Glossary

Since this is an English language guide intended for all levels, the English translations of Japanese terms will be used as much as possible, since it would be cruel obfuscate the material while we teach it. However, it is important that you learn the Japanese names; many different styles use these terms, and translations always include some degree of artistic license from the translator. This can lead to confusion, since our translations may not correspond with those of other practitioners, authors, and teachers. However, some Japanese terms have no clear or convenient English translation, so those Japanese names will be used throughout this website.

The names of individual techniques are listed on their respective pages; the names of general concepts are listed below:

Conventions

Please note the following conventions when reading this site:

• All techniques are described from the defender's perspective; so “right” and “left” always refers to the defender’s right or left side.
• The “centerline” refers to the body’s line-of-symmetry; an imaginary line running from the top of the head, between the eyes, down the middle of the nose, dividing the navel, etc.
• Movements directed towards centerlines are “inside” techniques.
• Movements directed away from centerlines are “outside” techniques.
• When facing an opponent, they are treated like your reflection in a mirror. While confusing at first, this convention is the only thing which the entire martial arts community seems to agree upon -- so please, don’t take this from us!
  • When the opponent uses their right hand to grab the defender's left hand, this is a “same-side” grab. Same-side techniques do not cross the centerline.
  • If an opponent uses their right hand to grab the defender’s right hand, this is a “opposite-side” grab, since the opponent must reach across their centerline.

[Photo explaining same and opposite-sides]

Common Japanese Words

Please keep the following in mind when using Japanese terminology:

• The Japanese language has terse vowels, which require a clear and sharp pronunciation; you could inadvertently say a completely different word if the vowel sounds are slightly off. This can cause great embarrassment, since the Japanese love pun-based humor.
  • A macron (a line drawn over a vowel) indicates the sound should last twice as long.
    • Since the letter "i" needs its dot to be recognizable, its double-length version is usually rendered as "ii".
  • "a" is the central-a, as in "father".
  • "e" is the middle-e, as in "get".
  • "i" is the short-i or long-e, as in "we".
  • "o" is a middle-o, as in "old".
  • "u" is a closed-near back sound, as in "soon", but without pouting the lips.
    • The "u" at the end of words is often silent.
• Double consonants are always pronounced separately (e.g., bokken is pronounced "bok'ken").
• "g" is always a hard-g, like in "goal," (as opposed to a j-like soft-g, as in "giraffe").
• "f" is more like "ph," since it's halfway between a "f" and a "h" sound.
• "r" is pronounced quickly, without rolling the tongue. This causes confusion, as it almost seems like a “l”.
• "tsu" and "su" are both pronounced like "sue," but "tsu" has a sibilant hissing-s.
• The Japanese language has no plural tense, so do not add a "-s" when using Japanese words; it just makes things weird.
• Japanese people customarily give their family name first, and then their given name. Likewise, a person's title is given as a suffix, and not a prefix. To make things simple, this website uses Western naming conventions.

Terminology

Ashi	Foot
Bunkai	Practical applications of a kata's movements. (Literally: “picking apart / analysis / disassembly”)
Dachi	Stance
Dan	Degree (Literally: "step")
Dō	A path which leads to enlightenment. Typically, this is an art which is practiced as a way of life. (Literally: “the Way.” Dō is the Japanese pronunciation for Tao / Dao.
Dōjō	Training hall (Literally: “Way-place”)
Goshin-Jutsu	Self-defense (Literally: “body-protection art”)
Gi	A slang term for uniforms (Literally: a suffix meaning “clothing”)
Hajime	"Begin!"
Hanshi	A rarely-granted title reserved for the greatest masters and teachers-of-teachers. (Literally: "model gentleman")
Hidari	Left
Ibuki	Hard breathing methods.
Joseki	The founder of a system. (Literally: “set-stone”)
Karate	Empty hands
Karateka	“Karate-person” The suffix "-ka" refers to a practitioner of a given activity. (e.g., jūdō players are jūdōka; aikidō practitioners are akidōka, etc.)
Kata	Formalized solo practice drill sets intended to develop proper biomechanics. Because each movement has an associated bunkai, kata is much more than calisthenics. (Literally: “a set form or format / mold / model”)
Keage	Snap
Kekomi	Thrust
Keri	Kick “-geri” is used when combined with other words.
Ki	Aliveness; Will-to-Power, inner power; spirit; energy. (Literally: “Spirit / feeling / psyche”)
Kiai	A spirited yell which accompanies a technique (Literally: “spirit-joining”)
Kihon	Basics / fundamentals. (Literally: "Basis")
Kime	Focus of physical or mental energy.
Kiotsuke	"Come to attention!" (Literally: “(Attention) posture!” / “Join spirits!”)
Kumite	Sparring. (Literally: Blending / braiding hands.)
Kūsankū	A slang term for a simultaneous block-counterattack combination.
Kyōshi	A title awarded to refers to masters who are the teachers-of-teachers, who usually have shichidan or hachidan rankings. (Literally: "teach gentlemen")
Kyū	Grade / rank This suffix denotes a rank for students who have not yet completed the basic curriculum. These ranks are typically expressed with color-coded belts. The number of kyū ranks, and their color codes vary greatly between different dōjō. Also, this is a slang term for non-black belt students.
Kyūsho	The weak points of the human body. (Literally: "places of suffering.")
Matte	"Wait!"
Mawate	"Turn!"
Makiwara	Punching board (Literally: “a bundle of straw”). These were common training tools before padwork and bagwork became common.
Migi	Right
Mudansha	People who have not earned a black belt. (Literally: “without-a-degree people”)
Obi	Belt / sash.
Otagai ni, Rei!	"(Respectfully) Bow to each other!"
Naka	Inside
Nogare	Soft breathing methods.
Rei	A respectful bow (Literally: “salute / appreciation”)
Renshi	A title given to those who have achieved mastery and earned a good reputation. (Literally: "polished gentleman". This title is derived from the verb renshu, "to practice.")
Sempai ni, Rei!	(Respectfully) Bow to the senior students!
Sensei	A title given to teachers. Contrary to popular belief, a sensei is not an exalted sage. A sensei is literally “one who came before you,” and since they were once like you, they know what you need to improve. This is why Goshin-Jutsu has no formal criteria for issuing this title; one becomes a sensei whenever students start calling you that. Traditionally, “sensei” is a suffix (e.g., Jones-sensei), but it is commonly used as an honorific in English-speaking countries (e.g., Sensei Jones). Sensei is not a title you use when describing yourself.
Sensei ni, Rei!	"(Respectfully) Bow to the teacher!" Remember, only bow to people, never before them. If respect is not reciprocated, then it is not respect.
Shiai	Competition or tournament. (Literally: “ordeal-meeting”)
Shihan	A title given to esteemed masters, usually with shichidan or hachidan rankings. (Literally: "expert/master/exemplar-example")
Soto	Outside
Suawre	"Sit!"
Tatami	Mat
Te	Hand
Tori	The partner who successfully completes a technique. Typically, this is the partner taking the defender role in waza practice. (Literally: “taker / winner / chooser”)
Toshiage	"Stand!"
Tsuki	Punch (Literally: “thrust”)
Uchi	Strike
Uke	Block or opponent. (Literally: “catcher / receiver” because blocks, and opponents, receive techniques.)
Ukemi	Breakfalls (Literally: "receiving-person”)
Waza	Skills or techniques
Yame	"Stop!"
Yūdansha	People who have earned black belt rankings. (Literally: “have-a-degree people”).
Zanshin	"Lingering Mind"

Numbers

Ichi	1
Ni	2
San	3
Shi / Yon	4
Go	5
Roku	6
Shichi / Nana	7
Hachi	8
Ku	9
Jū	10
Hyaku	100
Sen	1000

Common numbers and their Japanese translations are listed for your use. Combining these list items generates other common numbers (e.g., 49 is "yonjūku," 4*10 + 9). Please note that this is a "quick-and-dirty" guide. The Japanese language uses different words for ordinals; and separate, oddly-specific counting forms when counting people, and another form for the days of the month. Please be mindful of the following conventions:

• “Shi” and “yon” both mean “four,” but there are oddly-specific cultural and linguistic restrictions on when and how to use “shi,” which is a homophone for “death” in Japanese. The Japanese are thus extremely superstitious about the number four; buildings rarely have fourth floors, and items rarely come in 4-packs.
• Likewise, since "ku" is a homophone for "suffering," it is often drawled out into "kyū."
• “Shichi” and “nana” both mean “seven.” “Nana” is used when there is a risk of garbled communication (e.g., over a poor telephone or radio connection) because “shichi” (7) could be misheard as “shishi” (44).

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