Shinjinbukan.com - Dictionary

Lit. Hanging striking board. Sagi Machiwara or Hanging Machiwara is one of the trademarks of the Shinjinbukan School. It is considered one the oldest training tools used in Okinawa Ti. It is made of a piece of a three log wrapped by a rope or leather in the middle. It provides a unique training experience, because of the swinging effect that acts as a pendulum. This requires the practitioner to study the use of attacks & counter attack in order to master the Sagi Machiwara. This type of training should only be carried under the direct supervision of a qualified instructor. Any misuse of the Ti Machiwara can cause serious injuries.
See Sagi Makiwara , Machiwara , Makiwara , Ti Machiwara , Tachi Machiwara , Sagi Machiwara (photos)

下ぎ巻藁

さぎまちわら

Sagi Makiwara

Lit. Striking or punching board.
See Sagi Machiwara

サーシ

sāshi (alt. chishi, chiishi)

Glossary Category: Kobudō

Sāshi is a long and thick wooden bar with weights at each end. It is one the traditional tools used in Okinawan Karate, which is very similar to the Chīshi. It is typically misunderstood as tool similar to weight training. All basic drills holding the Sāshi should incorporate the use of Shiko Dachi Stance, forearm conditioning, mochikata and circular motion. According to Okinawan martial arts tradition, Sāshi has been used as a training tool for centuries.
See mochikata , chīshi , shiboru , Sāshi — Basic Drills (photos) , Making Our Own Chīshi (photos)

釵

サイ

sai

Lit. Ornamental hairpin. Okinawan weapon used in Kobudō.

三戦立ち

さんちんだち

sanchin dachi

Glossary Category: Okinawa Karate Dō/Tachikata , 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.

三段

さんだん

San Dan (alt. sandan, san-dan)

Lit. Third level or rank. It refers to the rank of third degree black belt.
See Yūdansha, Dan, kuro obi

三角転身

さんかくてんしん

sankaku tenshin (1)

Lit. Triangular Movement. The term sankaku tenshin decribes a classic movement found in Okinawan Karate, specially in Shōrin Ryū. Sankaku tenshin is typically practiced using Jigotai Stance, Shizen Dachi or Sanchin Dachi. In the Shinjinbukan School, sankaku tenshin is taught to be executed keeping the senchūshin (center axis) straight and without leaning forward or backwards during motion. In general terms, sankaku tenshin refers to the use of triangular motion during for tenshin, including standard Mawari (turns) or Ko Mawari (small turns). It should not be confused with the Kihon Gata called Sankaku Tenshin.
See kihon gata , Kaki Di , jigotai , shizen dachi , sanchin dachi

三角転身

さんかくてんしん

Sankaku Tenshin (2)

Lit. Triangular Movement. Sankaku Tenshin is a Kihon Gata (Basic Form) which has been practiced in Okinawa for hundreds of years. Before World War II, many Okinawan Ti practitioners taught a set of three Sankaku Tenshin combinations that included tuski (hand strike), keri (foot strike), triangular motion, Kaki Di hand motions and U-turn techniques. Nowadays, it is referred as the Mukashi Sankaku Tenshin, which means ancient triangular motion.

After World War II, a more simplified version of Sankaku Tenshin was adopted by many Okinawan Schools. It consists of a set of three Sankaku Tenshin combinations without the U-turns. This combination is normally referred as the Atarashii Sankaku Tenshin, which means modern triangular motion.

In the Shinjinbukan School, the study of Sankaku Tenshin is very important. Sankaku Tenshin is always practiced using Jigotai Stance. A more advanced level of Sankaku Tesnhin should always be practiced using Ko Mawari (small turns)
See kihon gata , Kaki Di , jigotai

三級

さんきゅう

San Kyū (alt. sankyuu, sankyū, sankyu, san-rkyū)

Glossary Category: Budō/Philosophy

Lit. Third level or rank. It refers to the third rank level below black belt.
See Mudansha

悟り

さとり

satori

Lit. Comprehension, understanding, Buddhist enlightenment. In Zen Buddhism it is referred as the highest and final state of enlightenment.

正確

せいかく

seikaku

Glossary Category: Budō/General Terms , Shinjinbukan/Syllabus

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

整理運動

せいりうんどう

seiriundō (alt. seiriundou, seiriundo)

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

生徒

せいと

seito

Glossary Category: Budō/Ranks & Titles , 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
See Sensei, Deshi, Uchi Deshi

正座

せいざ

seiza

Glossary Category: Budō/Philosophy , Okinawa Karate Dō/Commands , 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.

線

せん

sen

Glossary Category: Nihongo/Culture , Budō/Ranks & Titles

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.

先輩

せんぱい

senpai (alt. sempai)

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.
See kōhai

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先生

せんせい

Sensei

Glossary Category: Nihongo/Culture , Budō/Ranks & Titles , 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.
See seito, Shihan, Renshi, Kyōshi, Hanshi

絞る

しぼる

shiboru

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.

師範

しはん

Shihan

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.
See Sensei, Renshi, Kyōshi, Hanshi

資格

しかく

shikaku (1)

Lit. Qualifications, requirements, capabilities.
See qualification(s)

四角

しかく

shikaku (2)

Glossary Category: Budō/General Terms

Lit. Square, or four corners.

四股

しこ

shiko

Lit. Four thighs. A ceremonial leg raising and stomping done in sumo wrestling.

四股立ち

しこだち

shiko dachi

Glossary Category: 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 bent; 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.

shin

Glossary Category: Okinawa Karate Dō/Anatomy

Translation: sune

神人武館

しんじんぶかん

Shinjinbukan

Glossary Category: Okinawa Karate Dō/Ryūha , 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

質

しつ

shitsu

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Lit. quality

質問

しつもん

shitsumon

Lit. question, inquiry.

自然

しぜん

shizen

Glossary Category: Okinawa Karate Dō/Tachikata

Lit. Natural. A natural use of all techniques and body mechanics.

自然立ち

しぜんだち

shizen dachi

Lit. Natural stance. In this stance, the feet are placed shoulder width apart, and the legs are slightly bent at the knees, which should never be not locked　or overextended.

静か

しずか

shizuka

Glossary by Category: Okinawa Karate Dō/Commands

Lit. quiet , peaceful.

静かに

しずかに

shizuka ni

Lit. be quiet. This command is used by the instructor to silence the students and bring the class to attention.

初段

しょだん

Sho Dan (alt. shodan, sho-dan)

Glossary Category: Nihongo/Culture , Budō/Philosophy

Lit. First level or rank. It refers to the rank of first degree black belt.
See Yūdansha, Dan, kuro obi

書道

しょどう

shodō (alt. shodou, shodo)

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.

触即技

しょくそくぎ

shokusokugi

Glossary Category: Budō/General Terms

Lit. Instant touch technique; or Touch, Feel and Go technique. The ability to adapt instantly to an opponent by touch and feel. In the Shinjinbukan School, Onaga Yoshimitsu Kaichō teaches Shokusokugi, as a method of understanding to undestand one's opponent at the instant of physical contact. Therefore, we are able to perceive our opponent's intentions by touch alone.

This is a method of control used by a Tichikaya (a Ti practitioner) to anticipate an opponent's attack in order to use the most suitable counter attack. Shokusokugi should be trained and developed as an intuitive skill with practical applications for Iri Kumi, Kakie or in any technique dealing with In/Yō. Shokusokugi SHOULD NOT be confused as guessing or a mystical power used to read the opponet's mind.
See In , Yō , Iri Kumi , Kakie , kirikae

正面

しょうめん (まとも)

shōmen (1) (alt. shoumen, shomen)

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.

正面

しょうめん (まとも)

shōmen (2) (alt. shoumen, shomen)

Glossary Category: 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.

正面

しょうめん (まとも)

shōmen (3) (alt. shoumen, shomen)

Glossary Category: 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.

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正面に、礼

しょうめんにれい

shōmen ni, rei (alt. shoumen ni, rei; shomen ni, rei)

Glossary by Category: Okinawa Karate Dō/Commands , 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.

少林寺流

しょうりんジりゅう

Shōrinji Ryū (alt. Shourinji Ryuu, Shorinji Ryu, Shorinji-Ryu, shourinjiryu)

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.

小林流

しょうりんりゅう

Shōrin Ryū (1) (alt. Shourin Ryuu, Shorin Ryu, Shorin-Ryu, shourinryu)

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

松林流

しょうりんりゅう

Shōrin Ryū (2) (alt. Shourin Ryuu, Shorin Ryu, Shorin-Ryu, shourinryu)

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

少林流

しょうりんジりゅう

Shōrin Ryū (3) (alt. Shourin Ryuu, Shorin Ryu, Shorin-Ryu, shourinryu)

Glossary Category: Uchinā/Locations

Lit. The little forest style. Chinese pronounciation: Shaolin Liu. See: Shōbayashi Ryū.

首里

シュリ

Shuri

Lit. Neck town. The ancient capital of the Okinawa and Ryūkyū Kingdom.

首里手

シュリテ

Shuri Te

Lit. The Shuri Hand.
See Sui Di , Shuri Ti , Shōrin Ryū (1) , Shōrin Ryū (2) , Shōrin Ryū (3)

首里手

シュリティー

Shuri Ti

Glossary Category: Okinawa Karate Dō/Techniques

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)

手刀

しゅとう

shutō (alt. shutou, shuto)

Lit. Sword Hand. Also known as knife hand.

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手刀受け

しゅとううけ

shutō uke (alt. shutou uke, shuto uke)

Glossary Category: Okinawa Karate Dō/Techniques

Lit. Knife Hand Block.

掃除

そうじ

sōji (alt. souji, soji)