Phrases Related to Rank and Title
Mokuroku
A series of licenses starting with sho-mokuroku and up to ju-mokuroku. Initially this was the various black belt ranks prior to the use of the "dan" terminology. Instead of shodan, the term used was sho-mokuroku, etc. This type of terminology was very rarely used in Okinawa and tended to be used by individuals who had received training in Japanese style martial arts.

Menkyo 
A certificate of mastery; a grading certificate.

Menkyo Kaiden 
An authorization to teach a specific style or system. Again, this term was very rarely used in Okinawa (see mokuroku).

Dan
The "first step; degree; black belt ranking." This means that the individual is recognized as a serious practitioner of an Okinawan martial art and is expected to show progress in personal maturation, as well as in furthering his competency in the art.

Obi 
Meaning "belt." In karate, the obi was borrowed from judo in 1922 by Gichin Funakoshi.

Sensei
"One who has gone before." A common term referring to the "teacher." Only in America does one address a senior practitioner by their title (Hanshi Smith, Renshi Smith, Kyoshi Smith, etc). This is evident when one refers to themselves by using a title (e.g., "Yes, I'm Sensei Smith" or "My name is Smith Kyoshi.") In Okinawa, Choshin Chibana (Hanshi 10-Dan) was simply referred to as "sensei." In introducing himself, Chibana Sensei would say, "My name is Chibana Choshin."
 

Renshi 
"A man of high character." A trainer. The minimum title required to formally teach on Okinawa (6th Dan).

Kyoshi 
"A teacher." Those ranked 7th Dan and 8th Dan.

Shihan 
"A model for the rest." A master teacher. A shihan is responsible for passing on the essence of karate's techniques and philosophies. In Okinawa a shihan is a license to teach or an authorization to instruct in a specific style.

Kancho 
"A master of the house." Generally, the "owner" of the dojo. 

Meijin
"A man of genius."

Kyoin 
A karate virtuoso of immeasurable knowledge and ability.

Karate No Kami 
"A deity of the empty hand."

Soke 
"Founder or Originator."

O'Sensei or Dai Sensei 
"Great teacher."

General Terminology

Feet/Legs..................................................Ashi

Informal sitting posture (cross legged sitting)...Anza

Sitting Meditation.......................................Zazen

Foot.........................................................Ashi

Forest.......................................................Bayashi

Martial Art or "Way of War"............................Budo

Warrior, the Way of......................................Bushido

Middle........................................................Chudan

Karate Student (below black belt level)............Deshi

Sacred Learning Hall.....................................Dojo

Low...........................................................Gedan

Kick...........................................................Geri

Reverse (as in opposite arm from front leg).......Gyaku

Technique (and Karate Uniform)......................Gi

Left...........................................................Hidari

Elbow........................................................Hiji

Drive Back..................................................Hikite

Knee..........................................................Hiza

High...........................................................Jyodan

Empty Hand.................................................Karate

Way of the Empty Hand.................................Karate-do

Kick ..........................................................Keri

Vital Engergy...............................................Ki

Spirit Yell - Pronounced "A8"...........................Kiai

Heart, or Spirit.............................................Kokoro

Hip.............................................................Koshi

Front..........................................................Mae

Striking Post................................................Makiware

Straight......................................................Massugu

Pine...........................................................Matsu

Turn...........................................................Mawatte

Right..........................................................Migi

No Mind, Unencumbered Mind..........................Mushin

Kata with no count........................................Renzok

No Count.....................................................Renzoku

River, Martial Tradition....................................Ryu

Sit Formally..................................................Seiza 

Mind...........................................................Shin    

Natural Stance.............................................Shizentai

Knife Hand...................................................Shuto

Out............................................................Soto

Body..........................................................Tai

Hand..........................................................te

In..............................................................Uchi

Arm............................................................Ude

Block..........................................................Uke

Back...........................................................Ushiro

Side...........................................................Yoko

Ready Mind..................................................Zanshin

 
DACHI (Stances): 

Natural Stance....................................Shizentai-Dachi

Wide Open Leg Stance (Horse Riding Stance)........Jigotai-Dachi

Front Leg Bent Stance.............................Zenkutsu-Dachi

Cat Stance..(90% Weight on Back Leg)..............Nekoashi-Dachi

Straddle Stance...................................Naihanchi-Dachi

Crossed Leg Stance................................Kousa-dachi

UKE  (BLOCKS):  

Lower Block.......................................Gedan-Uke

Middle Block......................................Chudan-Uke

Upper Block.......................................Jodan-Uke

Sweeping Block....................................Mikazuki-Uke

Cross Block (X-block).............................Juji-Uke

Fore Arm Block....................................Ude-Uke

Double Fore Arm Block.............................Morote Ude-Uke


TSUKI-UCHI  (PUNCHES/Strikes):

Mid level punch....................................Chudan-Tsuki

Downward punch.....................................Gedan-Tsuki

High punch.........................................Jodan-Tsuki

Reverse Punch......................................Gyaku-Tsuki

Double Punch.......................................Morote-Tsuki

Upper Cut..........................................Ago-Tsuki

Spear Hand Strike..................................Nukite-Uchi

Back Fist Strike...................................Haishu-Uchi

Ridge Hand Strike..................................Haito-Uchi


GERI (KICKS):

Front Kick.........................................Mae-Geri

Side Kick..........................................Yoko-Geri

Round-house Kick...................................Mawashi-Geri

Back Kick..........................................Ushiro-Geri


BASIC KATA

Tiktin Kata Ichi, by Gary Tiktin Sensei

Fukyugata Ichi, by Nagamine Sensei (1940)

Fukyugata Ni, by Miyagi Chojun Sensei (Goju Ryu, 1940)

Pinan Kata (1-5), by Itosu Anko Sensei (1907)

Naihanchi Kata (1-3), composer unknown


ADVANCED KATA:

Ananku, Wankan, Rohai, Wanshu, Passai, Gojushiho, Chinto, Kusanku

OTHER:

Kick Exercises 1-4

Yakusoku Kumite 1-7

Tiktin Kata Ichi (AKF)

 
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