Welcome to a quick Glossary of some Shotokan Karate terms.
If you see a symbol like this……click on it for an mp3 file for your iPod. It will help you learn the Japanese names and how to pronounce them.
Important: You will be hearing a Welshman saying these Japanese words that he learned from his Liverpudlian instructors…so I do not claim to be pronouncing them correctly. Use them as a guide only.
A
|
![]() |
Ashi-barai – Foot sweep | |
B |
Back Stance – See “Kokutsu Datch“. |
Bassai Dai – Kata required for 2nd and 1st Kyu. | |
C
|
Choku-tsuki – Punch |
Chudan – Region of the body below the neck and above the belt. | |
D |
Dojo – Training hall |
E |
![]() |
F
|
Freestyle – This is your “fighting” stance. There is no right or wrong way, as everyone will have an individual way of fighting. Though important points should be:
Both legs should be bent to enable rapid movements in all directions (forwards, backwards and to the sides). Arms should be in front to provide a good guard to jodan, chudan and gedan, and in a position to attack with various techniques to various targets. |
Front Stance – See “Zenkutsu Datch“. | |
Fudoh-dachi – Rooted stance | |
G
|
Go – Japanese for the number Five |
Gedan – Region of the body below the belt. | |
![]() |
|
Gohon Kumite – 5 Step Sparring required in gradings for orange, red and yellow belts. | |
![]() |
|
H | Hajime – Begin |
Hachi – Japanese for the number Eight | |
Heian Godan – Kata required for 4th Kyu. | |
Heian Nidan – Kata required for 7th Kyu. | |
Heian Sandan – Kata required for 6th Kyu. | |
Heian Shodan -Kata required for 8th Kyu. | |
Heian Yondan – Kata required for 5th Kyu. | |
Horse Riding Stance – See “Kiba Datch“. | |
I |
Ichi – Japanese for the number One |
J |
Jodan – Head and neck region. |
Ju – Japanese for the number Ten | |
Ju Ippon Kumite – Semi freestyle sparring. Required for 2nd and 1st Kyu. Both sides fight from freestyle. The attacker states their target, then attacks in their own time. The defender can use any block and any counter strike they wish, including the use of either arm or leg. The attacker must step forward using the correct attack and side (i.e. left or right), but the timing and tactics of the attack are up to them. This is where the attacker learns ways and tricks (including use of timing, deception, faints etc.) to make sure their strike lands, and the defender must develop a wide range of blocks and counters, without relying on just one or two. | |
Juuji-uke – X-Block | |
K |
Kiai – A strong, ferocious shout delivered at the same time as a strike to an opponent. It is to help channel power to the move, in the same way a shot putter or javelin thrower shouts when they compete. |
Kiba Datch – Horse riding stance. Important notes to remember are to keep the feet in line, the heels and knees out (don’t let them cave in) and the back straight and bum in. The body weight distribution should be exactly half on each leg. | |
Kihon Ippon Kumite – Basic 1 step sparring. The attacker states their target, then steps forwards and attacks once. The defender must block and counter immediately using basic blocks and counters. Both the attack and defence must be done using the right and left sides, and sometimes more than one of each attack is carried out (exact details will be given by the examiner). This is an opportunity to learn and perfect more than one block for each attack. | |
Kihon Kata – Kata required for your orange belt (9th Kyu). | |
Kime – Decision / focus | |
![]() |
|
![]() |
|
Ku – Japanese for the number Nine | |
KUGB – The Karate Union of Great Britain. This is the largest Karate governing body in the country, and among other things, regulates competitions and gradings. | |
L |
|
M |
![]() |
Mae Ren Geri – 2 Mae geri kicks done as one sequence. The target heights and which legs to use will be determined by the examiner, but the timing is important. The 2 kicks should be done correctly in quick succession, but not rushed. There should be a definite pause before the next sequence is carried out. | |
![]() |
|
Mokusoh – Meditate | |
Morote-uke – Double arm block | |
N
|
Neco-ashi-dachi – Cat stance |
Ni – Japanese for the number Two | |
![]() |
|
O |
![]() |
P |
|
Q |
|
R | Rei – Bow |
Roku – Japanese for the number Six | |
S
|
San – Japanese for the number Three |
![]() |
|
Sanbon Kumite – 3 step sparring. The aggressor steps back gedan barai, states their target, and attacks 3 times. On the third attack, the defender counter punches. Kumite is important to learn and develop the right attitude for karate, and to make sure you can judge distance between you and your opponent correctly. | |
Seiza – Sit down | |
Sempai – Karate student | |
Sensei – Japanese name for your instructor. | |
Shi – Japanese for the number Four | |
Shichi – Japanese for the number Seven | |
![]() |
|
Siretsu – Line up | |
![]() |
|
T |
Targets – Different areas you aim your attacks. Roughly divided into Jodan, Chudan and Gedan. |
Tekki Shodan – Kata required for your 3rd Kyu. | |
U |
![]() |
![]() |
|
![]() |
|
V |
|
W |
|
X |
|
Y | Yame – Stop / finish |
Yasume – At ease / relax | |
Yoh-i – Get ready | |
![]() |
|
![]() |
|
Yoko Ren Geri – Sequence of 2 yoko geri kicks. The targets, speed and method of step will be determined by the examiner. But make sure the timing is correct. Make the 2 kicks in rapid succession, pause, then continue with the next sequence. | |
Z |
![]() |
This Glossary comes entirley from the brain of Cerin Rees. If anyone wants to add to this, please Contact us so we can make this as comprehensive as possible.