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 O
O:
“Big” or “great.”
Obi:
Belt.
Obi-otoshi
Belt drop
Odachi::
See “tachi.”
O-goshi:
Major hip, hip technique
O-guruma:
Major wheel. Judo foot technique.
Oi-zuki
Step punch.
Okuri-ashi-harai:
sending foot sweep, Judo foot technique.
Omote:
“Front” or “obvious.”
Oni ken:
Extended knuckle fist.
Orei:
“Respect” or...
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...
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...
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...
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 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...
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...
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,...
Martial Arts Definitions J
Jeet Kune Do:
(Cantonese) “Way of the intercepting fist.” A collection of basic mental and physical concepts, observations of combat maneuvers, and philosophies of attitude...
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...
Martial Arts Definitions T
Tachi:
A Japanese long sword worn slung from a sword belt. Like the katana, the tachi had a single-edged curved blade.
Tachi rei:
“Standing bow.” A salutation...
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 L
Lakan:
The male black belt rank in the Filipino art of arnis.
Lathi:
“Staff.” An Indian fighting art centered around a cane or bamboo staff about five...
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...
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...
