Japanese-English Glossary
Japanese terms are used extensively in Shorinji Ryu training. Experienced students are expected to be able to respond immediately to instructions and to be able to say and write the names of the techniques they are learning. The following are the most common terms used in karate dojos around the world. Typically, all vowels are pronounced (for example, the command to start, written in Roman characters as hajime, is pronounced "ha-gee-may").
INSTRUCTIONS
Keoskite Attention Rei Bow Hajime Begin Mawate Turn around Yame Stop (immediately) Tome Return to original location Yoi Return to ready stance Tachi zen Standing meditation Zazen Seated meditation Seiza Formal seated position (kneeling) Agura Informal seated position (feet in front)
NUMBERING SYSTEM
1 ichi 6 roku 2 ni 7 shichi 3 san 8 hachi 4 shi 9 ku 5 go 10 ju
GREETINGS AND RESPONSES
Onigashimasu Please teach me.
Gokorosan Thank you for doing what was
expected.
Domo arrigato gozai-imasu Thank you very much.
Osu (Oosss!) Let's train hard and persevere!
Hai Yes
Iie (ee yeh) No
Ohiyo gozai-imasu Good morning.
Konnichi wa Good day.
Kon bon wa Good evening (after dark)
METHODS OF TRAINING
Kihon waza Basic techniques Kata Formal exercises Kumite Sparring Kubudo Weapons training Ippon kumite One-step sparring Jiyu kumite Free sparring
TACHI WAZA (Theory and practice of standing)
Zenkutsu dachi Front-leaning stance Kokutsu dachi Back-leaning stance Kiba dachi Horse-riding stance Neko ashi dachi Cat stance Heisoku dachi Formal attention stance Musubi dachi Informal attention stance Yoi dachi Ready stance Teiji dachi T stance Reinoji dachi L stance
UKE WAZA (Theory and practice of defense)
Age uke Rising block Gedan barai Downward parry Uchi uke Middle block (outside of forearm) Soto uke Middle block (inside of forearm) Shuto uke Knifehand block Heiwan uke High forearm block Osae uke Pressing block Morote uke Supported block Juji uke Cross block Kakiwake uke Wedge block
TSUKI WAZA (Theory and practice of punching)
Seiken Fist Hon tsuki Frontal punch Gyaku tsuki Reverse punch Oi tsuki Lunge punch Nidan tsuki Double punch Gedan tsuki Punch to lower target Chudan tsuki Punch to middle target Jodan tsuki Punch to upper target
GERI WAZA (Theory and practice of kicking)
Ashi Foot Kekomi Thrusting kick Keage Snapping kick Mae geri Front kick Yoko geri Side kick Mawashi geri Roundhouse kick Mikazuki geri Cresant kick Ushiro geri Back kick Tobi geri Jumping kick Kin geri Groin kick Ago geri Chin kick
UCHI WAZA (Theory and practice of striking)
Shuto uchi Knifehand strike Hiiji uchi or empi uchi Elbow strike Hiza uchi Knee strike Nukite uchi Spearhead strike Tettsui uchi Hammerfist strike Uraken uchi Backfist strike
UKEMI WAZA (Theory and practice of falling)
KANSETSU WAZA (Theory and practice of joint techniques)
NAGE WAZA (Theory and practice of throwing techniques)
CONCEPTS AND PRINCIPLES
Budo Way of martial arts Dojo Training gym (place of the Way) Bushido Way of the samurai (bushi) Gi Practice uniform Taitaikyo Dojo etiquette Kohai A student junior to oneself Sempai Senior student Yudansha Black belt Sensei Teacher Uke One who receives a technique Tore One who executes a technique Ai uchi Mutual killing Ai nuke Mutual preservation Bunkai Applications of kata techniques Irimi To enter into an attack Tenkan To turn and dissipate an attack Tai sabaki To evade and counterattack Kuzushi Balance, body alignment Tanden or hara Center of the body Miai Distancing Musubi Harmony Gedan Low target (groin) Chudan Middle target (solar plexus) Jodan High target (lower part of face) Ki Spirit, energy, life force, mind Kiai Spirit-unifying shout Kime Focus of power Isshin One heart or mind Zanshin Reflecting heart or mind Mushin No heart or mind