Hajime

始め

The command “begin” in Japanese martial arts. In judo and karate the referee uses it to start a match, the coach to start an exercise, kata or randori.

Quick Facts

Term typeCommand and signal

LanguageJapanese

Formcommand (imperative)

Pronunciation[hah-jee-meh]

Alternative Namesbegin

Readings and romanizations

Reading (kana)はじめ

Hepburn romanizationhajime

Word breakdown

始めhajimeto begin (verb hajimeru)

Definition

Hajime (始め) is a form of the verb hajimeru, to begin, and means “begin”. In Japanese martial arts it is the command with which the referee starts a match and the coach an exercise, kata, kumite or randori. In judo the referee starts a match with hajime and resumes it with the same command after an interruption by matte. In karate the referee uses hajime to start a match and resume it after yame. On the command the practitioners begin at once, until then they stand ready on guard.

Relations to other terms

Previous phase

Kamaete構えて

The command “take your guard”. In karate the instructor or referee uses it to call on practitioners to move into the fighting position kamae.

Paired with

Matte待った

Referee's command in judo, literally “wait”. It stops the match and the clock, the fighters return to their marks and the match resumes with the command hajime.

Opposite

Yame止め

The command “stop” in Japanese martial arts. In karate the referee uses it to interrupt a match, in the dojo the coach to end an exercise.

Associated Martial Arts

Karate Judo