Martial Arts Terminology
Aiki Kenpo Jujutsu
Aiki – To blend with spirt; Kenpo – Chinese Hand; Jutsu – art, technique, method.
Bokken
Wooden practice sword
Dachi
Stance
Dan
Level
Geri
Kick
Gyaku-waza
Reversals, escapes & counters techniques
Hanshi
Third and highest Shihan level instructor title meaning “Model Expert” or “Teacher by Example” also thought of as the Teacher of Teachers.
Iai-jutsu
Sword-drawing
Kakie
To seize or grab with the hand. Can be used to mean pushing hands.
Kata
Literally Form or Pattern. A set of movements or In Karate usually a one-person practice, in Ju Jutsu and Swordmanship they are normally two person practices.
Kansetsu/Tuite-waza
Joint manipulation, cavity seizing & limb entanglement.
Kodachi
short sword
Koryukan
Place where the old style is studied. Ko – old; Ryu – stream, style or system; Kan – hall, school or building.
Koryu Uchinadi
Old Style Okinawan Hand
Kotekitai
2-person forearm conditioning drill.
Kumite
Practice fighting/sparing
Kyoshi
Second Shihan level instructor’s title meaning “Teaching Expert”
Muchimi-di
Literally means sticky hands. The concept of staying in contact with your opponent so you can exploit his weaknesses.
Mae Geri
Front Kick
Mae Washi Geri
Roundhouse kick
Mudahsha
Person without a Dan. Someone who is not yet a black belt, or a Kyu grade. Normally there are 10 Kyu grades from White belt (10th Kyu) to Brown belt (1st Kyu).
Nage-waza
Balance displacement – throwing, takedown techniques
Nyumon
To enter the gate, refers to the techniques and practices first taught to beginners.
Renshi
First Shihan Level instructor title meaning “Well Trained or Skilled Expert”
Ryoto
Two swords
Sensei
In martial arts it is an honorific used to address your instructor. It literally means “Born Before” and implies someone who has been travelling on longer and is further along “The Path” than you and is acting as your guide to “The Path” or “The Way”
Shidoin
Instructor who is not yet at the Shihan level.
Shihan
Master Teacher
Shime-waza
Chokes/strangles-air/blood deprivation techniques
Shodan
1st Dan
Tachi
Can mean standing or is a type of long cavalry sword
Tameshigiri
Test cutting, traditionally using straw mats that have been soaked in water for three days.
Tegumi
A term used to describe Okinawan Sumo Wrestling, also used to describe 2-person drills for practicing grappling and trapping skills.
Tsuki
Punch or thrust
Ude Tanren
Arm Conditioning
Uke waza
Techniques for blocking or receiving attacks
Ushiro Geri
back kick
Yamane Ryu Kobudo
Yamane – root of the mountain; Ryu – stream/system; Kobudo – weapons art
Yoko Geri
Sidekick
Yondan
4th Dan
Yudansha
Person with a Dan or a black belt. There are 10 Dans or levels starting at 1st Dan and going up to 10th Dan.
