ImpakuImpaku
← Back to martial art

Glossary for Shorin-ryu

Shorin-ryu: 66 documented terms. Of those: concept / principle (36), body part (11), title (6). Among them Te, Kata, Kyu.

Ashi

Foot or leg in Japanese martial terminology.

Body Part Japan
Atama

Japanese term for the head, a primary target area in Jodan level.

Body Part Japan
Budo武道

Umbrella term for Japanese martial ways focusing on spiritual and personal growth.

Concept / Principle Japan
Bunkai分解

Practical self-defense application and breakdown of movements from Kata with a partner.

Concept / Principle Japan
Dan

Advanced master rank in Asian martial arts denoting black belt status.

Title Japan
Empi / Hiji肘 / 猿臂

Elbow joint and striking surface in Japanese martial vocabulary.

Body Part Japan
Foot Sweep / Ashi-barai足払い / Foot Sweep

Precision sweeping strike to the opponent's foot or ankle precisely as weight shifts.

Concept / Principle Japan
Fudoshin不動心

State of an unshakeable, immovable mind that remains calm amidst absolute chaos or danger.

Concept / Principle Japan
Gendai Budo現代武道

Modern Japanese martial arts developed after the Meiji Restoration (post-1868) focusing on physical education and sport.

Concept / Principle Japan
Geri / Geri-waza蹴り / 蹴り技

Comprehensive category of all kicking techniques (front, side, roundhouse, spinning) in Karate.

Concept / Principle Japan
Go-no-sen後の先

Tactical principle of blocking or parrying an attack and delivering an immediate counter-strike.

Concept / Principle Japan
Haisoku / Instep背足

Top surface of the foot (instep) used as the primary impact point for roundhouse kicks.

Body Part Japan
Hajime始め

Japanese command meaning 'Begin!', used to start exercises or sparring.

Greeting Japan
Hanshi範士

Highest teaching title conferred upon grandmasters (typically 8th Dan and above).

Title Japan
Hara / Tanden腹 / 丹田

Lower abdomen representing the physical and energetic center of balance.

Body Part Japan
Hikite / Pulling Hand引き手

Sharp chambering pull of the non-striking hand back to the hip, increasing equal-and-opposite reaction force.

Concept / Principle Japan
Hiza

Japanese word for knee.

Body Part Japan
Ichi

Japanese number 'One' (1) used when counting exercise repetitions in a dojo.

Concept / Principle Japan
Ippon一本

Highest score achievable in Judo and Karate resulting in an immediate match victory.

Concept / Principle Japan
Kamae構え

Physical guard posture and mental state of combative readiness.

Concept / Principle Japan
Kamae-te / Take Guard Stance構えて

Command issued by an instructor or referee instructing practitioners to assume guard posture immediately.

Greeting Japan
Kamiza上座

Seat of honor or upper wall in a dojo reserved for honoring founders and masters.

Place Japan
Kata型 / 形

Codified sequence of martial movements representing defense and attack against imaginary foes.

Concept / Principle Japan
Kihon基本

Repetitive practice of foundational techniques (blocks, strikes, kicks, stances) forming Budo's core.

Concept / Principle Japan
Kime決め

Instantaneous tightening of the body focusing maximum force into a single point of impact.

Concept / Principle Japan
Koshisoku / Ball of Foot虎趾 / 拇指球

Hard padded ball of the foot under the toes used as a penetrating impact surface in front kicks.

Body Part Japan
Kumite組手

Sparring and combative component of Karate testing techniques against a live partner.

Concept / Principle Japan
Kyoshi教士

Intermediate teaching title in the Shogo system (typically 6th to 7th Dan).

Title Japan
Kyu / Gup級 / 급

Student technical grade prior to attaining the master Dan ranks.

Title Japan
Kyusho急所

Anatomically vulnerable pressure points on the human body targeted for strikes and joint manipulation.

Body Part Japan
Kyusho-jitsu / Vital Point Art急所術

Specialized sub-discipline focused on targeting acupuncture and neurological pressure points for self-defense.

Concept / Principle Japan
Ma-ai間合い

Dynamic combative engagement distance and temporal timing between opponents.

Concept / Principle Japan
Mae-geri / Front Kick前蹴り

Fundamental linear front kick striking with the ball of the foot (Koshisoku) to the torso or chin.

Concept / Principle Japan
Mawashi-geri / Roundhouse Kick回し蹴り

Circular roundhouse kick striking with the instep (Haisoku) or ball of foot to ribs or head.

Concept / Principle Japan
Mokuso黙想

Short quiet meditation practice performed in kneeling posture before and after class.

Etiquette Japan
Mushin無心

State of 'no-mind' where action occurs intuitively without mental hesitation.

Concept / Principle Japan
Ni

Japanese number 'Two' (2) used when counting repetitions in a dojo.

Concept / Principle Japan
Nunchaku / Flail双節棍 / ヌンチャク

Traditional Okinawan Kobudo training tool consisting of two wooden sticks connected by a chain or rope.

Equipment Japan
Obi-musubi / Belt Knot帯結び

Traditional method of tying the martial arts obi belt with a symmetrical knot centered at the Hara.

Etiquette Japan
Protective Equipment / Sparring GearProtectors

Collective term for mouthguards, gloves, shin pads, and headgear ensuring sparring safety.

Equipment United States
Randori乱取り

Freestyle practice sparring without fixed pre-arranged moves in Judo, Aikido, or Karate.

Concept / Principle Japan
Reigi / Reigi-saho礼儀 / 礼儀作法

Comprehensive system of formal manners, courtesy, and correct conduct inside a dojo.

Etiquette Japan
Reiho礼法

Comprehensive code of etiquette, courtesy, and correct conduct in Japanese martial arts.

Etiquette Japan
San

Japanese number 'Three' (3) used when counting repetitions in a dojo.

Concept / Principle Japan
Seiken / Forefist正拳

Standard forefist striking surface aligning the first two knuckles of index and middle fingers.

Body Part Japan
Seiza正座

Traditional Japanese formal kneeling posture sitting on the heels.

Etiquette Japan
Sen-no-sen先の先

Tactical principle of striking the opponent simultaneously as they launch their attack.

Concept / Principle Japan
Shiai試合

Official competitive match governed by formal rules and referee scoring.

Concept / Principle Japan
Shihan師範

Honorific title awarded to senior master instructors within martial organizations.

Title Japan
← PreviousPage 1 / 2Next →