The Japanese language is very difficult to learn partly due to the kanji symbolism used. Nevertheless, it is advantageous to try and learn some of the terminology used in Karate. It will assist you understanding literature on Karate and to converse with fellow karateka and Sensei's from visiting association members. An understanding of the Karate terms is regarded as good etiquette.
This extract below is split into relevant sections and is taken from the YSSKU UK Members Handbook & Grading Syllabus 2020 - available from your instructor.
This extract below is split into relevant sections and is taken from the YSSKU UK Members Handbook & Grading Syllabus 2020 - available from your instructor.
Counting
Number:
One
Two
Three
Four
Five
Six
Seven
Eight
Nine
Ten
One
Two
Three
Four
Five
Six
Seven
Eight
Nine
Ten
~
~
~
~
~
~
~
~
~
~
Japanese:
Ichi
Ni
San
Shi
Go
Roku
Shichi
Hachi
Ku
Ju
Ichi
Ni
San
Shi
Go
Roku
Shichi
Hachi
Ku
Ju
Japanese:
Ju ichi
Ju ni
Ju san
Ju yon
Ju go
Ju roku
Ju shichi
Ju hachi
Ju ku
Ni ju
Ju ichi
Ju ni
Ju san
Ju yon
Ju go
Ju roku
Ju shichi
Ju hachi
Ju ku
Ni ju
~
~
~
~
~
~
~
~
~
~
Number:
Eleven
Twelve
Thirteen
Fourteen
Fifteen
Sixteen
Seventeen
Eighteen
Nineteen
Twenty
Eleven
Twelve
Thirteen
Fourteen
Fifteen
Sixteen
Seventeen
Eighteen
Nineteen
Twenty
Number:
Ten
Twenty
Thirty
Forty
Fifty
Sixty
Seventy
Eighty
Ninety
One hundred
Ten
Twenty
Thirty
Forty
Fifty
Sixty
Seventy
Eighty
Ninety
One hundred
Japanese:
Ju
Niju
San ju
Yon ju
Go ju
Roku ju
Nana ju
Hachi ju
Kuju
Hyaku
Ju
Niju
San ju
Yon ju
Go ju
Roku ju
Nana ju
Hachi ju
Kuju
Hyaku
~
~
~
~
~
~
~
~
~
~
Blocks
Gedan Barai
Uchi Uke
Soto Uke
Chudan Uke
Jodan Uke
Age Uke
Shuto Uke
Shotei Uke
Shotei Otoshi Uke
Yoko Uke
Hiki Uke
Ko Uke
Gedan Uchi Barai
Ura Uke
Mawashi Uke
Morote Uke
Sukui Uke
Nagashi Uke
Kosa Uke
Hiza Uke
Sokutei Osae Uke
Sokutei Harai Uke
Haisoku Barai
Uchi Uke
Soto Uke
Chudan Uke
Jodan Uke
Age Uke
Shuto Uke
Shotei Uke
Shotei Otoshi Uke
Yoko Uke
Hiki Uke
Ko Uke
Gedan Uchi Barai
Ura Uke
Mawashi Uke
Morote Uke
Sukui Uke
Nagashi Uke
Kosa Uke
Hiza Uke
Sokutei Osae Uke
Sokutei Harai Uke
Haisoku Barai
Stances
Heisoku Dachi
Musubi Dachi
Heiko Dachi
Migi Heiko Dachi
Hachiji Dachi
Uchi Hachiji Dachi
Shiko Dachi
Naname Shiko Dachi
Kiba Dachi
Sanchin Dachi
Zenkutsu Dachi
Moto Dachi
Fudo Dachi
Kokutsu Dachi
Neko Ashi Dachi
Renoji Dachi
Sesan Dachi
Sagiashi Dachi
Bensoku Dachi
Naihanchi Dachi
Musubi Dachi
Heiko Dachi
Migi Heiko Dachi
Hachiji Dachi
Uchi Hachiji Dachi
Shiko Dachi
Naname Shiko Dachi
Kiba Dachi
Sanchin Dachi
Zenkutsu Dachi
Moto Dachi
Fudo Dachi
Kokutsu Dachi
Neko Ashi Dachi
Renoji Dachi
Sesan Dachi
Sagiashi Dachi
Bensoku Dachi
Naihanchi Dachi
Closed foot stance (feet together)
Formal attention stance (heels together, feet at a 45 degree angle)
Parallel stance (feet shoulder width apart)
Right foot forward Heiko Dahchi
Natural stance (feet shoulder width apart, toes pointed slightly outward)
Natural stance with with heels out and toes in
Straddle leg stance
Diagonal straddle leg stance
Horse riding stance
Hourglass stance
Front stance
Half front stance
Free stance
Back stance
Cat foot stance
The letter "Re" stance (or "L" stance)
Side facing straddle stance
Heron stance
Cross-legged stance (also known as female horse stance or Kosa Dachi)
Kiba Dachi with the heels out and toes in
Formal attention stance (heels together, feet at a 45 degree angle)
Parallel stance (feet shoulder width apart)
Right foot forward Heiko Dahchi
Natural stance (feet shoulder width apart, toes pointed slightly outward)
Natural stance with with heels out and toes in
Straddle leg stance
Diagonal straddle leg stance
Horse riding stance
Hourglass stance
Front stance
Half front stance
Free stance
Back stance
Cat foot stance
The letter "Re" stance (or "L" stance)
Side facing straddle stance
Heron stance
Cross-legged stance (also known as female horse stance or Kosa Dachi)
Kiba Dachi with the heels out and toes in
Downward block
Inside forearm block
Outside forearm block
Inside circular block
Upward block
Rising block
Knife hand block
Palm heel block
Open hand dropping block
Circular block
Pulling/grasping block
Wrist block
Outside downward block (open hand)
Back hand block
Elbow block
Roundhouse block
Augmented block
Sweeping block
Cross block
Knee block
Pressing block with the sole of the foot
Sole of the foot block
Instep block
Inside forearm block
Outside forearm block
Inside circular block
Upward block
Rising block
Knife hand block
Palm heel block
Open hand dropping block
Circular block
Pulling/grasping block
Wrist block
Outside downward block (open hand)
Back hand block
Elbow block
Roundhouse block
Augmented block
Sweeping block
Cross block
Knee block
Pressing block with the sole of the foot
Sole of the foot block
Instep block
~
~
~
~
~
~
~
~
~
~
~
~
~
~
~
~
~
~
~
~
~
~
~
~
~
~
~
~
~
~
~
~
~
~
~
~
~
~
~
~
~
~
~
~
~
~
~
~
~
~
~
~
~
~
~
~
~
~
~
~
~
~
~
~
~
~
~
~
~
~
~
~
~
~
~
~
~
~
~
~
~
~
~
~
~
~
~
~
~
~
~
~
~
~
~
~
~
~
~
~
~
~
~
~
~
~
~
~
~
~
Fore fist strike
Lunge punch
Reverse punch
Rising punch
Double punch
Triple punch
Hook punch
Mountain punch
U-punch
Parallel punch
Scissors punch
Flowing punch
Middle finger knuckle punch
Bent wrist strike
Forearm strike
Bear hand
Eagle hand
Elbow strike
Straight punch
Short punch (palm side eup)
Back fist strike
Knife hand strike
Ridge hand strike
Elbow strike
Bottom fist strike (or hammer fist strike)
Finger thrust
Palm heel strike
Palm heel thrust
One knuckle fist
Crab shell fist
Thumb fist
Circular punch
Round hook punch
Vertical punch
Leading punch, or jab
Leading punch, or jab
Lunge punch
Reverse punch
Rising punch
Double punch
Triple punch
Hook punch
Mountain punch
U-punch
Parallel punch
Scissors punch
Flowing punch
Middle finger knuckle punch
Bent wrist strike
Forearm strike
Bear hand
Eagle hand
Elbow strike
Straight punch
Short punch (palm side eup)
Back fist strike
Knife hand strike
Ridge hand strike
Elbow strike
Bottom fist strike (or hammer fist strike)
Finger thrust
Palm heel strike
Palm heel thrust
One knuckle fist
Crab shell fist
Thumb fist
Circular punch
Round hook punch
Vertical punch
Leading punch, or jab
Leading punch, or jab
Miscellaneous
~
~
~
~
~
~
~
~
~
~
~
~
~
~
~
~
~
~
~
~
~
~
~
~
~
~
~
~
~
~
~
~
~
~
~
~
~
~
~
~
~
~
~
~
~
~
~
~
~
~
~
~
~
~
~
~
~
~
~
~
~
~
~
~
~
~
~
~
~
~
~
~
~
Karate
To-De
Dojo
Kata
Hajime
Yame
Hidari
Migi
Kamae
Yoi
Kime
Kumite
Kihon Ippon-Kumite
Jiyu Ippon Kumite
Jiyu Kumite
Randori
Kihon
Rei
Seiza
Zanshin
Budo
Maai
Ki
Kiai
Bunkai
Mushin
Mokuso
Mokuso Yame
Shomen ni rei
Sensei ni rei
Arigato Gozaimashita
Shodan
Nidan
Sandan
Yondan
Godan
Rokudan
To-De
Dojo
Kata
Hajime
Yame
Hidari
Migi
Kamae
Yoi
Kime
Kumite
Kihon Ippon-Kumite
Jiyu Ippon Kumite
Jiyu Kumite
Randori
Kihon
Rei
Seiza
Zanshin
Budo
Maai
Ki
Kiai
Bunkai
Mushin
Mokuso
Mokuso Yame
Shomen ni rei
Sensei ni rei
Arigato Gozaimashita
Shodan
Nidan
Sandan
Yondan
Godan
Rokudan
Way of the empty hand
China hand
Training hall (the place of the way)
Form
Begin
Stop
Left
Right
Ready to start
Ready
Focus
Sparring
Basic one-step sparring
Semi-free sparring
Free sparring
Co-operative sparring
Basic technique
Formal bow
Kneel
Alertness of remaining spirit
Way of the warrior
Distance
Life force
Projecting spirit
Application of Kata
Empty mind
Quiet meditation
End meditation
Bow to the front
Bow to the instructor
Thank you for teaaching me
1st Dan (one red stripe)
2nd Dan (two red stripes)
3rd Dan (three red stripes)
4th Dan (four red stripes)
5th Dan (five red stripes)
6th Dan (six red stripes)
China hand
Training hall (the place of the way)
Form
Begin
Stop
Left
Right
Ready to start
Ready
Focus
Sparring
Basic one-step sparring
Semi-free sparring
Free sparring
Co-operative sparring
Basic technique
Formal bow
Kneel
Alertness of remaining spirit
Way of the warrior
Distance
Life force
Projecting spirit
Application of Kata
Empty mind
Quiet meditation
End meditation
Bow to the front
Bow to the instructor
Thank you for teaaching me
1st Dan (one red stripe)
2nd Dan (two red stripes)
3rd Dan (three red stripes)
4th Dan (four red stripes)
5th Dan (five red stripes)
6th Dan (six red stripes)
Foot techniques
~
~
~
~
~
~
~
~
~
~
~
~
~
~
~
~
~
~
~
~
~
~
~
~
~
~
~
~
~
~
~
~
~
~
~
~
~
~
~
~
~
Mae Geri Keage
Mae Geri Kekomi
Yoko Geri Keage
Yoko Geri Kekomi
Mawashi Geri
Ushiro Mawashi Geri
Gyaku Mawashi Geri
Ushiro Geri
Kanketsu Geri
Hiza Geri
Nidan Geri
Ren Geri
Ashi Geri
Mae Tobi Geri
Tobi Nidan geri
Yoko Tobi Geri
Kakato Geri
Fumikomi Geri
Tsumasaki Geri
Haisoku Geri
Sokuto Geri
Mae Geri Kekomi
Yoko Geri Keage
Yoko Geri Kekomi
Mawashi Geri
Ushiro Mawashi Geri
Gyaku Mawashi Geri
Ushiro Geri
Kanketsu Geri
Hiza Geri
Nidan Geri
Ren Geri
Ashi Geri
Mae Tobi Geri
Tobi Nidan geri
Yoko Tobi Geri
Kakato Geri
Fumikomi Geri
Tsumasaki Geri
Haisoku Geri
Sokuto Geri
Front snap kick
Front thrust kick
Side snap kick
Side thrust kick
Roundhouse kick
Roundhouse kick to the rear
Reverse roundhouse kick
Back thrust kick
Stamping kick, joint kick
Knee kick (also called Hiza Ate)
Double front snap kick (back leg first)
Double front snap kick (front leg first)
Foot sweep
Jumping front kick
Jumping double kick
Jumping side thrust kick
Heel kick
Stamping kick
Kicking with the tips of the toes
Kicking with the instep
Kicking with the edge of the foot
Front thrust kick
Side snap kick
Side thrust kick
Roundhouse kick
Roundhouse kick to the rear
Reverse roundhouse kick
Back thrust kick
Stamping kick, joint kick
Knee kick (also called Hiza Ate)
Double front snap kick (back leg first)
Double front snap kick (front leg first)
Foot sweep
Jumping front kick
Jumping double kick
Jumping side thrust kick
Heel kick
Stamping kick
Kicking with the tips of the toes
Kicking with the instep
Kicking with the edge of the foot
~
~
~
~
~
~
~
~
~
~
~
~
~
~
~
~
~
~
~
~
~
~
~
~
~
~
~
~
~
~
~
~
~
~
~
~
~
~
~
~
~
~
~
~
~
Hand techniques (Strikes and punches)
Seiken Tsuki
Oi Tsuki
Gyaku Tsuki
Age Tsuki
Nihon Tsuki
Sanbon Tsuki
Kagi Tsuki
Yama Tsuki
Awase Tsuki
Heiko Tsuki
Hasami Tsuki
Nagashi Tsuki
Nakadaka Tsuki
Ko Uchi
Kote Uchi
Kama-De
Washi-De
Empi
Choku Tsuki
Ura Tsuki
Uraken Uchi
Shuto Uchi
Haito Uchi
Hiji Uchi
Tettsui Uchi
Nukite Tsuki
Shotei Uchi
Shotei Tsuki
Keikoken Tsuki
Kaikoken Tsuki
Boshiken Tsuki
Furi Tsuki
Mawashi Tsuki
Tate Tsuki
Meaken Tsuki
Kizami Tsuki
Oi Tsuki
Gyaku Tsuki
Age Tsuki
Nihon Tsuki
Sanbon Tsuki
Kagi Tsuki
Yama Tsuki
Awase Tsuki
Heiko Tsuki
Hasami Tsuki
Nagashi Tsuki
Nakadaka Tsuki
Ko Uchi
Kote Uchi
Kama-De
Washi-De
Empi
Choku Tsuki
Ura Tsuki
Uraken Uchi
Shuto Uchi
Haito Uchi
Hiji Uchi
Tettsui Uchi
Nukite Tsuki
Shotei Uchi
Shotei Tsuki
Keikoken Tsuki
Kaikoken Tsuki
Boshiken Tsuki
Furi Tsuki
Mawashi Tsuki
Tate Tsuki
Meaken Tsuki
Kizami Tsuki
Karate Terminology
Japanese Terminology Used In The Art of Karate-do
Japanese Terminology Used In The Art of Karate-do
