Martial Arts Glossary
Glossary of commonly used terms in the Japanese martial arts.
Glossaries
| Term | Definition |
|---|---|
| Enpi | Empi (飛燕)Empi (historically known as Wansu or Wanshi) is one of the foundational intermediate Sentei Kata in Shotokan Karate, translating directly to "Flying Swallow." Renowned for its rapid, agile rhythms, explosive changes in level, and light footwork, Empi mimics the darting, unpredictable flight of a swallow. It develops a karateka's ability to shift rapidly from low, evasive postures into explosive upward strikes, embodying high-speed entry, evasion, and decisive close-quarters counters.
Author - Sensei Miller
Hits - 18 Synonyms -
Flying swallow kata, Wansu kata, Empi kata, Shotokan swallow form, Wanshi. |
| Fudo-dachi | Fudō-dachi (不動立ち)Fudō-dachi (frequently called Sochin-dachi in Shotokan Karate) is a powerful, combat-oriented stance in traditional Japanese Budo translating directly to "immovable stance" or "unshakable posture." Synthesizing the forward thrusting stability of front stance (Zenkutsu-dachi) with the lateral root and defensive solidity of horse stance (Kiba-dachi), Fudō-dachi provides an unyielding base of support. It enables a karateka to absorb heavy impacts, deliver devastating close-to-mid-range strikes, and maintain complete physical and mental composure (Fudōshin) under pressure.
Author - Sensei Miller
Hits - 22 Synonyms -
Immovable stance, Sochin-dachi, rooted stance, unshakable posture, diagonal horse stance. |
| Gendai-Kihon | Gendai-Kihon (現代基本)Gendai-Kihon is a modern pedagogical classification in Japanese martial arts translating directly to "modern fundamentals" or "contemporary basic techniques." In Shotokan Karate and modern Budo, it refers to the standardized, scientifically refined foundational drills developed during the 20th century to facilitate group instruction, physical education, safety, and athletic competition. Gendai-Kihon systematically organizes basic blocks, punches, strikes, and kicks into standardized line drills, stepping patterns, and uniform biomechanical frameworks.
Author - Sensei Miller
Hits - 13 Synonyms -
Modern fundamentals, contemporary basics, standardized kihon, ido-kihon, modern basic techniques. |
| Gi | Gi (着 / 稽古着)Gi (properly termed Dōgi or Keikogi in traditional Japanese) is the official training uniform worn by practitioners of Shotokan Karate and various traditional Japanese Budo disciplines. Consisting of a crossover jacket (Uwagi), drawstring or elastic trousers (Shitabaki or Zubon), and a rank belt (Obi), the uniform is constructed from heavy-duty woven cotton or breathable canvas fabric. Far more than mere athletic apparel, the Gi serves as a egalitarian garment that strips away personal social status, reinforces dojo etiquette (Reirō), and facilitates rigorous physical conditioning (Shugyō).
Author - Sensei Miller
Hits - 21 Synonyms -
Karategi, keikogi, dogi, karate uniform, martial arts gi. |
| Gichin Funakoshi | Gichin Funakoshi (船越 義珍)Gichin Funakoshi (1868–1957) was a legendary Okinawan martial artist, educator, and philosopher widely revered as the "Father of Modern Karate." A pivotal figure in martial arts history, Master Funakoshi was instrumental in introducing Okinawan Karate-Jutsu to mainland Japan in the 1920s. By modernizing its training methods, standardizing its terminology, and emphasizing moral character development over mere combative effectiveness, he transformed the art into Shotokan Karate-Dō—a globally practiced discipline centered on physical forging, ethical conduct, and spiritual self-mastery.
Author - Sensei Miller
Hits - 61 Synonyms -
Father of modern karate, Master Funakoshi, Shoto, founder of Shotokan karate, Gichin Funakoshi Sensei. |
| Go | Go (五)In Japanese, Go (五) is the cardinal number five ($5$). Within the context of traditional Japanese martial arts and Shotokan Karate, it denotes counting, grouping, technical sequences, numbered sets of kata, and fundamental principles organized into fivefold structures.
Author - Sensei Miller
Hits - 31 Synonyms -
Five, 5, quintet, quinary, cardinal number five, itsutsu |
| Gohon-kumite | Gohon-kumite (五本組手)Gohon-kumite (五本組手) is a pre-arranged, fundamental five-step sparring drill in Shotokan Karate. In this exercise, the attacker (tori) advances continuously with five linear techniques—typically jodan oi-zuki (face-level stepping punch) or chudan oi-zuki (chest-level stepping punch)—while the defender (uke) steps backward five times executing designated blocks, culminating in a decisive counterattack on the fifth and final step.
Author - Sensei Miller
Hits - 24 Synonyms -
Five-step sparring, fundamental partner drill, pre-arranged sparring, five-technique sparring drill |
| 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 - 14 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 - 16 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 - 17 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 - 29 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 - 46 Synonyms -
Lifting Pulling-Foot Sweep, Sweeping Lifting-Pull Foot Throw, Lifting-Pull Foot Sweep |