Martial Arts Definitions Q
Quando:
A spear-like weapon with a blade resembling a scimitar affixed to its end. This weapon is extremely heavy, and was used to cut through...
Martial Arts Definitions U
Uchi:
Strike.
Uchi deshi:
“Apprentice.” An old Japanese practice where a student was apprenticed to a martial arts master in order to become an instructor in turn.
Uchi-mata:
Inner...
Martial Arts Definitions N
Nagare:
Flow.
Nage:
Throw.
Nage Waza:
Throwing techniques.
Naginata:
“Reaping sword.” A curved-blade spear, once used by Japanese monks and samurai. It is approximately seven feet in length including the blade....
Martial Arts Definitions R
Randori:
Free sparring.
Rei:
(Ray) “Soul or Spirit” A bow that begins in the tan tien (seat of the soul located in the abdoinal area). The term...
Martial Arts Definitions M
Ma ai:
The distance between two opponents.
Mae:
“Front” or “forward.”
Mae-geri:
Front kick
Mairi:
Tapping with the hand to signify submission.
Makeru:
To lose or be defeated.
Makiwara:
A karate training post designed for...
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...
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 W
Wa:
“Accord.” An ancient Japanese term for harmony, accord, and coordination.
Wado ryu:
“Way of peace.” A Japanese style of karate developed from jujutsu and earlier karate...
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...
Martial Arts Definitions S
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...
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...
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...
Martial Arts Definitions F
Fari Gatka:
An Indian form of fencing centered around shields (fari) and swords (gatka). The gatka is a three foot, leather-covered stick. The fari, nine...
Martial Arts Definitions I
I:
“Will,” “mind,” or “intent.”
Iai:
“Swordplay.” A sword exercise employing a series of thrusting and cutting techniques while drawing and returning the blade.
Iaido:
“Way of the sword.”...
Martial Arts Definitions D
Daab:
A Thai sword used in Krabi Krabong.
Dachi:
Stance.
Dai Kissaki:
Enlarged point on a Japanese sword, a style more commonly found on swords from the 1700′s.
Daisan:
The completed...
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,...
