Japanese Terms: Intermediate (Green, Blue and Purple Belts)

JAPANESE TERMS COMMONLY USED IN INTRMEDIATE KARATE CLASS, 4TH KYU, GREEN BELT

Shizentai – Standing naturally, knees relaxed, not bent. Heiko (parallel) is a type of Shizentai.  In our style, we often use Heiko Dachi and Shizentai as the same thing.

Tai Sabaki – Body movement, strategic movement off the opponent’s attack line to gain advantage

Hiraki Ashi – Open stepping, pivot by weighting your front foot, and turning with the back foot.

Tettsui Uchi – Iron hammer strike, hammer fist

Ura Mawashi Geri – Reverse round kick, hook kick

Ushiro Mawashi Geri – “Back turning kick”‘ spinning back kick

Kin Geri – Top of foot kick, usually go groin (Mata Kin Geri)

Pinan – Okinawa Hogen word for peaceful mind

Keage – Snapping.  Example: Maegeri Kiage (front snap kick)

Kekomi – Thrusting. Example: Maegeri Kekomi (front thrust kick)

Ippon Kumite –  One full point wins the match

Wazari – Minor point, credit for the point, but not enough for an Ippon

Chakugan – Focus of attention with the eyes

Maai – “Interval” the moment when the perfect timing and distance exist together, the go zone,the place where the attack will be most effective.

Kime – Focus of power, focus of the technique

Kiai – “Energy release” The karate yell (or breath) that can unbalance an opponent, prepare your body for contact, and add speed and power to your technique,

Isshin – One mind; the state that exists when striking with Chakugan, Maai, Kiai, and Kime.

Zanshin – Remaining mind, leaving the moment of isshin and returning to the open state of mind, not concentrating on any one thing, ready.