Karate Jutsu – Japanese Terminology Handbook
Essential Japanese terminology that every Karate Jutsu student must learn, understand and apply during training. Tap a section to open it.
1. Basic Dojo Terminology
| Japanese | English Meaning |
|---|
| Karate | Empty Hand |
| Jutsu | Art / Technique |
| Dojo | Training Hall |
| Sensei | Instructor / Teacher |
| Senpai | Senior Student |
| Kohai | Junior Student |
| Shihan | Master Instructor |
| Rei | Bow |
| Seiza | Kneeling Position |
| Kiritsu | Stand Up |
| Mokuso | Meditation |
| Hajime | Begin |
| Yame | Stop |
| Yasume | Rest |
| Kiyotsuke | Attention |
| Osu / Oss | Acknowledgement / Perseverance |
| Arigato | Thank You |
| Onegaishimasu | Respectful Request |
2. Body and Direction Terminology
| Japanese | English Meaning |
|---|
| Jodan | Upper Level |
| Chudan | Middle Level |
| Gedan | Lower Level |
| Migi | Right |
| Hidari | Left |
| Mae | Front |
| Ushiro | Back |
| Yoko | Side |
| Uchi | Inside |
| Soto | Outside |
| Age | Rising |
| Otoshi | Dropping |
| Mawashi | Circular |
| Gyaku | Reverse / Opposite |
| Tate | Vertical |
3. Stances – Dachi Waza
| Japanese | English Meaning |
|---|
| Heisoku Dachi | Feet Together Stance |
| Musubi Dachi | Heels Together Stance |
| Heiko Dachi | Parallel Stance |
| Hachiji Dachi | Natural Open Stance |
| Zenkutsu Dachi | Front Stance |
| Kokutsu Dachi | Back Stance |
| Kiba Dachi | Horse Stance |
| Shiko Dachi | Square Stance |
| Neko Ashi Dachi | Cat Stance |
| Sanchin Dachi | Hourglass Stance |
| Fudo Dachi | Rooted Stance |
4. Punching Techniques – Tsuki Waza
| Japanese | English Meaning |
|---|
| Seiken Tsuki | Forefist Punch |
| Choku Zuki | Straight Punch |
| Oi Zuki | Lunge Punch |
| Gyaku Zuki | Reverse Punch |
| Kizami Zuki | Lead-Hand Punch |
| Age Zuki | Rising Punch |
| Ura Zuki | Close-Range Uppercut |
| Mawashi Zuki | Circular Punch |
| Tate Zuki | Vertical Fist Punch |
| Kagi Zuki | Hook Punch |
5. Kicking Techniques – Keri Waza
| Japanese | English Meaning |
|---|
| Mae Geri | Front Kick |
| Mawashi Geri | Roundhouse Kick |
| Yoko Geri | Side Kick |
| Ushiro Geri | Back Kick |
| Ura Mawashi Geri | Reverse Roundhouse Kick |
| Ushiro Mawashi Geri | Spinning Back Roundhouse Kick |
| Hiza Geri | Knee Strike |
| Fumikomi Geri | Stamping Kick |
| Mikazuki Geri | Crescent Kick |
| Kin Geri | Groin Kick |
6. Blocking Techniques – Uke Waza
| Japanese | English Meaning |
|---|
| Age Uke | Rising Block |
| Gedan Barai | Downward Sweeping Block |
| Soto Uke | Outside Block |
| Uchi Uke | Inside Block |
| Shuto Uke | Knife-Hand Block |
| Juji Uke | X-Block |
| Morote Uke | Augmented Block |
| Nagashi Uke | Flowing / Deflecting Block |
| Kake Uke | Hooking Block |
| Sukui Uke | Scooping Block |
7. Elbow and Knee Techniques
| Japanese | English Meaning |
|---|
| Empi / Hiji Ate | Elbow Strike |
| Mae Empi | Forward Elbow Strike |
| Ushiro Empi | Backward Elbow Strike |
| Yoko Empi | Side Elbow Strike |
| Mawashi Empi | Circular Elbow Strike |
| Hiza Geri | Knee Strike |
| Kin Geri | Groin Kick |
| Ashi Barai | Foot Sweep |
8. Throwing Techniques – Nage Waza
| Japanese | English Meaning |
|---|
| Nage Waza | Throwing Techniques |
| O Goshi | Major Hip Throw |
| Seoi Nage | Shoulder Throw |
| Osoto Gari | Major Outer Reap |
| Ouchi Gari | Major Inner Reap |
| Kouchi Gari | Minor Inner Reap |
| De Ashi Barai | Advancing Foot Sweep |
| Harai Goshi | Sweeping Hip Throw |
| Tai Otoshi | Body Drop |
| Koshi Guruma | Hip Wheel |
| Ukemi | Breakfall Techniques |
9. Grappling and Ground Fighting
| Japanese | English Meaning |
|---|
| Ne Waza | Ground Techniques |
| Katame Waza | Grappling / Controlling Techniques |
| Osaekomi | Holding Down |
| Kesa Gatame | Scarf Hold |
| Yoko Shiho Gatame | Side Four-Quarter Hold |
| Kami Shiho Gatame | Upper Four-Quarter Hold |
| Tate Shiho Gatame | Mount-Style Hold |
| Juji Gatame | Cross Armlock |
| Ude Garami | Entangled Arm Lock |
| Hadaka Jime | Rear Naked Choke |
| Okuri Eri Jime | Sliding Collar Choke |
| Sankaku Jime | Triangle Choke |
| Kansetsu Waza | Joint-Locking Techniques |
| Shime Waza | Choking Techniques |
| Kaeshi Waza | Counter Techniques |
10. Kumite and Fighting Terminology
| Japanese | English Meaning |
|---|
| Kumite | Sparring |
| Kihon Kumite | Basic Sparring |
| Yakusoku Kumite | Pre-Arranged Sparring |
| Jiyu Kumite | Free Sparring |
| Randori | Free Practice |
| Bunkai | Kata Application |
| Oyo | Practical Application |
| Maai | Fighting Distance |
| Zanshin | Continued Awareness |
| Kime | Focus / Decisive Execution |
| Sen | Initiative |
| Tai Sabaki | Body Movement / Evasion |
| Kuzushi | Breaking Balance |
| Kake | Execution of a Throw |
| Tsukuri | Positioning for a Throw |
| Atemi | Striking Techniques |
| Tori | Person Executing a Technique |
| Uke | Person Receiving a Technique |
| Kiai | Fighting Shout |
11. Kata and Grading Terminology
| Japanese | English Meaning |
|---|
| Kata | Formal Pattern |
| Kihon | Fundamentals |
| Embusen | Kata Performance Line |
| Yoi | Ready Position |
| Kamae | Fighting Posture |
| Keri | Kick |
| Tsuki | Punch |
| Waza | Technique |
| Renraku Waza | Combination Techniques |
| Renzoku Waza | Continuous Techniques |
| Dan | Black Belt Grade |
| Kyu | Coloured Belt Grade |
| Shodan | First Dan |
| Nidan | Second Dan |
| Sandan | Third Dan |
| Yondan | Fourth Dan |
12. Belt-Wise Terminology Learning System
| Belt Level | Expected Knowledge |
|---|
| White Belt | Basic dojo commands, directions and stances |
| Yellow Belt | Punches, blocks, kicks and basic stances |
| Orange Belt | Combinations, movement, distance and sparring commands |
| Green Belt | Throws, breakfalls, counters and kumite terminology |
| Blue Belt | Grappling, ground control, joint locks and kata applications |
| Brown Belt | Advanced throwing, submissions, tactical terminology and bunkai |
| Black Belt | Complete technical vocabulary, teaching commands, Japanese terminology and practical applications |
13. Terminology Examination – AM Martial Arts & Fitness
Every student must demonstrate three levels of understanding:
- Japanese to English: Instructor calls a Japanese term; student explains its meaning.
- English to Japanese: Instructor describes a technique; student identifies its Japanese name.
- Practical demonstration: Student performs the correct technique when the instructor calls its Japanese name.
Important Instructions for Students
- Students must learn the correct pronunciation of Japanese terminology.
- Students must understand the meaning of every technique they practise.
- Students must respond correctly to instructor commands.
- Terminology knowledge is compulsory for belt grading.
- Advanced students must understand the technical application, not just memorise names.
- All instructors must follow the standardised terminology used by AM Martial Arts & Fitness.
Our PhilosophyDon’t just learn the names of techniques. Understand their purpose, master their application and develop the ability to use them effectively.
Karate Jutsu | Traditional Foundation – Practical Combat Application – Complete Martial Arts Development
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