Martial Arts Glossary
Glossary of commonly used terms in the Japanese martial arts.
Glossaries
| Term | Definition |
|---|---|
| Mae | Mae (前)Mae is a fundamental directional and spatial term in traditional Japanese martial arts—most notably within Shotokan Karate—translating to "front," "forward," or "in front." It denotes techniques, stances, footwork, and tactical vectors directed straight ahead along the central line of engagement (seika tanden alignment), serving as the foundational directional prefix for iconic strikes, kicks, and evasive movements.
Author - Sensei Miller
Hits - 50 Synonyms -
front, forward, in front, ahead, frontal direction |
| Mae-geri-kakomi | Mae-geri-kekomi (前蹴込 / 前蹴り込)Mae-geri-kekomi (more commonly transcribed as Mae-geri kekomi or Mae-geri kekomi-waza) is the fundamental front thrust kick in traditional Japanese Karate—most notably emphasized in Shotokan—characterized by a high knee chamber followed by an explosive forward extension of the hip and leg that drives the ball of the foot (koshi) or heel (kakato) deep into the opponent's torso. Unlike its snapping counterpart (mae-geri-keage), mae-geri-kekomi delivers heavy penetrating force designed to breach an opponent's guard, push them back, or disable them with a single decisive blow.
Author - Sensei Miller
Hits - 27 Synonyms -
front thrust kick, penetrating front kick, thrust kick, linear front kick, front thrusting kick |
| Mae-tobi-geri | Mae-tobi-geri (前跳び蹴り)Mae-tobi-geri is the jumping or flying front kick in traditional Japanese Karate—most famously showcased within Shotokan—characterized by an explosive vertical or forward leap where the practitioner launches off the ground, chambers both knees in mid-air, and delivers a powerful front kick (mae-geri) with the striking foot before landing in a stable, controlled stance. Combining jumping momentum, spatial elevation, and precise timing, mae-tobi-geri is designed to strike high targets (jodan), overcome long distances, or bypass an opponent's low defensive guard.
Author - Sensei Miller
Hits - 28 Synonyms -
jumping front kick, flying front kick, mid-air front kick, leap front kick, flying kick |
| Makiwara | Makiwara (巻藁)Makiwara is a traditional Okinawan striking post utilized in traditional Karate—including Shotokan—to develop penetration power, proper skeletal alignment, knuckle conditioning, and focus (kime). Consisting of a tapered wooden board anchored firmly into the ground or mounted to a wall, topped with a bound striking pad, the makiwara provides progressive mechanical resistance that instantly exposes flaws in a practitioner's stance, wrist structure, hip rotation, and impact focus.
Author - Sensei Miller
Hits - 46 Synonyms -
striking post, striking board, punch board, target post, Okinawan conditioning post |
| Mawashi-geri | Mawashi-geri (回し蹴り)Mawashi-geri is the fundamental roundhouse kick (or circular kick) in traditional Karate—most prominently featured in Shotokan—characterized by a circular sweeping arc of the leg where the knee chambers out to the side, hips rotate sharply, and the foot snaps inward to strike the side of an opponent's head, torso, or thigh. Combining centrifugal force, dynamic hip torque, and rotational velocity, mawashi-geri is one of the most versatile, powerful, and widely applied kicking techniques in both self-defense and martial arts competition.
Author - Sensei Miller
Hits - 28 Synonyms -
roundhouse kick, turning kick, circular kick, wheel kick, arc kick |
| Mawatte | Mawatte (回って)Mawatte is a standard Japanese martial arts command used primarily in karate dojos meaning "turn" or "turn around". In training environments, it functions as an instructional directive given by an instructor or senior student to prompt practitioners to reverse their facing direction, usually while maintaining a specific stance (dachi) and transitioning smoothly down the length of the dojo.
Author - Sensei Miller
Hits - 71 Synonyms -
Turn, Maware, Turn around, Reverse direction |
| Menkyo | Menkyo (免許)Menkyo is a traditional Japanese term meaning "license" or "certificate". In the context of traditional Japanese arts and classical martial arts (koryu), it refers to an official teaching license or rank awarded to a practitioner, validating that they have attained a specific depth of understanding, technical proficiency, and authorization to transmit the system.
Author - Sensei Miller
Hits - 38 Synonyms -
License, Teaching certificate, Scroll license |
| Michi | Michi (道)Michi is a Japanese word meaning "path", "way", or "road". In a philosophical and martial arts context, it is synonymous with the suffix -do (as in Karate-do, Judo, or Kendo), representing a lifelong journey of spiritual, mental, and physical self-cultivation rather than merely a physical skill set or sport.
Author - Sensei Miller
Hits - 67 Synonyms -
Way, Path, Tao, Road, Journey |
| Migi | Migi (右)Migi is a fundamental Japanese term used in martial arts and daily life meaning "right" (as opposed to left, hidari). In Shotokan karate and other traditional Japanese disciplines, it is routinely used as a directional prefix by instructors to indicate which side of the body should lead a technique, stance, or movement.
Author - Sensei Miller
Hits - 22 Synonyms -
Right side, Right hand, Right foot |