This is the terminology page where we translate from Japanese to English
| Japanese Term | Meaning |
|---|---|
| Ani Deshi | senior disciple |
| Anzen Bogu | safety armor |
| Arigato | thank you |
| Budo | the way of combat - a name adopted in the 20th century for martial arts in general with an emphasis on their peaceful aspects |
| Bogu | protective equipment |
| Bushi | warrior |
| Bushido | way of the warrior; a code of honor and social behavior |
| Chojo | senior in a dojo |
| Daimyo | a feudal lord who maintained a great number of samurai in their service all of whom swore an oath of allegiance to the feudal lord according to the rules of Bushido |
| Domo Arigato Gozaimashite | formal thank you very much |
| Dojo | school |
| Dozo | please (polite; please, sit, enter, etc.) |
| Fuku Shidoin | assistant instructor |
| Gi | uniform |
| Gomen nasai | excuse me, especially in speaking to a lower rank |
| Hai | yes |
| Hakkai-shiki | the opening ceremony of a class |
| Hanshi | title given to some eighth to tenth degree black belts... sometimes called Professor or Master |
| Heijoshin | placid state of mind |
| Jiki Deshi | a student studying directly under the Head Master of a Ryu, usually next in line of accession |
| Junbi Undo | preparatory exercises |
| Jun Shihan Dai | junior assistant instructor |
| Hangeki | defensive position |
| Karate-do | the way of empty-handed fighting |
| Karate-ka | one who studies karate |
| Kaso-taiko | imaginary opponent |
| Kenryukan | dragon-fist school |
| Ki | inner energy |
| Kiai | unconscious expression of ki, verbalized or not |
| Kime | an explosive attack to a target using an appropriate technique and maximum power |
| Kogeki | offensive position |
| Kohai | junior rank |
| Koshiki | system of fighting using protective gear (bogu) and strict contest rules originally formulated for Shorinjiryu tournaments. But, it has developed into a system of karatedo apart from Shorinjiryu |
| Koshiki | (a) hard style; (b) ancient |
| Kudasai | please (as in asking for assistance) |
| Kyoshi | title given to some seventh and eighth degree black belts - teacher grade, expert instructor |
| Makiwara | kicking and punching board |
| Martial Arts | all encompassing term for Asian fighting arts |
| Ninja | A group of men and women specially trained for espionage and assassination; generally drawn from the lower classes and used by the daimyo to assassinate enemies and penetrate enemy fortresses |
| Obi | belt |
| Onegai Shimasu | please assist me in what we are going to do |
| Osu | common greeting in karate: push ahead, yes, sir, never give up, a sign of respect, affirmation, recognition, etc. |
| Renshi | title of certain 5th and 6th degree instructors—literally “the polisher” |
| Ryu | a style of an art |
| Ronin | The name given to all bushi and samurai who did not serve a particular master, either because the master had died or because his lands had been confiscated. |
| Samurai | a class of bushi (warriors). The original samurai were there for the protection of their lord and were especially trained in martial arts. Later the name was given to all bushi of a certain rank belonging to warrior families |
| Shogun | the title given by the emperor to the daimyo who showed himself to be the richest and the most powerful of all the lords |
| Sensei | instructor – “the one who came before” |
| Shidoin | instructor |
| Shihan | highest instructor, 6th dan or over |
| Shihan Dai | immediate assistant to the chief instructor, usually fifth dan |
| Shinan | title of style originator |
| Shitsurei-suri | excuse me |
| Shodan-Dai | next in line for black belt |
| Shomen | place of honor |
| Shorinjiryu | the way of the great northern Shaolin Temple; a synthesis of Okinawan and Japanese philosophies and techniques which also reflects much of the Chinese influence on karate-do; a system which stresses rapid body movements, mobility, with emphasis upon the use of kumite, kata, and armor; originated by Kori Hisataka |
| Sumi-masen | Sorry |
| Sun-Dome | to stop the attack just before total contact |
| Tashi | title of certain third or fourth dan, - “the helper” |
| Tai-no-shinshuku | expansion and contraction of body |
| Taisanbaki | body motion – especially of an evasive nature |
| Tate-ken | vertical fist |
| Te-uchi-shiki | ending ceremony of a class |
| Tori | the attacker, one who applies a technique |
| Uke | the receiver, one who receives the technique |
| Uwagi | jacket |
| Waza | a technique |
| Zabon | pants |
| Zanshin | perfect completion of a technique |
| Zashiki | proper etiquette while in formal sitting |