Founder of Kyokushin Karate
Kyokushin / Japanese Terminology

General Vocabulary

Hai Yes
Iee No
Watashi Me / I
Anata You
Kare Him
Doko Where
Nan What
Dare Who
Doshite Why
Itsu When
Do/Ikaga How
Ikura How many

General Japanese Greetings & Expressions

Ohayô gozaimasu Good morning
Konnichiwa Hello/Good afternoon
Konbanwa Good evening
Arigatô gozaimasu Thank you!
Hajimemashite How do you do?
Douzo yoroshiku Nice to meet you!
Dewa mata See you later
Mata ashita See you tomorrow
Ja mata See ya! (less formal)
Sayonara Goodbye
Shitsurei shimasu I'm leaving (very formal)
Sumimasen Excuse me
Dômo Thanks!
Dômo arigatou gozaimashita Thank you very much (very polite)
Onegaishimasu Please

Greetings and Salutes

Osu Patience and Determination. Comes from 'oshi shinobu' which means to never give up. It also comes from 'osu no seishin' which means perseverance under pressure.
It is used among kyokushin practionners to show respect or to say "I understand".
Shinzen ni rei Greeting to the ancestors
Shomen ni rei Greeting in direction of the person standing in the place of honor (usually more elevated than the students)
Mokuso Meditation (silent thought) / Close your eyes
Mokuso yame Open your eyes
Mas Oyama ni rei Greeting to Mas Oyama
Shihan ni rei Greeting to the Shihan
Sensei ni rei Greeting to the teacher
Sempai ni rei Greeting to the assistant teacher
Otagai ni rei Greeting to the other students
Tatte kudasai Stand on your feet (right foot first)
Osu onegai shimasu Courtesy call when start the class / to your practice partner
Osu Arigato gozaimashita Thank you so much
Osu Shitsurei shimasu Excuse me
Osu Shitsurei shimashita I apologize

 Titles and Status

Sosai President
Kancho Director
Hanshi Honorable Master
Shihan Grand Master (5th dan or more)
Sensei School Master / Teacher (3rd dan or more)
Sempai Senior / Teacher's assistant
Shidoin Instructor
Karateka Student
Kohai Junior student
Otagai Each other / Other students
Yudansha Black belt student

Places and Clothing

Honbu Head quarters
Dojo Training Hall (Way place)
Dogi (gi) Training clothes
Obi Belt
Kyu Belt dash for lower belts (colored-belts)
Dan Belt dash for black belts
Kuroi obi Black belt
Shodan Shinsa Dan test / Black Belt test
Shokyu Shinsa Kyu Test / Color belt test
Nyumon Join to the Dojo
Hamon Excommunicate
Shonen bu Kids class
Jyoshi bu Ladies class
Ippan bu Regular adult class
Sonen bu Senior class

Basic Terminology (kihon jutsugo)

Anza Relaxed Sitting
Bunkai Application (analysis)
Budo Martial Way
Do Path
Dojo Kun Training Hall Oath
Fukuso Accouterment
Fumiashi Step (with a change of feet)
Gasshukoku United States
Goshin jutsu Self defense
Hanmi Upper body shifted angled to avoid direct strike and ready for your next move
Ibuki Forced Tension Breathing
Karate Empty hand
Kamaete Take Ready Position
Kata Form
Ki Inner Energy
Kiai Explosive Scream
Kiai Irete With Explosive Energy
Kihon Basics
Kihon waza Basic techniques
Kime Focus
Kokusai International
Kosa Switch (i.e. switch stance L to R or R to L)
Kotai Switch (i.e. partners switch places in a drill)
Kumite Combat
Kyokushin Ultimate Truth
Yakusoku kumite Pre-arranged combat
Ippon kumite Pre-arranged combat / 1 block and 1 counter-attack (the two participants are standing at the same place)
Sanbon kumite Pre-arranged combat / 3 blocks followed by 3 counter-attackes while the participants move straight.
Jiyu kumite Free-sparring
Jissen kumite Full contact fighting
Maai Interval (between opponents)
Makiwara Striking Post (straw wrapped)
Mugorei No Counting (no commands)
Mushin Without Thought (no mind)
Naore Return to Starting Position
Nogare Calm Controlled Breathing / Breathing technique - breath silently
Okuriashi Shuffle Step (sending foot)
Rei Bow / Greeting / Homage
Renmei Federation
Renma Polishing, Training
Renraku Combinations
Seishin Spirit
Tatte Stand up
Mawatte Turn
Hantai Opposite side
Yame Stop
Yasume Rest, at Ease
Yoi Ready
Seiza Formal Kneeling (correct sitting)
Kamaete On guard
Hajime Start
Ryu Style (of karate)
Tameshiwari Braking exercise / test (wood, ciment, ice, baseball bat, etc)
Tanden Center of Body (below navel)
Waza Technique(s)
Zanshin Remain Alert (remaining mind)

Directions

Jodan Upper Level
Chudan Middle Level
Gedan Lower Level
Age Rising / While raising
Happo 8 directions
Hidari Left
Juji Cross arm
Kake Hooked
Mae Front, forward
Mawashi Round, Circular
Migi Right
Naname In diagonal, at 45 degrees
Oroshi Descending / While going down
Sagari While going backward
Sayu Left and right alternatively
Shita From below / down
Shomen Front of Dojo
Soto From outside to inside, outside
Tobi While jumping
Naka / Uchi Fron inside to outside, inside
Ue Up
Ura Reverse, Backward
Ushiro Behind
Yoko On sides, from sides

Colors

Aka Red
Shiro White
Kiiro Yellow
Cha Brown
Ao Blue
Midori Green
Kuro Black

Body Weapons - The hand and arms as weapon

Seiken Fist / Forefist (correct fist)
Shuto Knife hand
Te Hand
Hiji / Enpi Elbow
Tetsui Hammer fist
Koken Arc fist
Uraken Reverse fist / Back hand
Haisho Backhand
Haito Reverse knife hand
Hiraken Flat Fist
Nukite Finger tip strike
Nakayubi Ippon Ken Middle Finger Knuckle Fist
Oyayubi Ippon Ken Thumb Knuckle Fist
Shotei Palm heel
Kote Forearm
Ryutoken Dragon's Head Fist
Toho Sword Peak Hand

Body Weapons - The leg and foot as a weapon

Sokuto Knife edge foot
Haisoku Instep
Kakato Heel
Hiza Knee
Chusoku Ball of the foot
Teisoku Arch of the foot
Sune Shin
Tsumasaki Toe

Body Weapons - Others

Zutsuki Head-butt
Taiatari Tackle
Kiai Spirited shout

Body parts as a target
Jodan (Neck and Head)
Ago Chin / Jaw
Me Eye
Hana Nose
Nodo Throat
Komekami Temple
Kuchi Mouth
Mimi Ear
Kubi Neck
Ganmen Face
Jinchu Spot between nose and mouth
Miken Spot between eyes
Atama Head
Chudan (Torso area)
Suigetsu / Hara Stomach / Solar Plexus
Mune Chest
Sakotsu Clavicle / Collarbone
Rokkotsu / Abara Rib
Kata Shoulder
Hizo Spleen
Kanzo Liver
Senaka / Ushiro Back
Shinzo Heart
Ude Arms
Te Hand
Yubi Finger
Tekubi Wrist
Kobushi / Ken Fist
Gedan (Groin and legs)
Kinteki (kin) Groin
Ashi Leg
Hiza Knee
Kansetsu Joint
Momo Thigh
Koshi Hip
Sune Shin
Kakato Heel
Fukurahagi Calf

Kihon Waza (Basic techniques)

Tsuki Punch (thrust)
Uchi Strike
Uke Block
Geri Kick

 Stances (the word "tachi" & "dachi" has same meaning)

Heisoku dachi Closed foot stance
Musubi dachi Open Foot (connected) Stance / Toes open & heels together
Soto hachiji dachi Outer figure 8 stance
Moro ashi dachi One Foot Forward (two-foot) Stance / Two legged parallel stance
Kokutsu dachi Back leaning stance
Kake ashi dachi Cross legs stance
Kiba dachi Horse back riding stance
Tsuru ashi dachi Crane stance
Heiko dachi Parallel stance
Uchi hachiji dachi Inner figure 8 stance
Yoi Dachi / Shizentai Ready Stance
Fudo dachi Immobile stance
Sanchin dachi Three Point Stance / Basic practice stance
Neko ashi dachi Cat stance
Zenkutsu dachi Forward leaning stance
Shiko dachi Sumo stance
Tsuru Ashi Dachi Crane Stance
Kumite Dachi Fighting Stance
Han Mi Half Body Stance
Migi Ashi Mae Right Foot Forward
Hidari Ashi Mae Left Foot Forward

 Punching Techniques (tsuki waza)

Seiken chudan / Jodan tsuki Fist strike to the chudan / jodan
Seiken ago uchi Fist strike to the chin
Seiken Furi Uchi Hook Strike
Seiken Oi Tsuki Lunge Punch
Seiken Morote Tsuki Two-Handed Punch
Seiken Gyaku Tsuki Reverse Punch
Seiken Tate Tsuki Vertical Punch
Seiken Jun Tsuki Side (corresponding) Punch
Uraken ganmen uchi Back fist strike to the face
Uraken sayu uchi Back fist strike to the left & right opponents
Uraken hizo uchi Back fist strike to side of the stomach
Uraken Oroshi Ganmen Uchi Descending Face Strike
Uraken mawashi uchi Back fist roundhouse strike to the temple
Shita tsuki Flipped fist strike to the middle section
Tetsui Oroshi Ganmen Uchi Descending Face Strike with hammer fist
Tetsui Komekami Uchi Temple Strike with hammer fist
Tetsui Hizo Uchi Spleen Strike with hammer fist
Tetsui Mae Yoko Uchi Forward Side Strike with hammer fist
Tetsui Yoko Uchi Side Strike with hammer fist
Enpi Elbow strike

 Striking Techniques (uchi waza)

Shuto ganmen uchi Shuto strike to the temple
Shuto sakotsu uchi Shuto down strike to the collarbone
Shuto sakotsu uchikomi Shuto forward strike to the collarbone
Shuto uchi uchi Shuto outward strike to the temple or neck
Shuto hizo uchi Shuto strike to the spleen/abdomen
Shuto Yoko Ganmen Uchi Side Face Strike
Nihon Nukite Two-Fingered Spear Hand
Yonhon Nukite Four-Fingered Spear Hand
Shotei Uchi Palm Heel Strike
Hiji Ate Elbow Strike
Mae Hiji Ate Forward Elbow Strike
Age Hiji Ate Rising Elbow Strike
Ushiro Hiji Ate Backwards Elbow Strike
Oroshi Hiji Ate Descending Elbow Strike

 Blocking techniques (uke waza)

Jodan uke Upper block
Soto uke Middle section from outside to inside
Uchi uke Middle section from inside to outside
Gedan barai Lower block
Kosa uke / Uchiuke gedanbarai Uchiuke & gedanbarai at a same time
Morote Chudan Uchi Uke Two-Handed Middle Area Inside Block
Mawashi uke Roundhouse block
Shuto mawashi uke Shuto roundhouse block
Juji Uke Crossed Block
Kake Uke Hooked Block
Shotei Uke Palm Heel Block
Enkei gyaku tsuki Reverse strike with circular motion block on Zenkutsu dachi stance

 Kicking Techniques (geri waza)

Mae keage Front upper kick with no knee snap
Hiza geri Knee kick
Kin geri Groin kick
Mae geri Front snap kick
Yoko keage Side upper kick with no knee snap
Kansetsu geri Knee joint kick
Yoko geri Side kick
Ushiro geri Back kick
Uchi mawashi geri Roundhouse kick with no knee snap outward
Soto mawashi geri Roundhouse kick with no knee snap inward
Mawashi geri Roundhouse kick
Ushiro mawashi geri Spinning roundhouse kick
Kakato otoshi ax kick
Domawashi kaiten geri Suicidal jumping spin kick
Tobi geri Jumping kick
Tobi Mae Geri Jumping Front Kick
Nidan geri Jumping kick with shuffle legs

 Name of the Kata
Taikyoku
Taikyoku Sono Ichi
Taikyoku Sono Ni
Taikyoku Sono San
All Taikyoku Kata has Ura (Reverse = spin)
Taikyoku Sokugi
Sokugi Taikyoku Sono Ichi
Sokugi Taikyoku Sono Ni
Sokugi Taikyoku Sono San
Pinan
Pinan Sono Ichi
Pinan Sono Ni
Pinan Sono San
Pinan Sono Yon
Pinan Sono Go
All Pinan Kata has Ura (Reverse = spin)
Breathing Kata
Sanchin
Tensho
Superior Kata
Tsuki No Kata
Yantsu
Gekisai Dai
Gekisai Sho
Saiha
Advanced Kata
Seienchin
Seipai
Garyu
Kanku
Sushiho
Extra Katas
Bassai
Tekki Sono Ichi
Tekki Sono Ni
Tekki Sono San
Juji Kata No Kata
Juji Keri No Kata
Weapons Kata
Bo - Oshiro No Kon
Bo - Shyushi No Kon
Sai - Tawada No Sai Sho
Bo Kihon Sono Ichi
Terukawa No Tonfa
Tonfa Kihon Sono Ichi
Nunchaku Kihon Sono Ichi
Chion
Soki
Taizan

Numbers (kazu)
1 (Ichi)
2 (Ni)
3 (San)
4 (Shi / Yon)
5 (Go)
6 (Roku)
7 (Shichi / Nana)
8 (Hachi)
9 (Kyu)
10 (Jyu)
11 (Jyu Ichi)
12 (Jyu Ni)
13 (Jyu San)
14 (Jyu Shi)
15 (Jyu Go)
16 (Jyu Roku)
17 (Jyu Shichi)
18 (Jyu Hachi)
19 (Jyu Kyu)
20 (Ni Jyu)
30 (San Jyu)
40 (Yon Jyu)
50 (Go Jyu)
60 (Roku Jyu)
70 (Nana Jyu)
80 (Hachi Jyu)
90 (Kyu Jyu)
100 (Hyaku)
1000 (Sen)
10000 (Man)

Tournament Terminology (taikai jutsugo)

Awasete Ippon Adds Up to One Point
Shomen Front
Shushin Referee
Seiza Sit down
Kamaete On guard
Yame Stop
Shiro White
Genten Penalty
Genten ichi Minus 1 point
Rei Bow
Otagai Each other
Mawatte Turn
Hajime Start
Aka Red
Kachi Win
Chui Warning
Genten ni Minus 2 point
Genten san = shikkaku Minus 3 point = disqualified
Hantei onegai shimasu Please give the judgment
Hantei Decision / Judgement
Waza ari Half point
Zokko Continue / Resume Fighting
Akushu Shake hands
Ippon One Point / Knock out = fight ends
Encho Overtime Round (extension)
Fukushin Corner Judge (assistant referee)
Fukushin Shugo Referees' Conference
Hikiwake Draw, Tie
Senshuken Taikai Championship Tournament
Shikaku Disqualification


- Warning technique -
(chui)

Ganmen oda Face punch
Tsukami Grabbing
Kinteki geri Groin kick
Nage Throwing
Oshi Push
Kake Hook
Kansetsu geri Knee joint kick
Atama wo tsuketeno kogeki Attach with head on opponent
Senaka / Sekizui eno kogeki Strike to the back / spinal area
Taoreta aite eno kogeki Attack to the downed opponent
Waza no kake nige Throwing technique for escape purpose
Seni soshitsu Lost of intent to fight

Training

Hokyo Strength training e.g. Push ups
Kentate Fist push ups
Yubitate Finger push ups
Fukkin abdominal exercises / crunch / sit-up
Haikin Back extention
Sukuwatto Squat
Sakadachi Hand standing
Junan Stretching
Bogu Protection gear
Mizu Water

* Three basic principles of Kata = Tempo of technique, Points of power stress, Breath control

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