Goju-Ryu Terminology

Punches

• Age zuki : Rising punch

• Choku zuki : Straight punching from a parallel stance
• Chudan zuki : Middle area punch
• Furi zuki : Circular punch
• Gedan zuki : Punch to low area
• Gyaku zuki : Reverse punch
• Jodan zuki : Upper punch
• Kizame Zuki : Jab Punch
• Oi zuki : Lunge punch
• Seiken zuki : Forefist punch
• Ura zuki : Close range punch
• Awase zuki : U punch
• Choku zuki chudan : Straight punch to body
• Dan zuki : Consecutive punching
• Hasami zuki : Scissors punch
• Heiko zuki : Double punch, simultaneous
• Hiraken zuki : Fore-knuckle-fist straight punch
• Hon zuki : Frontal punch
• Ippon ken zuki : One-knuckle-fist straight punch
• Jun zuki : Double punch, consecutive
• Kagi zuki : Hook punch
• Mawashi zuki : Roundhouse punch
• Morote zuki : Double-fist "U" punch
• Nagashi zuki : Flowing punch
• Nihon zuki : Double punch
• Oroshi zuki : Descending punch
• Ren zuki : Alternate punching
• Sanbon zuki : Three punch combination
• San ren zuki : Three consecutive punches
• Seiken choku zuki : Fore-fist punching from a parallel stance
• Tate zuki : Vertical fist punch
• Ten zuki : Heaven punch
• Tsun zuki : One inch punch (as used in the kata Sesan)
• Yama zuki : Mountain punch
• Yoko zuki : Side punch

Blocks

• Age uke : Rising block

• Chudan uke : Middle level block
• Gedan barai : Lower level sweep
• Jodan uke : Upper level block
• Hiji uke : Elbow block
• Hiki uke : Pulling / grasping block
• Hiza uke : Knee block
• Jodan uke : Upper level block
• Ko uke : Wrist block
• Shotei barai : Palm heel sweep
• Shotei uke : Palm heel block
• Soto uke : Forearm block (from outside moving inward to the centre line of the body)
• Sukui uke : Scooping block
• Tora guchi uke - Tiger mouth block (sometimes called mawashi uke)
• Age uke, gyaku ashi : Upper block (reverse foot)
• Ashibo kake uke : Leg hooking block
• Ashikubi kake uke : Ankle hooking block
• Awase uke : Joined hand block
• Cho cho uke : Butterfly block
• Chudan uchi uke : Block from inside outward with forearm
• Chudan ude uke : Forearm block against body attack.
• Deai osae uke : pressing block stepping in
• Fumikomi ude uke : Forearm block stepping in
• Gedan kake uke : Low level hooking block
• Gedan uke : Low level block
• Gedan ude uke : Low forearm block
• Haishu uke : Back hand block
• Haiwan nagashi uke : Back arm sweeping block
• Heiwan uke : Upper forearm block
• Hiji suri uke : Elbow sliding block
• Juji uke : X block
• Kake uke : Hooking block
• Kakiwake uke : Reverse wedge block
• Kakuto uke : Bent wrist block
• Keito uke : Chicken head wrist block
• Kuri uke : Elbow block (as used in the kata Seiyunchin)
• Mae ude deai osae : Forearm pressing block
• Mae ude hineri uke : Forearm twist block
• Mawashi uke : Roundhouse block (sometimes called Tora Guchi uke)
• Morote sukui uke : Two handed scooping block
• Morote tsukami uke : Two handed grasping block
• Morote uke : Augmented forearm block
• Nagashi uke : Sweeping block
• Oroshi uke : Descending block
• Osae uke : Pressing block
• Otoshi uke: Dropping block
• Sashite uke: Rising hand block
• Seiryuto uke : Ox-jaw block
• Shuto uke: Knife hand block
• Sokumen awase uke: Side two hand block
• Sokutei mawashi uke: Circular sole block
• Sokutei osae uke: Pressing block with sole
• Sokuto osae uke: Pressing block with foot edge
• Tate shuto uke : Verticle knife hand block
• Tate uke : Vertical block
• Te nagashi uke : Hand sweeping block
• Te osae uke : Hand pressing block
• Teisho awase uke : Combined palm heel block (sometimes called Shotei awase uke)
• Teisho uke : Palm heel block (sometimes called Shotei uke)
• Tekubi kake uke : Wrist hook block
• Tetsui uke : Hammer block (sometimes called "outside forearm block")
 • Tsukami uke : Grasping block
• Uchi uke : Block from inside outward
• Ude uke : Inside forearm block
• Uke : Blocking

Strikes

• Empi ate : Elbow strike (sometimes called "hiji ate", "empi uchi", "hiji uchi")
• Haito uchi : Ridge hand strike
• Hiji atemi : Elbow strikes
• Hiraken : Fore knuckle fist
• Hiza uchi : Knee strike (sometimes called "hiza geri")
• Ko uchi : Wrist strikeMawashi empi uchi : Round elbow strike
• Nukite uchi : Spear hand strike
• Shuto uchi : Knife-hand strikeSokuto uchi : Foot edge strikeTeisho uchi : Palm heel strike
(sometimes called "Shotei uchi")
• Tetsui uchi : Bottom fist strike
• Uchi : Striking
• Uraken uchi : Back fist strike
• Atama uchi : Strike with head
• Ganmen uchi : Facial strike
• Hai wan : Back arm
• Haishu uchi : Back hand strike
• Heiwan uchi : Forearm strike
• Hitosashi ippon ken : Forefinger knuckle
• Hizagashira : Knee cap
• Ippon ken : One knuckle fist
• Ippon nukite : Stabbing action with extended forefinger
• Kentsui uchi : Hammer fist strike
• Kumade uchi : Bear hand strike (as used in the kata Sepai)
• Mae empi uchi : Forward elbow strike (sometimes called Mae hiji ate)
• Mawashi hiji ate : Circular elbow strike
• Nakadaka ippon ken : Middle finger one knuckle fist (as used in the kata Sepai)
• Nakadaka ken : Middle finger knuckle fist
• Nihon nukite : Two finger spear-hand
• Otoshi empi uchi : Downward elbow strike (sometimes called "Otoshi hiji ate")
• Oyayubi ippon ken : Thumb knuckle
• Sashite : Raising hand to strike
• Seiryuto : Ox jaw hand
• Shittsui : Knee hammer
• Shu wan : Palm arm
• Shubo : Arm stick
• Tate empi uchi : Upward elbow strike (sometimes called "Tate hiji ate")
• Ushiro empi uchi : Back elbow strike (sometimes called "Ushiro hiji ate")
• Wanto : Arm sword
• Washide : Eagle hand
• Yoko empi uchi : Side elbow strike (sometimes called "Yoko hiji ate")
• Yoko mawashi empi uchi : Side round elbow strike (also "Yoko mawashi hiji ate")
Kicks

• Fumikomi geri : Stamping kick

• Geri : Kicking
• Hiza geri : Knee kick
• Kensetsu geri : Stamping kick, joint kick
• Mae ashi geri : Front leg kick
• Mae geri : Front kick
• Mawashi geri : Roundhouse kick
• Tobi geri : Flying front kick
• Ushiro geri : Back kick
• Yoko geri : Side kick
• Ago geri : Chin kick
• Chudan mae geri : Front kick to body
• En-sho : Round heel
• Fumikiri geri : Cutting kick
• Gedan kekomi geri: Thrust kick to low level
• Gyaku ashi : Reverse foot
• Geri ashi : Kicking foot
• Gyaku geri : Reversed kick
• Gyaku mawashi geri : Reverse round kick
• Jodan kekomi geri : Thrust kick to face
• Jodan mae geri : Front kick to face
• Kaiten geri : Spinning slap kick (as in the kata Suparinpei)
• Keage geri : Snap kick
• Kebanashi : Kick off (snap kick)
• Kekomi geri : Thrust kick
• Kesa geri : Diagonal kick
• Kin geri : Groin kick
• Mae ashi kekomi : Front leg thrust
• Mae geri keage : Front snap kick
• Mae geri kekomi : Front thrust kick
• Mae tobi geri : Jumping front kick
• Mikazuki geri : Crescent kick (sometimes called "jaw kick")
• Nidan geri : Double jump kick
• Renzoku geri : Combination kick
• Sokuto : Edge of foot
• Sokuto Keage : Snap kick with foot edge
• Tobi yoko geri : Jumping side kick
• Uchi mawashi geri : Inside roundhouse kick
• Ushiro ashi geri : Rear-leg kick
• Yoko geri keage : Side snap kick
• Yoko geri kekomi : Side thrust kick
• Yoko kekomi : Side thrust kick
• Yoko tobi geri : Jumping side kick

Stances

• Hachiji dachi : Natural stance

• Han zenkutsu dachi : Half forward stance
• Heiko dachi : Parallel stance
• Heisoku dachi : Informal attention stance
 • Kokutsu dachi : Back stance
• Kosa dachi : Crouched stance
• Musubi dachi : Informal attention stance, feet turned out
• Neko ashi dachi : Cat stance
• Reinoji dachi - L stance (sometimes called "haraisa dachi")
• Sanchin dachi : Hour glass stance
• Sesan dachi : Side facing straddle stance
• Shiko dachi : Box stance (sometimes called "square stance" or "sumo stance")
• Zenkutsu dachi : Long stance
• Fudo dachi : Rooted stance, "Immovable stance"
• Gankaku dachi : One legged stance
• Sagi ashi dachi Gedan no kamae : Lower level combative posture
• Shizen dachi : Natural combative posture
• Hangetsu dachi : Half moon stance
• Hanmi : Half front facing position
• Hanmi no kamae : Half forward facing combative posture
• Hidari shizen tai : Left natural position
• Hidari teiji dachi : "Left T" stance
• Jodan no kamae : Upper level combative posture
• Kiba dachi : Straddle stance (sometimes called Naihanchin dachi; Naifanchin dachi)
• Naihanshi dachi : Kiba dachi with knees turned in and down
• Sagi ashi dachi : Propped leg stance
• Shizen dachi no kamae : Natural combative posture
• Shizentai : Natural position
• Sochin dachi : Diagonal straddle leg "Immovable" stance, rooted stance
• Teiji dachi : T stance
• Tsugi ashi : Shuffling step
• Tsuri ashi dachi : Crane stance with propped leg
• Uchi hachiji dachi : Inverted open-leg stance
• Yori ashi : Dragging step

Vital Points

• Bitei : Coccyx
• Danchu : Breastbone
• Denko : Ribs (slightly below ganka)
• Dokusen : Side of neck
• Fukuto : Hollow of knee
• Ganka : Ribs (point located directly under the nipple)
• Hayauchi : Upper back
• Hichu : Windpipe
• Hijisume : Inside of elbow
• Inazuma : Stomach wall (ganka level)
• Jinchu : Philtrum (dimple between top lip and nose)
• Kakon : Chin
• Kassatsu : Spine, middle of back
• Kasumi : Temple on the side of the head
• Keichu : Back of neck; Base of cerebellum
• Kinteki : Groin
• Kokotsu : Shinbone
 • Komekami : Cheekbone
• Kori : Area around the toes
• Kutaku : Inner wrist
• Kyosen : Sternum
• Mikazuki : Jaw
• Murasame : Clavicle
• Myosho : Navel area, abdomen
• Naira : Achilles tendon
• Seimo : Eye socket
• Shomon : Skull
• Shuko : Back of hand
• Soin : Instep
• Soma : Calves
• Soto shakutaku : Outer wrist
• Suigetsu : Solar plexus
• Tanden : Abdomen (the power center of the body)
• Tsumasaki : Tips of toes
• Ushiro denko : Kidney area (Literally "back ribs")
• Ushiro inazuma : Backside
• Uto : Bridge of nose
• Yako : Inner thigh

Other Terms
Equipment and Weapons

• Bo : Wooden staff, 6 feet long

• Chi ishi : Lever weighted stone
• Ishi sashi : Stone padlocks
• Jo : Wooden staff, approximately 4 feet long
• Kendo : Sword fighting
• Kongo ken : Iron ring
• Makiwara : Striking board
• Nigiri game : Training jars (Nih-gee-ree gam-ay)
• Sai : Three pronged knife
• Tan : Barbells
• Tetsu wa : Iron rings (sometimes called "Tekkan")
• Tonfa : Farm tool developed into weapon by the Okinawan people

Grades

• Shodan : 1st Dan black belt

• Nidan : 2nd Dan
• Sandan : 3rd Dan
• Yondan : 4th Dan
• Godan : 5th Dan
• Rokudan : 6th Dan
• Nanadan : 7th Dan
 • Hachidan : 8th Dan
• Kyudan : 9th Dan
• Jyudan ; 10th Dan

Karate Titles

• Bushi : Great martial artist (Okinawan); Warlord (Japanese)

• Hanshi : Head person of an organization
• Karateka : A practitioner of Karate
• Kohai : A student junior to oneself
• Kyoshi : Master instructor
• Mudansha : Students without black belt rank
• Reigi renshi : Polished instructor
• Sensei : Instructor, Teacher
• Sempai : A senior student
• Shihan : Formal title, Master Instructor, or Teacher of Teachers
• Shushin : Referee in a bout
• Uchi Deshi : A live-in student
• Yudansha : Black belt holder (any rank)

Phrases, Etiquette

• Domo Arigato Gozai imasu : Thank you very much

• Gaayu no hito : One who possesses a strong spirit and never gives up
• Gokurosan : Thank you for doing what was expected of you
• Gokurosahma : Thank you for doing what was expected of you (with respect)
• Ho go ju donto : "The way of inhaling and exhaling is hardness and softness"
• Kon banwa : Good evening (after daylight)
• Konnichi wa : Good evening (day light hours)
• Mo ichi do : Once more time
• Ohiyo Gozai imasu : Good morning
• Onegai shimasu : Please teach me
• Osu : Versatile greeting
• Oyasumi nasai : Good night (upon departing)

Dojo Opening / Closing Ceremony

1. Shugo! : Line up!

2. Ki o tsuke : Stand to attention
3. Seiza : Kneel
4. Mokuso : Observe meditation
5. Mokuso yame : Finish meditating
6. Shomen ni : Face the front of the dojo
7. Rei : Bow
8. Sensei ni : Face your teacher
9. Rei : Bow
10. Otagai ni : Face your partner
11. Rei : Bow
12. Shomen : Face the front of the dojo
13. Kiritsu : Stand up

General Terms
• Ashi barai : Foot sweep
• Budo : Martial Way; Martial arts
• Busaganishi : Martial arts deity
• Bunkai : Study of kata applications and techniques
• Chiru no chan chan : Fast, springy action
• Chudan : Middle level
• Dan : Level
• Do : Way; Path
• Dojo : Training place
• Dojo kun : Dojo rules
• Gasshuku : Special karate training camp
• Gedan : Lower level
• Geri : Kick
• Gi : Jacket; training costume; tunic
• Go : Hard; unyielding
• Go kumite : Hard sparring
• Goju Ryu Karate Do : Hard / Soft style, empty handed Way
• Hai : Yes
• Hajime : Begin
• Hara : Stomach
• Heishugata : "Closed Fist" kata (Sanchin and Tensho)
• Hidari : Left
• Hiji : Elbow
• Hiza : Knee
• Hojo undo : Supplementary exercises
• Honbu Dojo : Central dojo of an organization
• Ippon kumite : One point sparring
• Jodan : Upper level
• Ju : Soft; flexible
• Junbi Undo : Warm up exercises
• Kaishugata : "Open fist" kata (Gekisai, Saifa, etc.)
• Kakie : Push hands
• Kamae : Combative posture
• Kamae te : Assume stance
• Kanji : Chinese characters
• Karate : Empty hand
• Karate-Do : The way of Karate
• Kata : Forms
• Keage : Snap action
• Kenkon : The symbol of the I.O.G.K.F. Literally "Heaven and Earth"
• Ki o tsuke : Attention (phonetically " kee-ut-ski")
• Kiai : Focusing shout
• Kihon : Basic techniques
• Kokomi : Thrust action
• Koshi : Ball of the foot
• Kumite : Sparring
• Kyu : White to brown belt rank
• Mae : Front
• Mawatte : Turn around
• Migi : Right
• Mokuso : Silent contemplation, meditation
• Muchimi : Heavy, sticky action
• Obi : Training uniform belt
• Oyo bunkai : Study of techiques in kata (similar to Bunkai but including follow-ups)
• Otagai : Training partner
• Randori : Free sparring, relaxed sparring (sometimes called "Jiyu kumite")
• Rei : Bow
• Sandan gi : Three level sparring
• Seiken : Fore fist
• Seiza : Formal sitting position (kneeling on your haunches, feet crossed)
• Semete : Attacking partner
• Shime : Sanchin testing
• Shomen : The front
• Shugo : Line up
• Ski atte : Change hands
• Suri ashi : Sliding step
• Tai sabaki : Body evasion ability
• Tanden : Navel
• Te : Hand
• Ude : Forearm
• Ude tanren : Forearm conditioning
• Uke harai : Blocking exercises
• Ushiro : Back, rear
• Waza : Techniques
• Yobi undo : Warm up exercises
• Yakusoku kumite : Pre-arranged sparring
• Yame : Stop
• Yoi : Ready
• Yoko : Side
• Zanshin : Awareness

• Agura : Informal sitting (legs crossed)

• Asobidi : Playful martial arts
• Ayumi ashi : Natural stepping
• Chakuchki : Replacing
• Embusen : Pattern of a given kata
• Gai-wan : Outer arm
• Gohon kumite : Five step basic sparring
• Gyakute : Grappling, wrestling, joint locking (Literally "hand reverses")
• Haishu : Back-hand; Closed hand
• Haisoku : Instep
• Happo sabaki : All types of footwork and evasion movements
• Hiku no chikara : The power of recoil
• Jiyu ippon : One step freestyle sparring
• Josokutei : Ball of the feet
• Judo : The Gentle Way
• Junan taiso : Stretching exercises
• Kaette : Return, or Go Back
• Kaikoken : Crab Fist
• Kaisho : Open hand
• Kakato : Heel
• Kakuto : Bent-wrist
 • Keiko : Training (also means 'Joined fingertips')
• Keito : Chicken head wrist
• Kentsui : Fist hammer
• Ki : Mind, Spirit, Energy
• Kihon ippon : Basic one point sparring
• Kihon kumite : Basic sparring
• Kime : Focus of power
• Koken : Wrist Joint
• Koshin : Rearward
• Kyusho jutsu : The art of attacking the vital points of the body
• Ma : Distance between opponents
• Ma ai : Distancing
• Mae ukemi: Front fall / roll
• Maete : Jab (Literally "Front Hand")
• Matte : Wait
• Morote no kamae : Augmented handed combative posture
• Nai-wan : Inner arm
• Nin : Perseverance; tolerance; endurance; patience.
• O swate : Sit down
• O tate : Stand up
• Reigi : Etiquette, manners (sometimes called "Reishiki")
• Sandan kumite : Three step, three level sparring
• Sanbon kumite : Three step sparring
• Sanbon zuki : Three step sparring, one hand blocks three punch combination
• Seishin tanren : Forging oneself through karate training
• Shiho-wari : Breaking boards on four sides to test power, awareness and focus (sometimes
called 'Tameshiwari')
• Shinzen : Shrine
• Shinzui : Truth
• Shizen tai : Natural position
• Tachi : Stances
• Tachi zen : Standing meditation
• Tameshiwari : Test of technique's power via breaking
• Tandoku Renshu : Preparatory exercise
• Tako ashi : Octopus foot
• Tenshin : Moving, shifting
• Tome : Return to original position
• Torite : Escape methods
• Tsugi ashi : Chassis step
• Ukete : Defending party
• Unsoku ho : Footwork
• Wan : Arm
• Yasume : At ease
• Zenshin : Forward
• Zuki or Tsuki : Punch or thrust (sometimes pronounced "ski")

Waza (Technique)

• Ashi waza : Leg techniques

• Ate waza : Smashing techniques
 • Geri waza : Kicking techniques
• Go waza : Hard techniques (Punching, kicking, etc.)
• Gyaku waza : Joint locking techniques
• Hazushi waza : Freeing techniques
• Ju waza : Soft techniques (Joint locks, strangulations, etc.)
• Nage waza : Throwing techniques
• Ne waza : Ground techniques
• Renzoku waza : Combination techniques
• Shime waza : Choking techniques
• Te waza : Hand techniques
• Uchi waza : Striking techniques
• Uke waza : Blocking techniques
• Zuki waza : Punching techniques

Tournament Terminology

• Aiuchi : Simultaneous points by both opponents

• Aka : Red
• Atoshi baraku : 30 seconds to go
• Atenai Yoni : Warning without penalty
• Attate Iru : Contact
• Chui : Warning
• Encho-sen : Extension of bout
• Fujubun : Not enough power
• Fukushin : Referee's mirror in a bout; the judge
• Fukushin Shugo : Judges conference
• Hansoku : Foul
• Hansoku chui : Warning with an ippon penalty
• Hantei : Judgement
• Hikiwake : Draw
• Ippon : One point
• Jogai : Exit from fighting area
• Jo sokutei : Raised sole (also "double entry")
• Kachi : Victorious winner
• Kansa : The timekeeper in a bout; the arbitrator
• Keikoku : Warning with waza ari penalty
• Kiken : Renunciation
• Ma-ai ga toh : Improper distancing
• Moto no ichi : Return to your starting position
• Mubobi : Warning for lack of regard for one's own safety
• No Jikan : Time
• Nukete Iru : Out of target
• Shiai : Match
• Shikaku : Disqualification and dismissal
• Shushin : Referee
• Shiro : White
• Shobu ippon : One point match
• Shobu nihon : Two point match
• Shobu sanbon : Three point match
• Sore made : End of match
 • Suki : Opening
• Taiming go osoi : Not proper timing
• Torimasen : No point
• Tsuzukete : Resume; Carry on (phonetically "Soo-zoo-keh-tay")
• Ukete Iru : Blocked
• Waza ari : Half-point
• Yowai : Weak focus

Numbers

1. Ichi : One
2. Ni : Two
3. San : Three
4. Shi : Four
5. Go : Five
6. Roku : Six
7. Shichi : Seven
8. Hachi : Eight
9. Ku : Nine
10. Ju : Ten

Goju-Ryu Kata

A brief foreword regarding Goju-Ryu Kata kanji translation:

Many of the kata of the Goju-Ryu style, in spite of the fact that they are known universally by a
singular name, have a seemingly endless number of interpretations when translated from
Okinawan to English.

The following list has been compiled from a number of sources, showing many of the popular
translations offered on this subject today.

However, it is important to bear in mind that it is not the translation of the name of a given kata that
is of any real importance. The important thing is the kata itself.

Gekisai Dai Ichi :

• Attack and smash, number one

• Attack, crush, number one
• Attack and subdue with closed palms
• Smash and destroy, number one

Gekisai Dai Ni :

• Attack and smash, number two

• Attack, crush, number two
• Attack and subdue with open palms
• Smash and destroy, number two
Saifa :

• Smash and tear

• To smash and tear into pieces
• Crush, shatter, tear
• Breaking ground

Seiyunchin :

• To draw/suck/pull in and battle

• Conquer over distance
• Marching/Conquer far quietly
• Control, supress and pull
• To pull off balance and fight

Shisochin :

• Four gated battle

• Four direction battle
• Conquer in four directions
• To defeat attacks from four sides

Sanseru :

• 36 hands

Sepai :

• 18 hands

Kururunfa :

• Ku (Long) Ru (Hold) Run (Sudden) Fa (Break)

• Forever peacefulness, stops, shatter
• To remain still, then quickly attack and destroy
• Holding ground
• Armageddon
• "Silence before the storm"

Sesan :

• 13 hands

Suparinpei :

• 108 hands
• Pechurin

Sanchin :

• Three battles
Tensho :

• Revolving hands
• Turning palms