Commonly Used

Listed below are several terms used during Yoshukai Karate Alliance training. This list is not exhaustive nor was it meant to be. If you cannot find a term you are looking for please feel free to contact us.

General Terminology
Commands
Karate Styles
Dachi (Stance)
Uke-Waza (Blocking Techniques)
Tsuki-Waza (Punching Techniques)
Uchi-Waza (Striking Techniques)
Nukite-Waza (Spearhand Techniques)
Keri-Waza (Kicking Techniques)
Kata
Weapons
Ranking
Japanese Counting

Budo	Way of combat
Bunkai	Application (interpretation) of kata techniques
Bushi	Warrior
Bushido	Way of the warrior
Gi	Training uniform. Traditionally white.
Hai	Yes
Hombu-dojo	A term used to refer to the central dojo of an organization
Iie	No
Karate	Open hand, empty hand
Karate-do	the way of the empty hand. This implies not only the physical aspect of karate, but also the mental and social aspects of karate.
Karate-ka	A practitioner of karate
Kempo	Fist law, a generic term to describe fighting systems that uses the fist
Kiai	Spirit shout/focus of spiritual energy
Kihon	Basic techniques
Kime	Focus
Kobudo	Ancient warrior art, referring to weapons training
Kumite	Sparring/fighting
Makiwara	Punching board or post
Oss	A word peculiar to karate; it is used as a form of respectful greeting, yes”, or I understand
Rei	Bow
Waza	Technique

Hajime	Begin
Shomen-ni-rei	Bow to the front
Yame	Stop
Yasume	Relax (or ready position)
Yoi	Ready

Chito-ryu	A Okinawan style of karate developed by Dr. Tsuyoshi Chitose
Shorei-ryu	An Okinawan karate system originating in Naha
Shorin-ryu	A major style of Okinawan karate meaning “pine forest” school
Yoshukai	A traditional Japanese style of karate developed by Mamoru Yamamoto

Hasami-dachi	Scissors stance
Jiyu-dachi	Free-fighting stance
Kokutsu-dachi	Back stance
Musube-dachi	Informal attention stance, feet turned out
Neko-ashi dachi	Cat stance
Sanchin-dachi	Hour-glass stance
Shiko-dachi	Square or wide stance
Shizen-dachi	Natural stance
Zenkutsu-dachi	Forward or front stance

Chudan-soto uke	iddle-outside block
Chudan-uchi uke	Middle-inside block
Gedan-uke	Down block
Jodan-uke	Upper block
Juji-uke	Cross-x block
Shuto-uke	Knife-hand block
Sokutei-osae-uke	Pressing block w/sole
Sokuto-osae-uke	Pressing block w/foot edge
Tate shuto uke	Vertical knife-hand block
Tsukamai-uke	Grasping block

Gyaku-zuki	Reverse punch
Kizami-zuki	Jab punch
Mawashi-zuki	Roundhouse punch
Morote-zuki	Double-fist punch
Oi-zuki	Lunge punch
Teisho-zuki	Palm-heel punch

Empi-uchi	Elbow strike
Haito-uchi	Ridge hand strike
Kentsui-uchi	Fist-hammer strike
Shuto-uchi	Knife hand strike
Uraken-uchi	Back fist strike

Ippon-nukite	One-finger spearhand
Nihon-nukite	Two-finger spearhand
Yonhon-nukite	Spearhand

Kagi-geri	Hook kick
Mae-geri	Front kick
Mawashi-geri	Roundhouse kick
Mika-zuki-geri	Crescent kick
Nidan-mae-geri	Double-jump front kick
Ushiro-geri	Back kick
Yoko-geri	Side kick
Yoko-geri-keage	Side snap kick
Yoko-geri-kekomi	Side thrust kick
Yoko-tobi-geri	Jumping side kick

Bassai	To Penetrate a Fortress
Chinto	Fighting to the East
Kusanku	Chinese Military Attaché
Mugen	Endless
Niseishi	Twenty-four Movements
Rohaidai	Vision of White Crane
Rohaisho	Vision of White Crane
Ryusan	Three Dragons
Sanchin	Three Conflicts
Sanshiryu	Thirty-six Hands
Seisan	Crescent Moon
Shihohai	Four Directions
Sochin	The Grand Prize
Tenshin	Body Turning
Zenshinkotai	Advance in Turn

Bo	The bo, also know as a staff, is a long wooden pole typically about 6 feet in length. The bo was used by farmers in Okinawa to herd animals or placed across the shoulders to carry supplies.
Katana	The longer of the two swords worn by samurai
Nunchaku	A flail like weapon made of two pieces of wood connected by a length of rope or chain.
Sai	An Okinawan weapon resembling a handheld pitchfork.
Shinai	Bamboo sword
Tonfa	A farm tool developed into a weapon by the Okinawans

Kyu	Rank below Shodan (1st degree black belt)
Mudansha	Students without black-belt ranking
Dan	Level or degree of black belt rank.
Yudansha	Black-belt practitioners of any degree
Shodan	First degree black belt
Nidan	Second degree black belt
Sandan	Third degree black belt
Yondan	Fourth degree black belt
Godan	Fifth degree black belt
Rokudan	Sixth degree black belt
Shichidan	Seventh degree black belt
Hachidan	Eighth degree black belt
Kudan	Ninth degree black belt
Judan	Tenth degree black belt
Renshi	Entry Level Master
Shihan	A formal title meaning master or master instructor, a teacher of teachers
Hanshi	Master, an honorary title given to the highest black belt of an organization

Ichi	One
Ni	Two
San	Three
Shi	Four
Go	Five
Roku	Six
Shichi	Seven
Hachi	Eight
Ku	Nine
Ju	Ten