Why are Basics so important?

In all forms of martial art, and for that matter - most arenas of sport that require skill, a participant's ability will only ever be measured by the quality of his or her basics. This is why we place such great importance on practice and the quest for perfection in Kihon (Basics).

This page is dedicated to assisting with information pertinent to Kihon.

For any new Karateka, this page should be your first "port of call" when studying the information within this web site.

This page won't teach you the basics - that's for your Sensei to do. It will merely give you an idea what your Sensei is asking you to do in the Dojo.

Firstly, we've included a gallery of most of the basic Shotokan techniques. 

The pictures we've used come from Master Hirokazu Kanazawa's book, as pictured here. This is one of the most highly recommended books for Shotokan Beginners. Master Kanazawa is a 10th Dan Black Belt and renowned as a superior teacher of Karate the world over.

Senseis Evan Singer and Elliot Kleiner were fortunate enough to spend some quality time training and discussing Karate philosophy with Master Kanazawa in 2003. It was during this time that Master Kanazawa granted us his generous permission to use sections of his book on this page of the web site.

We graciously and most humbly thank him for the honour.

Stances - (Dachi)

Heisoku-Dachi

Hachiji-Dachi

Zen-Kutsu-Dachi

Ko-Kutsu-Dachi

Hangetsu-Dachi

Kiba-Dachi

Neko-Ashi-Dachi

Sanchin-Dachi

Sochin-Dachi

Defences - (Uke)

Geidan-Barai

Agi-Uke

Soto-Ude-Uke

Uci-Ude-Uke

Shuto-Uke

Morote-Uke

Juji-Uke Chudan / Geidan

Juji-Uke Jodan

Kakiwake-Uke

Hand / Arm Strikes - (Zuki / Uchi)

Choko-Zuki

Oi-Zuki

Gyaku-Zuki

Agi-Zuki

Morote-Zuki

Kage-Zuki

Mawashi-Zuki

Tetsui-Uchi

Uraken-Uchi

Tate-Zuki

Ura-Zuki

Morote-Hisame-Zuki

Tate-Shuto

Shuto-Uchi

Haito-Uchi

Haishu-Uchi

Yoko Chudan Empi-Uchi

Jodan Empi-Uchi

Ushiro Jodan Empi-Uchi

Mawashi Chudan Empi-Uchi

Ushiro Chudan Empi-Uchi

Kicks (Geri)

Mae-Geri

Yoko Geri Keyage

Yoko Geri Kekome

Mawashi Geri

Ushiro Geri

Ushiro Mawashi Geri

Ura Mikazuki Geri

Japanese / English Translations

When training, we use the Japanese terminology for all basic instructions. The reason for this is that we want you to be able to continue your training where ever in the world you go, without being held back by a language barrier. It also means that when and if you have the distinct opportunity one day to train in Japan, you will not only be able to train well but possibly understand enough Japanese to get by outside the Dojo. 

This is a list of verbal terms that are commonly used in a Karate Dojo, with their translations.

Japanese (phonetic)

English

Rei (ray)

Bow

Shomen-Ni-Rei (shommon-nee-ray)

Bow to the Front

Sen-Sani-Rei (senn-sannee-ray)

Bow to Teacher

Sem-Pani-Rei (semm-pannee-ray)

Bow to the Senior Student

Oto-Gaini-Rei (otto-guynee-ray)

Bow together

Yoi (yoy)

Ready

Hajime (ha-jimmay)

Begin

Yame (ya-may)

Stop

Mawate (ma-wattay)

Turn to the rear

Naote (nay-otay)

Relax

Geidan Barai Kamai (geedan-barray-kammay)

Step into ready position

Sensei (sen-say)

Teacher

Sempai (sem-puy)

Senior Student

Makiwara (ma-kee-warra)

Punching Board

Kime (ki-may)

Focus

Henmi (hen-mee)

45 Degrees

Chi (chee)

Inner Strength

Oss (ooss)

I Acknowledge

Kihon (kee-honn)

Basics

Kamai (ka-muy)

Fighting Guard Up

Dojo (do-jo)

Place of Learning / Training

Ippon (ip-pon)

One Full Point

Wazari (wa-zaree)

One Half Point

Geri-Waza (geree-wa-za)

Kicking Technique

Kiai (kee-uy)

Shout of Spirit

Koshi (koshee)

Ball of the foot

Ma-A (ma-aa)

Distancing

Nage-Waza (nageh-wa-za)

Throwing Technique

Seiken (say-ken)

Fore-Fist

Waza (wa-za)

Technique

Zanshin (zan-shinn)

Perfect Focused Finish

Zuki-Waza (zoo-kee-wa-za)

Punching Technique

Suki (soo-kee)

Opening

Uchi-Waza (oo-chee-wa-za)

Striking Technique

Gyaku (g-ya-koo)

Reverse

Ushiro (yoo-shee-ro)

Behind

Jodan (jo-dan)

Head Height

Chudan (choo-dan)

Body Height

Geidan (gee-dan)

Groin Height

Counting

Stances

Punches

Elbow Strikes

.

Hand / Arm Defences

Kicks

Sparring Commands / Terminology

Japanese Language

Learning even a little Japanese is a worthwhile endeavour. At the very least you should make an effort to learn Hiragana and Katakana, the two most commonly used character sets. Katakana is especially useful because it is used exclusively for writing foreign words (usually English). Once you've memorized the Katakana characters reading is just a matter of sounding out the syllables and trying to figure out what English word is being interpreted. 

The following won't make you fluent in Japanese, but you'll be able to say "please" & "thank you" with absolute confidence.

Even if your Japanese is less than perfect, you can make up for many deficiencies by using the English versions of the many phrases -- frequently and with sincerity. The Japanese place a great store on politeness, in any language, and will respond to your efforts in kind.

Finally, if some words sound familiar, it's because they are. Many English words have been adopted into the Japanese language. 

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