Terms and Techniques

Because Harada Sensei's techniques are practiced worldwide, many different languages are spoken at practice sessions. In order to promote safety, clarity and understanding, all clubs use common Japanese terminology (even in our youth clubs). Below is a list of basic terms to be familiar with (see file below for more in-depth translations from an interview with Harada Sensei himself):

 

General Training Terms

Stances - Tachikata

Zenkutsu dachi - forward stance

Kokutsu dachi - back stance

Kiba dachi - horse (riding) stance

Fudo dachi - immovable stance

Seiza - kneeling position

Hachiji dachi - standing/ready posture

Strikes - Tsuki-te

Oi tsuki - forward punch (chasing punch)—a step-through attack

Mae te tsuki - front hand (jab punch)

Gyaku tsuki - reverse punch

Uraken - back of the fist (strike)

Empi - elbow attack

Shomen uchi - large arc hand strike

Kicks - Geri

Mae geri - front kick

Yoko-geri kekomi - side kick (thrust)

Yoko-geri keage - side kick (upward)

Fumikomi - stamp-in kick

Mawashi-geri - roundhouse kick

Mikazuki-geri - crescent kick

Blocks - Uke

Gedan barai - low sweep

Age uke - rising block

Ude uke - forearm block

Uchikomi - hammer striking block

Teisho barai - palm heel sweep

Shuto-barai - sword hand sweep

Shuto uke - sword hand

Morote-uke - both hands (augmented block)

Aori geri - foot block

Forms - Kata

Kihon - basics training

Kumite - engagement match

Ten no kata - basic application

Ippon kimute - one step engagement

Sanbon kimute - three step engagement

Hiki-te - pulling hand

Irimi - to avoid by entering

Gedan - low level

Chudan - mid level

Jodan - upper level

Yoi - ready

Yame - stop

Yasume - rest

Kime - focus













The following document contains additional translations of specific terms taken from a discussion between 2nd Dan Peter Enyeart and Sensei Harada about the meanings and derivation of certain Japanese terms used in karate.

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