Martial Arts Glossary
Glossary of commonly used terms in the Japanese martial arts.
Glossaries
| Term | Definition |
|---|---|
| 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 - 30 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 - 68 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 |
| Nagewaza | Nagewaza (投げ技)Nagewaza is a traditional Japanese martial arts term meaning "throwing techniques" or "projection techniques". It encompasses any method of off-balancing an opponent and projecting them to the ground. While most famously categorized as a core pillar of Judo and Aikido, nagewaza also plays a vital, advanced role in traditional Karate (particularly in classical Okinawan styles and older Shotokan applications).
Author - Sensei Miller
Hits - 14 Synonyms -
Throwing techniques, Projection techniques, Sweeps and throws |
| Neko-ashi-dachi | Neko-ashi-dachi (猫足立ち)Neko-ashi-dachi is a fundamental and highly versatile stance in Shotokan karate, commonly translated as the "cat foot stance" or "cat stance". It is characterized by an uneven distribution of body weight, where the vast majority of the practitioner's weight rests on the back leg, leaving the front foot poised lightly on the ball of the foot as if a cat is ready to pounce.
Author - Sensei Miller
Hits - 21 Synonyms -
Cat stance, Cat foot stance, Neko dachi |
| Ni | Ni (二)Ni is the Japanese numerical term for "two". In traditional Japanese martial arts, including Shotokan karate, it is commonly used in numbering sequences, counting repetitions during physical conditioning, identifying specific techniques, or designating formal ranks and partner drills.
Author - Sensei Miller
Hits - 27 Synonyms -
Two, Second, Secondary |
| Nukite | Nukite (貫手)Nukite is a traditional striking technique in Shotokan karate and other striking arts, commonly translated as the "spear hand" or "piercing hand". It is a linear thrust executed with the fingertips rather than the knuckles, primarily targeting soft or vulnerable anatomical regions such as the eyes, throat, or solar plexus.
Author - Sensei Miller
Hits - 20 Synonyms -
Spear hand, Piercing hand, Finger thrust |
| 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 - 16 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 - 69 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 - 35 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. |