STUDENTS
Are you a new Karate Student?
Starting martial arts can be intimidating, so here's what to expect in your First Karate Class.
In a Traditional Karate Class, there will be a lot of Japanese terms used, so to familiarize yourself here is a list of the most commonly used Karate Dojo Terms.
How do I know when I am ready to test for my next belt? At the Missouri Karate Association, we list all our Rank Test Requirements out so you can prepare for your next grading.
CLASS ROUTINE
A dojo is a place of learning.
Shotokan karate itself has a tradition for how karateka conduct themselves.
The protocol we follow during our class is an expression of our interest in upholding Japanese tradition in our karate training.
Before entering the dojo floor, we take our shoes off.
Any time we enter or leave the dojo, we bow toward shomen, as a sign of respect for everything that the dojo means to us.
Shomen is the front wall of the room; sho means "true" and men means "face". Bowing is a Japanese custom for displaying respect, humility, and lack of arrogance. It is not a matter of "bowing down" to a superior; as you notice, black belts bow to lower belts and vice versa.
When class begins, we line up shoulder to shoulder, in rank order, with higher ranks to the right, lower ranks to the left. Sempai (senior student) will then issue commands:
CLASS BOW-IN
Seiza ("kneel down"): done in rank order, starting with the higher ranks first.
Mokusoh ("meditate"): we take one minute to empty our minds and prepare for maximum concentration during class.
Mokusoh yame ("stop meditating"): gently return the focus from your inner self back to the environment you are in.
Shomen ni rei ("bow to shomen"): we bow as a sign of respect and thanks to the founder of Shotokan and the ancestors.
Sensei ni rei ("bow to sensei"): the entire class bows to the teacher. If sensei is not present, the command will be senpai ni rei, thus bowing to the leader of that day's class.
Senpai ni rei ("bow to senpai"): the entire class bows to senpai. This is a way of giving thanks to everyone for being present and helping us learn karate.
When a karateka arrives late, he/she warms up and stretches prior to entering the dojo. Then the karateka comes inside, bows and waits for sensei's or senpai's permission to join the class.
When class is over, sensei or senpai will ask us to line up. Then we go through seiza and mokusoh.
After mokusoh, we bow to shomen, sensei and senpai. After that we stand up, in order of rank, and bow once again.
DOJO RULES
Karate is a way of life, you must train hard and be true to receive positive results.
Show Respect to everyone, instructors, students, family members, friends and anyone else you associate with.
Always present yourself with a clean appearance. (Karate-gi clean, shower, no chewing gum, no jewelry or metals etc.).
Undershirts must be white.
Exercise good behavior and manners with your partners, always be courteous and treat everyone as an equal.
There is NO physical contact between students, you must practice control.
Respect the line of formation, at the beginning and end of classes; pay particular attention to your Seiza.
In the dojo we all are the same, there is no distinction in beliefs, economic position, or culture, we are all just human beings.
Don’t be late for classes, if you do, for reasons beyond your control, wait at the entry door in a formal position until you get permission to enter.
Assist your Sensei by helping with new student arrivals; don’t wait until Sensei demands it. Everyone will appreciate this.
You must inform your instructor(s) of any injury before training.
KUMITE RULES
There will be no horseplay during Kumite training or competition.
There will be no negative or reckless attitudes or behavior.
There is to be no physical contact to be made during free sparring activities. The activity is to be performed within the rules, and any intentional act to injure another participant or spectator is not condoned, encouraged or permitted by the Missouri Karate Association.
Missouri Karate Association reserves all rights to dismiss any students, at any time, for misconduct and/or actions, which may convey a bad image.
Karate - Empty Hands
Karate Do -The Way of Karate
Do - Way
Karateka - Practitioner of Karate
Dojo - School or training room
Sensei - Teacher
Sempai - Senior
Kohai - Junior
Shihan - Master Instructor
Kyu - Rank
Gi - Uniform
Obi - Belt
Hai - Yes
DOJO TERMS
Osu - "I understand and will try my best." Also used to show respect, enthusiasm. Do not use outside of the dojo!
Budo - Way of combat
Zanshin - Poise and control
Kime - Focus
Kihon - Fundamentals/Basics
Kata - Practice form
Kumite - Sparring/fighting
Ippon kumite - One-step sparring
Jiyu kumite - Free sparring
Bunkai - Application (interpretation) of kata techniques
Embusen - Floor pattern/lines of a kata
Maai - Distance
Kiai - Spirit shout/focus of spiritual energy
Waza - Technique
Kamae - Posture
Shotokan "House of Shoto”; “Pine Sea”; pen name of Funakoshi.
Mokuso - Meditate/Gather Your Thoughts
Dachi - Stance
Tsuki (Zuki) - Punch
Uchi - Strike
Uke - Block
Rei - Bow
Waza - Technique
Geri - Kick
KARATE TECHNIQUES
Punches
Age Zuki - Rising punch
Kagi Zuki - Hook punch
Uraken Uchi - Back fist strike
Tate Zuki - Vertical punch
Kizami Zuki - Jab punch
Oi Zuki - Lunge punch
Gyaku-zuki - Reverse punch
Sanbon Zuki - Triple punch
Strikes
haito Uchi - ridge hand
hiji uchi (empi) - elbow strike
seiken - fist
shuto Uchi - knife hand
Kicking
Mai Geri Keage - Front kick (snap)
Mai Geri Kekomi - Front kick (thrust)
Kansetsu Geri - Stomping joint kick
Hiza Geri - Knee kick
Nidan Geri - Double front kick
Mai Tobi Geri - Jump kick
Swing kick
Yoko Geri Keage - Side kick (snap)
Yoko Geri (Kekomi) - Side kick (thrust)
Ushiro-Geri - Back kick
Ashi Barai - Foot sweep
Fumikomi - stomp (strike)
Stances
Heisoku Dachi - Closed foot stance (feet together)
Musubi Dachi - Heels together
Heiko Dachi - Parallel stance
Hachiji Dachi - Natural stance
Shiko Dachi - Straddle leg stance
Kiba Dachi - Horse riding stance
Sanchin Dachi - Hourglass stance
Zen Kutsu Dachi - Front Stance
Han Zen Kutsu Dachi - Half front stance
Fudo Dachi - Free stance
Kokutsu Dachi - Back stance
Neko Ashi Dachi - Cat stance
Renoji Dachi - "L" stance
Seisan Dachi - Side facing straddle stance
Koshi Dachi - Squat stance
Blocking
Age Uke (Jodan) - Rising block (Head)
Chudan Uke - Inside circular block
Harai Uke - Sweeping block
Yoko Uke - Side block
Hojo Uke - Augmented block
Kosa Uke - Cross block
Kake Uke - Hook block
Shotei Osae - Palm-heel press
Gedan barai - Downward block
Hiki Uke - Grasping block
Shuto Uke - Knife hand block
Shotei Uke - Palm heel block
Chudan Uchi Uke - Inside forearm block
Mawashi Uke - Roundhouse block
Tora Guchi - Tiger mouth (block & strike)