Fist | |
| Toho | Sword Peak Hand | |
| Uraken | Backfist | |
NERAIDOKORO
|
TARGETS & DIRECTIONS |
|
| Age | Rising | |
| Ago | Chin or Jaw | |
| Atama | Head | |
| Chudan | Middle Level | |
| Ganmen | Face | |
| Gedan | Lower Level | |
| Hana | Nose | |
| Hara | Abdomen | |
| Hidari | Left | |
| Hizo | Spleen | |
| Jodan | Upper Level | |
| Johanshin | Upper Body | |
| Kahanshin | Lower Body | |
| Kake | Hooked | |
| Kansetsu | Joint (of limb) | |
| Kata | Shoulder | |
| Kintama (Kin) | Groin, Testicles(gold jewels) | |
| Komekami | Temple | |
| Kubi | Neck | |
| Kuchi | Mouth | |
| Mae | Front, Forward | |
| Mawashi | Round, Circular | |
| Me | Eye(s) | |
| Migi | Right | |
| Mimi | Ear(s) | |
| Mizo-ochi | Solar Plexus | |
| Momo | Thigh | |
| Mune | Chest | |
| Naname | Diagonal | |
| Nodo | Throat | |
| Oroshi | Descending | |
| Rokkotsu | Rib(s) | |
| Sakotsu | Collarbone | |
| Sayu | Left and Right | |
| Soto | Outside | |
| Tobi | Jumping | |
| Uchi | Inside | |
| Ude | Arm | |
| Ura | Reverse, Backwards | |
| Ushiro | Back (direction) | |
| Yoko | Side (direction) | |
DACHI |
STANCES |
|
| Yoi Dachi | Ready Stance | |
| Fudo Dachi | Immobile Stance | |
| Zenkutsu Dachi | Forward Leaning Stance | |
| Uchi Hachiji Dachi | Inside Character “8” Stance | |
| Sanchin Dachi | Three Point Stance | |
| Kokutsu Dachi | Back Leaning Stance | |
| Musubi Dachi | Open Foot (connected) Stance | |
| Kiba Dachi | Horseback Stance | |
| Neko Ashi Dachi | Cat Stance | |
| Tsuru Ashi Dachi | Crane Stance | |
| Moro Ashi Dachi | One Foot Forward (two-foot) Stance |
|
| Heisoku Dachi | Closed Foot Stance | |
| Heiko Dachi | Parallel Stance | |
| Yonjugodo Kiba Dachi |
Forty-Five Degree Horseback Stance |
|
| Kake Dachi | Hooked Stance | |
| Soto Hachiji Dachi | Outside Character “8” Stance | |
| Shiko Dachi | Sumo Stance | |
| Kumite Dachi | Fighting Stance | |
| Han Mi | Half Body Stance | |
| Migi Ashi Mae | Right Foot Forward | |
| Hidari Ashi Mae | Left Foot Forward | |
TSUKI WAZA |
PUNCHING TECHNIQUES |
|
| Seiken – | Forefist – | |
| – Oi Tsuki | – Lunge Punch | |
| – Morote Tsuki | – Two-Handed Punch | |
| – Gyaku Tsuki | – Reverse Punch | |
| – Tate Tsuki | – Vertical Punch | |
| – Jun Tsuki | – Side (corresponding)Punch | |
| Shita Tsuki | Lower Punch | |
UCHI WAZA |
STRIKING TECHNIQUES |
|
| Seiken – | Forefist – | |
| – Ago Uchi | – Chin / Jaw Strike | |
| – Furi Ichi | – Hook Strike | |
| Tetsui – | Hammer Fist – | |
| – Oroshi GanmenUchi | – Descending FaceStrike | |
| – Komekami Uchi | – Temple Strike | |
| – Hizo Uchi | – Spleen Strike | |
| – Mae Yoko Uchi | – Forward Side Strike | |
| – Yoko Uchi | – Side Strike | |
| Uraken – | Backfist – | |
| – Ganmen Uchi | – Face Strike | |
| – Sayu Uchi | – Left and Right Strike | |
| – Hizo Uchi | – Spleen Strike | |
| – Oroshi GanmenUchi | – Descending FaceStrike | |
| – Mawashi Uchi | – Roundhouse Strike | |
| Nihon Nukite | Two-Fingered Spear Hand | |
| Yonhon Nukite | Four-Fingered Spear Hand | |
| Shotei Uchi | Palm Heel Strike | |
| Shuto – | Knife Hand – | |
| – Sakotsu Uchi | – Collarbone Strike | |
| – Yoko Ganmen Uchi | – Side Face Strike | |
| – Sakotsu Uchikomi | – Collarbone DrivingStrike | |
| – Hizo Uchi | – Spleen Strike | |
| – Uchi Uchi | – Inside Strike | |
| Hiji Ate | Elbow Strike | |
| Mae Hiji Ate | Forward Elbow Strike | |
| Age Hiji Ate | Rising Elbow Strike | |
| Ushiro Hiji Ate | Backwards Elbow Strike | |
| Oroshi Hiji Ate | Descending Elbow Strike | |
UKE WAZA |
BLOCKING TECHNIQUES |
|
| Jodan Uke | Upper Block | |
| Gedan Barai | Lower Parry | |
| Chudan Uchi Uke | Middle Area Inside Block | |
| Chudan Soto Uke | Middle Area Outside Block | |
| Morote Chudan Uchi Uke | Two-Handed Middle Area Inside Block |
|
| Chudan Uchi Uke Gedan Barai | Middle Area Inside Block with Lower Parry |
|
| Shuto Uke | Knife Hand Block | |
| Juji Uke | Crossed Block | |
| Kake Uke | Hooked Block | |
| Shotei Uke | Palm Heel Block | |
| Mawashi Uke | Circular Block | |
| Osae Uke | Push-Down Block | |
GERI WAZA |
KICKING TECHNIQUES |
|
| Hiza Ganmen Geri | Knee Face Kick | |
| Kin Geri | Groin Kick | |
| Mae Geri | Front Kick | |
| Mae Keage | Front Rising Kick | |
| Soto Mawashi Geri | Outside Crescent Kick | |
| Uchi Mawashi Geri | Inside Crescent Kick | |
| Yoko Keage | Side Rising Kick | |
| Mawashi Geri | Roundhouse Kick | |
| Kansetsu Geri | Joint Kick | |
| Yoko Geri | Side Kick | |
| Ushiro Geri | Back Kick | |
| Mae Kakato Geri | Front Heel Kick | |
| Ago Geri | Chin / Jaw Kick | |
| Tobi Mae Geri | Jumping Front Kick | |
| Ashi Barai | Leg Sweep |
TAIKAI JUTSUGO |
TOURNAMENT TERMINOLOGY |
|
| Aka | Red | |
| Awasete Ippon | Adds Up to One Point | |
| Chui | Warning | |
| Enchosen | Final Overtime Round | |
| Fukushin | Corner Judge (assistant referee) |
|
| Fukushin Shugo | Referees’ Conference | |
| Genten | Penalty | |
| Hantei | Decision | |
| Hikiwake | Draw, Tie | |
| Ippon | One Point | |
| Kachi (…no Kachi) | Win (…the Winner) | |
| Kiken | Forfeit | |
| Saishiai | Overtime Round | |
| Senshuken Taikai | Championship Tournament | |
| Shikaku | Disqualification | |
| Shiro | White | |
| Shushin | Referee | |
| Waza Ari | Half Point (has a technique) | |
| Zokko | Resume Fighting | |