Goju-Ryu Terminology Punches • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • •
Age zuki : Rising punch Choku zuki : Straight punching from a parallel stance Chudan zuki : Middle area punch Furi zuki : Circular punch Gedan zuki : Punch to low area Gyaku zuki : Reverse punch Jodan zuki : Upper punch Kizame Zuki : Jab Punch Oi zuki : Lunge punch Seiken zuki : Forefist punch Ura zuki : Close range punch Awase zuki : U punch Choku zuki chudan : Straight punch to body Dan zuki : Consecutive punching Hasami zuki : Scissors punch Heiko zuki : Double punch, simultaneous Hiraken zuki : Fore-knuckle-fist straight punch Hon zuki : Frontal punch Ippon ken zuki : One-knuckle-fist straight punch Jun zuki : Double punch, consecutive Kagi zuki : Hook punch Mawashi zuki : Roundhouse punch Morote zuki : Double-fist "U" punch Nagashi zuki : Flowing punch Nihon zuki : Double punch Oroshi zuki : Descending punch Ren zuki : Alternate punching Sanbon zuki : Three punch combination San ren zuki : Three consecutive punches Seiken choku zuki : Fore-fist punching from a parallel stance Tate zuki : Vertical fist punch Ten zuki : Heaven punch Tsun zuki : One inch punch (as used in the kata Sesan) kata Sesan) Yama zuki : Mountain punch Yoko zuki : Side punch
Blocks • • • • • • • • •
Age uke : Rising block Chudan uke : Middle level block Gedan barai : Lower level sweep Jodan uke : Upper level block Hiji uke : Elbow block Hiki uke : Pulling / grasping block Hiza uke : Knee block Jodan uke : Upper level block Ko uke : Wrist block
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Shotei barai : Palm heel sweep Shotei uke : Palm heel block Soto uke : Forearm block (from outside moving inward to the centre line of the body) Sukui uke : Scooping block Tora guchi uke - Tiger mouth block (sometimes called mawashi uke) Age uke, gyaku ashi : Upper block (reverse foot) Ashibo kake uke : Leg hooking block Ashikubi kake uke : Ankle hooking block Awase uke : Joined hand block Cho cho uke : Butterfly block Chudan uchi uke : Block from inside outward with forearm Chudan ude uke : Forearm block against body attack. Deai osae uke : pressing block stepping in Fumikomi ude uke : Forearm block stepping in Gedan kake uke : Low level hooking block Gedan uke : Low level block Gedan ude uke : Low forearm block Haishu uke : Back hand block Haiwan nagashi uke : Back arm sweeping block Heiwan uke : Upper forearm block Hiji suri uke : Elbow sliding block Juji uke : X block Kake uke : Hooking block Kakiwake uke : Reverse wedge block Kakuto uke : Bent wrist block Keito uke : Chicken head wrist block Kuri uke : Elbow block (as used in the kata Seiyunchin ) Mae ude deai osae : Forearm pressing block Mae ude hineri uke : Forearm twist block Mawashi uke : Roundhouse block (sometimes called Tora Guchi uke ) Morote sukui uke : Two handed scooping block Morote tsukami uke : Two handed grasping block Morote uke : Augmented forearm block Nagashi uke : Sweeping block Oroshi uke : Descending block Osae uke : Pressing block Otoshi uke: Dropping block Sashite uke: Rising hand block Seiryuto uke : Ox-jaw block Shuto uke: Knife hand block Sokumen awase uke: Side two hand block Sokutei mawashi uke: Circular sole block Sokutei osae uke: Pressing block with sole Sokuto osae uke: Pressing block with foot edge Tate shuto uke : Verticle knife hand block Tate uke : Vertical block Te nagashi uke : Hand sweeping block Te osae uke : Hand pressing block Teisho awase uke : Combined palm heel block (sometimes called Shotei awase uke ) Teisho uke : Palm heel block (sometimes called Shotei uke ) Tekubi kake uke : Wrist hook block Tetsui uke : Hammer block (sometimes called " outside forearm block ")
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Tsukami uke : Grasping block Uchi uke : Block from inside outward Ude uke : Inside forearm block Uke : Blocking
Strikes • • • • • • • •
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Empi ate : Elbow strike (sometimes called "hiji ate", "empi uchi" , "hiji uchi" ) Haito uchi : Ridge hand strike Hiji atemi : Elbow strikes Hiraken : Fore knuckle fist Hiza uchi : Knee strike (sometimes called "hiza geri" ) Ko uchi : Wrist strikeMawashi empi uchi : Round elbow strike Nukite uchi : Spear hand strike Shuto uchi : Knife-hand strikeSokuto uchi : Foot edge strikeTeisho uchi : Palm heel strike (sometimes called "Shotei uchi" ) Tetsui uchi : Bottom fist strike Uchi : Striking Uraken uchi : Back fist strike Atama uchi : Strike with head Ganmen uchi : Facial strike Hai wan : Back arm Haishu uchi : Back hand strike Heiwan uchi : Forearm strike Hitosashi ippon ken : Forefinger knuckle Hizagashira : Knee cap Ippon ken : One knuckle fist Ippon nukite : Stabbing action with extended forefinger Kentsui uchi : Hammer fist strike Kumade uchi : Bear hand strike (as used in the kata Sepai ) Mae empi uchi : Forward elbow strike (sometimes called Mae hiji ate ) Mawashi hiji ate : Circular elbow strike Nakadaka ippon ken : Middle finger one knuckle fist (as used in the kata Sepai ) Nakadaka ken : Middle finger knuckle fist Nihon nukite : Two finger spear-hand Otoshi empi uchi : Downward elbow strike (sometimes called "Otoshi hiji ate" ) Oyayubi ippon ken : Thumb knuckle Sashite : Raising hand to strike Seiryuto : Ox jaw hand Shittsui : Knee hammer Shu wan : Palm arm Shubo : Arm stick Tate empi uchi : Upward elbow strike (sometimes called "Tate hiji ate" ) Ushiro empi uchi : Back elbow strike (sometimes called "Ushiro hiji ate" ) Wanto : Arm sword Washide : Eagle hand Yoko empi uchi : Side elbow strike (sometimes called "Yoko hiji ate" ) Yoko mawashi empi uchi : Side round elbow strike (also "Yoko mawashi hiji ate" )
Kicks • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • •
Fumikomi geri : Stamping kick Geri : Kicking Hiza geri : Knee kick Kensetsu geri : Stamping kick, joint kick Mae ashi geri : Front leg kick Mae geri : Front kick Mawashi geri : Roundhouse kick Tobi geri : Flying front kick Ushiro geri : Back kick Yoko geri : Side kick Ago geri : Chin kick Chudan mae geri : Front kick to body En-sho : Round heel Fumikiri geri : Cutting kick Gedan kekomi geri: Thrust kick to low level Gyaku ashi : Reverse foot Geri ashi : Kicking foot Gyaku geri : Reversed kick Gyaku mawashi geri : Reverse round kick Jodan kekomi geri : Thrust kick to face Jodan mae geri : Front kick to face Kaiten geri : Spinning slap kick (as in the kata Suparinpei ) Keage geri : Snap kick Kebanashi : Kick off (snap kick) Kekomi geri : Thrust kick Kesa geri : Diagonal kick Kin geri : Groin kick Mae ashi kekomi : Front leg thrust Mae geri keage : Front snap kick Mae geri kekomi : Front thrust kick Mae tobi geri : Jumping front kick Mikazuki geri : Crescent kick (sometimes called " jaw kick ") Nidan geri : Double jump kick Renzoku geri : Combination kick Sokuto : Edge of foot Sokuto Keage : Snap kick with foot edge Tobi yoko geri : Jumping side kick Uchi mawashi geri : Inside roundhouse kick Ushiro ashi geri : Rear-leg kick Yoko geri keage : Side snap kick Yoko geri kekomi : Side thrust kick Yoko kekomi : Side thrust kick Yoko tobi geri : Jumping side kick
Stances • • • •
Hachiji dachi : Natural stance Han zenkutsu dachi : Half forward stance Heiko dachi : Parallel stance Heisoku dachi : Informal attention stance
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Kokutsu dachi : Back stance Kosa dachi : Crouched stance Musubi dachi : Informal attention stance, feet turned out Neko ashi dachi : Cat stance Reinoji dachi - L stance (sometimes called "haraisa dachi" ) Sanchin dachi : Hour glass stance Sesan dachi : Side facing straddle stance Shiko dachi : Box stance (sometimes called " square stance " or "sumo stance ") Zenkutsu dachi : Long stance Fudo dachi : Rooted stance, "Immovable stance" Gankaku dachi : One legged stance Sagi ashi dachi Gedan no kamae : Lower level combative posture Shizen dachi : Natural combative posture Hangetsu dachi : Half moon stance Hanmi : Half front facing position Hanmi no kamae : Half forward facing combative posture Hidari shizen tai : Left natural position Hidari teiji dachi : "Left T" stance Jodan no kamae : Upper level combative posture Kiba dachi : Straddle stance (sometimes called Naihanchin dachi; Naifanchin dach i) Naihanshi dachi : Kiba dachi with knees turned in and down Sagi ashi dachi : Propped leg stance Shizen dachi no kamae : Natural combative posture Shizentai : Natural position Sochin dachi : Diagonal straddle leg "Immovable" stance, rooted stance Teiji dachi : T stance Tsugi ashi : Shuffling step Tsuri ashi dachi : Crane stance with propped leg Uchi hachiji dachi : Inverted open-leg stance Yori ashi : Dragging step
Vital Points • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • •
Bitei : Coccyx Danchu : Breastbone Denko : Ribs (slightly below ganka) Dokusen : Side of neck Fukuto : Hollow of knee Ganka : Ribs (point located directly under the nipple) Hayauchi : Upper back Hichu : Windpipe Hijisume : Inside of elbow Inazuma : Stomach wall (ganka level) Jinchu : Philtrum (dimple between top lip and nose) Kakon : Chin Kassatsu : Spine, middle of back Kasumi : Temple on the side of the head Keichu : Back of neck; Base of cerebellum Kinteki : Groin Kokotsu : Shinbone
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Komekami : Cheekbone Kori : Area around the toes Kutaku : Inner wrist Kyosen : Sternum Mikazuki : Jaw Murasame : Clavicle Myosho : Navel area, abdomen Naira : Achilles tendon Seimo : Eye socket Shomon : Skull Shuko : Back of hand Soin : Instep Soma : Calves Soto shakutaku : Outer wrist Suigetsu : Solar plexus Tanden : Abdomen (the power center of the body) Tsumasaki : Tips of toes Ushiro denko : Kidney area (Literally " back ribs ") Ushiro inazuma : Backside Uto : Bridge of nose Yako : Inner thigh
Other Terms Equipment and Weapons • • • • • • • • • • • •
Bo : Wooden staff, 6 feet long Chi ishi : Lever weighted stone Ishi sashi : Stone padlocks Jo : Wooden staff, approximately 4 feet long Kendo : Sword fighting Kongo ken : Iron ring Makiwara : Striking board Nigiri game : Training jars ( Nih-gee-ree gam-ay ) Sai : Three pronged knife Tan : Barbells Tetsu wa : Iron rings (sometimes called " Tekkan" ) Tonfa : Farm tool developed into weapon by the Okinawan people
Grades • • • • • • •
Shodan : 1st Dan black belt Nidan : 2nd Dan Sandan : 3rd Dan Yondan : 4th Dan Godan : 5th Dan Rokudan : 6th Dan Nanadan : 7th Dan
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Hachidan : 8 th Dan Kyudan : 9 th Dan Jyudan ; 10 th Dan
Karate Titles • • • • • • • • • • • • •
Bushi : Great martial artist (Okinawan); Warlord (Japanese) Hanshi : Head person of an organization Karateka : A practitioner of Karate Kohai : A student junior to oneself Kyoshi : Master instructor Mudansha : Students without black belt rank Reigi renshi : Polished instructor Sensei : Instructor, Teacher Sempai : A senior student Shihan : Formal title, Master Instructor, or Teacher of Teachers Shushin : Referee in a bout Uchi Deshi : A live-in student Yudansha : Black belt holder (any rank)
Phrases, Etiquette • • • • • • • • • • • •
Domo Arigato Gozai imasu : Thank you very much Gaayu no hito : One who possesses a strong spirit and never gives up Gokurosan : Thank you for doing what was expected of you Gokurosahma : Thank you for doing what was expected of you (with respect) Ho go ju donto : "The way of inhaling and exhaling is hardness and softness" Kon banwa : Good evening (after daylight) Konnichi wa : Good evening (day light hours) Mo ichi do : Once more time Ohiyo Gozai imasu : Good morning Onegai shimasu : Please teach me Osu : Versatile greeting Oyasumi nasai : Good night (upon departing)
Dojo Opening / Closing Ceremony 1. Shugo! : Line up! 2. Ki o tsuke : Stand to attention 3. Seiza : Kneel 4. Mokuso : Observe meditation 5. Mokuso yame : Finish meditating 6. Shomen ni : Face the front of the dojo 7. Rei : Bow 8. Sensei ni : Face your teacher 9. Rei : Bow 10.Otagai ni : Face your partner 11.Rei : Bow 12.Shomen : Face the front of the dojo 13.Kiritsu : Stand up General Terms
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Ashi barai : Foot sweep Budo : Martial Way; Martial arts Busaganishi : Martial arts deity Bunkai : Study of kata applications and techniques Chiru no chan chan : Fast, springy action Chudan : Middle level Dan : Level Do : Way; Path Dojo : Training place Dojo kun : Dojo rules Gasshuku : Special karate training camp Gedan : Lower level Geri : Kick Gi : Jacket; training costume; tunic Go : Hard; unyielding Go kumite : Hard sparring Goju Ryu Karate Do : Hard / Soft style, empty handed Way Hai : Yes Hajime : Begin Hara : Stomach Heishugata : "Closed Fist" kata ( Sanchin and Tensho ) Hidari : Left Hiji : Elbow Hiza : Knee Hojo undo : Supplementary exercises Honbu Dojo : Central dojo of an organization Ippon kumite : One point sparring Jodan : Upper level Ju : Soft; flexible Junbi Undo : Warm up exercises Kaishugata : "Open fist" kata ( Gekisai , Saifa , etc.) Kakie : Push hands Kamae : Combative posture Kamae te : Assume stance Kanji : Chinese characters Karate : Empty hand Karate-Do : The way of Karate Kata : Forms Keage : Snap action Kenkon : The symbol of the I.O.G.K.F. Literally " Heaven and Earth " Ki o tsuke : Attention ( phonetically " kee-ut-ski" ) Kiai : Focusing shout Kihon : Basic techniques Kokomi : Thrust action Koshi : Ball of the foot Kumite : Sparring Kyu : White to brown belt rank Mae : Front Mawatte : Turn around Migi : Right Mokuso : Silent contemplation, meditation Muchimi : Heavy, sticky action
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Obi : Training uniform belt Oyo bunkai : Study of techiques in kata (similar to Bunkai but including follow-ups) Otagai : Training partner Randori : Free sparring, relaxed sparring (sometimes called "Jiyu kumite" ) Rei : Bow Sandan gi : Three level sparring Seiken : Fore fist Seiza : Formal sitting position (kneeling on your haunches, feet crossed) Semete : Attacking partner Shime : Sanchin testing Shomen : The front Shugo : Line up Ski atte : Change hands Suri ashi : Sliding step Tai sabaki : Body evasion ability Tanden : Navel Te : Hand Ude : Forearm Ude tanren : Forearm conditioning Uke harai : Blocking exercises Ushiro : Back, rear Waza : Techniques Yobi undo : Warm up exercises Yakusoku kumite : Pre-arranged sparring Yame : Stop Yoi : Ready Yoko : Side Zanshin : Awareness
Agura : Informal sitting (legs crossed) Asobidi : Playful martial arts Ayumi ashi : Natural stepping Chakuchki : Replacing Embusen : Pattern of a given kata Gai-wan : Outer arm Gohon kumite : Five step basic sparring Gyakute : Grappling, wrestling, joint locking (Literally " hand reverses ") Haishu : Back-hand; Closed hand Haisoku : Instep Happo sabaki : All types of footwork and evasion movements Hiku no chikara : The power of recoil Jiyu ippon : One step freestyle sparring Josokutei : Ball of the feet Judo : The Gentle Way Junan taiso : Stretching exercises Kaette : Return, or Go Back Kaikoken : Crab Fist Kaisho : Open hand Kakato : Heel Kakuto : Bent-wrist
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Keiko : Training (also means 'Joined fingertips ') Keito : Chicken head wrist Kentsui : Fist hammer Ki : Mind, Spirit, Energy Kihon ippon : Basic one point sparring Kihon kumite : Basic sparring Kime : Focus of power Koken : Wrist Joint Koshin : Rearward Kyusho jutsu : The art of attacking the vital points of the body Ma : Distance between opponents Ma ai : Distancing Mae ukemi: Front fall / roll Maete : Jab (Literally "Front Hand ") Matte : Wait Morote no kamae : Augmented handed combative posture Nai-wan : Inner arm Nin : Perseverance; tolerance; endurance; patience. O swate : Sit down O tate : Stand up Reigi : Etiquette, manners (sometimes called "Reishiki" ) Sandan kumite : Three step, three level sparring Sanbon kumite : Three step sparring Sanbon zuki : Three step sparring, one hand blocks three punch combination Seishin tanren : Forging oneself through karate training Shiho-wari : Breaking boards on four sides to test power, awareness and focus (sometimes called 'Tameshiwari ') Shinzen : Shrine Shinzui : Truth Shizen tai : Natural position Tachi : Stances Tachi zen : Standing meditation Tameshiwari : Test of technique's power via breaking Tandoku Renshu : Preparatory exercise Tako ashi : Octopus foot Tenshin : Moving, shifting Tome : Return to original position Torite : Escape methods Tsugi ashi : Chassis step Ukete : Defending party Unsoku ho : Footwork Wan : Arm Yasume : At ease Zenshin : Forward Zuki or Tsuki : Punch or thrust (sometimes pronounced " ski ")
Waza (Technique) • •
Ashi waza : Leg techniques Ate waza : Smashing techniques
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Geri waza : Kicking techniques Go waza : Hard techniques (Punching, kicking, etc.) Gyaku waza : Joint locking techniques Hazushi waza : Freeing techniques Ju waza : Soft techniques (Joint locks, strangulations, etc.) Nage waza : Throwing techniques Ne waza : Ground techniques Renzoku waza : Combination techniques Shime waza : Choking techniques Te waza : Hand techniques Uchi waza : Striking techniques Uke waza : Blocking techniques Zuki waza : Punching techniques
Tournament Terminology • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • •
Aiuchi : Simultaneous points by both opponents Aka : Red Atoshi baraku : 30 seconds to go Atenai Yoni : Warning without penalty Attate Iru : Contact Chui : Warning Encho-sen : Extension of bout Fujubun : Not enough power Fukushin : Referee's mirror in a bout; the judge Fukushin Shugo : Judges conference Hansoku : Foul Hansoku chui : Warning with an ippon penalty Hantei : Judgement Hikiwake : Draw Ippon : One point Jogai : Exit from fighting area Jo sokutei : Raised sole (also "double entry") Kachi : Victorious winner Kansa : The timekeeper in a bout; the arbitrator Keikoku : Warning with waza ari penalty Kiken : Renunciation Ma-ai ga toh : Improper distancing Moto no ichi : Return to your starting position Mubobi : Warning for lack of regard for one's own safety No Jikan : Time Nukete Iru : Out of target Shiai : Match Shikaku : Disqualification and dismissal Shushin : Referee Shiro : White Shobu ippon : One point match Shobu nihon : Two point match Shobu sanbon : Three point match Sore made : End of match
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Suki : Opening Taiming go osoi : Not proper timing Torimasen : No point Tsuzukete : Resume; Carry on (phonetically "Soo-zoo-keh-tay" ) Ukete Iru : Blocked Waza ari : Half-point Yowai : Weak focus
Numbers 1. Ichi : One 2. Ni : Two 3. San : Three 4. Shi : Four 5. Go : Five 6. Roku : Six 7. Shichi : Seven 8. Hachi : Eight 9. Ku : Nine 10. Ju : Ten Goju-Ryu Kata A brief foreword regarding Goju-Ryu Kata kanji translation: Many of the kata of the Goju-Ryu style, in spite of the fact that they are known universally by a singular name, have a seemingly endless number of interpretations when translated from Okinawan to English. The following list has been compiled from a number of sources, showing many of the popular translations offered on this subject today. However, it is important to bear in mind that it is not the translation of the name of a given kata that is of any real importance. The important thing is the kata itself. Gekisai Dai Ichi : • • • •
Attack and smash, number one Attack, crush, number one Attack and subdue with closed palms Smash and destroy, number one
Gekisai Dai Ni : • • • •
Attack and smash, number two Attack, crush, number two Attack and subdue with open palms Smash and destroy, number two
Saifa : • • • •
Smash and tear To smash and tear into pieces Crush, shatter, tear Breaking ground
Seiyunchin : • • • • •
To draw/suck/pull in and battle Conquer over distance Marching/Conquer far quietly Control, supress and pull To pull off balance and fight
Shisochin : • • • •
Four gated battle Four direction battle Conquer in four directions To defeat attacks from four sides
Sanseru : •
36 hands
Sepai : •
18 hands
Kururunfa : • • • • • •
Ku (Long) Ru (Hold) Run (Sudden) Fa (Break) Forever peacefulness, stops, shatter To remain still, then quickly attack and destroy Holding ground Armageddon "Silence before the storm"
Sesan : •
13 hands
Suparinpei : • •
108 hands Pechurin
Sanchin : •
Three battles
Tensho : • •
Revolving hands Turning palms
