Kihon
Kihon means "basics," or "fundamentals." It is the term used to describe the practice and repetition of the basic techniques of karate. Kihon can be performed with footwork or from a stationary position.
Kihon is vital to the development of proper karate technique, so Shotokan students should spend a great deal of time trying to perfect it.
Key Shotokan Terms – English to Japanese
- Basics – Kihon
- Begin – Hajime
- Black Belt Rank – Dan
- Block – Uke
- Bow – Rei
- Color Belt Rank – Kyu
- Focus – Kime
- Form (or Pattern) – Kata
- Instructor (Martial Arts Teacher) – Sensei
- Kick – Geri (or Keri)
- Kneeling Formal Position – Seiza
- Line Up – Seiretsu
- Osu (Oss) – Be aware that the meaning for term Osu (Oss) can vary greatly between various dojos. It is also frequently used by Karate students for terms like “Yes”, “I understand”, etc.
- Punch – Zuki (or Tsuki)
- School (Martial Arts) – Dojo
- Senior Student – Sempai
- Sparring – Kumite
- Staff (Weapon) – Bo
- Stance – Dachi
- Stop – Yame
- Strike – Uchi
Target Levels
- Upper (Head Level) – Jodan
- Middle (Stomach Level) – Chudan
- Lower (Groin or Lower Level) – Gedan
Shotokan Punches & Hand/Arm Strikes
- Punch – Zuki (or Tsuki)
- Strike – Uchi
- Back Fist Strike – Uraken Uchi
- Double Punch – Morote Zuki
- Elbow Strike – Empi Uchi
- Hook Punch – Kage Zuki
- Jab Punch – Kizami Zuki
- Knife Hand Strike – Shuto Uchi
- Lunge Punch – Oi Zuki
- One Knuckle Strike – Ippon Ken
- Palm Strike (Palm Heel Strike) – Teisho Uchi
- Reverse Punch – Gyaku Zuki
- Ridge Hand Strike – Haito Uchi
- Rising Punch – Age Zuki
- Spear Hand Strike – Nukite Zuki
- Uppercut Punch – Ura Zuki
Shotokan Kicks
- Kick – Geri (or Keri)
- Axe Kick – Kakato Geri
- Back Thrust Kick – Ushiro Geri
- Crescent Kick – Mika Zuki Geri
- Foot Sweep – Ashi Barai
- Front Kick – Mae Geri
- Knee Strike – Hiza Geri
- Reverse Round Kick – Gyaku Mawashi Geri
- Round Kick – Mawashi Geri
- Side Snap Kick – Yoko Geri Keage
- Side Thrust Kick – Yoko Geri Kekomi
- Stomp Kick – Fumakomi Geri
Shotokan Stances
- Stance – Dachi
- Attention Stance (Feet Together) – Heisoku Dachi
- Attention Stance (Feet in V Shape) – Musubi Dachi
- Back Stance – Kokutsu Dachi
- Cat Stance (or Cat Foot Stance) – Neko Ashi Dachi
- Crossed Feet Stance – Kosa Dachi
- Front Stance – Zenkutsu Dachi
- Half Moon Stance – Hangetsu Dachi
- Horse Riding Stance – Kiba Dachi
- Hourglass Stance – Sanchin Dachi
- L Stance – Renoji Dachi
- Rooted Stance (Immovable Stance) – Fudo Dachi
Shotokan Blocks
- Block – Uke
- Down Block – Gedan Barai
- Inside Forearm Block – Uchi Ude Uke
- Knife Hand Block – Shuto Uke
- Outside Forearm Block – Soto Ude Uke
- Palm Block (Palm Heel Block) – Teisho Uke
- Reinforced Block (Augmented Block) – Morote Uke
- Rising Block – Age Uke
- X Block – Juji Uke
Shotokan – Japanese Numbers
- One – Ichi
- Two – Ni
- Three – San
- Four – Shi
- Five – Go
- Six – Roku
- Seven – Nana or Shich
- Eight – Hachi
- Nine – Kyu
- Ten – Ju