| Sabom: |
|
"Teacher" or "instructor." |
| Sai: |
|
A pronged truncheon about fifteen to twenty
inches long, used as a defensive instrument against various
weapons such as the sword. It was developed from an Okinawan
farming tool. |
| Sam: |
|
The traditional uniform of kung fu. |
| Sambo: |
|
Modern Russian Grappling Art |
| Samurai: |
|
The swordsmen of feudal Japan who were impeccably
at a wide variety of martial arts practices, particularly the
sword, and served and lord and fief. Masterless samurai were
known as "ronin." |
| Sandan |
|
3rd degree black belt in traditional Japanese
styles. |
| Sangdan: |
|
"Upper" or "upper level." A
directional term used in Korean martial arts. |
| Sankukai: |
|
A style of karate based on a combination of
other systems, with an emphasis on escaping techniques and
aikido-like defenses. |
| Sappo: |
|
A method of attacking vital points of the body
in order to cause a coma or death. |
| Sasae-tsurikomi-ashi: |
|
Propping drawing ankle. Judo foot technique. |
| Savate: |
|
French hand and foot fighting. A method of fighting
to the knockout, once popular with the aristocracy of France. |
| Saya: |
|
The scabbard of a samurai sword. |
| Schichidan |
|
7th degree black belt in traditional Japanese
styles. |
| Seifukujitsu: |
|
Restoration massage, herbology, chiropractic
and bonesetting techniques. |
| Seika tanden: |
|
Lower abdomen. |
| Seiken: |
|
Forefist. |
| Seishin: |
|
"Mind," "soul," or "spirit." A
state of mind reached after a period of ascetic living which
creates the conviction that any difficulty encountered can
be adequately responded to. It can be reached though training
in a martial art. |
| Seishin-o-choetsu |
|
A state of mind which is cultivated by the martial
artist of indifference to life and death. It depends on the
ability to sacrifice oneself for the greater good. |
| Seito: |
|
"Pupil" or "student." |
| Seiza: |
|
"Correct sitting." A full kneeling
position used in many martial arts when performing the ceremonial
bow or receiving formal instruction. |
| Sempai: |
|
"Senior." Usually denotes any senior
by age, rank, position or social standing. |
| Sen i: |
|
"Fighting will" or "fighting
spirit." |
| Seoi-nage: |
|
shoulder (back carry) throw, judo hand technique. |
| Seoi-otoshi: |
|
Shoulder (back carry) drop. Judo hand technique. |
| Seppa: |
|
The washers above and below the tsuba of a samurai
sword. |
| Shaolin: |
|
"Young forest" or "small forest." A
method of kung fu based on eight postures and five animal forms:
dragon, snake, tiger, crane and leopard. |
| Shejak: |
|
Begin. |
| Shiai: |
|
A competitive match between Japanese martial
artists. |
| Shiatsu |
|
Japanese term for acupressure. Commonly known
to Westerners as a type of massage. |
| Shibum: |
|
Demonstration. |
| Shihan: |
|
Master teacher. |
| Shihap: |
|
A bout or match. |
| Shikko: |
|
"Knee walking." A method of moving
forward while keeping one knee constantly on the ground. Knee
walking was originally a polite way of moving in a house, especially
before a lord. |
| Shime: |
|
Choke. |
| Shime-waza: |
|
Strangling techniques. |
| Shimoseki: |
|
"Lower seat." In a traditional Japanese
dojo, the area where students line up and face their instructor(s).
Also known as "shimoza." |
| Shinai: |
|
A fencing practice sword, made of bamboo strips,
and used in the practice of kendo. |
| Shinken: |
|
"Real sword." An actual life or death
encounter. |
| Shintai: |
|
"Stopped mind." A condition in which
one remains exclusively defensive. |
| Shisei: |
|
"Posture" or "stance." |
| Shitahara: |
|
Lower abdomen. |
| Shito ryu: |
|
A style of karate founded by Kenwa Mabuni. Shito
ryu is one of the four major Japanese karate systems. |
| Shizentai: |
|
"Natural position." An encompassing
term for numerous karate stances in which the body remains
relaxed but alert. |
| Shodan |
|
1st degree black belt in traditional Japanese
styles. |
| Shomen: |
|
"Front" or "forward." Often
refers to the front wall of a dojo. |
| Shorin-ryu: |
|
"Pine forest style". Pine forest is
is the name of a Chinese temple where kempo is taught. |
| Shoshinsha: |
|
"Novice" or "beginner." Any
unranked Japanese martial artist. |
| Shotei: |
|
Palm heel. |
| Shotokan: |
|
A popular Japanese karate system founded by
Gichin Funakoshi and influenced directly by the Okinawan style
of Shuri-te. |
| Shuai chiao: |
|
Along with chin na, this form of Chinese wrestling
possibly influenced the formation of Japanese jujutsu. |
| Shubaku: |
|
A system of empty-hand combat similar to jujutsu
which is considered the forerunner of judo. |
| Shuko: |
|
A type of feudal age brass knuckle used by the
ninja. Besides the small metal plate that slipped over the
knuckles, the shuko had spikes extending from the palm so an
enemy's face could be raked. It was also useful for gripping
when climbing walls. |
| Shuriken: |
|
Bladed instruments commonly used as throwing
weapons by the ninja. |
| Shuri te: |
|
One of the three original Okinawan karate schools,
which derived its name from the city where it originated. |
| Shushin: |
|
The chief referee in a judo contest or a Japanese-style
karate match. |
| Shuto: |
|
"Knife hand" or "sword hand." Knife
hand counter. |
|
|
|
| Si bok: |
|
"Older uncle." A title given to a
senior ranking instructor in some styles of kung fu. |
| Sifu: |
|
"Teacher" or "instructor." |
| Silat: |
|
See "pentjak." |
| Simsa: |
|
Test. |
| Sode-tsurikomi-goshi: |
|
sleeve lifting pulling hip, judo hip technique |
| Sogi: |
|
Stance or position. |
| Sojutsu: |
|
"Art of the spear." An armed combative
practiced by Japanese feudal warriors who used many types and
styles of spears. |
| Sokodo: |
|
Speed. |
| Sokim: |
|
"Fake" or "feint." |
| Sokuto: |
|
Foot edge or knife foot. |
| Sondabak: |
|
Palm. |
| Sondung: |
|
Backhand. |
| Sonkal: |
|
Knife hand. |
| Sooryon: |
|
Training. |
| Soto: |
|
"Outside," "outer," or "exterior." |
| Sparring: |
|
A form of martial arts training in which two
opponents face one another and simulate actual combat. |
| Staff: |
|
See "bo." |
| Subak: |
|
A native Korean fighting system that enjoyed
its widest popularity during the reign of King Uijong (A.D.
1147 - 1170). |
| Sudo: |
|
Knife hand. |
| Suki: |
|
"Opening." A gap in an opponent's
defense or technique. Loss of concentration or "disturbed
feeling" leaving one open for attack. |
| Sukui-nage: |
|
Scooping throw. Judo hand technique. |
| Sumi-otoshi: |
|
Corner drop. Judo hand technique. |
| Sumo: |
|
A basic Japanese form of grappling in which
the participants are of gigantic proportions. Victory is either
achieved by forcing the opponent out of the ring, or by forcing
him to touch the floor within the ring with any part of his
body above the knee. |
| Sumotori: |
|
Sumo wrestlers. |
| Sutemi: |
|
Is the warriors awareness of his need for self-sacrifice,
even to the death. |
