Martial Arts Glossary
Glossary of commonly used terms in the Japanese martial arts.
Glossaries
| Term | Definition |
|---|---|
| Hachi | Hachi (八)In Japanese, Hachi (八) is the cardinal number eight ($8$). Within traditional Japanese martial arts and Shotokan Karate, it represents counting, fundamental movement sequences, repetitions, directional movement patterns, and structural alignments based on eightfold principles.
Author - Sensei Miller
Hits - 22 Synonyms -
Eight, 8, octad, cardinal number eight, yatsu |
| Hachiji-dachi | Hachiji-dachi (八字立ち)Hachiji-dachi (八字立ち) is a fundamental natural open stance in Shotokan Karate. Characterized by feet positioned shoulder-width apart with the toes turned outward at approximately a 45-degree angle, it serves as a primary posture of readiness (yoi-dachi) from which a practitioner can transition rapidly into defensive or offensive techniques in any direction.
Author - Sensei Miller
Hits - 12 Synonyms -
Character-eight stance, natural stance, open natural stance, ready stance, shizentai stance |
| Hai | Hai (はい / 背 / 肺)In Japanese, Hai carries distinct martial and linguistic meanings depending on context and kanji usage. Most commonly in Japanese culture and martial arts etiquette (reiho), Hai (はい) is an affirmative response meaning "yes," "acknowledged," or "understood." Anatomically and technically in martial arts terminology, Hai (背) refers to the back or ridge of a structure (such as haishu, the back of the hand, or haishukoken), and Hai (肺) denotes the lungs, associated with breathing mechanics (ibuki).
Author - Sensei Miller
Hits - 57 Synonyms -
Yes, acknowledged, understood, back, rear, dorsal ridge, lungs |
| Haishu-uchi | Haishu-uchi (背手打ち)Haishu-uchi (背手打ち) is an open-hand striking technique in Shotokan Karate that utilizes the back surface of the hand (haishu) as the primary striking area. Executed with a whipping or snapping motion driven by forearm rotation and hip engagement, it targets soft or vulnerable areas of an opponent's body such as the temple, jaw, neck, solar plexus, or ribs.
Author - Sensei Miller
Hits - 11 Synonyms -
Back-hand strike, dorsal hand strike, back of hand strike, open-hand back strike |
| Haito-uchi | Haito-uchi (背刀打ち)Haito-uchi (背刀打ち) is an open-hand striking technique in Shotokan Karate that utilizes the ridge-hand (haito)—the thumb-side edge of the hand extending from the base of the index finger to the wrist—as the primary impact area. Executed with a arc-like, circular whipping motion, it targets vulnerable anatomical targets such as the temple, jaw, neck, carotid artery, or ribs.
Author - Sensei Miller
Hits - 14 Synonyms -
Ridge-hand strike, inner knife-hand strike, reverse sword-hand strike, ridge-blade strike |
| Hajime | Hajime (始め)Hajime (始め) is the formal verbal command used in Japanese martial arts (Budo) meaning "begin" or "start". In Shotokan Karate, it is shouted by an instructor (Sensei) or referee (Shupan) to signal the immediate commencement of a technique, training drill, kata performance, or sparring match (kumite).
Author - Sensei Miller
Hits - 15 Synonyms -
Begin, start, commence, initiate, start command |
| Hangetsu-dachi | Hangetsu-Dachi (半月立ち)Hangetsu-dachi, translated as the Half-Moon Stance (or Crescent Stance), is an intermediate-width, highly stable karate stance (dachi) characterized by its inward-curved knees and tension-driven circular footwork. Positioned structurally between the forward weight of zenkutsu-dachi (front stance) and the narrow inside-tension of sanchin-dachi (hourglass stance), it serves as a foundational stance in classical kata—most notably the advanced Shotokan form, Hangetsu.
Author - Sensei Miller
Hits - 27 Synonyms -
Half-Moon Stance, Crescent Stance, Semi-Lunate Stance |
| Harai-Tsurikomi-Ashi | Harai-Tsurikomi-Ashi (払釣込足)Harai-tsurikomi-ashi, translated as the Lifting Pulling-Foot Sweep (or Sweeping Lifting-Pull Foot Throw), is a foundational foot-sweeping throw (ashi-waza) originally classified within classical Kodokan Judo. Performed by off-balancing an opponent with an upward lifting-and-pulling action (tsurikomi) while simultaneously sweeping their front ankle or lower shin as they step forward or transfer weight, it is a masterclass in leverage, timing, and force redirection.
Author - Sensei Miller
Hits - 45 Synonyms -
Lifting Pulling-Foot Sweep, Sweeping Lifting-Pull Foot Throw, Lifting-Pull Foot Sweep |
| Heiko-dachi | Heiko-Dachi (平行立ち)Heiko-dachi, translated as the Parallel Stance, is a fundamental natural stance (shizentai) in karate where the feet are positioned shoulder-width apart, pointing directly forward, with body weight distributed evenly between both legs. Serving as a transitional and foundational posture, it provides a balanced, uncommitted base that allows immediate movement or technique execution in any direction.
Author - Sensei Miller
Hits - 28 Synonyms -
Parallel Stance, Parallel Ready Stance, Natural Parallel Stance |
| Hidari | Hidari (左)Hidari is a primary directional term in Japanese translating directly to "left" or "left side." In traditional Japanese martial arts (Budo)—such as Shotokan Karate, Judo, Kendo, and Aikido—it serves as a crucial directional prefix used by instructors (sensei) and referees to specify technique execution, stance orientation, foot placement, or defensive movement utilizing the left side of the body.
Author - Sensei Miller
Hits - 53 Synonyms -
Left, Left side, Left-hand side, Port side |
| hikite | Hikite (引き手)Hikite, translated directly as the "pulling hand" or "retracting hand," is a foundational principle and mechanics concept in traditional Japanese martial arts, most notably Karate. It refers to the rapid, dynamic chambering of the non-striking or non-blocking hand back toward the hip or waist simultaneously as the active hand executes a technique.
Author - Sensei Miller
Hits - 55 Synonyms -
Pulling hand, Retracting hand, Chambering hand, Reaction arm |
| Hombu-Dojo | Hombu-Dojo (本部道場)Hombu-Dojo (本部道場) is the official headquarters training hall of a martial arts organization or style. In Shotokan Karate, it represents the central administrative, instructional, and technical hub—such as the Japan Karate Association (JKA) Hombu Dojo in Tokyo—where supreme technical standards are codified, high-ranking instructors are trained, and global organizational governance is maintained.
Author - Sensei Miller
Hits - 32 Synonyms -
Headquarters dojo, central training hall, main dojo, head office training center, honbu dojo |