Karate
Karate Terminology
Definitions of terminolgy used in karate from sensei to karate, counting to kumite.
There are many terms used in the martial arts that even the karateka (those that study karate) are unfamiliar with. Their meanings are so often hidden in legengs, foreign languages or centuries of age. In fact the term karate itself has a specific meaning.
Karate – simply means “empty hands”
Although the art of karate or karate-do dates back over a thousand years, it was in 1936 that the name was decided on. This was a result of a meeting between masters Chomo Hanshiro, Choki Motobu, Chojun Miyagi and Chotoku Kyan. Until this time, the art was at times called karate as well as To-te (Chinese hands).
Karateka – “student” A karateka is a person who studies or practices the art of karate.
Dojo – “sacred hall of learning”
A dojo is the area karate is taught. Because it is a “sacred” place, respect and reverence should be awarded it at all times. To bow in karate is a sign of respect and many of the traditional instructors will require students to bow upon entering the school.
Sensei – “honorable teacher” A sensei is the senior instructor of a dojo. In Chinese style dojos the term is “sifu”
Kata – “forms” A stylized set of movements that use a variety of blocks and strikes against an invisible opponent. A kata is used to perfect style, learn focus as well as demonstrating attack, defense and counter attacks.
Kumite-“free fighting” Kumite or “sparring” is when a two or more martial artists fight each other.
Gi – “uniform” There are different styles of a gi depending on whether you are studying Karate, Judo, or Aikido.
Kiai – A forceful, deep-throated yell used to intimidate an opponent and focus your power. Often used during katas to emphasize a technique.
Bushido- “way of the warrior” An unwritten code of ethics, that is believed to have been inspired by the samurai, Yoko Yamagei. It is similar to the European knight’s code for acts of chilvary.
Weapons
When Japan conquered Okinawa in the 1600s, the emperor forced the people to give up all weapons. Having no way to defend themselves against the Samurai, they developed ways of using farm implements for weapons. Most of the traditional martial arts weapons are still used for farming to this day.
Nunchaku – “flail” The nunchaku is without doubt the most well known of the weapons. It is basically two sticks connected to each other by a string or chain. Their farming use was to beat the rice so it can be tossed on a large screen or piece of material to allow the wind to blow away the husks. The nunchaku can be used as both an offensive and defensive weapon.
Bo-“staff” The Bo is a long wooden staff for herding livestock, guiding boats or used as a way of carrying supplies in baskets. In this instance the bo was placed across the shoulders and the baskets would hang from either side. Average length is 6’ with a diameter of 3.5 inches. There are two styles of the bo. The Chinese bo keeps an equal diameter along its entire length where as the Okinawan style tapers at each end. Regardless of the style, its ends are used to strike an opponent’s eyes, throat, and solar plexus of groin. It can also be used to block an attack as well as to sweep the feet.
Tonfa- Developed as a grinder for rice in Japan and soybeans in Okinawa, the Tonfa was found to be affective when laid across the forearm as a way to block a sword or bo attack. Tonfas are made of hardwood, approximately 17 inches long with a 4.5 to 5 inch long handle near one end. The Tonfa is usually about 2 inches thick and has gained immense popularity among law enforcement agencies. The police issue PR-24 are carried by countless police officers as a nightstick.
Kama – A razor sharp sickle that has a half-moon shaped blade and wooden handle. The Kama is still used by farmers to cut rice and grass but is seldom taught as a weapon due to its dangerous nature. The kama is a defensive weapon that was used against sword and bo attacks. It also becomes deadly when used as an extension of the users hands. In hand to hand fighting, the kama is used to block a punch or kick but as it does so, the sickle blade can slash deeply into the arm or leg.
Sai- (pronounced sigh) The sai was developed for planting rice or vegetable seeds. It resembles a trident and has central, rounded or octagonal shaped steel blade approximately 16 inches long. On either side of the blade there are two prongs that are wrist guards. Sais can be used for a number of things such as stabbing, slashing, punching, blocking, and even throwing. It is believed that farmers who used the sai would carry three at a time. One sai for each hand and one was kept in the belt to throw if necessary. Legend states a strap of some sort was occasionally tied to the handle so the farmer could retrieve it.
Not all weapons found in a dojo started out as farm tools.
Jo – “short staff” Developed by Muso Gonnosuke after suffering a defeat by swordsman Minamoto Muashi in the early 1600s. It is made of hard wood and is 4 feet in length. This shorter length allowed close fighting with possibilities the longer bo can’t allow. The jo can be used to choke, pin, lock, and throw an opponent. Years after his defeat, Muso once again faced Muashi and came out of the match the victor.
Manrikigusari- This weapon is a chain, which is usually 12 inches long. It has weights on each end that resemble handles. A samurai by the name of Masaki developed the weapon as a way to kill an opponent without bloodshed. This bloodless killing was important because it was sacrilege to spill blood on palace grounds. The manrikigusari can be used to block, choke, strike, and throw an opponent.
Shuriken – One of the most popular of weapons is also known as the ninja throwing star. Initially developed to provide a distraction and not a weapon of attack. Regardless of Hollywood magic, shurikens can injure but not penetrate deeply enough to kill. The most popular of shuriken styles come in four to twelve points per star.
Kobujitsu or Kobudo– Okinawan term for fighting with weapons. Once a weapon is picked up, the art is no longer karate because the hands are no longer empty.
Tournament - An event where martial artists of varying styles can come together to compete in kata and Kumite. In many tournaments the competitors will be broken up into rank classes with trophies, medals, cash and other awards may be given to the winners.
Kyu – “boy” A Kyu is anyone who holds a level below black belt.
Dan – “man” Dan is used in regards to anyone who is a black belt. There are several grades of dan.
Shodan – First-degree black belt.
Nidan – Second-degree black belt.
Sandan- Third-degree black belt.
Yondan - Fourth-degree black belt.
Godan - Fifth-degree black belt
Rokudan - Sixth-degree black belt.
Sichidan - Seventh-degree black belt.
Hachidan - Eight-degree black belt.
It is not uncommon for the beginner to be confused by an instructor counting in a foreign language. In fact, by looking at the list of dan above, the following becomes fairly obvious.
Ik (one)
Ni (two)
San (three)
Yo (four)
Go (five)
Roku (six)
Shichi (seven)
Hachi (eight)
Ku (nine)
Ju (ten)
There are many terms used in the martial arts that even the karateka (those that study karate) are unfamiliar with. Their meanings are so often hidden in legengs, foreign languages or centuries of age. In fact the term karate itself has a specific meaning.
Karate – simply means “empty hands”
Although the art of karate or karate-do dates back over a thousand years, it was in 1936 that the name was decided on. This was a result of a meeting between masters Chomo Hanshiro, Choki Motobu, Chojun Miyagi and Chotoku Kyan. Until this time, the art was at times called karate as well as To-te (Chinese hands).
Karateka – “student” A karateka is a person who studies or practices the art of karate.
Dojo – “sacred hall of learning”
A dojo is the area karate is taught. Because it is a “sacred” place, respect and reverence should be awarded it at all times. To bow in karate is a sign of respect and many of the traditional instructors will require students to bow upon entering the school.
Sensei – “honorable teacher” A sensei is the senior instructor of a dojo. In Chinese style dojos the term is “sifu”
Kata – “forms” A stylized set of movements that use a variety of blocks and strikes against an invisible opponent. A kata is used to perfect style, learn focus as well as demonstrating attack, defense and counter attacks.
Kumite-“free fighting” Kumite or “sparring” is when a two or more martial artists fight each other.
Gi – “uniform” There are different styles of a gi depending on whether you are studying Karate, Judo, or Aikido.
Kiai – A forceful, deep-throated yell used to intimidate an opponent and focus your power. Often used during katas to emphasize a technique.
Bushido- “way of the warrior” An unwritten code of ethics, that is believed to have been inspired by the samurai, Yoko Yamagei. It is similar to the European knight’s code for acts of chilvary.
Weapons
When Japan conquered Okinawa in the 1600s, the emperor forced the people to give up all weapons. Having no way to defend themselves against the Samurai, they developed ways of using farm implements for weapons. Most of the traditional martial arts weapons are still used for farming to this day.
Nunchaku – “flail” The nunchaku is without doubt the most well known of the weapons. It is basically two sticks connected to each other by a string or chain. Their farming use was to beat the rice so it can be tossed on a large screen or piece of material to allow the wind to blow away the husks. The nunchaku can be used as both an offensive and defensive weapon.
Bo-“staff” The Bo is a long wooden staff for herding livestock, guiding boats or used as a way of carrying supplies in baskets. In this instance the bo was placed across the shoulders and the baskets would hang from either side. Average length is 6’ with a diameter of 3.5 inches. There are two styles of the bo. The Chinese bo keeps an equal diameter along its entire length where as the Okinawan style tapers at each end. Regardless of the style, its ends are used to strike an opponent’s eyes, throat, and solar plexus of groin. It can also be used to block an attack as well as to sweep the feet.
Tonfa- Developed as a grinder for rice in Japan and soybeans in Okinawa, the Tonfa was found to be affective when laid across the forearm as a way to block a sword or bo attack. Tonfas are made of hardwood, approximately 17 inches long with a 4.5 to 5 inch long handle near one end. The Tonfa is usually about 2 inches thick and has gained immense popularity among law enforcement agencies. The police issue PR-24 are carried by countless police officers as a nightstick.
Kama – A razor sharp sickle that has a half-moon shaped blade and wooden handle. The Kama is still used by farmers to cut rice and grass but is seldom taught as a weapon due to its dangerous nature. The kama is a defensive weapon that was used against sword and bo attacks. It also becomes deadly when used as an extension of the users hands. In hand to hand fighting, the kama is used to block a punch or kick but as it does so, the sickle blade can slash deeply into the arm or leg.
Sai- (pronounced sigh) The sai was developed for planting rice or vegetable seeds. It resembles a trident and has central, rounded or octagonal shaped steel blade approximately 16 inches long. On either side of the blade there are two prongs that are wrist guards. Sais can be used for a number of things such as stabbing, slashing, punching, blocking, and even throwing. It is believed that farmers who used the sai would carry three at a time. One sai for each hand and one was kept in the belt to throw if necessary. Legend states a strap of some sort was occasionally tied to the handle so the farmer could retrieve it.
Not all weapons found in a dojo started out as farm tools.
Jo – “short staff” Developed by Muso Gonnosuke after suffering a defeat by swordsman Minamoto Muashi in the early 1600s. It is made of hard wood and is 4 feet in length. This shorter length allowed close fighting with possibilities the longer bo can’t allow. The jo can be used to choke, pin, lock, and throw an opponent. Years after his defeat, Muso once again faced Muashi and came out of the match the victor.
Manrikigusari- This weapon is a chain, which is usually 12 inches long. It has weights on each end that resemble handles. A samurai by the name of Masaki developed the weapon as a way to kill an opponent without bloodshed. This bloodless killing was important because it was sacrilege to spill blood on palace grounds. The manrikigusari can be used to block, choke, strike, and throw an opponent.
Shuriken – One of the most popular of weapons is also known as the ninja throwing star. Initially developed to provide a distraction and not a weapon of attack. Regardless of Hollywood magic, shurikens can injure but not penetrate deeply enough to kill. The most popular of shuriken styles come in four to twelve points per star.
Kobujitsu or Kobudo– Okinawan term for fighting with weapons. Once a weapon is picked up, the art is no longer karate because the hands are no longer empty.
Tournament - An event where martial artists of varying styles can come together to compete in kata and Kumite. In many tournaments the competitors will be broken up into rank classes with trophies, medals, cash and other awards may be given to the winners.
Kyu – “boy” A Kyu is anyone who holds a level below black belt.
Dan – “man” Dan is used in regards to anyone who is a black belt. There are several grades of dan.
Shodan – First-degree black belt.
Nidan – Second-degree black belt.
Sandan- Third-degree black belt.
Yondan - Fourth-degree black belt.
Godan - Fifth-degree black belt
Rokudan - Sixth-degree black belt.
Sichidan - Seventh-degree black belt.
Hachidan - Eight-degree black belt.
It is not uncommon for the beginner to be confused by an instructor counting in a foreign language. In fact, by looking at the list of dan above, the following becomes fairly obvious.
Ik (one)
Ni (two)
San (three)
Yo (four)
Go (five)
Roku (six)
Shichi (seven)
Hachi (eight)
Ku (nine)
Ju (ten)
Source: essortment