MARTIAL ARTS DICTIONARY
FORMAT TRANSLITERATION BIBLIOGRAPHY NIHONGO KANJI GLOSSARY
サイ
sai
(K) KOBUDŌ
Lit. Ornamental hairpin. Okinawan weapon used in Kobudō.
さんちんだち
sanchin dachi
(K) OKINAWA KARATE DŌ — TACHIKATA
(S) SHINJINBUKAN — SYLLABUS
Lit. Three Battle Stance. This is a typical stance used in modern Karate in Gōjū Ryū and Uechi Ryū for performing Sanchin Kata. However, Sanchin dachi is used in Ti with a wide variety of feet movement.
さんだん
San Dan (alt. sandan, san-dan)
(B) BUDŌ — RANKS & TITLES
Lit. Third level or rank. It refers to the rank of third degree black belt.
さんきゅう
San Kyū (alt. sankyuu, sankyū, sankyu, san-rkyū)
(B) BUDŌ — RANKS & TITLES
Lit. Third level or rank. It refers to the third rank level below black belt.
さとり
satori
(B) BUDŌ — PHILOSOPHY
Lit. Comprehension, understanding, Buddhist enlightenment. In Zen Buddhism it is referred as the highest and final state of enlightenment.
せいかく
seikaku
(S) SHINJINBUKAN — SYSTEM
Lit. Accurate, exact, authentic punctual. Seikaku is the third stage of the learning process used by the Shinjinbukan School. Based on this principle, every new process msut be learned with accuracy & precision, while maintaining the other principles of the learning processs. If the body becomes stiff, then the beauty of movement could not be developed. The Seikaku quality is essential to ALL BODY MOVEMENTS: basic techniques, body displacement, kata, machiwara training, etc.
See yukkuri , kirei , hayaku , yukuri, kirei, seikaku, hayaku
せいりうんどう
seiriundō (alt. seiriundou, seiriundo)
(B) BUDŌ — GENERAL TERMS
(S) SHINJINBUKAN — SYLLABUS
Lit. Sorting, arrangement or adjustment excersise. This is a group of excersises done by all students together at the end of every class at the Shinjinbukan School. They resemble a series of cool down excersises.
See yobiundō
せいと
seito
(B) BUDŌ — RANKS & TITLES
(S) SHINJINBUKAN — PHILOSOPHY
Lit. Pupil. In traditional Martial Arts and in the Shinjinbukan School there is a diference between a seito/student and a deshi/disciple. A Karate teacher may have hundreds of students, but only a few disciples during his/her lifetime.
せいざ
seiza
(B) BUDŌ — PHILOSOPHY
(K) OKINAWA KARATE DŌ — COMMANDS
(S) SHINJINBUKAN — PHILOSOPHY
Lit. Sitting correctly or sitting straight. A typical Japanese sitting position were the person Kneels on both calves. Also used during sitting meditation in many traditions, including Martial Arts. In the Shinjinbukan school, when a Sensei or senior speaks to the students sitting at the seiza position, the students must also sit at the seiza position. The rule of ettiquette requires that the students sits at equal or lower height than the teacher or senior. This simple custom shows respect towards the teacher and is part of the Shinjinbukan reigi sahō. However, it also carries a much deeper philosophical meaning.
せん
sen
(S) SHINJINBUKAN — SYSTEM
Lit. Line, track or beam. It refers to the line of motion created by the human body. According to Onaga Sensei, Ti deals with the study of the sen, the line of movement inside each technique. On the other hand, Karate is the study of the ten, the point of departure & arrival or positions in each technique. The study of each path of movement or line is also applied to all Katas, drills and excersises. Through this approach, Ti becomes the essence of all Karate.
せんぱい
senpai
(N) NIHONGO — CULTURE
(B) BUDŌ — RANKS & TITLES
Lit. Senior, superior, elder, older graduate, progenitor, old-timer. In Asian cultures there is sense rank structure across all aspects of society. This is quite evident in business settings, classrooms and in traditional arts. The senpai, or senior, and the kōhai or junior, have clear roles and duties. This is quite evident in a traditional Dōjō. The senpai has a duty of guiding, teaching & leading the kōhai, while the kōhai has the duty of obeying, following & supporting the senpai. For example, it is not uncommon for a senpai student to teach an entire class or drills to a group of kōhai students. In the Shinjinbukan School, the social interaction among kōhai, senpai and Sensei follows the rules of ettiquette or reigi sahō.
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せんせい
Sensei
(N) NIHONGO — CULTURE
(B) BUDŌ — RANKS & TITLES
(S) SHINJINBUKAN — PHILOSOPHY
Lit. Teacher, master, doctor. In all Asian societies, the tittle "teacher" is held in high regard. In Japanese culture, all teachers in general, including Martial Arts, are referred as "Sensei". Therefore, a Karate student should show this repect in and out of the Dōjō, and always address his teacher as "Sensei", rather than on a first or last name basis.
しぼる
shiboru
(S) SHINJINBUKAN — SYSTEM
Lit. To press, wring or squeeze. In Okinawa Ti, "shiboru" is the method used to make a correct fist. In the Shinjinbukan School, this method has evolved into a complex set of techniques used to generate more accurate hand strikes. Obviously, it is a simplistic task to make a fist using just brute force. In contrast, "shiboru" is a more intricate control of each finger, wrist, muscles and flexor tendons in coordination with a hand stike.
しはん
Shihan
(B) BUDŌ — RANKS & TITLES
Lit. Instructor, teacher, model. In general, the title Shihan is given to an experienced instructor who is active managing several Dōjōs and other instructors. However, the tittle Shihan does not indicate a specific rank. Therefore, it wouldn't be appropriate for a junior black belt to use this tittle. In the modern Karate world, it is often misused by many instructors.
しかく
shikaku (1)
(N) NIHONGO — MISCELLANEOUS
Lit. Qualifications, requirements, capabilities.
See qualification(s)
しかく
shikaku (2)
(N) NIHONGO — MISCELLANEOUS
Lit. Square, or four corners.
しこ
shiko
(B) BUDŌ — GENERAL TERMS
Lit. Four thighs. A ceremonial leg raising and stomping done in sumo wrestling.
しこだち
shiko dachi
(K) OKINAWA KARATE DŌ — TACHIKATA
Lit. Four thighs stance. It also known as the horse riding stance. The general characteristics of shiko dachi are: Knees deeply bended; back straight, and toes pointing out at 45 degrees. However, there are significant differences between Karate styles, regarding the exact size & applications of shiko dachi.
(K) OKINAWA KARATE DŌ — BODY PARTS
Translation: sune
しんじんぶかん
Shinjinbukan
(K) OKINAWA KARATE DŌ — RYŪHA
(S) SHINJINBUKAN — SYSTEM
Lit. The House or Hall dedicated to God, Martial Arts & Mankind. A Shōrin Ryū School from the Kobayashi lineage, founded by Master Onaga Yoshimitsu in 1988. The name Shin-Jin-Bu-Kan combines the meaning of four Chinese characters portraying a very powerful imagery:
Shin — Also pronounced Kami means God.
Jin — Also pronounced Hito means.
Bu — Means Martial Arts.
Kan — Means Building or Hall.
Onaga Kancho carries the oldest lineage of Karate. His teachings are based on Ti, the ancient Okinawan Martial Art, which preceded modern Karate.
See Onaga Yoshimitsu
しつ
shitsu
(N) NIHONGO — MISCELLANEOUS
Lit. quality
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しつもん
shitsumon
(N) NIHONGO — MISCELLANEOUS
Lit. question , inquiry
しぜん
shizen
(S) SHINJINBUKAN — SYSTEM
Lit. Natural. A natural use of all techniques and body mechanics.
しぜんだち
shizen dachi
(K) OKINAWA KARATE DŌ — TACHIKATA
Lit. Natural stance. In this stance, the feet are placed shoulder width apart, and the legs are slightly bended at the knees, which should never be not locked.
しずか
shizuka
(S) SHINJINBUKAN — SYSTEM
Lit. quiet , peaceful.
しずかに
shizuka ni
(K) OKINAWA KARATE DŌ — COMMANDS
Lit. be quiet. This command is used by the instructor to silence the students and bring the class to attention.
しょだん
Sho Dan (alt. shodan, sho-dan)
(B) BUDŌ — RANKS & TITLES
Lit. First level or rank. It refers to the rank of first degree black belt.
しょどう
shodō (alt. shodou, shodo)
(N) NIHONGO — CULTURE
(B) BUDŌ — PHILOSOPHY
Lit. Calligraphy. It refers to the Art of Japanese calligraphy. The study of calligraphy was considered part of classical training in all Asian Martial Arts. For centuries, the abstract and powerful nature of calligraphy, was expressed in many aspects of Japanese culture: religion, philosophy, Zen meditation, tea ceremony, samurai education. And even today, Shodō is an important aspect of the cultural aesthetic balance in modern Japan.
しょうめん (まとも)
shōmen (1) (alt. shoumen, shomen)
(B) BUDŌ — GENERAL TERMS
Lit. Front, face or facade. alt. reading: matomo. alt. meaning: honesty. In general, it refers to a frontal technique used to the opponent’s head. The term shōmen is widely used to name techniques in Aikidō, Japanese Karate, Kendō or other weapons Martial Arts.
しょうめん (まとも)
shōmen (2) (alt. shoumen, shomen)
(B) BUDŌ — PHILOSOPHY
Lit. Front, face or facade. alt. reading: matomo. alt. meaning: honesty. In a traditional Dōjō, the front area by the wall facing East, is called "Shōmen". Typically, this space has a shrine or altar. If the altar located at the shōmen is enshrined, it is called a "Kamiza", which would be associated with a specific religion: Zen Buddhism, Shinto, ancestor worship, Taoism, etc. If the altar is not enshrined it is called "Kami", and it has a spiritual meaning not associated to any specific religion.
しょうめん (まとも)
shōmen (3) (alt. shoumen, shomen)
(S) SHINJINBUKAN — PHILOSOPHY
Lit. Front, face or facade. alt. reading: matomo. alt. meaning: honesty. The shōmen at the Shinjinbukan Honbu Dōjō in Okinawa has no shrine or altar. It only has the calligraphy of the Dōjō Kun written by its founder, Onaga Yoshimitsu Sensei.
FORMAT TRANSLITERATION BIBLIOGRAPHY NIHONGO KANJI GLOSSARY BACK TO TOP
しょうめんにれい
shōmen ni, rei (alt. shoumen ni, rei; shomen ni, rei)
(K) OKINAWA KARATE DŌ — COMMANDS
(S) SHINJINBUKAN — PHILOSOPHY
Lit. Bowing to the front. In traditional Martial Arts there is always ceremonial beginning and ending to each class or training session. The instructor calls the command "shōmen ni, rei" to indicate a bow towards the front of the Dōjō.
In the Shinjinbukan School, there are three bows made to begin and end a class. The first bow is towards shōmen, and no words are spoken. The second bow is towards the teacher. And in the third bow, the students bow towards each other. At the beginning of class, the words "onegai shimasu" (please teach me) are spoken during the 2nd & 3rd bow. At the end of class, the words "arigatō gozaimashita" (thank you for teaching me) are spoken during the 2nd & 3rd bow. This ceremony is part of the Shinjinbukan etiquette or reigi sahō.
しょうりんジりゅう
Shōrinji Ryū (alt. Shourinji Ryuu, Shorinji Ryu, Shorinji-Ryu, shourinjiryu)
(K) OKINAWA KARATE DŌ — RYŪHA
Lit. The little forest temple style. A Shōrin Ryū style founded in 1954 by Jyoen Nakazato (b. 1922), who was a student of Chotoku Kyan (1870 — 1945). Shōrinji Ryū is a style from the Shuri Ti tradition and part of the Sokon Matsumura lineage.
しょうりんりゅう
Shōrin Ryū (1) (alt. Shourin Ryuu, Shorin Ryu, Shorin-Ryu, shourinryu)
(K) OKINAWA KARATE DŌ — RYŪHA
Lit. The small forest style. Japanese pronunciation: Kobayashi Ryū. The Shōrin Ryū style founded by Chibana Chōshin Dai Sensei (1885 — 1969), who was a student of Ankō Itosu (1831 — 1915). Shōrin Ryū (Kobayashi) is a style from the Shuri Ti tradition. Eventhough Chibana Sensei opened his first Dōjō in 1920, the style was not officially named Shōrin Ryū ( 小林流 ) until 1933. Most Karate styles that exist today were derived in one way or another from Shōrin Ryu.
See Chibana Chōshin , Kobayashi Ryū
しょうりんりゅう
Shōrin Ryū (2) (alt. Shourin Ryuu, Shorin Ryu, Shorin-Ryu, shourinryu)
(K) OKINAWA KARATE DŌ — RYŪHA
Lit. The Pine forest style. Japanese pronunciation: Matsubayashi Ryū. This Karate style was formally founded in 1947 by Nagamine Shōshin Sensei (1907 — 1997), who studied under Chotoku Kyan (1870 — 1945) and Choki Motobu (1871 — 1944). Shōrin Ryu (Matsubayashi) combines the Shuri Ti & Tomari Ti traditions.
See Nagamine Shōshin , Matsubayashi Ryū
しょうりんジりゅう
Shōrin Ryū (3) (alt. Shourin Ryuu, Shorin Ryu, Shorin-Ryu, shourinryu)
(K) OKINAWA KARATE DŌ — RYŪHA
Lit. The little forest style. Chinese pronounciation: Shaolin Liu. See: Shōbayashi Ryū.
シュリ
Shuri
(U) UCHINAGUCHI — LOCATIONS
Lit. Neck town. The ancient capital of the Okinawa and Ryūkyū Kingdom.
シュリテ
Shuri Te
(K) OKINAWA KARATE DŌ — RYŪHA
Lit. The Shuri Hand.
See Sui Di , Shuri Ti , Shōrin Ryū (1) , Shōrin Ryū (2) , Shōrin Ryū (3)
シュリティー
Shuri Ti
(K) OKINAWA KARATE DŌ — RYŪHA
Lit. The Shuri Hand. Shuri Ti is the early name for the Karate schools that came to be known as Shōrin Ryū. Shuri Ti is not a style of Ti. Shuri Ti is Karate traditions which originated in Shuri. Hence the name, Shuri Ti. Due to stylistic developments, Shōrin Ryū was later divided into three lineages: Kobayashi Ryū, Matsubayashi Ryū & Shorinji Ryū.
See Sui Di , Shuri Te , Shōrin Ryū (1) , Shōrin Ryū (2) , Shōrin Ryū (3)
しゅとう
shutō (alt. shutou, shuto)
(K) OKINAWA KARATE DŌ — TECHNIQUES
Lit. Sword Hand. Also known as knife hand.
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しゅとううけ
shutō uke (alt. shutou uke, shuto uke)
(K) OKINAWA KARATE DŌ — TECHNIQUES
Lit. Knife Hand Block.
そうじ
sōji (alt. souji, soji)
(S) SHINJINBUKAN — SYLLABUS
Lit. Bowing to the front. To clean or sweep. In all traditional Martial Art schools students are expected to clean the Dōjō after training. Sōji is done to instill a sense of pride in the Dōjō among students. Also, in a large Dōjō, with many students it is also done for hygienic purposes. In the Shinjinbukann School, all students are expected to work doing sōji.
そくとう
sokutō
(K) OKINAWA KARATE DŌ — BODY PARTS
Lit. Foot blade.
そと
soto
(K) OKINAWA KARATE DŌ — COMMANDS
Lit. Outside.
そとばらい
soto barai
(K) OKINAWA KARATE DŌ — TECHNIQUES
Lit. Outside pushing block. The path of movement is from the inside to the outside of the body.
そとに
soto ni
(K) OKINAWA KARATE DŌ — COMMANDS
Lit. To the outside. In Okinawan Karate it is used to describe the outward direction of a technique.
そとうけ
soto uke
(K) OKINAWA KARATE DŌ — COMMANDS
Lit. To the outside. In Okinawan Karate it is used to describe the outward direction of a technique.
(K) OKINAWA KARATE DŌ — TACHIKATA
Translation: tachikata
スイディー
Sui Di (alt. Sui Dei)
(K) OKINAWA KARATE DŌ — RYŪHA
Lit. The Shuri Hand.
See Shuri Te , Shuri Ti , Shōrin Ryū (1) , Shōrin Ryū (2) , Shōrin Ryū (3)
すね
sune
(K) OKINAWA KARATE DŌ — BODY PARTS
Lit. Leg, shin.
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