TERMINOLOGY

Because karate-do has its origins in Japanese history, many of the terms used in karate are Japanese. To help you understand these often strange sounding terms, a glossary is provided.

Dojo (dough - joe) - The place where karate is studied
Sensei (sen - say) - The chief instructor at a dojo. Also any person instructing a class.
Sempai (sem - pie) - A student of higher rank than oneself, ie. a purple belt is sempai to a green belt.
Kohai (co - high) - A student of lower rank than oneself.
Kyu (que) - "Step", referring to ranks below black belt.
Dan (don) - "Level", referring to the rank of black belt and above.
Kihon (key - hone) - Basic techniques.

The fundamental kicks blocks, punches, strikes and stances, practiced singly and in combination.

Kumite (Coo-me-tay)                                                       Sparring, practiced with a partner. There are several levels of kumite from formal three-step sparring to free fighting.

Kata (Kah-tah)                                                                        Formal exercises. They are pre-arranged without a partner.    This was the original method for teaching karate. There are approximately 50 katas in current practice.

The following terms are used during the formal bow performed before and after class to help one's concentration. There are four commands given by the sempai while all kneel formally.

  • 1. Mokuso means to meditate or concentrate quietly with  the eyes closed. 
  • 2. Yame literally means to stop or open the eyes. 
  • 3. Shomen ne rei means "bow to the front." It is a gesture of respect to the dojo and to those who developed karate. 
  • 4. Sensei ne rei means "bow to the instructor." The students and instructor bow to each other as a sign of mutual respect.
  • 5. It is customary at the end of each class for the students to bow and say, "Thank you, sensei."

JAPANESE TERMS FOR KARATE TECHNIQUES

COMMON STANCES:
Heisoku-dachi - informal stance
Hachiji-dachi - open leg stance
Zenkutsu-dachi - front stance
Kiba-dachi - straddle leg or horse stance
Kokutso-dachi - back stance
Sanchin-dachi - hour glass stance (short)
Hangetsu-dachi - hour glass stance (long)
Sochin-dachi - rooted stance
Neko-ashi dachi - cat stance

COMMON PUNCHES:
Gyaku-zuki - reverse punch
Oi-zuki - step in lunge punch
Kizami-zuki - jab punch

COMMON STRIKES:
Uraken-uchi - back-fist strike
Empi-uchi - elbow strike
Shuto-uchi - knife-hand strike
Haito-uchi - ridge-hand strike

COMMON BLOCKS:
Gedan-barai - downward block
Age-uke - rising block
Soto-uke - outside block
Uchi-uke - inside block
Shuto-uke - knife-hand block
Juji-uke - X block
Morote-uke - augmented forearm block
Kake-uke - hooking block

COMMON KICKS:
Mae-geri - front snap kick
Yoko-keage - side snap kick
Yoko-kekomi - side thrust kick
Mawashi-geri - round house kick
Ushiro-geri - back kick
Fumikomi - stamping kick

COMMON TARGET AREAS:
Jodan - head area
Chudan - body area
Gedan - area below the belt