The Meaning of Soke
Soke (Sōke) pronounced (so - ke), is a Japanese term that means "the head family (house)."
In the realm of Japanese traditional arts, it is...
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 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 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...
Asian Word Pronunciation
The charts below give an approximate Asian word pronunciation of words in Japanese, Chinese and Korean.
The Japanese alphabet consists of 99 sounds formed with...
The Term Dojo
This is not an attempt to give either a history of Buddhism or Zen-Buddhisms arrival and its impact on Japan. It is only meant...
Martial Arts Definitions N
Nagare:
Flow.
Nage:
Throw.
Nage Waza:
Throwing techniques.
Naginata:
“Reaping sword.” A curved-blade spear, once used by Japanese monks and samurai. It is approximately seven feet in length including the blade....
A Different Definition of Ai-Yotsu and Kenka Yotsu
In order to truly understand the difference between the terms Ai-Yotsu and Kenka Yotsu, one should dismiss the definitions of so called right-handed and...
Martial Arts Definitions A
Abaniko:
This Arnis striking technique uses a stick in a movement which resembles a fan motion.
Acupressure:
In this process, the channels through which chi, or life...
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 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...
Martial Arts Definitions Z
Zanshin:
A state of mind which is cultivated by the martial artist of complete awareness and alertness, anticipation of success in combat.
Zazen:
“Sitting meditation.” The meditative...
Martial Arts Definitions O
O:
“Big” or “great.”
Obi:
Belt.
Obi-otoshi
Belt drop
Odachi::
See “tachi.”
O-goshi:
Major hip, hip technique
O-guruma:
Major wheel. Judo foot technique.
Oi-zuki
Step punch.
Okuri-ashi-harai:
sending foot sweep, Judo foot technique.
Omote:
“Front” or “obvious.”
Oni ken:
Extended knuckle fist.
Orei:
“Respect” or...
Martial Arts Definitions P
Pachigi:
A Korean martial art in which the head is used to butt an opponent.
Pai shih:
A ceremony for a kung fu novice denoting his acceptance...
Martial Arts Definitions V
Vo phuc:
A name for the uniform worn in the Vietnamese martial arts.
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...
