3140 Ash Street, VancouverClasses Monday & Wednesday
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Student guide

Terminology, creed & dojo code.

Understanding of all basic terminology is required from 3rd kyu up. Learn it early.

Stances

Musubi-dachi
Informal attention stance
Heisoku-dachi
Attention stance
Shizentai
Natural stance
Kiba-dachi
Horse stance
Zenkutsu-dachi
Front stance
Kokutsu-dachi
Back stance
Shiko-dachi
Sumo stance
Neko-ashi-dachi
Cat stance
Fudo-dachi
Rooted stance

Punches

Kizami-zuki
Jab
Gyaku-zuki
Reverse punch
Oi-zuki
Lunge punch
Kagi-zuki
Hook punch
Ren-zuki
Double punch combination
Sambon-zuki
Triple punch combination

Blocks

Gedan-barai
Lower section block / low block
Age-uke
Rising block / high block
Soto-uke
Mid-section block
Uchi-uke
Inside-out block
Shto-uke
Sword-hand block
Nagashi-uke
Brushing block (parry)

Kicks

Mae-geri
Front kick
Mawashi-geri
Roundhouse kick
Yoko-geri keage
Side snap kick
Yoko-geri kekome
Side thrust kick
Hiza-geri
Knee strike
Ushiro-geri
Back kick
Ushiro-mawashi-geri
Spinning back kick
Nidan-geri
Double flying kicks

Strikes

Uraken
Backfist strike
Kentsui
Hammerfist strike
Shto-uchi
Sword-hand strike
Haito
Ridge-hand strike
Empi
Elbow strike

Other

Yoi
Ready (get ready)
Yame
Stop / finished
Mokuso
Called when we meditate
Kihon
Basics
Kata
Formal rituals (forms)
Kumite
Sparring
Kihon kumite
Basic sparring
Jyu ippon kumite
Semi-free sparring
Jyu kumite
Free sparring
Bunkai
Applications
Karate-do
The way of the empty hand
Our karate style
Shotokan
Student creed

Learn it by heart.

  1. I am a martial artist.
  2. I intend to develop myself, mentally and physically, to the highest level, and to avoid anything that would reduce my health or progress.
  3. I will overcome any challenges with patience and self-discipline, and will never give up on my goals.
  4. I am dedicated, I am motivated, I am a martial artist. I respect all, and… fear none.
Dojo code · Dojo kun

Five principles.

  • Seek perfection of character
  • Be faithful
  • Endeavour
  • Respect others
  • Refrain from violent behaviour

Character, sincerity, effort, etiquette, self-control.

It's customary to say “Oss”:

  • When you greet your peers in class
  • When you bow in or bow out of the dojo
  • When you are given a command, personally or in a group (“20 more push-ups!” … Oss!)
Counting in Japanese

Ichi to jyu.

  1. 1Ichi
  2. 2Ni
  3. 3San
  4. 4Shi
  5. 5Go
  6. 6Roku
  7. 7Shichi
  8. 8Hachi
  9. 9Kyu
  10. 10Jyu