E

Empi

Elbow.

(kihon)

Elbow form. Left and right side elbow strike training. Teaches six basic elbow strikes.

Empi uchi

Elbow strike.

[in competition]

Extension. After a draw, the match goes into overtime. Referee opens match with the words "SHOBU HAJIME".

Eri

Collar or lapel.

F

[in competition]

Not enough power.

Fukushin shugo

Judges conference.

(foo-mi ko-mi)

Stamping kick. The knee is elevated, as with any other kick, and the foot is directed downwards, often to the opponent’s foot or knee.

G

Gedan (gay-dan)

Low refers to a technique executed at a low level, lower abdomen and lower.

Gedan barai

Low sweeping block. In the initial position, the blocking fist is raised up to the opposite ear, palm facing towards the ear. The other arm is extended at a slight angle to the body. The blocking fist moves down along and above the extended arm, sweeping across the body. At the same time, the wrist rotates so that the back of the fist is pointing in the forward direction. In the final position, the wrist is just past the edge of the body, the arm is extended and the back of the fist facing forward. The other fist is on the corresponding hip, palm up.

(kata)

"To destroy". Created by Master Chogun Miyagi (Goju-Ryu) with Shuri-te influence as taught to beginners from Itosu-Sensei. Yama-zuki sometimes replaced with teisho from cat stance.

Geri

A type of kick. A note to remember, almost all kicks start with the knee up higher than the belt.

Gi

Karate uniform.

Go

The number 5.

Go-hon kumite

Goju-Ryu

One of the four major styles of karate (see also Shito-Ryu, Shotokan-Ryu and Wado-Ryu). A karate style founded by Miyagi. It came from Shorei-Ryu (from Naha-te and Tomari-te) which utilizes up and down stances and internal breathing power (known as "hard" and "soft" techniques). Katas such as Sanchin (Naha-te) and Rohai (Tomari-te) demonstate these techniques well.

Go no sen

Reacting to the initiative in kumite, block and counter attack.

Goshin jutsu

Self defense art.

Gyaku

Reverse.

Gyaku zuki

Reverse punch. A punch with the hand opposite to the forward foot.

H

(kihon)

A series of techniques practiced in the Yoshukai style of karate. It was developed by Anko Itosu as a means to teach karate to primary and secondary school students.

Hachi

The number 8.

Hachiji dachi

May be either soto hachiji dachi or uchi hachiji dachi.

Hachimachi

Headband.

Hadako-jime

Bare handed choke.

Hai

Yes.

Haishu

Back of the hand. The hand is open and the fingers are tight.

Haishu uchi

A strike with the back of the hand, similar to shuto uchi. The target is typically the side of the opponent’s head or the ear.

Haishu uke

A block with the back of the hand. The hand is open and the fingers are tight. The striking surface in between the knuckles and the wrist.

Haisoku

Instep (i.e. top of the foot).

Haito

Ridgehand. The hand is open and the thumb is pulled towards the inside of the hand in the palm.

Haito uchi

Striking with the back of the sword. The thumb side of the hand is used to strike. The hand is open and the thumb is pulled towards the inside of the hand in the palm.

Hajime

Begin.

Hakama

A long, split skirt, part of the traditional Japanese clothing. Typically worn by Iai do and Ken jutsu practitioners.

Hanmi (han-may)

The upper body is turned at an angle with the forward direction providing a smaller target to the opponent.

[in competition]

Judgment. The referee calls for judgment by blowing his whistle and the judges render their decision by flag signal.

[in competition]

Winner by decision.

Hanshi

Grand master, usually at 9^th and 10^th Dan level.

[in competition]

Foul. This is imposed after a very serious infraction. It results in the opponent’s score being raised to SANBON. HANSOKU is also invoked when the number of hansoku-chui and keikoku imposed raise the opponent’s score to SANBON. The referee point with his index finger to the offender with his arm at 45 degrees and announces a victory for the opponent.

[in competition]

Warning with an ippon penalty. This is a penalty in which ippon is added to the opponent’s score. Hansoku-chui is usually imposed for infractions for which a keikoku has previously been given in that bout. The referee points with his index finger to the abdomen of the offender with his arm parallel to the floor.

Hanten

Half-turn.

Hara

Centre of gravity of the body, located slightly below the navel.

Hata

Flag.

Heiko

Parallel.

Heiko dachi

Heiko zuki

Heisoku dachi

Closed foot stance (i.e. position for a stand up bow). Toes and heels are together. The arms are in a normal, vertical relaxed position along the sides of the body. The hands are open, fingers together, and positioned on the sides of the legs.

Hidari

Left, as opposed to the right (migi).

Hikiashi

Pulling front foot back, after the execution of a front kick for example.

Hikite (i-ki-tay)

Pulling hand back, during the execution of a punch for example.

[in competition]

Draw. The referee crosses arms over chest, then uncrosses and holds his arms out from the body with the palms directed upwards.

Hiragana

Hiraken

Fore knuckle. The hand is flat, thumb to the side, the fingers are bent at the first joint past the knuckles.

Hiraken uchi

Hittsui (hit-soo-i)

Knee hammer (see also hiza-geri). To hit with the knee.

Hiza

Knee.

Hiza geri

Knee kick (see also hittsui).

Honbu

Headquarters.

Horizontal plane

A plane (i.e. a thin, infinite, flat surface) parallel to the floor.

I

Iai do

The way of sword drawing.

Iaigoshi dachi

Kneeling stance. Both feet are in the same direction. One knee is bent and on the floor with the foot resting on the ball. The other is bent at 90 degrees with the foot flat on the floor. An example of this can be seen in the first move of the Ro-hai katas.

Ichi

The number 1.

Ichiban

No.1, the best.

Ikken hissatsu

One strike kill.

[in competition]

Full point. A full point given during competition for a well executed technique.

Ippon dachi

One leg stance (see also mae-tsuru and tsuru-ashi-dachi).

Ippon kumite

One-point pre-arranged sparring.