Glossary of Japanese Terms

Translation of terms often used in Ashihara Karate classes (English vs Japanese Romanji)

Counting & Numbers

One - ichi
Two - ni
Three - san
Four - shi/ yon
Five - go
Six - roku
Seven - shichi/ nana
Eight - hachi
Nine - ku/ kyu
Ten - ju

Verbal Commands

Etiquette-related

Kneel (formal sitting) -
seiza

Relaxed Sitting (cross-legged -
anza

Stand -
tate/ kiritsu

Bow -
rei

Bow to Front (of dojo) -
shomen ni

Bow to Teacher -
sensei ni

Bow to Seniors -
sempai ni

Bow to Each Other -
otagai ni

Push & Endure
(cultural verbal acknowledgement) -
osu!

Meditation -
mokuso

Please (formal) -
onegaishimasu

Thank you (formal) -
arigato gozaimashita

Training has Started -
keiko hajimemasu

Training has Finished -
keiko owarimasu

Postures & Stances

Cross (block) and Get Ready -
juji wo kitte

Ready -
yoi

Sanchin Stance, Ready -
sanchin dachi, yoi

Sparring Posture, Ready -
kumite no kamae, yoi

Return to Starting Position -
naorre/ naotte

Stop -
yame

Relax / At Ease -
yasume

Tournaments & Sparring Matches

Red -
aka

White -
shiro

One Point -
ippon

3/4 Point -
waza ari

Half Point -
yuko

1/4 Point -
koka

Adds Up to One Point -
awasete ippon

Resume Fighting -
zokko

Warning -
chui

Penalty -
genten

Referee's Conference -
fukushin shugo

Decision -
hantei

Disqualification -
shikkaku

Win -
kachi

Draw / Tie -
hikiwake

Forfeit -
kiken

Extension / Overtime Round -
saishiai

Final Overtime Round -
enchosen

Chief Referee -
shushin

Corner Judge (Assistant Referee) -
fukushin

Tournament -
taikai

Trajectories

Directions

Front

Behind / Back

Left

Right

Side

Half-Facing

45 Degrees

Forward

Backward

Sideways (Left & Right)

Rising

Dropping / Descending

Around / Roundhouse

Outside

Inside

Upper Level

Mid Level

Lower Level

Mae

Ura

Hidari

Migi

Yoko

Hanmi

Yonjūgodo

Omote

Ushiro

Sayū

Age / Keage

Oroshi / Otoshi

Mawashi

Soto

Uchi

Jōdan

Chūdan

Gedan

Targets

Head

Face

Eye(s)

Ear(s)

Nose

Chin / Jaw

Mouth

Temple of the Head

Neck

Throat

Shoulder

Collar Bone

Arm(s)

Chest

Rib(s)

Spleen

Solar Plexus

Abdomen (Below the Navel)

Thigh

Joint of a Limb

Groin / Testicles

Atama

Ganmen

Me

Mimi

Hana

Ago

Kuchi

Komekami

Kubi

Nodo

Kata

Sakotsu

Ude

Mune

Rokkotsu

Hizō

Mizo-ochi

Hara

Momo

Kansetsu

Kintama / Kinteki / Kin

Fundamentals

Stances & Postures

Ready Stance

"3-Battles" Stance

Horse-riding Stance

Parallel Stance

Heels Connected Stance

Feet Together Stance

Forward Leaning Stance

Kicking Stance

Sparring Posture

Yōi Dachi

Sanchin Dachi

Kiba Dachi

Heikō Dachi

Musubi Dachi

Heisoku Dachi

Zenkutsu Dachi

Geri no Kamae

Kumite no Kamae

Basic Techniques

Punch

Kick

Strike

Block

Throw

Pull

Push

Jump

Roll

Hook

Break-Balance

Evade

Positioning / Angling

Tsuki / Zuki

Geri

Uchi

Uke

Nage

Hiki

Oshi

Tobi

Kaiten

Kake

Kuzushi

Kyushū

Sabaki

Weapons of the Feet

Foot / Leg

Ball of the Foot

Instep of the Foot

Edge of the Foot

Arc of the Foot

Heel

Shin

Knee

Ashi

Chūsoku

Haisoku

Sokutō

Teisoku

Kakato

Sune

Hiza

Kicking Techniques

Front Rising Kick

Outside Crescent Kick

Inside Crescent Kick

Heel Drop (Axe Kick)

Knee Kick

Groin Kick

Front Kick

Roundhouse Kick

Side Kick

Joint Kick

Backwards Kick

Hook Kick

Backwards (spinning) Roundhouse Kick

Jumping Kick

Triangle Kick

Cutting Kick
(to the supporting leg)

Mae Keage Geri

Soto Mawashi Geri

Uchi Mawashi Geri

Kakato Otoshi

Hiza Geri

Kinteki Geri

Mae Geri

Mawashi Geri

Yoko Geri

Kansetsu Geri

Ushiro Geri

Kake Geri

Ushiro Mawashi Geri

Tobi Geri

Sankaku Geri

Jikuashi Geri

Foot / Leg Blocking Techniques

Knee Block

Shin Block

Leg Stopping

Pulling Hook (with the leg)

Hiza Uke

Sune Uke

Ashi Dome

Hikake