Glossary

Since this is an English language guide intended for all levels, the English translations of Japanese terms will be used as much as possible, since it would be cruel obfuscate the material while we teach it. For the sake of consistency, though, it is important that you learn the Japanese words and names. Many different styles use these terms, and translations always include some degree of artistic license from the translator. This can lead to confusion, since a translation may not correspond with those of other practitioners, authors, and teachers that you may encounter. However, some Japanese terms will still be used throughout this guide, since some terminology has no clear or convenient English translation.

The name of individual techniques are listed on their respective pages; the names general concepts are listed below:

Conventions

Please keep the following conventions in mind when reading this site:

• All techniques are described from the defender's perspective; so “right” and “left” will always refer to the defender’s right or left side.
• The “centerline” refers to the body’s line-of-symmetry; an imaginary line running from the top of the head, between the eyes, down the middle of the nose, dividing the navel, etc.
• Movements directed towards centerlines are “inside” techniques. Likewise, “outside” techniques are directed away from centerlines.
• When facing an opponent, they are treated like a reflection in a mirror. When the opponent uses their right hand to grab the defender's left hand, this is a “same-side” grab. Same-side techniques do not cross the centerline. Likewise, if an opponent uses their right hand to grab the defender’s right hand, this is a “opposite-side” grab, since the opponent must reach across their centerline. While this may seem confusing at first, this convention is the only thing in the entire martial arts community seems to agree upon -- so please, don’t take this from us!

[Photo explaining same and opposite-sides]

Common Japanese Words

Terminology

Ashi	Foot
Bunkai	Practical applications of a kata's movements. (Literally: “picking apart / analysis / disassembly”)
Dachi	Stance
Dan
Dō	A path which leads to enlightenment. Typically, this is an art which is practiced not for art's sake, but as a way of life. (Literally: “the Way.” Dō is the Japanese pronunciation for Tao / Dao.
Dōjō	Training hall (Literally: “Way-place”)
Goshin-Jutsu	Self-defense (Literally: “body-protection art”)
Gi	Uniform (Literally: “clothing”)
Hajime	"Begin!"
Hanshi	A title given to the greatest masters, and teachers-of-teachers. (Literally: "model gentleman")
Hidari	Left
Ibuki	Long breathing methods.
Joseki	The founder of a system. (Literally: “set-stone”)
Karate	Empty hands
Karateka	A practitioner of karate. (Literally: “karate-person”) The suffix "-ka" refers to the practitioner of name of that activity. (e.g., jūdō players are jūdōka; aikidō practitioners are akidōka, etc.)
Kata	Formalized solo practice drills, with the goal of developing proper biomechanics. Because each movement has a bunkai associated with it, kata is much more than calisthenics. (Literally: “a set form or format / mould / model”)
Keage	Snap
Kekomi	Thrust
Keri	Kick “-geri” is used when combined with other words.
Ki	Aliveness; Will-to-Power, inner power; spirit; energy. (Literally: “Spirit / feeling / psyche”)
Kiai	A spirited yell which accompanies a technique (Literally: “spirit-joining”)
Kihon	Basics / fundamentals. (Literally: "Basis")
Kime	Focus of physical or mental energy.
Kiotsuke	"Come to attention!" (Literally: “(Attention) posture!” / “Join spirits!”)
Kumite	Sparring. (Literally: Blending / braiding hands.)
Kūsankū	A slang term for a simultaneous block / counter-attack combination. Named after____________
Kyū	Grade / rank Used as a suffix to denote the ranking of students who have not yet completed the basic curriculum. These ranks are denoted by their color-coded belts. The number of kyū ranks, and their color codes tend to vary greatly between different dōjō. Also, a slang term for collectively referring to all non-black belt students.
Kyūsho	The weak points of the human body. (Literally: "places of suffering.")
Matte	"Wait!"
Mawate	"Turn!"
Makiwara	Punching board “a bundle of straw”
Migi	Right
Mudansha	People below black belt rank. (Literally: “without-a-degree people”)
Obi	Belt / sash. Contrary to popular belief the belt does not hold the pants up; it holds the jacket closet.
Otagai ni, Rei!	"(Respectfully) Bow to each other!"
Naka	Inside
Nogare	Short breathing methods.
Rei	A respectful bow (Literally: “salute / appreciation”)
Renshi	A title given to those who have achieved mastery. (Literally: "polished gentleman")
Sempai ni, Rei!	(Respectfully) Bow to the senior students!
Sensei	A title given to teachers. Traditionally, “sensei” is used as a suffix (e.g., Jones-sensei), but commonly used as an honorific in English-speaking countries (e.g., Sensei Jones). The literal translation is “one who came before you;” a sensei is not a teacher because they are some exalted master, but because they were once like you, and they know what you must do to improve. As such, within Goshin-Jutsu, one becomes a sensei once people decide to start calling you that. Sensei is not a title you use when describing yourself.
Sensei ni, Rei!	"(Respectfully) Bow to the teacher!" Remember, you bow to people, never before them. If respect is not reciprocated, then it is not respect.
Shiai	Competition or tournament. (Literally: “ordeal-meeting”)
Shihan	A title given to esteemed masters, usually with nanadan or hachidan rankings. (Literally: "expert/master/exemplar-example")
Soto	Outside
Suawre	"Sit!"
Tatami	Mat
Te	Hand
Tori	The partner who successfully completes a technique. Typically, this is the partner taking the defender role in waza practice. (Literally: “taker / winner / chooser.”)
Toshiage	"Stand!"
Tsuki	Punch (Literally: “thrust”)
Uchi	Strike
Uke	Block or opponent. (Literally: “catcher / receiver” because the block, and the opponent, receives the technique.)
Ukemi	Breakfalls (Literally: "receiving-person”)
Waza	Skills or techniques
Yame	"Stop!"
Yūdansha	People with black belt ranking or higher. (Literally: “have-a-degree people”). Contrary to popular belief, a black belt does not denote mastery; it denotes that a student has become reasonably competent following the completion of a basic curriculum, similar to a high school diploma. Additional levels, denoting the degree of mastery of the material are awarded based on the student's merit, dedication, and contribution to the art.
Zanshin	"Lingering Mind"

Numbers

Ichi	1
Ni	2
San	3
Shi / Yon	4
Go	5
Roku	6
Shichi / Nana	7
Hachi	8
Ku	9
Jū	10
Hyaku	100
Sen	1000

“Shi” and “Yon” both mean “four,” but there are oddly-specific cultural and linguistic restrictions on when and how to use “shi,” since it is a homophone for “death” in Japanese. The Japanese are thus extremely superstitious about the number four; buildings rarely have fourth floors, and items rarely come in 4-packs.

Likewise, since "ku" is a homophone for "suffering," it is often drawled out into "kyū."

“Shichi” and “nana” both mean “seven.” “Nana” is used when there is a chance of your words being garbled (i.e., over a telephone or radio connection) because “Shichi” (7) could be misheard as “shishi” (44).

Other numbers can be made by combining the items listed in the table. For example, 49 is "yonjūku."

Please note that this is a "quick-and-dirty" guide. The Japanese contains different words for ordinals, and for oddly-specific counting forms for the days of the month, and for counting people.