Martial Arts Glossary
Glossary of commonly used terms in the Japanese martial arts.
Glossaries
| Term | Definition |
|---|---|
| Tai sabaki | Tai Sabaki (体さばき / 体捌き)Tai Sabaki is a fundamental movement principle in traditional [[4]] translating to "body management," "body evasion," or "whole-body shifting." In Shotokan Karate and Budo, it refers to the strategic, fluid movement of the entire body to evade an incoming attack, clear the opponent's line of force, and simultaneously reposition oneself into a superior counter-attacking angle with minimal expenditure of energy.
Author - Sensei Miller
Hits - 27 Synonyms -
Body movement, body evasion, body shifting, body management, footwork evasion, angle creation. |
| Taiso | Taisō (体操)Taisō is the traditional Japanese term for physical conditioning, calisthenics, stretching, and body-tuning exercises. In Shotokan Karate and modern Budo practice, it encompasses the warm-up, joint mobility, flexibility, breathwork, and body-conditioning routines performed prior to or following intensive martial arts instruction to prepare the body for rigorous movement and prevent injury.
Author - Sensei Miller
Hits - 73 Synonyms -
Calisthenics, warm-up exercises, physical conditioning, body conditioning, stretching routine, Junnan Taisō, body tuning. |
| Tanden | Tanden (丹田)Tanden is the central energetic, physical, and gravitational focal point of the human body in traditional Japanese martial arts and Eastern philosophy. Located in the lower abdomen (approximately two to three finger-breadths below the navel and deep within the pelvic bowl), the Tanden serves as the physical center of gravity, the source of internal energy (Ki), and the structural engine behind all balance, power generation, and stability in Shotokan Karate.
Author - Sensei Miller
Hits - 35 Synonyms -
Lower dantian, hara, center of gravity, energetic center, lower abdomen, seika tanden, core center. |
| Teiji-dachi | Teiji-dachi (丁字立ち)Teiji-dachi is a traditional short stance in Shotokan Karate, commonly translated as the "T-stance" or "T-character stance." Characterized by positioning the feet to form the shape of the Japanese kanji character for "T" (丁), this stance provides a compact, flexible base that allows for rapid direction changes, deceptive footwork, and tight close-quarters defense.
Author - Sensei Miller
Hits - 11 Synonyms -
T-stance, T-character stance, perpendicular stance, Japanese T-stance. |
| Teisho-uchi | Teisho-uchi (掌底打ち)Teisho-uchi is a highly effective open-hand striking technique in Shotokan Karate, commonly known as the "palm-heel strike." Executed by driving the thick, muscular base of the palm into a target while pulling the wrist back and bending the fingers inward, this technique delivers immense stopping power without risking the finger fractures or hand injuries associated with closed-fist strikes to hard bone structures.
Author - Sensei Miller
Hits - 24 Synonyms -
Palm-heel strike, palm bottom strike, teisho strike, open-hand palm strike, palm heel blow. |
| Tetsui-uchi | Tetsui-uchi (鉄錘打ち / 鉄槌打ち)Tetsui-uchi is a fundamental striking technique in Shotokan Karate, widely known as the "iron hammer strike" or "hammer-fist strike." Executed using the thick, muscular bottom padding of a tightly closed fist (the hypothenar side of the hand, opposite the thumb), this powerful blow mimics the downward or sweeping impact of a heavy club or hammer.
Author - Sensei Miller
Hits - 19 Synonyms -
Hammer-fist strike, iron hammer strike, kentsui-uchi, hammer punch, iron mallet blow. |
| Tobikomi | Tobikomi (飛び込み / 飛込)Tobikomi is a dynamic tactical concept and movement mechanic in Japanese martial arts translating to "jumping in," "diving in," or "blitzing forward." In Shotokan Karate and competitive sparring (Shiai-Kumite), it refers to an explosive, sharp entry technique where a practitioner suddenly closes distance (Maai) by lunging or leaping forward into an opponent's defense to deliver a decisive lead-hand punch or kick before the defender can react.
Author - Sensei Miller
Hits - 31 Synonyms -
Leaping entry, diving in, blitzing entry, tobikomi-zuki, lunging entry, distance closing. |
| Tōde | Tōde (唐手)Tōde (also pronounced Tūdī in the native Ryukyuan language) is the historical term used in the Ryukyu Kingdom (modern-day Okinawa) to designate the indigenous martial art that served as the direct precursor to modern Karate. Translating literally to "Chinese Hand" or "China Hand," Tōde represents the historic synthesis of Okinawan native fighting methods (Te or Ti) with Southern Chinese Fujian Martial Arts (White Crane, Five Ancestors, and Shaolin Kenpo) brought to Okinawa through maritime trade, diplomatic missions, and Chinese immigration between the 14th and 19th centuries.
Author - Sensei Miller
Hits - 36 Synonyms -
Toude, Tudi, Tang Hand, Chinese Hand, Okinawa-te, Ryukyu Kempo, precursor to Karate. |
| Tōkyoku | Tōkyoku (極局 / 唐局)Tōkyoku is a specialized Japanese martial arts concept referring to the ultimate spatial boundary, extreme tactical limit, or finalized combat engagement domain. In traditional Budo and Shotokan Karate, it describes the precise perimeter of absolute combat reach (Maai) where a practitioner brings a confrontation to its final resolution through decisive technique (Ikken Hissatsu) and complete focus (Kime).
Author - Sensei Miller
Hits - 12 Synonyms -
Ultimate domain, extreme boundary, tactical limit, final engagement zone, terminal spatial limit. |
| Torite | Torite (捕手 / 取手)Torite (also pronounced Tuidi or Tuite in Okinawa) is a traditional Japanese and Okinawan martial arts term referring to "seizing hands," "grappling hand methods," or joint-locking control techniques. In Budo and traditional Shotokan Karate, it encompasses the practical methods of escaping grips, joint manipulation, wrist locks, arm locks, standing control holds, and takedowns utilized to control an attacker without relying solely on striking power.
Author - Sensei Miller
Hits - 53 Synonyms -
Tuite, tuidi, seizing hands, joint locking, wrist locks, grappling hand methods, Kansetsu-waza. |