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Learning The Language

Learning the Language on USAdojo.com provides information about proper pronunciation, spelling, counting and more for languages use in martial arts training.

What “Fighting!” Means to Koreans

Korean winters are incredibly cold. The summers are hot and wet, and walking outside can feel like walking into a warm bath. That's not...
Japanese Flag

Japanese Okinawan Vocabulary

When pronouncing Japanese and Okinawan words, remember that each syllable is stressed equally when saying multi-syllable words (i.e., ka-ra-te, not kar-ate). All syllables of...
Martial Arts Style Or System

Are You Training A Martial Arts Style Or System?

Current times discussions and written treatises on martial arts training often treat the terms "Style" and "System" as interchangeable, yet they are not at...
The Meaning of Soke

The Meaning of Soke

Soke (Sōke) pronounced (so - ke), is a Japanese term that means "the head family (house)." In the realm of Japanese traditional arts, it is...
Sensei The Origin of the Word

Sensei – The Origin and Meaning Word

In various martial arts there are different names for the titles of some master ranks In the following text I am going to mention...
Dojo

The Term Dojo

This is not an attempt to give either a history of Buddhism or Zen-Buddhisms  arrival and its impact on Japan. It is only meant...
Ai-Yotsu and Kenka Yotsu

A Different Definition of Ai-Yotsu and Kenka Yotsu

In order to truly understand the difference between the terms Ai-Yotsu and Kenka Yotsu, one should dismiss the definitions of so called right-handed and...
John Piper Iaido

Iai or Batto

The very word Iai is the subject of numerous grading essays and has many layers of meaning but its basic interpretation seems to be...
Kendo

Kendo Shai Glossary

Kendo.com tells us that Kendo, the “Way Of The Sword” is the traditional Japanese style of fencing that today is a modern martial art...
Sumo

Basic Sumo Terms

Banzuke: An ordered list of men fighting up through the ranks of professional Sumo; a ranking sheet. Basho: A sumo tournament. In a sanctioned competition,...
Korean Yudo

Korean Vocabulary

If you have studied Tang Soo Do or another Korean martial art you have probably heard these Korean vocabulary words and terms used in your...
Counting In Japanese

Counting in Japanese

If you study Japanese Martial Arts then it is highly likely that your instructor does some counting in Japanese. Here are the numbers, their...
Asian Map

Asian Word Pronunciation

The charts below give an approximate Asian word pronunciation of words in Japanese, Chinese and Korean. The Japanese alphabet consists of 99 sounds formed with...
Martial Arts Definitions

Martial Arts Definitions A

Abaniko: This Arnis striking technique uses a stick in a movement which resembles a fan motion. Acupressure: In this process, the channels through which chi, or life...
Martial Arts Definitions

Martial Arts Definitions B

Badik: A Malayan dagger shaped like a butterfly whose straight blade bears one sharp edge. Ba Gua Zhang: Translated as Eight Trigram Palm. One of the three...
Martial Arts Definitions

Martial Arts Definitions C

Capoeira: A Brazilian form of combat adapted by African slaves to fight oppression. Capoeira is dance-like, and many believe it was developed this way to...