Karate developed on the Ryukyu islands more commonly known as Okinawa.  Practising this art carries with it learning the basic facts regarding the history of Karate.   This section will be repetitive for the serious student of this fighting form.  For folks looking for basic information please look at "Okinawan Karate" by Mark Bishop which is a wonderful reference book on the subject.  Basically, please remember that Karate evolved on Okinawa and was originally referred to as either "Te" or "Tode".  Its name was first changed to "Karate" to use the kanji meaning "China" and "Hand" whch underlined the influence of existing chinese boxing systems on the Ryukyu empty hand fighting.  The symbol for "China" was synonymous with one representing the T'ang Dynasty which was a peaceful period in the history of China.  A meeting of notable experts of this fighting art early in the twentieth century adopted the use of "Kara" meaning "empty".  Thus, the word and meaning became Kara(empty)Te(hand).  Philosophically, an empty hand is a sign of friendship and a desire for cooperative interactions.  Training in Karate, traditionally, emphasizes these values.  Later, Gichin Funakoshi, an Okinawan trained in the Shuri systems of Karate(note:  Karate on Okinawa was divided into Naha-te, Tomari-te, and Shuri-te which were geographic areas on the Ryukyu islands) moved to Japan and began teaching Karate.  He realized that the "Budo" arts(martial arts) of Japan were adding the suffix "Do' i.e iaido, judo, kendo, etc to point out the development of the individual as a better person.  He then began the use of the term Karatedo.

WHITE RIVER BUDOKAN - Terminology

Japanese Numbers

• Ichi - One
• Ni - Two
• San - Three
• Shi - Four
• Go - Five
• Roku - Six
• Shichi - Seven
• Hachi - Eight
• Ku - Nine
• Ju - Ten

Commands

• Hajime - To begin, start
• Mawatte - To turn
• Yoi - To stand by
• Yame - Stop
• Matte - To wait
• Rei - Bow
• Yoshi - to continue

Technical Terms

• Seiza - Formal kneeling posture
• Mukuso - Meditate
• Dojo - School
• Obi - Belt
• Tatami - Mat
• Uki - Defender
• Kata - Pre-arranged form
• Ki - Breath or energy
• Waza - Technique
• Kumite - Free fighting
• Bushido - The way of the warrior
• Sensai - Teacher
• Senpai - Senior student
• Kime - focus
• Kamae - A ready-to-fight position

Stances (Dachi)

• Ko Kutsu Dachi - Back balance stance
• Hei Soku Dachi - Standing bow, most ofteninkobudo
• Musubi Dachi - Neutral stance, standing bow
• Hei Ko Dachi - Ready stance
• Hachi Ji Dachi - informal stance
• Shi Ko Dachi - Low stance
• Kiba Dachi -Low stance, “Horse” stance
• Zen Kutsu Dachi - Front balance stance
• San Chin Dachi - Dynamic tension stance
• Neko Ashi Dachi - “Cat” stance

Basic Blocks (Uke)

• Jo Dan Age Uke - Upper rising block
• Chudan Uke - Mid-level block
• Gedan Barai - Down block
• Uchi Uke - Inside block
• O Soto Uchi Uke - Outside to inside block
• Chudan Ude Uke - Forearm block

Advanced blocks

• Kake Uke - Hook block
• Mawashi Uke - Circular block
• Osae Uke - Push down block
• Sukui Uke - Scooping up block
• Nagashi Uke - Push away Block
• Shuto Uke - Knife hand block
• Ura Shuto Uke - Back knife hand block

Kicks (Geri)

• Mae Geri - front kick
• Mawashi geri - Roundhouse kick
• Ushiro Geri - Back kick
• Yoko Geri - Side kick
• Ke Eage Geri - Snap kick
• Kekomi Geri - Thrusting kick

Punches

• Zuki - Punch
• Oizuki - Lunge punch
• Gyakuzuki - Reverse punch
• Parts Of Hand, Arm, and Leg
• Koshi - Ball of foot
• Sokuto - Edge of foot
• Kakato -heel
• Teisoku - sole
• Hittsui - knee
• Seiken - Fore-fist
• Ude - Arm
• Riken - Back fist
• Tettsui - Bottom fist
• Hiraken - Foreknuckle fist
• Nukite - Spear hand
• Shuto - Knife hand
• Haito - Ridge hand
• Teisho - Palm hand
• Empi -Elbow

Miscellaneous

• Migi - Right
• Hidari - Left
• Kiai - Shout of spirit
• Karate-ka - Karate student
• Bunkai - Application of form
• Kihon - Basics
• Atemi - Vital points
• Ukemi - Falling, falls
• Morote - two handed
• Miai - Body distance
• Taisabaki - body movement
• Yu-shin - Positive thinking or thoughtfulness
• Mu-shin - No mindedness
• Fudo-shin - Immovable mind
• Zan-shin - Fighting mind

Japanese Phrases

• Wakarimasu-ka - Do you understand?
• Wakarimashita - I understand, I’ve got it.
• Wakarimasu-sen - I do not understand.
• Sumimasen - Excuse me, I’m sorry
• Gomen nasai - I’m sorry, I apologise
• Domo arigato gozaimasu - Thank you very much (formal)