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“Be constantly mindful, diligent, and resourceful, in your pursuit of the Way..” – Gichin Funakoshi
Dojo Kun
Hitotsu! Jinkaku Kansei Ni Tsutomuru Koto!
(One! To Strive For The Perfection Of Character!)
Hitotsu! Makoto No Michi O Mamoru Koto!
(One! To Defend The Paths Of Truth!)
Hitotsu! Doryoku No Seishin O Yashinau Koto!
(One! To Foster The Spirit Of Effort!)
Hitotsu! Reigi O Omonzuru Koto!
(One! To Honour The Principles Of Etiquette!)
Hitotsu! Kekki No Yu O Imashimuru Koto!
(One! To Guard Against Impetuous Courage!)
Niju Kun
(20 Precepts)
Karate-do begins with courtesy and ends with rei.
There is no first strike in karate.
Karate is an aid to justice.
First know yourself before attempting to know others.
Spirit first, technique second.
Always be ready to release your mind.
Accidents arise from negligence.
Do not think that karate training is only in the dojo.
It will take your entire life to learn karate, there is no limit.
Put your everyday living into karate and you will find "Myo" (subtle secrets).
Karate is like boiling water, if you do not heat it constantly, it will cool.
Do not think that you have to win, think rather that you do not have to lose.
Victory depends on your ability to distinguish vulnerable points from invulnerable ones.
The out come of the battle depends on how you handle weakness and strength.
Think of your opponents hands and feet as swords.
When you leave home, think that you have numerous opponents waiting for you.
Beginners must master low stance and posture, natural body positions are for the advanced.
Practising a Kata exactly is one thing, engaging in a real fight is another.
Do not forget to correctly apply: strength and weakness of power, stretching and contraction of the body, and slowness and speed of techniques.
Always think and devise ways to live the precepts of karate-do every day.
Basic Etiquette
Always be punctual – late arrivals should enter the dojo quietly and wait for the instructors permission to join the main class.
Make sure that your Gi is kept clean.
Do not eat in the dojo – a drink is permitted at the instructors discretion.
Bad language will not be tolerated in the dojo.
There should be no talking, laughing or unnecessary noise while a class is in progress.
Toe and Finger nails should be kept short at all times – to avoid injury to others.
All jewellery should be removed before training – Jewellery that cannot be removed must be covered.
Shoes should not normally be worn in the dojo.
Personal belongings should be placed away from the training area and kept tidy.
In the dojo the senior instructor must be addressed as Sensei (pronounced sen – say).
If you have forgotten your belt then you must ask permission from Sensei to train.
It is the responsibility of the lower grades to make sure that the dojo is fit to train in, ie. Tidy, clean floor etc.
Any students with a poor attendance record will not be permitted to take their next grading examination. It is customary to inform Sensei if you are likely to be absent for more than one or two lessons.
Always bow (Rei) to instructors and other students when seeing them for the first time and when departing.
Normally all instructors must be addressed as Sensei both in and out of the dojo. Christian names should only be used outside of the dojo if the instructor has indicated that formalities may be dropped.
Always bow upon entering and leaving the dojo and always bow before joining or leaving a class.
Always bow after an instructor has explained something or corrected you.
The dojo captain is the highest grade student in the dojo excluding the instructor. It is the responsibility of the dojo captain to ensure that lines are straight and that dojo discipline is maintained.
Always be polite and courteous to other students and extend this outside the dojo.
Endeavour to learn the Dojo Kun and incorporate it into your daily life.
Ten Points of the Kata
YOI NO KISIN - The spirit of getting ready. Be prepared for your opponent in the Kata.
INYO - The active and the passive. Consider both attack and defensive aspects of the Kata.
CHIKARA NO KYOJAKU - Use of strength. Balance your power in relation to the movements in the Kata.
WAZA NO KANKYU - Speed of movement. The speed of each movement in the Kata.
TAI NO SHINSHUKU -Expansion and contraction. The form of the body in the Kata.
KOKYU - Breathing. Understand breath and posture control in relation to the movements in the Kata.
TYAKUGAN - Targeting. Know the purpose of each movement in the Kata.
KIAI - Shouting. Demonstrate good martial spirit in the Kata.
KEITAI NO HOJI - Positioning. Movement and stance in the Kata.
ZANSHIN - Alertness. Retaining your guard (alertness) for the whole of the Kata, and beyond.
Basic Karate Dictionary
Age Uke - Upper Rising Block
Age Zuki - UpperRising Punch
Aka - Red
Aoi - Blue
Ai Ki - Harmonious Spirit
Ashi - Foot
Ashi Barai - Foot Sweep
Ashi Ura - Sole of Foot
Ashikubi - Ankle
Atama - Head
Ate - Strike
Atemi - Striking
Awase - Combined
Azato (1827/8 - 1906) - Master Yasutsune Azato was one of the two most important teachers of Master Funakoshi. Note Master Azato shares his forename with Master Itosu.
Bassai-dai (Kata) - To Storm a Fortress
Bitei - Coccyx
Bo - Long Staff
Bojutsu - Long Staff Techniques
Bokken - Wooden Sword
Budo - Martial Way
Bugei - Martial Arts
Bunkai - Application (of moves from Kata)
Bushi - Warrior Class
Bushido - Way of the Warrior
Cha-iroi - Brown
Cha-iroi Ichi Shiroi - Brown and White (stripe implied, for belt colours)
Cha-iroi Ni Shiroi - Brown and Double White (stripes implied, for belt colours)
Chinte (Kata) - Chinese Hands
Choku Zuki (or Tsuki) - Straight Punch
Chudan - Middle Level
Chui - Foul (as in competition)
Dachi - Stance
Dai (as in Bassai-dai) - Major
Dan - Level (or Man)
Do - Way
Doji - Simultaneous
Dojo - Place of the Way/Training Place
Embusen - Line(s) of movement (in Kata)
Empi - Elbow (anatomical - also name of Kata Empi)
Empi Uchi/Uke - Elbow Strike/Block
Engetsu Uke - Circle Foot Block
Enoy - Spirit of getting ready
Eri - Collar
Fudo Dachi - Rooted Stance
Fumikomi - Stamping kick
Funakoshi (November?) 1868 - April 26th, 1957) - Gichin Funakoshi - the master, and founder of modern Karate-do
Gamae - Withdrawing
Gankaku (Kata) - Crane on a Rock
Gasshuku - Training Camp
Gedan - Lower Level
Gedan Barai - Downward Block
Gedan Zuki - Lower Level Punch
Geri - Kick
Gi - Training Clothes
Gojushiho (-sho, -dai) (Kata) - Fifty-four Steps
Gohon Kumite - Five Attack Sparring
Go No Sen - Technique where opponent is tricked to attack first, exposing themselves to counter-attack
Gyaku - Reverse
Gyaku Zuki - Reverse Punch
Hachiji Dachi - Natural Stance
Hai - Yes
Haishu - Back-hand
Haishu Uke - Back-hand Block
Hajime - Begin
Haisoku - Instep of foot
Haito - Ridge Hand
Haito Uchi - Ridge Hand Strike
Haiwan - Back-arm
Hangetsu (Kata) - Half Moon
Hangetsu Dachi - Half Moon (or Wide Hour Glass) Stance
Hanmi - Half Front (45 degrees, facing opponent)
Hanshi - Master - honourary title for the highest black belt in an organisation
Hansoku make - Lose, referring to losing by transgressing rules of a competition
Hara - Belly
Harai Te - Sweeping arm technique
Haiwan - Back-arm
Hayai - Fast
Heian Kata's (Shodan, Nidan, Sandan, Yondan, Godan) - The Five Heian Kata's, derived from Kanku-dai
Heisoku Dachi - Informal Attention Stance
Hichu - Adams Apple
Hidari - Left
Hikite - Both Hands retracting
Hikiwake - Draw
Hiku - Pull
Hiraken - Back-hand-knuckle strike
Hiza - Knee
Hiza Geri - Knee Kick
Hizagashira - Kneecap
Hombu - Main Dojo
Hon - Basic, fundamental
Horan No Kamae - 'Egg in nest' ready position, as in Kata Bassai-dai
Hyosh - Timing
Iee Iie - No
Ippon - One
Ippon Ken - One-knuckle Fist
Ippon Nukite - One Finger Spear Hand
Itosu (1830/32 - 1916) - Master Yasutsune Itosu was one of the two most important teachers of Master Funakoshi. Note Master Itosu shares his forename with Master Azato.
Ji'in (Kata) - Temple Grounds, or Gardens
Jikan - Time (as in calling time in competion)
Jion (Kata) - From the Temple of Jion
Jitte (Kata) - Ten Hands
Jiyu Dachi - Free Stance
Jiyu Ippon Kumite - Semi-free One-attack Sparring
Jiyu Kumite - Free Sparring
Jo - Short staff
Jodan - Upper Level
Jogai - Out of bounds
Joko - Slow
Juji Uki - X-Block
Ka - Student
Kachikake - Point of jaw
Kaeshi - Counter attack
Kaeshu Ippon Kumite - Counter attack, semi-free sparring
Kage Uki - Hook Block
Kage Zuki - Hook Punch
Kai - Style
Kaisho - Open hand (palm)
Kaiten - Rotating
Kakae Te - Trapping block
Kakato - Heel
Kakiwake Uke - Wedge Block
Kake-te (or Kake Waza) - Hooking technique
Kakushi Waza - Hidden techniques
Kakuto - Wrist
Kamaete - Get Ready
Kami - Hair
Kan - Hall
Kanazawa (1931 - ) - Hirokazu Kanazawa, successor to Master Funakoshi
Kanku (-sho, -dai) (Kata) - Look to the Sky
Kansetsu Waza - Joint lock techniques
Kappo - Techniques for resuscitating people suffering from shock to nervous system
Kara - Empty
Karate - Empty Hand
Kasumi - Temple
Kata - Form, or Formal Exercise
Katana - Long curved sword
Kawashi - Evasion
Keagi - Snap
Keichu - Back of neck
Keiko - Joined fingertips
Keito Uke - Chicken-head Wrist-block
Kekomi - Thrust
Kempo - Fist Law (in Chinese: Chuan Fa)
Ken - Fist
Kensei - Technique carried out with silent Kiai
Kesa Geri - Diagonal kick
Ki - Inner Strength
Kiai - Shout
Kiba Dachi - Horse riding Stance
Kihon - Basics
Kihon Ippon Kumite - Basic One Attack Sparring
Kime - Focus (Tension and Relaxation)
Kin Geri - Groin Kick
Kinteki - Testicles
Kiroi - Yellow
Kizami Zuki - Jabbing Punch
Ko - Small, lesser
Ko Bo Ittchi - The idea of attack and defence as a unified event
Kobore - Tibia
Kohai - Junior (to oneself)
Koken - Wrist joint
Kokoro - Spirit in the heart
Kokutsu Dachi - Back Stance
Kosa - Crossing
Kosa Uke - Crossing Block
Koshi - Ball of the Foot
Koshin - Rearward
Kuatsu - Resuscitation of person unconscious from strangulation or shock
Kubi - Neck
Kumade - Bear Hand
Kumite - Sparring
Kun - Oath
Kuroi - Black
Kyoku - Breathing
Kyosen - Solar plexus
Kyoshi - Master instructor
Kyototsu - Sternum
Kyu - Grade (or Boy)
Kyusho Waza - Pressure point techniques
Ma-ai - Distance/timing (in respect to one's partner)
Mae - Front
Mae Geri - Front Kick
Mae Ukemi - Forward roll
Makiwara - Striking Post
Manabu - Method of learning by copying what you see
Manji Uke - Double arm block (one Gedan Barai, one Judan Uchi Uke)
Mata - Top of thigh
Matte - Wait
Mawashi Geri/Zuki - Roundhouse Kick/Punch
Mawat-te - Turn
Meikyo (Kata) - Bright Mirror
Midori - Green
Migi - Right (opposite to Left)
Mikazuki Geri - Crescent Kick
Mimi - Ears
Mokuso - Meditation. A pause for reflection to clear one's mind
Moroashi Dachi - Semi-forward stance
Morote - Augmented
Morote Uke - Augmented Block
Morote Zuki - Augmented Punch
Moto Dachi - Short forward stance (e.g. as achieved in Heian Sandan when pulling back for Tetsui Uchi
Mudansha - Non-blackbelt students
Mune - Chest
Murasaki - Purple
Musubi Dachi - Attention stance (as before Rei), feet at 45 degrees
Nagashi Uke - Sweeping Block
Nage Waza - Take-down techniques
Naginata - Pole-arm weapon with blade at one end
Moroashi Dachi - Semi-forward stance
Naiwan Uke - Inside (of) arm block
Nami Ashi - Inside Leg Block
Neko Ashi Dachi - Cat Stance
Nidan Geri - Double Kick
Nihon Nukite - Two-finger Spear Hand
Nijushiho (Kata) - Twenty-four Steps
Nukite - Spear hand
Nunchaku - Okinawan weapon (two sticks with chain or rope connecting them at one end)
O - Big
Obi - Sash, or Belt
Oi Zuki - Stepping Punch
Okinawa - Influential home of Japanese Karate
Onaji - The same
Onegai Shimasu - "I ask of you..." (e.g. a polite precursor to asking a question of Sensei or a training partner)
Orenji - Orange
Osae - Pressing
Osae Uke - Pressing Block
Oss - General term, predominately meaning "Yes, I understand", but is also used for "Thank-you", or "Hello"
Osu - Push
Otoshi - Dropping (e.g. Otoshi Empi)
Oyayubi Ippon Ken - Thumb knuckle
Rei - Respect, invariably demonstrated with a bow
Reigi - Ettiquette
Renoji Dachi - L' stance
Rensei - Practice tournament
Renshi - Master of oneself (usually applied to an expert instructor)
Ren Zuki - Combination Punching
Ryo - Both
Ryoken - Both Fists
Ryowan - Both Arms
Ryu - School
Sae Rei Tu - Line up
Sagi Ashi Dachi - One-legged stance
Sai - Okinawan weapon
Sakotsu - Collar bone
Sanbon Kumite - Three Attack Sparring
Sanbon Shobu - Three-point match (competition)
Sanbon Zuki - Triple punch
Sanchin Datchi - (Narrow) Hour Glass Stance
Sasae - Prop
Sashi Ashi - Stepping Over
Sashite - Raising the hand to strike, block or grab
Seiken - Fore Fist
Seiryuto - Ox-jaw (block or strike with base of Shuto)
Seiza - Kneeling Position
Sempai - Senior student
Sen No Sen - Attack at exactly same time as opponent
Sen Sen No Sen - Attack before opponent (pre-emptive)
Sensei - Teacher (One who has gone before)
Seppuku - Japanese ritual suicide
Shiai - Contest (e.g. match in competition)
Shidoin - Assistant instructor, not yet a Sensei
Shihan - Teacher of teachers
Shiko Dachi - Square stance
Shime waze - Choking/strangling techniques
Shiroi - White
Shizentai - Natural stance
Sho (as in Bassai-sho) - Minor
Shobu - Official contest
Shomen - Front or top of head, but also used to refer to front of the Dojo, as in Shomen Ni Rei!
Shoto - Pine Waves (Master Funakoshi's pen-name)
Shotokan - Hall of Shoto
Shushin - Referee
Shuto - Knife Hand
Shuto Uchi - Knife Hand Strike
Sochin (kata) - Immovable Stance
Sochin Dachi - Immovable, Straddle-leg Stance (from Sochin Kata)
Sode - Sleeve
Soete - Open Hand
Sokumen - Side
Sokuto - Side of Foot
Soto Ude Uke - Outside Forearm Block
Sukui - Scooping
Sutemi - Sacrifice
Suwari Waza - Sitting position techniques
Tachi - Long, single-edged curved Samurai sword
Tai - Body
Tai Sabaki - Body-shifting
Taikyoku Shodan (Kata) - First Cause
Tai Sabiki - Body Shifting
Tameshiwara - Test by Breaking
Tanto - Short dagger, often used in Seppuku
Tate - Vertical
Te - Hand
Teiji Dachi - T-Stance
Teisho - Palm Heel
Tekki - Iron Horse, or Iron Knight
Tekki Shodan, Nidan, Sandan (Katas) - Tekki Katas of 1st, 2nd, and 3rd levels
Tekubi - Wrist
Tento - Top of head
Tettsui - Bottom/Hammer Fist
Tettsui Uchi - Bottom Fist Strike
Te Waza - Hand Techniques
Tobi - Jumping
Tokui - Favourite
Tomoe - Stomach
Tonfa - Farm implement used as weapon by Okinawans
Tora - Tiger
Tsukami - Grasping, or catching
Tsumasaki - Tips (of Fingers or Toes)
Tsuru Ashi Dachi - Crane Leg Stance
Tuite - Grappling
Uchi - Strike
Uchi Ude Uke - Inside Forearm Block
Ude - Forearm
Uke - Block
Ukemi Waza - Breaking fall techniques
Uki Ashi Dachi - Stance akin to cat stance (Neko Ashi Dachi), used in the Kata Hangetsu
Unsu (Kata) - Hands Like a Cloud
Ura Zuki - Close-quarter Punch
Uraken - Back Fist
Ushiro - Back
Ushiro Geri - Back kick
Wa - Harmony
Wakizashi - Short sword, about 3/4 length of Katana
Wan - Arm
Wankan (Kata) - Kings Crown
Washide - Eagles beak hand
Waza - Technique
Waza-ari - Half point (in competition)
Yama Zuki - Wide U-Punch
Yame - Stop
Yari - Polearm weapon with straight blade
Yoi - Ready
Yoko - Side
Yoko Empi - Side Elbow (Strike)
Yoko Geri - Side Kick
Yubi - Finger
Yudanshi - Blackbelt
Yusei-gachi - Winner (of competition)
Zanchin - Awareness
Za-rei - Traditional bow from kneeling position
Zenkutsu Dachi - Front Stance
Zenshin - Forward
Zori - Japanese-style slippers
Zuki (or Tsuki) - Punch