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Karate GlossaryAte: Striking technique. Bo: Okinawan long wooden staff. Bunkai: "Real-world" applications of movements in a kata. Chudan: A chest-level attack. Dan: A rank of black belt, which typically ranges from 1st dan (the lowest) to 10th dan (the highest). Despite the popular image, the 1st dan signifies the beginning of a karateka's most serious training. 6th dan is typically considered an expert or master grade. The 6th dan grade would require a minimum of 22 years experience in Seigokan Goju-Ryu karate. Deshi: Student or disciple. Dojo: Karate school. Embusen: The floor pattern traced by a kata. Fukubu: Abdomen. Gedan: A low-level attack. Geri (or keri): A kicking technique. Gi: Karate uniform. In traditional karate, the gi is white. Goju-Ryu: Literally, hard ("go") and soft ("ju") way ("ryu"). Term attributed to Chojun Miyagi, which he intended to mean the martial art combining the hard techniques of Okinawa-Te (the traditional Okinawan fighting art) and the soft or yielding techniques from Chinese martial arts. Gyaku Tsuki: Reverse punch. Hajime: Begin. Hantei: The referee's call for the judges rating of the competitor's performance. Harai: Sweeping. Heishu-gata: Basic, or beginning kata. Ippon: Literally, the number one. In shiai kumite (point sparring), a full point awarded for a scoring technique with good form, correct attitude, proper timing and correct distance. Jodan:vA head-level attack. Kaishu-gata: Fighting- or combat-oriented kata. Kamae: Attitude or spirit in the performance of techniques or kata. Kancho: The grand master of a Karate organization. Karateka: A Karate practitioner. Kata (or gata): Prearranged combination of motions that embody the fundamental techniques and stances of a karate style. Kata are handed down from master to student over generations. Today's Goju-Ryu kata have their basis in Chinese, traditional Okinawan, and Japanese forms. Further back in history, one can trace the motions of some modern kata back to India. Kiai: The characteristic shout in karate, which corresponds to an expulsion of air and contraction of muscles at the moment of making impact with a strike. The kiai is typically used when training or competing because it allows the instructor or referee to evaluate the karateka's spirit and physical performance. In practice, the expulsion of air and contraction of muscles may be silent. Kumite: Sparring practice between opponents. Goju-Ryu practices freestyle ("Jiyu") and point ("Shiai") kumite. In Jiyu kumite, participants spar for a set period of time without stopping, regardless of points. In Shiai, a referee interrupts the kumite for each point scored. Many schools practice one-step sparring (ippon kumite) and three-step sparring (sanbon kumite), in which a single attack is countered by a one-step or three-step counter-offense. Kyu: A junior belt rank, from the most junior 10th Kyu (no belt or white belt) to the most senior 1st Kyu (typically brown belt). Makiwara: Striking pad, typically a board with the striking area covered with wound twine or straw. Mokuso: The command to begin meditation, either sitting or standing. |
Muchimi: Goju-Ryu's soft, "sticky," and powerful blocking motions for inside fighting. The stickiness refers in part to actual contact with an opponent, using hands defensively to draw opponent in closer. For example, a block may rub along the opponent's skin or the hands may trap an opponent's joint such as the wrist. One principle of Goju-Ryu is to draw the opponent in closer and off-balance. Muchimi can be observed in the circular blocks of Goju-Ryu katas. Nunchaku: Okinawan weapon of two short sticks connected by rope or chain. May be used as a club, or swung, or used as a lever to provide compliance holds by pinching the opponent's body parts in the crux of the lever. Thought to have origins as a farm implement, a threshing device in particular. Obi: Belt. Otoshi: Downward. Reigi: Dojo etiquette, or observance of the codes of attire, behavior, and respect in the darate dojo. Students must bow at the dojo's entrance, bow to their instructors, and to each other before engaging in practice. Students must pay attention and follow the sensei's instructions without hesitation. Sai: Okinawan short-sword-like weapon used singly, in pairs, or in threes.Typically has a round or octagonal shaft with blunt end and two-pronged grip. May be used by thrusting or swinging the blade or grip end, or can be used defensively along the arm or can be used to trap and break a long sword or staff. Thought to have origins as a farm implement (a seed-planting device). Demonstrated below by Fumio Demura, in his book Sai, Karate Weapon of Self-Defense. Sensei: Teacher. Shiai Kumite: Point sparring for competition. See Kumite. Shihan: Master. Title typically accorded to instructors of 6th dan and higher. Shitei Kata: Standard katas as defined by the Japan Karatedo Federation. They include the Goju-Ryu katas Seipai, Saifa, and Seienchin. Tonfa: Okinawan club-like weapon with a handle at a right angle to the shaft. Typically made of wood with a rounded or a planed shaft. Can be used singly, or in pairs. Excellent defensive weapon against bladed weapons (good reach). Can be used for thrusting strikes with either end of the shaft, swinging strikes with the shaft, or with the knob end of the handle. Tsuki: A punching technique. Uchi: A striking technique. Uke: A blocking technique. Waza: Technique. Waza-Ari: In point sparring, a half-point. Awarded when the scoring techniques lacks all of the qualities of an ippon (form, timing, distance, etc.). According to WKF rules, the referees must look for ippons first, and only award a waza-ari in the second instance. Yakusoku Kumite: Set sparring techniques. These are predetermined defenses against punching attacks. For example, two karateka face each other. One takes three steps in Sanchin stance and punches, either in zenkutsu dachi or shiko dachi stance. The other defends with a block and counter. Seigokan has 12 basic Yakusoku kumite. Yame: Stop. Zanshin: Mental and spiritual awareness. In the martial sense, awareness of and connection with one's opponent. |
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Copyright © 2008 David M. Kalman, ALL RIGHTS RESERVED |
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