Terminology used in Martial Arts
Please note that this terminology is not comprehensive. More words will be added over time and it shall grow, so keep it in mind if you need to look up a word or term.
Kobudo Terms
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| Japanese Term |
English Explanation |
| Age |
Rising |
| Ago |
Jaw |
| Akagashi |
Red Oak - wood used in making weapons |
| Ana |
Hole, Opening |
| Ashi |
Leg or Foot |
| Ashi Yubi |
Toes |
| Atemi |
A Strike to the vital point on the body |
| Atemi Waza |
Techniques used to strike vital points on the body |
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| Japanese Term |
English Explanation |
| Barai |
Sweep |
| Bo |
Wooden Staff |
| Bo Jutsu |
Art of the Staff |
| Bokken |
Wooden Sword |
| Bunkai |
Analysis, interpreting Kata |
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| Japanese Term |
English Explanation |
| Chimu |
Liver |
| Chudan |
Middle Level, Mid-Section |
| Chshin |
Heart Centre |
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| Japanese Term |
English Explanation |
| Dachi |
Stance |
| Dai |
Large, Big - used in Kata Names |
| Dan |
Degree - of Black Belt Ranks |
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| Japanese Term |
English Explanation |
| Embu |
Martial Arts Demonstration |
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| Japanese Term |
English Explanation |
| Fudo |
Stability |
| Fudo Dachi |
Firm Posture Stance |
| Fudoshin |
Immovable Spirit - a state of mind which is not influenced by external forces |
| Futokoro |
Chest |
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| Japanese Term |
English Explanation |
| Ganmen |
Top Front of the Head, Face |
| Gedan |
Lower Level |
| Genshi |
Intuition - Second guess the attacker's movement |
| Gyaku |
Reverse, Opposite |
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| Japanese Term |
English Explanation |
| Ha da |
Skin |
| Hamish |
Back of the Hand |
| Haiwan |
Back of the Arm |
| Hajime |
Begin, to start |
| Hana |
Nose |
| Hanmi |
Half-facing |
| Hantai |
Opposite |
| Hara |
Abdomen, or belly |
| Harai |
Sweep |
| Hasami |
Scissors |
| Heiko |
Parallel |
| Heiko Dachi |
Parallel Stance |
| Heisoku |
Top of the foot, Instep |
| Heisoku Dachi |
Stance where the feet are together |
| Hidari |
Left |
| Hidari Ashi |
Left Leg, or Foot |
| Hidari Men |
Left side of head |
| Hidari Te |
Left Hand |
| Hiji |
Elbow |
| Hikite |
Preparatory Hand, the retractor |
| Hiraki |
Opening |
| Hitai |
Forehead |
| Hiza |
Knee |
| Hiza Gashira |
Knee Cap |
| Hizo |
Spleen |
| Ho |
Cheek |
| Hojo Undo |
Supplemental Training |
| Hone |
Bone |
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| Japanese Term |
English Explanation |
| Ibuki |
To breath out hard from the Hara |
| Ibukoro |
Stomach |
| Iki |
Breath |
| Irimi |
Entering |
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| Japanese Term |
English Explanation |
| Jin |
Tendons or Muscles |
| Jinchu |
Pressure Point - Philtrum |
| Jinzo |
Kidney |
| Jodan |
Upper Level |
| Jodan Uke |
Upper Level Block |
| Junbi |
Preparatory |
| Junbi Undo |
Preparatory movements, Warm ups |
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| Japanese Term |
English Explanation |
| Kakato |
Heel |
| Kake |
Hooking Action |
| Kake Uke |
Hooking Block |
| Kamae |
Fighting Posture |
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| Japanese Term |
English Explanation |
| Ma |
Distance |
| Maai |
A concept of movement, timing space and opportunity |
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| Japanese Term |
English Explanation |
| Nagashi |
To avoid or side step an attack |
| Nage |
Throw |
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| Japanese Term |
English Explanation |
| Obi |
Belt |
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| Japanese Term |
English Explanation |
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| Japanese Term |
English Explanation |
| Rei |
Bow |
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| Japanese Term |
English Explanation |
| Sakotsu |
Collarbone, clavicle |
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| Japanese Term |
English Explanation |
| Tai Sabaki |
Body movement - method of entering, turning and shifting |
| Taiso |
Physical exercise |
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| Japanese Term |
English Explanation |
| Uchi |
Inner, Interior |
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| Japanese Term |
English Explanation |
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| Japanese Term |
English Explanation |
| Yame |
Stop - given as a command |
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| Japanese Term |
English Explanation |
| Zanshin |
State of awareness |
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General Terms Used in Martial Arts
- A
- B
- C
- D
- E
- F
- G
- H
- I
- J
- K
- M
- N
- O
- P
- R
- S
- T
- U
- W
- Y
- Z
| Japanese Term |
English Explanation |
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| Japanese Term |
English Explanation |
| But |
Martial, military |
| Budo |
Martial Way |
| Budo Ka |
Person studying martial arts |
| Budo |
Martial Way - Hall |
| Bruin |
Warrior |
| Burke |
Warrior class |
| Bushi |
Warrior, Samurai |
| Bushido |
Way of the Warrior |
| Japanese Term |
English Explanation |
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| Japanese Term |
English Explanation |
| Dantai |
Group |
| Deshi |
Disciple, Pupil |
| Do |
Way, Path |
| Dogi |
Training Suit |
| Dojo |
Place of the Way, Training Hall in Martial Arts |
| Japanese Term |
English Explanation |
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| Japanese Term |
English Explanation |
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| Japanese Term |
English Explanation |
| Gi |
Training Suit |
| Giri |
Sense of duty |
| Go |
Five |
| Godan |
Fifth Degree Black Belt |
| Gokyu |
Fifth Level - related to students |
| Japanese Term |
English Explanation |
| Hachi |
Eight |
| Hanshi |
Master, a title given to some 8th - 10th Dans; highest of the three teaching ranks |
| Hakama |
Traditional Japanese trousers, worn by Kamishin high grades |
| Hidari |
Left |
| Hombu |
Head dojo, main training hall or office |
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| Japanese Term |
English Explanation |
| Ichi |
One |
| Ichibun |
Number One, the best quality |
| Iie |
No |
| In Yo |
Yin Yang - philosophy of opposites |
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| Japanese Term |
English Explanation |
| Joseki |
Upper side of dojo - place of Honour |
| Joza |
High Seat - Kamiza |
| Ju |
Number Ten |
| Judan |
10th Degree Black Belt |
| Jutsu |
Art |
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| Japanese Term |
English Explanation |
| Kami |
Shinto Deity, or Hair |
| Kamidana |
God Shelf - a Shinto Alter |
| Kamiza |
Upper Seat in front of Dojo |
| Kancho |
Title given to head of the Dojo or Organisation |
| Konnichi Wa |
Good Afternoon |
| Konban Wa |
Good Evening |
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| Japanese Term |
English Explanation |
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| Japanese Term |
English Explanation |
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| Japanese Term |
English Explanation |
| O |
Prefix meaning Big, large or great |
| Ohaiyo Gozaimasu |
Good Morning |
| Oyasuminasai |
Good Night |
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| Japanese Term |
English Explanation |
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English Explanation |
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English Explanation |
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English Explanation |
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English Explanation |
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| Japanese Term |
English Explanation |
| Wa |
Harmony, peace, love |
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| Japanese Term |
English Explanation |
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English Explanation |
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