Shotokan - Lower Bucks County Karate Club - General Vocabulary: Glossary

Front 1

Hai

Back 1

Yes

Front 2

Nai, Ie

Back 2

No. Rarely used as it is not considered to be a polite word.

Front 3

Chigau masu.

Back 3

Most polite way of saying no

Front 4

Budo

Back 4

Martial way. The characters used to write this literally mean “to stop the spear.”

Front 5

Bushido

Back 5

The way of the warrior.

Front 6

Karate

Back 6

Empty hand.

Front 7

Karate-do

Back 7

The way of the empty hand.

Front 8

Dojo

Back 8

Way place.

Front 9

Hombu Dojo

Back 9

Term used to refer to central dojo of an organization

Front 10

Shotokan

Back 10

"Shoto's Hall." Our style is named for the first dojo where it was taught.

Front 11

Shoto

Back 11

Waving pines. The founder's pseudonym used when signing his poetry and artwork.

Front 12

Gichin Funakoshi

Back 12

The founder of our style

Front 13

Sensei

Back 13

Teacher (Literally means “one who was born before”). Assistants to the Sensei may be respectfully referred to as Sempai.

Front 14

Oshiego

Back 14

The student.

Front 15

Waza

Back 15

Technique.

Front 16

Jutsu

Back 16

Technique.

Front 17

Kata

Back 17

"Formal, pre-arranged pattern of movement encompassing all the techniques and theories of our style."

Front 18

Kumite

Back 18

Sparring.

Front 19

Gi

Back 19

Karate Uniform.

Front 20

Obi

Back 20

Belt.

Front 21

Kiai

Back 21

Spirit yell. The shout that sometimes accompanies a karate technique.

Front 22

Osu

Back 22

"A colloquialism conveying a host of meanings: yes, thank you, hello, etc."

Front 23

Mushin

Back 23

No mind. The state of being that allows freedom and flexibility to react and adapt to a given situation.

Front 24

Nagasu

Back 24

To Flow like water. Deflection of an on-coming attack. This term describes being carried by a current in a stream.

Front 25

Onegaishimasu

Back 25

”Please teach me” used when bowing to instructor at beginning of class.

Front 26

Ki

Back 26

"Internal energy. This term is difficult to translate into English as it has many meanings such as spirit, will, etc."

Front 27

Kanji

Back 27

The calligraphic writing used to represent an idea rather than a syllable.

Front 28

Kokangeiko

Back 28

The exchange of courtesies such as a visit to another dojo.

Front 29

Makiwara

Back 29

Straw wrapped rope. A padded post used for strengthening the hands and feet.

Front 30

Ryu

Back 30

School or style

Front 31

Samurai

Back 31

"A professional warrior. Literally, to be at one’s side."

Front 32

Shiai

Back 32

Tournament.

Front 33

Shiken

Back 33

Examination.

Front 34

Yin-yang

Back 34

"Chinese symbol representing the dual nature of life. Yin (passive or negative) and yang (active or positive) flow into each other in a constant state of change, opposite yet complementary."

Front 35

Domo arigato(gozaimashita)

Back 35

Thank you (very much).

Front 36

Gyo

Back 36

Training.

Front 37

Kan

Back 37

Hall.

Front 38

Sen

Back 38

Initiative.

Front 39

Shugyo

Back 39

Austere training.

Front 40

Tanden

Back 40

Center of gravity / center of power and concentration.

Front 41

Me no tsuke

Back 41

Eye contact / fixing the eyes.

Front 42

Kamae

Back 42

Posture.Kihon,Basics.

Front 43

Kime

Back 43

Focus / explosive attack to the target / alertness.

Front 44

Koshi no kaiten

Back 44

Hip rotation.

Front 45

Kyuku-ho

Back 45

Breathing.

Front 46

Hike-te

Back 46

Withdraw arm / withdraw hand.

Front 47

Nage waza

Back 47

Throwing techniques

Front 48

Seiken

Back 48

Fore fist