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RyuBuKan Dojo

Martial Arts Dictionary 

A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z 

 

A

Age

Rising.

Age tsuki

Rising punch.

Age uke

Rising block.

Ashi

Foot/leg.

Ashi guruma

Leg wheel.

Ashi hishigi

Leg crush.

Ashi kubi

Ankle.

Ashi kubi hishigi

Ankle crush.

Ashi waza

Foot techniques.

Atemi

Striking.

Atemi waza

Striking techniques.

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B

Bo

Staff (long).

Bojitsu

Staff techniques (long).

Bunkai

Application of form.

Bushi

Warrior class of Japan.

Bushido

Way of the warrior.

Bujutsu

Fighting arts of the warrior class of Japan.

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C

Choku tsuki

Straight punch.

Chuan fa

Fist way.

Chudan

Middle (of body, i.e. torso).

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D

Dachi

Stance.

Dan

Rank of black belt; 1st dan is the lowest, 10th the highest.

De ashi barai

Forward foot sweep.

Denzook

No count.

Do

The way.

Dojo

Exercise hall, the place where one practices the martial arts.

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E

Eku

Oar, used as a weapon in Okinawan karate

Empi

1. Elbow.

2. Name of a kata in Japanese karate

Empi uchi

Elbow strike.

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F

Fudo dachi

Rooted stance.

Fumikomi

Stamping kick.

Funakoshi, Gichin

Father of Japanese karate

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G

Ganmen

Face.

Ganmen shuto

Face knife-hand.

Gari

Reap.

Gatame

Hold, arm bar.

Geashi

Reversal.

Gedan

Lower, waist or below.

Gedan barai

Low block.

Gedan juji uke

Lower X-block.

Gedan shuto uke

Lower knife-hand block.

Geri

Kick.

Gi

Uniform for practicing martial arts.

Go

Five.

See also numerals

Gohon

Five-finger strike.

Goshi

Hip throw.

Guruma

Wheel-like throw.

Gyaku

Reverse, reversal.

Gyaku tsuki

Reverse punch (opposite hand and leg).

Gyaky juji jime

Reverse cross choke.

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H

Hachi

Eight. See also numerals

Hachiji dachi

Open leg stance.

Hachimachi

Towel used as a headband.

Hadake

Naked.

Hadake jime

Naked choke/strangle.

Hadari

Left.

Haishu

Back of the hand.

Haishu uchi

Back hand strike.

Haisoku

Instep.

Haisoku geri

Instep kick.

Haitto

Ridge hand (first knuckle of thumb and side of hand).

Haitto uchi

Ridge hand strike.

Hajimae

Begin.

Hane

Spring.

Hane goshi

Spring hip throw.

Hane makikomi

Springing winding throw.

Hangetsu dachi

Hourglass stance.

Hara tsurikomi ashi

Lift-pull foot sweep.

Harai

Sweep.

Harai goshi

Sweep hip throw.

Heisoku dachi

Attention stance.

Hidari

Left (side).

Hiji

Elbow strike (upward, downward, forward, rear).

Hishigi

Crush.

Hittsui

Knee.

Hittsui geri

Knee strike (upward, side).

Hiza guruma

Knee wheel.

Hon

Fingers. See also Gohon

Honbu

Headquarters.

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I

Ichi or Sho

One. See also numerals

Ippon

Full point in a contest.

Ippon ken (tsuki)

One knuckle fist.

Ippon kumite

One step sparring.

Ippon Seoi Nage

One-armed shoulder throw.

Irimi waza

Entering techniques.

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J

Jigo-tai

Defensive posture.

Jime

Choke or strangle.

Jiyu kumite

Free sparring.

Jo

Short staff.

Jodan

Upper, shoulders or above.

Jodan juji uke

High X-block.

Jo-jitsu

Short staff techniques.

Joseke

Upper seat.

Ju

Ten. See also numerals

Judo

A martial arts style featuring throwing.

Literally, "gentle way", referring to giving way in order to gain victory.

Judoka

Practitioner of Judo.

Ju-ichi

Eleven. See also numerals

Juji

Cross. 

Juji gatame

Cross-body arm bar through legs and across hips.

Juji uke

X-block.

Jujitsu

"Soft Technique".  Martial art comprised of joint locks and manipulation, pressure point attacks, throws, chokes, massage and other healing arts.   

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K

Kagi tsuki

Hook punch.

Kakato

Heel.

Kakato uke

Bent wrist block.

Kake

Application of the technique.

Kakiwake uke

Pushing through block.

Kama

Sickle, used in pairs in Okinawan Karate.

Kamae

Posture.

Kami shio gatame

Upper four-corner hold.

Kane sute

Flying sacrifice.

Kani basami

Flying scissors.

Kano, Jigoro

Founder of Judo.

Kansetsu

Joint lock.

Kansetsu waza

Joint locking techniques.

Kara

Empty.

Karate

A martial arts style featuring strikes.

Literally, "empty hand".

Kata

1. Stylized form, pre-arranged techniques.

2. Shoulder. 

Kata gatame

Shoulder hold.

Kata guruma

Shoulder wheel throw.

Kata ha jime

Single wing choke.

Kata juji jime

Half cross choke.

Katame

Grappling.

Katame waza

Grappling and ground-fighting techniques. Also known as Ne-Waza

Katana

Long sword.

Katate Tori

Grasping of hands.

Katsu

Revival techniques.

Kazuri kesa gatame

Modified scarf hold.

Kempo

Fist way.

Kendo

Japanese sword fighting.

Keri waza

Kicking techniques.

Kesa gatame

Scarf hold.

Ki

Vital energy.

Kiai

Shout or yell with vital energy 

Kiba dachi

Horse stance.

Kime

Focus.

Kitskay

Attention.

Ko

Minor.

Kobudo

"Ancient marital way".  Used to define traditional weapon arts of Okinawa and other islands in the Ryukyu chain. 

Kodokan

Headquarters of Judo in Japan.

Literally, "school for studying the way".

Koko uchi

Tiger mouth strike.

Kokutsu dachi

Back stance.

Komi

Pulling.

Koshi

1. Hip.

2. Ball of the foot.

Koshi guruma

Hip wheel throw.

Koshi jime

Hip choke.

Koshi waza

Hip techniques.

Kosoto gakae

Minor outer hook.

Kosoto gari

Minor outer reaping throw.

Kouchi gari

Minor inner reaping throw.

Ku

Nine. See also numerals

Kubi

Neck.

Kumikata

Methods of holding.

Kumite

Sparring.

Kusarigama

Sickle with a rope or chain attached.

Kusho

Vital points of the body.

Kuzushi

Unbalancing (eight directions).

Kyu

Grade under black belt; 10th kyu is the lowest and 1st the highest.

Kyusho

Vital point.

Kyusho-jitsu

Pressure point strikes.

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L

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M

Ma-ai

Distance.

Mae

Front.

Mae geri

Front kick.

Mae geri keage

Front snap kick.

Mae geri kekomi

Front thrust kick.

Mae tobi geri

Jump front kick.

Maki

Wrapping.

Maki geashi

Wrapping reversal.

(Soto) maki komi

Outside wrapping pulling.

(Soto) maki komi harai

Outside wrapping pulling sweep.

Makiwara

Punching board. Used in most karate schools to develop body conditioning, focus of strikes, proper execution of technique against a solid but flexible target. 

Matae

Stop.

Mawashi geri

Roundhouse kick.

Mawashi tsuki

Roundhouse punch.

Migi

Right (side).

Mikazuki

Crescent.

Mikazuki geri

Crescent kick.

Mikazuki geri uke

Crescent kick block.

Moro

Augmented.

Morote

Two arm or two hand.

Morote seoi nage

Two arm shoulder throw.

Morote tsuki

Double forward fist strike.

Morote uke

Double forearm block.

Moro ubi tori

Augmented finger pull.

Mudansha

Non black belt holder.

Mune

Chest.

Muni gatame

Chest hold.

Mushin

Mind of no mind.

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N

Nagashi uke

Flowing block.

Nage

Throwing.

Nage waza

Throwing techniques.

Nage no kata

Formalized throws.

Naginata

Halberd, used by Japanese women.

Nami juji jime

Normal cross choke.

Necho

Cat.

Necho ashi dachi

Cat stance.

Ne-waza

Ground fighting techniques, also known as katame waza.

Ni

Two. See also numerals

Nidan geri

Double jump kick.

Nihon nukite

Two finger spear hand.

See also gohon nukite

Ni-ju

Twenty. See also numerals

Ni-ju-ichi

Twenty one. See also numerals

Nukite

Spear hand.

Nunchaku

Flail-like weapon of two rods joined by rope or chain.

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O

Obi

Belt.

O goshi

Major hip throw.

O guruma

Major wheel throw.

Ohten

Barrel roll.

Ohten gatame

Barrel roll arm-bar.

Oi tsuki

Forward lunge punch (same side hand and leg).

Okinawa te

Okinawan hand.

Okuri

Sliding.

Okuri ashi barai

Foot sweep.

Okuri eri jime

Sliding collar choke.

Okuri (ashi) harai

Sliding foot sweep.

Osae komi

Hold-down.

Osae komi waza

Hold-down techniques.

Osoto gari

Major outer reaping throw.

Osoto guruma

Major outer wheel throw.

Otoshi

Drop.

Ouchi gari

Major inner reaping throw.

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P

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Q

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R

Randori

Free practice (judo sparring).

Rei

Bow.

Roku

Six. See also numerals

Ryu

Style of school or martial art.

Ryukyu

Name of island chain of which .

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S

Sai

Three-pronged metal weapon.

Sakotsu

Collarbone.

Sakotsu shuto

Collarbone knife-hand.

San

Three. See also numerals 

Sanchin dachi

Hourglass stance (derived from Sanchin kata).

San-ju

Thirty.

Sasae

Block.

Sasae (tsuri komi) ashi

Lifting pulling foot block.

Seiza

Sitting position.

Sempai

Senior.

Sensei

Teacher.

Seoi

Shoulder.

Shi

Four. See also numerals

Shiai

Contest.

Shichi

Seven. See also numerals

Shihan

Master instructor   

Shiho

Four corners, or all directions.

Shiho nage

All directions throw.

Shime

Choke.

Shime waza

Choking techniques.

Shizen-tai

Natural posture.

Shotei

Palm heel strike (also may use as block).

Shuto

Knife-edge hand (little-finger side of palm).

Shuto uchi

Knife hand strike.

Shuto uke

Knife hand block.

Sode

Sleeve.

Sode tsuri komi goshi

Sleeve lifting pulling hip throw.

Soto

Outside (of opponent's stance).

Soto age uke

Outer upper block.

Soto makikomi

Outer winding throw.

Soto mikazui geri

Outer crescent kick.

Soto shuto

Outside knife-hand block.

Soto ude uke

Outside forearm block.

Sukui nage

Scooping throw.

Sumea gaeshi

Corner reversal.

Sumi otoshi

Corner drop.

Sute

Sacrifice.

Sutemi

Sacrifice or roll.

Sutemi-waza

Sacrifice techniques.

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T

Tachi-waza

Standing throwing techniques.

Tai otoshi

Body drop.

Tameshiwari

Breaking demonstration.

Tanbo

Short staff 

Tanden

Point just below the navel.

Tani otoshi

Valley drop.

Tanto

Short sword.

Tate tsuki

Vertical punch (boxer's jab).

Te

Hand. See also karate

Teisho

Palm heel.

Teisho tsuki

Palm heel punch.

Teisho uchi

Palm heel strike.

Teisho uke

Palm heel block.

Teiji dachi

T-stance.

Tekubi

Wrist.

Tekubi tori

Wrist pull.

Tettsui

Hammer fist; downward strike with closed fist, little finger side as the striking surface.

Te-waza

Hand techniques.

Tomoe nage

Stomach throw.

Tonfa

Wooden rod with handle at right angle, used in pairs.

Tori

Defender, demonstrator of technique; or, pull.

Torite

See tuite

Tsuki

Punch; knuckle strike with first two knuckles only.

Tsuki waza

Punching techniques.

Tsukuri

Stepping into the throw.

Tsuri

Lifting.

Tsuri goshi

Lifting hip throw.

Tsuri komi goshi

Lifting pulling hip throw.

Tuite

1. Grappling techniques.

2. Using pressure points for joint manipulation.

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U

Uchi

Inner; or, Strike.

Uchideshi

Special disciple.

Uchikomi

Repeated practice of throwing techniques.

Uchi mata

Inner thigh throw.

Uchi waza

Striking techniques.

Ude

Forearm.

Ude gatame

Forearm arm-bar.

Ude tori

Forearm pull.

Ude uki

Forearm block.

Uke

Block (Age Uke); or, Attacker, to whom techniques are done.

Ukemi

Falling and rolling exercises.

Ukemi waza

Falling techniques.

Uki

Floating.

Uki goshi

Floating hip throw.

Uki otoshi

Floating drop.

Uki waza

Floating throw.

Ulna

(English) Bone on little-finger side of wrist.

Ulna press

Straight arm bar with wrist on opponent's elbow.

Ura

Back or flip side.

Uraken uchi

Back fist strike.

Ura nage

Back throw.

Ura tsuki

Flip side punch.

Ushiro

Rear.

Ushiro geri

Back kick.

Ushiro goshi

Back hip throw.

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V

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W

Wakare

Separation.

Waza

Technique.

Katame waza

Mat work.

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X

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Y

Yama

Mountain.

Yama bushi

Mountain warriors.

Yama tsuki

U-punch.

Yari

Spear.

Yawara

Control.

Yoi

Ready.

Yoko

Side.

Yoko gake

Side body drop.

Yoko geri

Side kick.

Yoko guruma

Side wheel.

Yoko haitto

Side ridge-hand.

Yoko kekome

Side thrust kick.

Yoko otoshi

Side drop.

Yoko shio gatame

Side four corner hold.

Yoko shuto

Side knife-hand.

Yoko tobo geri

Jump side kick.

Yoko wakare

Side separation.

Yubi

Finger.

Yubi tori

Finger pull.

Yudansha

One who is a black belt.

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Z

Zazen

Sitting meditation.

Zen

1. Buddhist sect.

2. Religious meditation.

Zenkutzo dachi

Front stance.

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