K
- M
Note: there is no L sound in the
Japanese language
K
| Kaeshi | Counter, reverse |
| Kaeshi-waza | Counter(ing) techniques |
| Kaeshi Tsuki | Counter thrust, a punch which is timed to destroy the opponent while he/she is convinced that his/her blow is accurate. |
| Kagami | Mirror |
| Kagami Biraki | Mirror cleaning, ritual
first training
of the year for dojo, on the 2nd Sunday of January.
|
| Kagami Keiko | Mirror Training, any training exercise in which partners mirror each other. |
| Kage | Shadow |
| Kagi | Key, (antique Japanese keys were metal coils) |
| Kagi Shime | Key lock (Nikkyo) so named for its resemblance to a Kagi. |
| Kai | Association,
federation, society
|
| Kaicho | Head of a group or society (any organization of like-minded individuals working toward similar goals collectively) |
| Kaicho | Harmonious, unity |
| Kaishaku | Second, in Seppuku (ritual suicide), the person charged with removing the head of the principal. |
| Kaiten | Rotation |
| Kaiten Nage | Rotary throw |
| Kaiten-juki | The axis of rotation of a technique |
| Kakato | The heel of the foot |
| Kake | A hook (or rack) |
| Kaku Obi | Hanging belt, a wide sash donned to allow weapons to be worn. |
| Kakuto | Back of the wrist (for a strike). |
| Kamae | Attitude, combative posture |
| Kami | Spirit, heavenly, high, god, very different from the western concept of a single God, more like ghosts or spirits than omnipotent beings. Some are said to be deceased family members who look after the affairs of the living, others inhabit the natural world. |
| Kamidana | Shelf of the Kami, a small house where the kami reside |
| Kamikaze | Divine wind, a typhoon that eliminated most of the Mongolian invasion fleet |
| Kami no Ke | High of the Hair, head hair; does not include facial hair |
| Kamiza | Kami Seat, in dojo, where respect for previous generations is shown. |
| Kamiza ni Rei | Bow to Kamiza |
| Kami Zeme | Upper attack |
| Kamoku | A special class taught by a guest instructor |
| Kamon | Family crests; see: Mon |
| Kampo | Chinese (and by implication herbal) medicine |
| Kana | Generic term for Japanese syllabary (phonetic alphabet) |
| Kan | House or hall |
| Kan | Intuition |
| Kan(zo) | Liver (LV or Liv) |
| Kangeiko | A(n intensive) winter training session. |
| Kano, Jigoro | The founder of the Kodokan and Kodokan Judo |
| Kancho | Head of school (building, hall) |
| Kancho | Enema |
| Kanga Ryu | An ancient Australian Jujutsu system, employing powerful tail whips and kicks... :o)~ |
| Kanji | Chinese Form, ideograms devised in China. Along with Hiragana and Katakana make up the Japanese written language. Kanji are used to express ideas and unlike kana, do not have any single strict sounds attached, and can have up to 20 pronunciations each. |
| Kansetsu | Joint, joint dislocation |
| Kansetsu Waza | Joint dislocation techniques |
| Kao | Face |
| Kao Ate | Face Strike |
| Kappo | Resuscitation |
| Karada | Body; see also: Tai, Mi |
| Karame | To tie up; to arrest |
| Karami | An entanglement |
| Karate Do | Empty hand way
(originally, China hand),
adapted techniques from Okinawan Kempo systems.
|
| Karui Geiko | Light, easy practice |
| Karuma | Wheel |
| Karuma no Kamae | Like Waki no Kamae, blade horizontal and back |
| Kashaki Uchi | Continuous attack |
| Kashira | Mask, the pommel cap of a bladed weapon |
| Kashira Ate | Mask Striking, any hit which uses the butt-cap of a sword or knife |
| Kasumi | Mist, a feint |
| Kasumi no Kamae | Arms crossed over to hide technique |
| Kata | Single, one |
| Kata | Form, a technique or combination of techniques put together for practice |
| Kata | Shoulder |
| Kata Ashi | Single leg, especially in Sutemi Waza |
| Katachi | Correct form |
| Katchu | Armor |
| Kata Dori | Shoulder hold |
| Kata Gassho | Single-hand Gassho, a single hand in praying position often used in dojo when walking. |
| Kata Gatame | A variation of Kaiten Nage in which UKE is taken directly to the ground in a shoulder lock (Taki Otosu Odori) |
| Katakana | Japanese phonetic alphabet used to write foreign (non-native) words |
| Katame Waza | Grappling techniques including Osae waza, Kansetsu waza, and Shime waza |
| Katana | Japanese long sword, ha- 25" & 30", and a tsuka- 11" to 15" worn, blade up, thrust through the obi (as differs from the tachi which was slung, blade down, while in armor) |
| Kata Otoshi | Shoulder Drop |
| Kata Shime | Shoulder Constriction |
| Katsuninken, Satsujinto | The life giving sword, the sword that kills, the concept that one can mete out justice through control of the potential for violence that Bushi represent |
| Katate | Single-hand |
| Katate Osae | Single-hand press, a Kihon Waza |
| Katate Tori | One hand holding one hand |
| Katate Uchi | One-handed strike |
| Katei | Curriculum |
| Kaze | Wind |
| Kei | Channel or Meridian |
| Kei Domyaku | Carotid Artery |
| Keibu Seimyaku | Jugular vein |
| Keichu | Atemi point on back of neck |
| Keiko | Reflect on the ancient; practice, training |
| Keiko Gi | Practice wear, training uniform, also, keikogi |
| Keiko Hajime | Beginning Practice, a dojo's first official class of a new year |
| Keiko Osame | Final Practice (of the year), a dojo's last official class before New Year's eve |
| Keiraku | Channel or meridian pathways |
| Kempo | Fist Law, (Chinese, chuan-fa) |
| Ken | Blade (sword)
|
| Ken | Fist |
| Kenbukai | Warrior Arts Study Society, the first name of the dojo |
| Kendo | Way of the Blade, modern sportive method derived from Japanese swordsmanship |
| Kenjutsu | Blade tactics, a generic name for Japanese sword arts |
| Kenkyu | Research |
| Kenkyukai | Research organization, association |
| Kenkyusha | A doer or user of research |
| Kenkojutsu | Health Restoration Tactics |
| Kenkokotsu | Shoulder
blades |
| Kenpo | Sword (use) method, another name for kenjutsu |
| Kenpo | see Kempo |
| Ken Tori | Sword taking, techniques designed to combat a sword-wielder |
| Keppan | Blood spot, an oath (signed in one's own blood) to abide by the laws of a Ryu |
| Kesa | Monk's surplice/lapel, that hangs from left shoulder |
| Kesa Giri | Monk's surplice cut,
one which crosses the
body diagonally, also kesagiri |
| Ki | Breath, energy, humors. The kanji means 'steam from rice'. It is the thing which (as with steam) is both essential to, and a product of (cooking rice) life. |
| Kiai | Energy Harmonizing, a focus for one's energy (can take the form of a shout) |
| Kiesaru | Disappearing, vanishing |
| Kihon | Tree origin/roots, fundamentals, basics |
| Kihon Kote Waza | Basic forearm techniques |
| Kihon Waza | Fundamental techniques; shapes which form the basis for most skills of an art |
| Kikan | Trachea |
| Kiken | To submit (tap out) |
| Kiku | Chrysanthemum, one of the imperial kamon |
| Kiku | Lower |
| Kimono | Worn things, clothes, especially, the silk robes worn traditionally in Japan |
| Kinniku | Muscles |
| Ki i mitasu | To fill/infuse oneself with energy |
| Kiri | Cut |
| Kiriage | Rising cut; also transliterated as Kiri Age |
| Kiritsu | Stand up |
| Kiritsuke Gomen | Killing and Going Away, the right that Bushi had to kill any commoner (with impunity) for acting in an 'unexpected' manner. |
| Kiyotsukete | Focus Your Energy/Attention |
| Kiza | Danger sitting, kneeling, in a live-toe position |
| Ko | Small, minor |
| Ko | Ten generations, old, ancient |
| Kobo Ichi | Attack and defense are one (reception and counter-technique happen simultaneously) |
| Kodachi | Small (or companion) Sword, a companion blade to the katana |
| Kodokan | House for the Study of the Way, a Dojo founded in 1882 by Jigoro Kano |
| Kohai | Junior student. NEVER used as a form of address |
| Koko | Tiger's mouth, LI-4, in
the area between thumb
and forefinger |
| Kokoro | Spirit, will, heart, intuition, mood |
| Kokoro Kamae | Mental attitude |
| Kokutsu | Backward leaning |
| Kokyu | Breath, breathing |
| Kokyu Dosa | The name in Aikido for 'Breath-power movement', (from seiza) |
| Kokyu Nage | Breath Throw (in Aikido, almost any unnamed technique) |
| Komi | Coming Close or Drawing Near |
| Komi | Within, against |
| Komon Kai | A board of (usually prominent people within a community, acting as dojo) advisors |
| Kongo | Diamond, adamantine |
| Kongo no Kamae | Diamond posture, blade vertical, in front of one's own face |
| Koppu | Cupping, Kenkojutsu technique used to draw off excessive energy in Tsubo |
| Koroshi | Death blow |
| Koryu | Old flow, a term referring to arts founded before the Meiji Restoration |
| Kosadori | Cross-hand grab (Naname Katatetori, Katatedori Ai-hanmi, Gyaku Katatedori) |
| Koshi | Ball of the foot |
| Koshi | Hip
|
| Koshi Hineri | Hip Twist, a power-generation method |
| Koshi Nage | Hip throw |
| Koshita | Back panel on hakama |
| Kosho Ryu Kempo | Old Pine Tree Style (Chinese derived) Fist Law (Method), the name for the self-defense system which were taught by Masayoshi "James" Mitose. The parent art of all modern commercial Kempo (kenpo) systems, it is claimed to be more than 900 years old (no evidence exists to substantiate this claim). |
| Kotae | Change |
| Kote | Forearm |
| Kote | Arm that protects the forearms, covering from wrist to shoulder |
| Kote Gaeshi | Forearm reversal |
| Kote Hineri | Forearm twist |
| Kote Mawashi | Forearm turn-in |
| Kote Ori | Forearm fold/break (Kotegaeshi) |
| Kozo | Structure |
| Ku | Nine |
| Kubi | Neck |
| Kubi Naka | Neck center,
an atemi point at base of skull
|
| Kuchi | Mouth |
| Kuchibiru | Lip(s) |
| Kudaki | To smash, to destroy |
| Kudan | Ninth-level, penultimate rank in modern budo |
| Kujiki | Strain, shatter, crush |
| Kukishin Ryu | A Classical Bujutsu Ryu specializing in pole arms, especially rokushakubo and hanbo |
| Kukyu | Ninth Hill, the ninth level before Shodan |
| Kukyo | Ninth Principle: Inverted nanakyo |
| Kumi | To bring together, to meet, to unite |
| Kumijo | Meeting of Jo (Stick partner practice) |
| Kumitachi | Meeting of Swords (Sword partner practice) |
| Kumite | Meeting of Hands (Empty handed partner practice/sparring) |
| Kuro | Black |
| Kuro Obi | Black belt, the sign that one has been accepted as a student. |
| Kushin | Springing in to attack
|
| Kusshinuke | To dodge sword draw, to move off-line of an attack |
| Kuzushi | To break or destroy a foundation, used to denote off-balancing in modern budo |
| Kyo | Excessive, full |
| Kyoju Dairi | Traditional (classical) teaching license |
| Kyoka | Curriculum |
| Kyosei | Student teacher |
| Kyu | Part of the modern rank system designed by Jigoro Kano, these ranks are the training ranks before being accepted as a disciple (as the dan rank imply; decreasing from 5th to 1st, then shodan) |
| Kyuba no Michi | Bow and Horse way, an old term to describe warrior's skills |
| Kyudo | Bow way, the contemplative art of Japanese archery |
| Kyujutsu | Bow tactics, classical Japanese art of archery |
| Kyusho | Vital point on body |
M
| Ma | Horse |
| Ma | Distance (not a word on its own) |
| Maai | Equal (harmonious) Distancing, combat engagement distance. Unlike many other terms, this one describes not simply the apparent distance, but also the timing needed to effectively deal with one's opponent. |
| Mae | Forward |
| Mae Uki Otoshi | Front floating drop |
| Mae no Sen | Front initiative; see: Senzen no sen |
| Makete Katsu | Finding victory in defeat |
| Maki | (To) enwrap; a roll of something |
| Makikomi | Enwrapped, enfolded |
| Makite | Enwrapping hand, a Tanto grip (tsuka protrudes through middle and ring fingers) |
| Makiwara | Wrapped Straw, generic term for striking surfaces and/or pads |
| Manabu | To learn by emulation |
| Maru | Circle |
| Marui | Circular |
| Masakatsu, Agatsu | Correct Victory is Self
Victory, a maxim of Aikido
|
| Massugu | Straight ahead |
| Mata | The thigh; the groin |
| Matadachi | Split in side of hakama (also, Soba) |
| Matsu | Pine |
| Matsu Kaze | Pines wind, one of the names given to the carotid artery as a target, describing the sound of arterial bleeding |
| Matte | Wait |
| Mawashi | A turn; a rotation |
| Mawashi Geri | 'Roundhouse' kick |
| Mawatte | Turn around |
| Me | Eyes |
| Men | Head, Face |
| Menuchi | Strike to head |
| Metsubushi | To Throw Ash in the Eyes, anything that acts as a distraction |
| Metsuke | Eye focus, visual contact |
| Michibiku | Guiding, leading |
| Midare Keiko | Free training |
| Migi | Right
|
| Mikazuki | Atemi point at corner of jaw |
| Mikomi | Penetrating Gaze |
| Mimi | Ears |
| Misogi | A (spiritual) purification ceremony |
| Mitori Geiko | Observation Practice, to learn while watching a class or instructor (most often done when one is too injured to participate) |
| Mizu | Water |
| Mizu no Kokoro | Mind like water, an important conceptual connection to states of water. Staying calm (as a still lake) until disturbed; then, responding in exact proportion to the offense and finally returning to the calm state |
| Mokuroku | A catalog of techniques |
| Mogukusa | Mugwort (artemis vulgaris), an herb burned in Chinese and Japanese treatment methods |
| Mokuso | Meditate, meditation (lower your eyes and clear your mind of conscious thought) |
| Momo | Thigh |
| Momo | Peach |
| Mon | Japanese heraldry. Used on clothing, armor, weapons and even in architectural details. Most warrior families had a number of 'crests' for use in different circumstances |
| Mondo | A period for questions and answers |
| Monouchi | The third of the ha closest the kissaki which takes greatest advantage of mechanical advantage, the "sweet spot;" also Mono Uchi |
| Mon Shin | Diagnostic method (asking questions for treatment information) |
| Montei | An accepted disciple |
| Montsuki | Wide sleeved, formal kimono with mon on chest, sleeves and back |
| Morote | Both hands |
| Morote Tori | Two hands holding one hand |
| Mu | Emptiness, negative, void, lack of matter |
| Mudansha | No Rank Holders, deshi with kyu grades |
| Muga Mushin | No self, no mind, a state in which one reacts without concerns of outcome |
| Mukozune | Atemi point in middle of
shin
|
| Munedori | (One or two hand) chest taking, usually by grabbing the lapel |
| Mune | Chest |
| Mune Tsuki | Chest Thrust, a punch directed at the upper torso |
| Munen Mushin | Striking without conscience |
| Murasame | Pressure points on each side of neck behind collar bone |
| Mushin | No mind, non-conscious state of awareness |
| Musubi | Knot, union (also ending, conclusion) |
| Mute | no hands |
| Mutekatsu | Victory without hands (without fighting) |
| Muto | No sword |
| Muto Waza | No sword techniques, ones in which an unarmed TORI must defend him/herself from a weapon-bearing opponent |
| Myaku | Vessel |
Visitors are
welcome, by appointment, as are beginners and guests. To
schedule an
interview,
please
E-mail or
call us 617.501.3446.
