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...
Martial Arts Definitions K
Kabuto:
The helmet worn by the Japanese samurai. It was made of iron or lacquered leather, and was secured to the head by a series...
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...
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 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...
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...
Fighting
I started reading a martial arts book the other day titled Pressure Point Fighting, by Rick Clark. After reading the introduction, and then the...
Martial Arts Definitions G
Gake:
Hooking action used in some ankle and sacrifice throws.
Gakko:
School.
Ganmen:
A target area referred to in sport karate. It includes all of the head and face...
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...
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...
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 E
Eishin ryu:
The original style of iaijutsu that embraces numerous kata and is combat oriented.
Eku:
“Oar.” A weapon developed by Okinawan farmers. Today it is a...
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 Y
Yama-arashi:
Mountain storm. Hand technique
Yang:
“Active” or “positive.” In ying-yang theory, the positive aspect associated with what is described as centrifugal, expansive and extroversive.
Yari:
Spear.
Yikwon:
Backfist.
Yin:
“Passive” or “negative.”...
Martial Arts Definitions V
Vo phuc:
A name for the uniform worn in the Vietnamese martial arts.
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...
