Karate Terms
Kara in Japanese means “empty” and te means “hand”. The martial art of “empty-hand” or karate suggests that, while training, the karateka (i.e a student of karate) is not holding anything in his/her hands, especially a weapon.
Numbers
Ichi...one
Ni..two
San...three
Shi...four
Go...five
Roku...six
S'hichi...seven
Hachi...eight
Kyu...nine
Ju...ten
Commands
Eeyea...no
Hai...yes
Hajime...begin
Henka suru...change/switch
Kiai...shout
Kime...focus
Kio-tzuke...attention
Kiritsu...stand at attention
Mawate...turn around
Narabu...line-up
Rei...bow
Yame...stop
Yoi/kemae...ready position
Seiza...sit/kneel
Body Relations
Jodan...head
Chudan...mid body
Gedan...low body
Migi...right side
Hidari...left side
Hanmi...half facing
Maii...distance
Sparring
Kumite...sparring
Gohon kumite....five step sparring
Ippon kumite...one point sparring
Jiyu kumite...free sparring
Sanbon kumite...three step sparring
Blocks
Uke...block
Age uke...upper block
Harai or Gedan uke...lower block
Soto uke...outside to inside block
Ude uke...outside to inside block
Shuto uke...knife hand block
Juji uke…”X” block
Morote uke...two arm block
Punches/Strikes
Tsuki...punch
Uchi...strike
Gyaku Tsuki...reverse punch
Seiken Tsuki...forefist punch
Oi Tsuki...straight punch
Age Tsuki...rising punch Tettsui...bottom fist/hammer strike
Nuki te...spear hand strike
Haito uke...ridge hand strike
Hiji ate...elbow strike
Kugi Tsuki...hook punch
Uraken uchi...back knuckle strike
Kicks
Geri...kick
Mai geri...front snap kick
Yoko geri...side kick
Mawashi geri...roundhouse kick
Mawate geri...turn around kick
Mikazuki geri...crescent kick
Fumikomi geri...stamp kick
Nidan geri...two level kick
Tobi geri...flying kick
Expressions of Respect/Courtesy
Arigoto Gozaimasta...Thank you
Gomen nasai....excuse me
Shinzen ni rei...bow to the dojo
Sensei ni rei...bow to the instructor
Onegaishimasu...please
Otagai ni rei...bow to each other
Mokuso...meditate
Seiza...kneel/sit
General Karate Terms
Dan...Black belt grade
Dojo...training hall
Gi...uniform
Kamai...fists up and ready to defend
Karate...empty hand
Karate-do...the way of the empty hand
Karateka...student of karate
Kata...formal exercise
Kihon...basic technique
Kohai...junior (lower level)
Kyu...colour belt
Makiware...punching board
Obi...Belt
Pinan...Peaceful and safe
Sempei...senior
Sensei...teacher
Shihan...master
Shizen...focal point of the dojo
Stances
Dachi...stance
Heisoku dachi...feet shoulder width apart, toes straight out
Musubi dachi...attention stance with feet at 45
Hachiji dachi...open leg stance
Zenkutsu dachi...forward stance
Kokutsu dachi...back stance
Neko ashi dachi...cat stance
Chui dachi...attention stance
Shiko dachi...square stance
Kiba dachi...horse stance
Kosa dachi...crossed leg stance
Ayumi dachi...natural stance
Sanchin dachi...tension stance
Naihanchi dachi...tension stance
Jiyu dachi...free sparring/fighting stance
Levels
Shodan...First degree
Nidan...Second degree
Sandan...Third degree
Yondan...Fourth degree
Godan...Fifth degree
Rokudan...Sixth degree
Nanadan...Seventh degree
Hachidan...Eighth degree
Kudan...Ninth degree
Jundan...Tenth degree
Dos & Don'ts
The Seijitsu Karate Club Guidelines
1) Arrive 10-15 minutes early to class: We have a lot to prepare for before each and every class. Make sure you arrive early to give yourself enough time to get on the mat.
2) No jewelry or beauty accessories on the mat: These can seriously injure someone. Please make sure to take off everything besides what is required.
3) No fighting or horse-playing on the mat: The studio is for serious training only.
Welcome to The Seijitsu Karate Club
Where Results Matter
Our Philosophy
Confidence. Strength. Street Smarts.
At The Seijitsu Karate Club our aim is to bring high quality, accessible and affordable self defense sessions to the San Francisco area community. Our unique approach to combining traditional and innovative martial arts methods and techniques is what separates us from every other Karate School you know.
Founded in 2000, our instructors have a wide range of expertise, and are here to train you through every step of the learning process. Whether you’re joining us as a beginner or a professional, there’s always more room to perfect your form. Browse our site to learn more.
Our Classes
Something For Everyone
Introduction to Self Defense
Challenge Yourself
Sometimes it can be hard to have faith in your abilities, especially when you're stressed out and overworked. This class is designed to build physical and mental confidence like you’ve never had before. Click to book today!
Fundamentals of Martial Arts
Stand Up For Yourself
Our Fundamentals of Martial Arts class is designed to be dynamic and hyper-focused to improve your form, inner strength and confidence. This learning process happens at your own pace in a friendly and fun atmosphere. Book today to see what this class is all about!
Principles of Self Defense
Mind & Body
No matter how experienced you are, there’s always more room to perfect your form and master the art of self defense. This class will help you grasp the techniques from a deeper, more disciplined perspective. Click to book now!
The Seijitsu Karate Club
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Women’s Self Defense Workshop
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