JAPANESE TERMINOLOGY

Dojo: Martial arts school or training room

Rei: Bow (show of respect)

Gi: Uniform

Obi: Belt

Kyu: Rank (also used for belt level under shodan)

Waza: Technique

Sensei: Teacher

Sempai: Senior student

Wado Kai: The way of peace and harmony (our style of karate)

Kata: Practice form or patten of movement

Hian: Peaceful Mind

Pinan: Safe from Harm

Hajime: Begin

Kumite: Sparring/fighting

Geri: Kick

Dachi: Stance

Zuki (or tsuki): Punch

Uchi: Strike

Uke: Block

Kiai: Spirit shout/focus of spiritual energy

COUNTING

Ichi: One

Ni: Two

 San: Three

 Shi: Four

 Go: Five

 Roku: Six

 Shichi: Seven

 Hachi: Eight

 Ku: Nine

 Ju: Ten

GENERAL TERMS

Jodan: Head high level

Chudan: Middle level

Gedan: Low level; Down

Zanshin: Awareness; Poise and control

Sun-dome: Stop a technique before contact (3cm)

Kime: Focus of power (used when breaking)

Mokuso: Meditate/Gather Your Thoughts

Tai-sabaki: Body shifting

Bo: Long staff

Bokken: Wooden sword

Karate: Empty Hands

BASIC TECHNIQUES

Zenkutsu dachi: Front Stance (“zen”)

Kokutsu dachi: Back Stance

Kiba dachi: Horse Stance

Fudo dachi: Fighting Stance

Neko-ashi dachi:Cat Stance

Jodan Age uke: Rising block

Gedan uke (Gedan barai): Lower (sweeping) block

Soto ude uke: Outside forearm block

(Uchi) ude uke: Inside forearm block

Shuto uke: Knife block

Mae geri: Front kick

Yoko geri: Side kick

(Keage for snap kick; kekomi for thrust kick)

Mawashi geri: Roundhouse kick

Mikazuki geri: crescent kick

Oi zuki: Lunge punch

Gyaku zuki: Reverse punch

Morote zuki: Parallel punch or double punch

Sanbon zuki: triple punch or triple area punch

Uraken Uchi: Backfist Strike

Nukite Uchi: Finger Strike

Shuto Uchi: Knife Hand Strike