The Great Void

Avocations

A

age to lift or raise from a low to a high position

ai harmony, union, love

aka red

ashi legs, feet

aswatte sit; sitting position

Bodhidharma (Daruma, Damo) a Buddhist religious teacher (460-535 AD) who came to China from India. He taught "Chan" (Zen) to the monks in the "Small Forest Temple" [Shaolin-si]. Bodhidharma developed exercises to help the monks stay in shape and learn proper breathing methods. He is credited with the creation of an unarmed fighting system which became the basis for the majority of the Chinese martial arts.

bo long wooden staff (a weapon); see also kun

boken wooden sword shaped like a katana

bu combat

budo military way; martial way or martial art, the way of fighting/combat

bunkai analysis; "with attackers"

bushi warrior

bushido way (spirit) of the warrior, code of honor and social behavior, warrior moral way

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C

Chatan Yara lived in 18th century Okinawa. He traveled to China to learn the techniques of Wushu, (a Chinese Shaolin-si (Chuan-fa) style established during the Ming dynasty 1368-1644). When he returned to his native village of Chatan, Yara created a school of martial arts using weapons and empty hand Kata. One of the best-known is the Shorinji-ryu "Chatan Yara no Sai".

Chinese boxing (Wushu, Kung-fu, Quan)

chinto fifth kata (see kata for history of Chinto)

chinto dachi hook stance; see also kake dachi

chu middle; center

chudan middle level, chest height

Chuan-fa Shaolin-si style, Quan-fa

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D

dachi (tachi) stance; to stand or remain standing

chinto dachi hook stance; see also koso dachi

hachiji dachi open leg stance; a firm attention posture assumed before a contest while presenting one's-self and also used in Kata

hangetsu dachi (Sanchin dachi) hourglass stance; the posture of Sanchin with feet and knees turned in.

heiko dachi basic ' ready' position, feet parallel.

heisoku dachi a standing posture, feet joined together.

kake dachi (Chinto dachi) hook stance

kiba dachi a posture called "horse riding stance" with the legs wide apart and slightly bent, toes pointing inward.

kokutsu dachi a straight [back leaning] posture with the leading leg bent and most of the weight of the body on the rear leg, which is slightly bent. (compare with zenkutzu dachi)

musubi dachi relaxed position, a waiting position with the heels together and toes pointing outwards.

neko-ashi dachi cat stance; rear leg is bent, the front leg is raised so that only the ball of the foot rests on the ground.

seisan dachi basic toe-to-heel stance, legs apart shoulder width , weight 50/50, knees slightly bent

shiko dachi (seiuchin dachi) a strong low deep horse stance or straddle stance in which the heels are shoulder-width apart and the feet are pointed outward on a 45-degree angle.

uchi hachiji dachi a standing ready posture, feet apart turned in.

zenkutzu dachi a position with the weight forward on the leading leg, which is bent, with the rear leg extended towards the back. (compare with kokutsu dachi)

dai (dae) great, big, also O'

daito large sword

Daruma (Damo) see Bodhidharma

dan black belt; compare with kyu

sho-dan first degree black belt
First Dan: that of the 'student'

ni-dan second degree black belt
Second Dan: corresponds to the title of the 'disciple'

san-dan third degree black belt
Third Dan: that of a 'confirmed' disciple

yo-dan fourth degree black belt; also known as yon-dan
Fourth Dan: that of the 'expert'

go-dan fifth degree black belt
Renshi- Fifth Dan: spiritual expert, grade indicates a degree of self control

roku-dan sixth degree black belt
Kyoshi (6th & 7th): specialized experts, indicates a degree of inner perfection

dao (do, tao) the 'Way' (In Chinese Wushu, Dao constitutes fundamental movements equivalent to Karate kata)

deshi disciple, pupil (term normally only used for the most serious of pupils selected by the master who will be expected to carry on the art as it was taught to them after their passing)

do (in Kendo) a strong rigid piece of Kendo armor which covers the chest (breastplate); the trunk

do the 'Way'; path (e.g. karate-do way of karate; bushi-do way of the warrior; bu-do way of combat; ko-bu-do [ko = small] refers to the small ancient Okinawan martial arts schools of jutsu and ryu and also refers to all martial disciplines which use unconventional Okinawan weapons; Iai-do way of drawing the sword )

dojo "place for studying the Way", training hall of all martial arts (Budo), karate school.

domo arigato "thank you very much"

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E

enbusen foot pattern of kata; starting & finishing point of kata

empi elbow

empi uchi elbow strike

escrima stick wooden rods (weapons); fighting sticks with Philippine origins

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F

fudo immovable, firm

fudoshin (fudo-no-seishin) 'Body like a rock' / 'Immutable in heart'- that state in which a mind, imperturbable, is not troubled by anything external. a state where a person remains calm, serene and knows no fear when faced with danger, aggression or situations out of their control. It is total impassivity before the hazards of life. This concept was expressed by Zen monk Takuan Zenshi (who developed the concept of mushin) and developed by Miyamoto Musashi the famous samurai.

fumi-komi geri stamping techniques

Funakoshi Gichin (1869-1957) The Okinawan founder of modern day karate and creator of the Shotokan style of Japanese Karate. He began his martial arts training with the study of Okinawan-te, which later became known as karate-te or karate jutsu. Karate jutsu translated as Kara(China) hand(te) art(jutsu). In 1921 Master Funakoshi demonstrated Karate to the Japanese prince Hirohito, and was invited to come to Japan teach the art to the Japanese. When Funakoshi moved to Japan, he changed the meaning of the name Karate by substituting the first character Kara(Chinese) for the one that meant "empty" [Empty Hand]. He brought 16 Okinawan Katas with him, and by 1936 had founded over 30 Japanese dojos.

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G

gatame (katame) holds; body lock; "keeping under control"

kata gatame shoulder lock

keza gatame scarf hold

kami shi ho gatame upper four corner hold

gedan lower level (used in martial arts to indicate area of attack)

gedan bari sweeping feet from under an opponent

gedan uke low block

geri (keri) kick

fumi-komi geri stamping techniques

kake geri hook kick

mae geri front kick; straight forward kick

hiza geri knee kick or strike

kekomi geri thrust kick

mawashi-geri around kick; round-house kick

morote-tobi-geri double fake kick

tobi-geri jumping kick

ushiro-geri back kick

yoko-geri side kick; side-blade kick

kicks may be medium (ma); straight out (toma); jumping (tobi); penetrating (kekomi)

giri obligation - in the Ryu systems, an obligation made between a deshi and their Master (often on his deathbed) to devote their lives to preserve and hand down the integrity of the martial art they were taught.

gi karate uniform

go 5 (five)

Goju-ryu Karate school founded by Miyagi Chojun (1888-1953) in 1930. Master Miyagi was one of Tatsuo Shimabuku's master instructors. Master Shimabuku combining techniques learned from both the Goju-ryu and Shoren-ryu styles to create the Isshinryu system.

gokuhi special "secret" techniques and instructions which are taught by a martial arts master to his closest, most gifted students having the highest grades. often called Hi-ho or Hi-jutsu (hidden method /secret method)

gokurosan "I thank you for doing what was expected"

gomen nasai "I'm sorry" or "excuse me"

Goren no Sho Book of Five Rings (see Miyamoto Musashi 1643)

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H

hachi 8 (eight)

hachiji dachi a firm attention-posture assumed before a contest while presenting one's-self and also used in Kata

hachimaki headband

haito sword hand

haito uchi ridge hand strike, blow delivered with the index finger edge of the hand

hajime begin; start

hakama very wide pants that look like a skirt, traditional ceremonial costume of Japan, used in Kendo

hangetsu dachi (Sanchin dachi) hourglass stance; the posture of Sanchin with feet and knees turned in.

hanshi 'Master'; an honorary title given to the highest black belt grades, signifying their understanding of their art.

hara belly, the human body's center of gravity and the source of breath (energy), which is traditionally located about 4 centimeters below the navel. It is believed that this is where the profound vital force of ki's universal energy is found (see ki)

heiko dachi basic 'ready' position, feet parallel.

heisoku dachi a standing posture, feet joined together.

hidari left

hira flat (flat of the hand, top of the foot, all plane surfaces)

hiraken fore knuckle fist, a direct punch with the front of the fist facing the target

hirate flat hand

hiki waki draw

hiza knee

hizo small of back

ho corner; see also kami shi ho gatame

hon shin beginner's mind

hontai permanently awake and alert state of a fighter whose mind is unattached and remains clear and in control. "it reflects the unmoving mind, a mind clinging to no object".

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I

iai draw

iai-do "way of Iai [art of drawing the sword]"; technique of sword fighting

ibuki technique of breathing using the muscles of the abdomen (Hara).

ichi 1 (one)

ichiban first, #1, most, best, highest quality

ippon one full point; compare with wasa ari

ippon seoi-nage one arm shoulder throw

Isshin-ryu "one heart way", a system of Martial Arts Karate founded by Master Tatsuo Shimabuku.

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J

jido child, juvenile / or automatic action, self motion

jo short staff

jodan upper area

jodan uke upper block

ju 10 (ten); gentle

ju soft, pliant, adaptable, yielding

judo "gentle way"

ju-jutsu "science of softness"

jutsu technique, true (art or science)

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K

ka student (eg. karate-ka karate student)

kai society, party, meeting

kai (eg. kai ga aru ~ be worth while, be effective)

kake (kagi) hook

kake dachi (Chinto dachi) hook stance

kake geri hook kick

kake tsuki curved hook punch (like used in boxing)

kaki wake-uke a blocking technique carried out with the arms, making a rough X shape

kama a kind of sickle used to cut rice, with a long handle. It was used at one time by the Okinawans to defend themselves against Samurai.

kamae (gamae) "guard", posture, stance (in Kendo)

kami hair

kami upper, above

kami shiho gatame locking of the upper four "quarters"

kara empty

karate (Kara) empty (Te) hand; The art of the empty hand; Formerly the name was Kara (Chinese) Te (hand) ; Chinese hand art (also called "Tode" - same meaning) The change was made by Funakoshi Gichin who brought karate from Okinawa to Japan. karatedo is a fighting art that uses only the bare hands (and feet).

karateka anyone who trains in karatedo, whatever his or her rank

kata pre-arranged forms/sequences of formal exercise, designed to simulate an imaginary fight against attackers. All kata begins and ends with a bow to the master and his assistants.

kata shoulder

kata gaesh take down in kumite shobu

kata garuma throw performed in wansu and suansu kata

katana slightly curved long sword with one cutting edge, used by the Bushi and Samurai

kekomi geri thrust kick

kempo (Chuan-fa) "way of the fist"; a Chinese martial art, originally a fighting method, using no weapons, introduced into Okinawa just before 1600.

ken fist (also seiken)

ken sword

kendo "way of the sword"; a martial art of using the sword

keri (geri) kick (see geri)

ki (qi / ch'i) spirit, heart, feelings, mind - in martial arts, the controlled internal energy that can be focused and directed outward with explosive power. The concept of Ki is one of the most important in Eastern philosophy, it directly concerns everyone's life since it is nothing less than the vital universal energy of their life-force. The Ki originates in the human body in a point just below the navel known as the hara. The nature of this fundamental creative energy, the divine 'universal breath' in all of us, can be projected outside oneself (by means of a Ki-ai for example). The Ki results from a potentiality of the universal energies. Whoever uses the power of Ki may do so in a positive or negative way. To unite the Ki with the Hara (the physical and psychological center of an individual), is synonymous with concentrating a subjective form of this universal energy within oneself.

kiai spirit shout or yell

kiba dachi a posture called "horse riding stance" with the legs wide apart and slightly bent, toes pointing inward.

kihon fundamental, basic movements in a martial arts system.

kime focus

kiri cutting action usually with Shinai or Katana (Kendo)

kobudo art of weapons; [ko = small] refers to the small ancient Okinawan martial arts schools of jutsu and ryu and also refers to all martial disciplines which use unconventional Okinawan weapons;

kohai junior; junior student (see sempai)

kokutsu dachi a straight [ back leaning] posture with the leading leg bent and most of the weight of the body on the rear leg, which is slightly bent. (compare with zenkutzu dachi)

komei fighting posture

konichiwa gazaimasu "good afternoon"

kosoto gake (Judo) minor outside hooking leg sweep combined with push

kosoto gari (Judo) minor outside reaping leg sweep combined with pull

kote (Kendo) forearms; padded gloves that cover the forearms.

koto gaeshi (Ju-jutsu) movement involving gripping the opponents wrist with left hand and push with palm of right hand, bending the joint of the wrist inwards towards the forearm.

kouchi gari (Judo) minor inner reaping leg sweep with push

ku 9 (nine)

kubotan a short cylinder weapon shaped like a very thick pencil (often on a keychain) used to strike vital areas. a similar weapon was used by the Ninja.

kumite sparring, fighting, attack, freestyle combat

ippon kumite single technique sparring

jui kumite free style sparring

yakusoku kumite pre-arranged sequence fighting

kun wood staff (a weapon); see also bo

kunren training, exercise

kusanku name of kata

kyoshi a grad of 6th or 7th dan in the martial arts. It corresponds to a degree of perfection in the inward sense, and to expert instructors

kyu lower ranks of the martial arts (compare to dan)

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L

Lee, Bruce (1940-1974) martial artist and film star from Hong Kong, who did much to popularize the martial arts in the United States. He is the founder of the Jeet Kune Do system.

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M

mai-ai distancing; a concept of distance-time that separates two opponents.

mae front; forward

mae geri front kick; straight forward kick

makiwara striking post; striking pad

Matsumura, "Bushi" Sokon striking

mawashi around

mawashi geri around kick; round-house kick

men (in Kendo, a target area) face, forehead

migi right

mikazuki geri crescent kick

mitsu-tomoe the union of the three energies of man, earth and sky in universal rotation. (Gi patch: symbol of Okinawa)

Miyamoto Musashi (1584-1645) the most famous Samurai of Japan. He was a student of his father Minisai Shinmen, who was defeated and killed by another expert swordsman. Miyamoto Musashi went on to perfect himself in the art of the sword, and then sought out his father's murderer. He quickly and effortlessly killed his enemy in a duel. He went on to teach his style(s) of swordsmanship. He also wrote two books: the Gorin-no-Sho (Book of Five Rings) a book about swordsmanship in the martial arts and the Dokukodo a work composed of 21 sections, devoted to the spirit of Bushido (the ethical code for warriors to follow).

mizu water

mizu gami water(sea) goddess, isshin-ryu patch

mokato silence, meditation

morote double handed; two hands

morote tobe geri double fake kick

morote tsuki double punch

morote uke double block

morote seoinage carry back throw

mushin (munen mushin) "mind of no mind", original mind, no mind, a mind not fixed upon anything and open to everything, reflecting upon anything and open to everything like a mirror. It is the opposite of Ushin, a mind temporarily fixed and consequentially superficial. munen mushin is the state of emptiness., of a total availability of the mind which is ot fixd and is consequentially never troubled by the apperance of things.

musubi dachi relaxed position

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N

naga throw

naihanchi third kata

neko-ashi dachi cat stance

ni 2 (two)

nidai title given to the next in line after the founder of a Ryu system in the martial arts (see shodai)

nukite spear hand

nunchaku a small wooden flail usually consisting of two pieces of wood connected by a double cord or chian used to beat rice straw. (a weapon)

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O

o major; great; big

obi belt; also known as obie

ogoshi major hip throw

ohayo gazaimasu "good morning"

Okinawa The largest island of the Ryukyu archipelago south of Japan. It is famous for its martial arts techniques that became the origins of the art of Karate.

Okinawan-te (Tode) the general name given to the martial arts techniques coming from Okinawa.

onegaishimasu "I make a request"

osh stop; see also yame

osoto gari major outside leg sweep or reap

o uchi gari major inside leg sweep or reap

hai-rei sitting on the heels, the body inclined forward and the head straight.

tachi-rei standing bow

zen-rei (za-rei) kneeling or formal bow done in seiza kneeling position where forehead touches the ground.

reiken backfist

roko 6 (six)

ryu style

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S

sai short tri-prong Okinawan hand sword (a weapon)

san 3 (three)

sanchin eigth kata; "breathing kata"

sanchin dachi hourglass stance

sayonara good-bye or until next time

seiken forefist; straight forward punch

seisan first kata; "thirteen attackers"

seisan dachi basic stance; toe-to-heel stance

seiuchin second kata; "war kata"

seiuchin dachi horse stance or straddle stance; also known as shiko dachi

seiza kneeling position

sempai senior; senior student (see kohai)

sensei teacher

shi 4 (four)

shiai match; contest

shichi 7 (seven)

shihan master; teacher of teachers

shin heart or truth

shinai a sword consisting of 4 bamboo blades joined together at the tip and handle (Kendo)

shinjitsu truth, fact, reality

shiro white

shobu contest tactics

shodai title given to the founder of a Ryu system in the martial arts (also soke)

shomen front of dojo

shotei palm hand or palm heel strike

shuriken throwing star

shuto knife hand

simbon head referee or judge

soji dojo clean-up (in a wooden floor dojo)

soke title given to the founder of a Ryu system in the martial arts (also sokei or shodai)

suansu seventh kata; "strong man"/"iron man"

suki opening, (go back to the beginning and start again)

suwate sit or kneel down

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T

tachi (dachi) to stand or remain standing, stances (see dachi)

tai otoshi body drop

tamashiwara breaking technique

tatami mat

te hand; see also tsuki

tetsui hammer fist

tomoe nage (Judo) stomach or circle throw

tonfa (tuifa) Okinawan rice grinding millstone handle (a weapon used to defend against )

tsuki (in Kendo, a target area) the throat

tsuki hand; punch; also poke or thrust; see also te

gyaku-tsuki reverse punch

haito uchi ridge hand strike, blow delivered with the index finger edge of the hand

jodan-tsuki upper punch

kake tsuki curved hook punch (like used in boxing)

mawashi tsuki around strike; round-house strike

nukite spear hand

sei-ken fore-fist punch

shuto knife hand

shotei palm heel strike

tettsui hammer-fist

ura-ken inverted back-fist punch

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U

uchi strike

empi uchi elbow strike

uchi komi fitting practice

uke (Judo, Aikido) the term used for the partner who attacks and is then thrown by the Tori/Nage.

uke (Karate) a defensive block

gedan uke lower block

chudan uke middle block

jodan uke upper block

kaki wake-uke a blocking technique carried out with the arms, making a rough X shape

ukime break falls

mae ukime forward break fall

ushiro ukime back fall

yoko ukime side fall

uraken backfist strike

ushiro back; rear; behind

ushiro geri back kick

waza technique

geri (keri) waza kicking techniques

naga waza throwing techniques

sutemi waza sacrifice techniques

tatami waza mat techniques or mat work

te waza hand/punching techniques; see also tsuki waza

tsuki waza hand/striking techniques; see also te waza

uke waza blocking techniques

yin passive; femine; softness; dark; cold; wetness; compare with yang

yoko side

yoko geri side kick; side-blade kick

yoshi continue (used during a match)

yudansha family of black belts

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