Martial Arts Glossary
Glossary of commonly used terms in the Japanese martial arts.
Glossaries
| Term | Definition |
|---|---|
| Obi | Obi (帯)Obi is the traditional Japanese word for a belt or sash. In martial arts such as Shotokan karate, judo, and aikido, the obi is worn over the training jacket (gi) to secure the uniform and hold it firmly closed during rigorous movement. Beyond its functional utility, it is used to signify a practitioner's rank, experience level, and progression along their martial arts journey.
Author - Sensei Miller
Hits - 32 Synonyms -
Belt, Sash, Martial arts belt |
| Ohayo Gozaimasu | Ohayo Gozaimasu (おはようございます)Ohayo Gozaimasu is a standard Japanese polite greeting meaning "Good morning". In traditional Japanese martial arts dojos, including Shotokan karate schools that hold morning classes or early seminars, it is used by students and instructors to respectfully greet one another upon arriving and entering the training hall.
Author - Sensei Miller
Hits - 14 Synonyms -
Good morning, Polite morning greeting |
| Okinawa-te | Okinawa-te (沖縄手)Okinawa-te (often referred to simply as Te or Tudi in the local Okinawan dialect) is the historical predecessor to modern karate. It translates to "Okinawan hand" and represents the indigenous martial arts systems developed on the Ryukyu Islands through a unique fusion of native grappling/striking methods and ancient Chinese martial arts (quanfa) introduced via trade and cultural exchange.
Author - Sensei Miller
Hits - 68 Synonyms -
Tode, Te, Okinawan hand, Ryukyu martial arts |
| Okuri-Ashi-Barai | Okuri-Ashi-Barai (送足払)Okuri-Ashi-Barai (often pronounced Okuri-Ashi-Harai) is a traditional martial arts foot-sweeping technique defined as the "sliding foot sweep" or "sending foot sweep." It involves sweeping both of an opponent's legs or feet together sideways while they are in motion, catching them off-balance as their feet gather or cross paths, causing them to lose stability and fall.
Author - Sensei Miller
Hits - 34 Synonyms -
Sliding foot sweep, sending foot sweep, double leg sweep, foot sweep, okuri ashi harai. |
| Onegai-shimasu | Onegai-shimasu (お願いします)Onegai-shimasu is a fundamental Japanese polite phrase and martial arts greeting translated roughly as "please," "please teach me," "please train with me," or "I humbly request your favor." In traditional dojo etiquette, it is spoken with a bow (rei) at the beginning of a class, training exercise, or formal match to express gratitude, humility, and a mutual commitment to train safely and respectfully.
Author - Sensei Miller
Hits - 21 Synonyms -
Please teach me, please train with me, I humbly request your guidance, please help me, yoroshiku onegai shimasu. |
| Osu | Osu (押忍)Osu (frequently phoneticized as Oss) is a widely recognized martial arts term and dynamic verbal greeting used to express perseverance, respect, acknowledgement, and unwavering determination. Within many traditional Japanese Budo arts and full-contact karate styles, it serves as an all-encompassing expression replacing "yes," "understood," "thank you," or "I will persevere."
Author - Sensei Miller
Hits - 38 Synonyms -
Oss, ossu, perseverance, push through endurance, yes sensei, acknowledged, respect. |
| Oyasumi nasai | Oyasumi-nasai (おやすみなさい)Oyasumi-nasai is a polite Japanese phrase translating to "good night" or "rest well." Used when parting ways late in the evening or right before going to bed, it conveys a thoughtful wish for restful sleep and physical recovery. Within a martial arts context, it marks the quiet close of late training sessions and honors the essential role of rest in a practitioner's physical and mental development.
Author - Sensei Miller
Hits - 11 Synonyms -
Good night, rest well, sleep well, sweet dreams, oyasumi. |