用語集 · Glossary
Karate glossary
The Japanese terms that come up in training and on this site, with their kanji and meaning.
- Bunkai分解
- "Analysis". The study of the practical applications of a kata's movements, with a partner.
- Dan段
- Black-belt ranks, counted upward from 1st dan (shodan).
- Dōjō道場
- "Place of the way". The training hall, and also the community of practitioners that forms within it.
- Dōjō-kun道場訓
- The precepts of a dojo. Seigokan has its own dojo-kun, written by Seigo Tada, ending with the words 誠実・謙虚・不屈: sincerity, humility and perseverance.
- Gasshuku合宿
- An intensive residential training camp, usually over several days, bringing together practitioners from different dojos.
- Gōjū-ryū剛柔流
- "Hard-soft style". The karate style systematized by Chōjun Miyagi in Okinawa from Naha-te. It is the style practiced at Seigokan.
- Hojo undō補助運動
- Supplementary conditioning exercises with traditional tools such as the chi ishi (weighted lever) and nigiri game (gripping jars).
- Ibuki息吹
- The strong, audible Goju-ryu breathing, with controlled exhalation and abdominal tension, used in Sanchin.
- Kakieカキエ
- "Pushing hands": a contact drill with a partner to develop sensitivity, balance and control at close range.
- Kanchō館長
- "Head of the hall". The highest leader of a martial arts school. Seigo Tada was the first kanchō of Seigokan.
- Kanso館祖
- "Founder of the hall". The title by which Seigokan refers to Seigo Tada, the founder of the school.
- Karate-dō空手道
- "The way of the empty hand". The Okinawan martial art and the path of personal development it proposes; the suffix dō (道) marks it as a way, not just a technique.
- Kata型
- A fixed sequence of techniques that condenses the principles of the style. The Seigokan curriculum includes the classical Goju-ryu kata and two foundational kata created by Seigo Tada.
- Keikogi稽古着
- The training uniform (also called karategi or, informally, gi).
- Kihon基本
- Fundamentals: stances, footwork, punches, kicks and blocks trained in isolation and repetition.
- Kote kitae小手鍛え
- Forearm conditioning through controlled clashing with a partner's forearms.
- Kumite組手
- "Meeting hands". Partner training, from prearranged sparring (yakusoku kumite) to free sparring.
- Kyū級
- The ranks before black belt, counted in descending order (from 10th to 1st kyu).
- Mokusō黙想
- A brief silent meditation with closed eyes that prepares the mind for training and closes it.
- Nogare逃れ
- The soft, silent breathing complementary to ibuki; used in Tensho and to calm the body.
- Obi帯
- The belt of the uniform; its color indicates the practitioner's rank.
- Rei礼
- The bow that opens and closes training and each exercise, an expression of respect and gratitude.
- Sanchin三戦
- "Three battles". The fundamental Goju-ryu kata, trained with full-body tension and deep breathing; the foundation of posture and structure.
- Seigōkan正剛館
- The Goju-ryu school founded by Seigo Tada in Kyoto in 1945, headquartered in Himeji. The name joins 正剛 (Seigō, the founder's name) and 館 (kan, hall).
- Seiza正座
- The formal kneeling position used for the bow and for meditation at the start and end of training.
- Sensei先生
- "One who was born before". Teacher; the way to address whoever teaches in the dojo.
- Shihan師範
- Master instructor; a title given to senior teachers responsible for training other instructors.
- Shinsa審査
- A grading examination, in which the practitioner demonstrates kihon, kata and kumite before a panel.
- Sōhonbu総本部
- The central headquarters of an organization. The Seigokan Sōhonbu Dōjō is in Himeji, Hyōgo Prefecture, Japan.
- Sōke宗家
- The hereditary head of a school, guardian of its tradition. At Seigokan the title is held today by Seigo Tada III.
- Tenshō転掌
- "Turning hands". A kata created by Chōjun Miyagi; the soft counterpart of Sanchin, with circular hand movements and flowing breath.
- Torite取手
- Grabbing, control and throwing techniques applied from contact. Part of the Seigokan curriculum.
- Yakusoku kumite約束組手
- Prearranged sparring: attack-and-defense sequences agreed in advance. The Seigokan curriculum includes series in zenkutsu and in shiko-dachi.
Does your dojo follow Seigo Tada's lineage?
Seigokan Brasil is bringing together the dojos and senseis who remain with the school. Contact the board and become part of the organization.