Martial Arts jargon -- Martial Arts Discussion Board

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Date Posted: 17:56:13 09/28/03 Sun
Author: Goktimus Prime
Subject: Martial Arts jargon

Here are some martial arts jargon:

Aikido (or Aikijutsu):
A grappling internal Japanese martial art developed in the early 20th Century by Ueshiba Morihei. Has obvious origins in Baguazhang.

Ba:
Chinese word for eight.

Bagua:
Eight Trigram. A series of trigrams representing the integers 0 to 63 (binary mathematics) developed by Xiaoyong in 1060 (Song Dynasty). Often compared with the Yin-Yang symbol. Used by martial artists when mathematically calculating/expressing moves (since binary maths is the most simplest and universal way of expressing reality) - particularly by internal martial artists.

Baguazhang:
Eight Trigram Palm. A Kung Fu style based on the mathematical principles of Bagua. Characterised by its internal power and circular fluid motion.

Baimei:
White Eyebrow. Known in Cantonese as Pak Mei. A Southern style of Kung Fu with striking similarities with Fujian styles.

Baiyuan Tongbeiquan:
Great White Ape Fist. Style of Northern Kung Fu characterised by linear motion, flicking strikes (coupled with extreme speed) and rocking movement in stances.

Battoujutsu:
A Japanese Bushido-based sword martial art.

Bu:
Chinese word for a step or stance.

Budo:
Japanese word for martial-sports such as Kendo.

Budokan:
Very new Karate style (developed around the late 60s or early 70s). Often taught in Australian universities.

Bujutsu:
Japanese word for martial art. Derived from the Chinese word "Wushu."

Bushido:
Way of the Warrior. Code of honour developed through time by the Samurai. Romanticised by Miyamoto Musashi. Places death before dishonour, and thus corrupts many martial arts styles by making them more vulnerable for the sake of maintaining "honour."

Cailifa:
A Southern style of Kung Fu characterised by low stances and wide arm swings. Known in Cantonese as Choy Lee Fut.

Capoeira:
Brazillian martial art derived from African martial arts by slaves. Since then it has become a dancing style and is no longer effectual in combat.

Changquan:
Also referred to as Long Fist. A very popular style of Northern Kung Fu. During feudal times, this art spread along the Silk Road as far as Istanbul where it was refined and used by Muslim soldiers against the Crusader Horde (creating Islamic Long Fist).

Chi:
See Qi[4].

Chirl:
Korean for seven.

Dan:
Japanese word for level. Hence Ichi-dan, or First-Dan, means Level One. Some schools prefer to use the word Kyu.

Dojang:
Korean word for a martial arts school.

Dojo (or Doujou):
Japanese word for a martial arts school.

Er:
Chinese word for two.

Form:
A set form or pattern of moves. Useful way of mentally archiving your martial arts moves - and also a form of general aerobic exercise. Performing forms in groups is useful for preparing your senses for group combat (insofar as being aware of the position of multiple people moving simultaneously).

Fujian:
Province in Southern China from which several Kung Fu styles were created. Characterised by their hard, rigid and explosive moves, sharp exhalations, rounded shoulders and pinced-in stances (such as the Sanchin stance). Okinawan Karate can be traced to this region's branches of Kung Fu. Also known as Hokkien or in Japanese as 'Fukken.'

Go:
Japanese word for five. Also a nifty board game.

Gojuryu (or Goujukai):
A Japanese style of Karate which closely resembles the Okinawan form. Characterised by its tight defences.

Gokanryu:
Australian-made Karate style. Statistically the most popular martial art in Australia. Not widely known in Japan (or possibly outside Australia). Style has good rudimentary basics but lacks overwhelming advanced moves.

Gongfu:
Proper spelling for Kung Fu.

Goroquan:
Kung Fu style from which Gojuken (Gojuryu) Karate took its name.

Gu:
Korean for nine.

Guan:
Chinese term for a martial arts school. Known in Cantonese as "Kwoon."

Hachi:
Japanese for eight.

Hapkido:
A Korean martial art characterised by its short, sticking moves.

Hongjia:
A Southern style of Kung Fu characterised by its thuggish and brutal (but very effective) moves. Known in Cantonese as Hung Gar.

Hwarangdo:
A Korean form of Karate.

Iaijutsu (or Iaido):
A Japanese Bushido-based sword martial art. Specialises in drawing and one-hit-one-kill techniques.

Ichi:
Japanese for one.

Jiu:
Chinese for nine.

Juu:
Japanese for ten.

Judo (Juudou):
Japanese grappling Olympic sport.

Juujutsu:
Japanese grappling/throwing art. Commonly mispelt as Jiujitsu. Also refers to a feudal martial art based on feudal gunnery.

Karatedo (or Karatedou):
Karate. A Japanese or Okinawan martial art (depending on the style). Originated from Southern Fujian Kung Fu.

Kata:
Japanese term for a set form or pattern of moves.

Kempo (kenpou):
A Japanese martial art characterised by this short, sticking moves. Shorinji Kempo claims to have been derived directly from Xiaolin Kung Fu, but historical evidence suggests that they merely imitated their moves from copies of fresco paintings from the temple walls.

Kendo (or Kendou):
Japanese sport based on swordsmanship.

Kenjutsu:
A Japanese Bushido-based sword martial art.

Ki:
Japanese word for Qi. See Qi[4].

Koutai:
Japanese word meaning to swap roles. e.g.: the roles of attacker and defender during sparring.

Kung Fu:
Chinese martial arts.

Kwonbop:
An old Korean martial art. That's all I know about this style. :p

Kyu (Kyuu):
Japanese word meaning "level." See Dan.

Kyuu:
Japanese for nine. Also known as Ku.

Line:
One part of a form or pattern, separated by distinct changes in directions.

Liu:
Chinese word for six.

Mabu:
Chinese word for "Horse Stance," one of the most fundamental stances in many martial arts. In Kung Fu, there are two main versions - the high Northern Horse stance, and the low Southern Horse stance.

Ni:
Japanese for two.

Ninjutsu:
A Japanese martial art with an emphasis on stealth. Unlike Bushido-based styles, Ninjutsu places very little importance on appearances, and tends to focus more on practical functionality. Developed and used by feudal peasant guerilla in periods of oppressive Samurai rule.

Okinawante:
Okinawan Karate. Also known as Te. Derived from Southern Fujian Kung Fu.

Onegaishimasu:
Japanese for "please" or "I beg of you." Used when bowing to an opponent before sparring.

Or:
Korean word for five.

Ossu:
A very vulgar abbreviation of "ohayo gozaimasu" (good morning). Commonly used in Japanese Dojos populated by thugs with low levels of education. Only used in peasant-based styles like Karate. Styles of noble-lineage (e.g.: Kenjutsu) refuse to use this word.

Parl:
Korean word for eight.

Pattern:
Another term for form.

Poomsae:
Korean term for a set form or pattern of moves.

Praying Mantis:
A style of Kung Fu originating from the Shandong Province. Known for its exceptional speed and ferocity, as well as being a marriage between striking and grappling in one comprehensive system.

Qi[1]:
Chinese word for seven.

Qi[4]:
Chinese word for air. Also refers to a series of energies flowing throughout and around the body. Forms the basis of internal martial arts. Essentially translates as principles of human microbiology, physiology and biomechanics (leverage, torsion etc). Also known as Chi, or Ki in Japanese.

Quan:
Chinese word for fist, although it can also apply to the entire arm and even shoulders. In some instances, it can refer to the entire body - many Kung Fu styles use this word, e.g.: Wuzuquan (Five Ancestors Fist)

Quanfa:
Chinese boxing. Known in Japanese as Kempo.

Rei:
Japanese for "respect." Often said as a queue when bowing to another person such as a teacher or fellow student in a Dojo.

Roku:
Japanese for six.

Sa:
Korean word for four.

Sam:
Korean word for three.

San:
Chinese/Japanese word for three.

Sanchin Stance:
A pinced-in stance commonly used in Southern Kung Fu and Japanese Karate. Known in Japanese as Sanchindachi.

Shaolin:
See Xiaolin.

Shi:
Japanese word for four. Chinese word for ten (although the i is pronounced like an r).

Shichi:
Japanese for seven. Also known as Nana.

Ship:
Korean word for ten.

Shitsureishimasu:
Japanese for "excuse me." Said when entering and leaving a Dojo hall at any time (coupled with a bow).

Shotokan:
The first Japanese style of Karate developed by Funakoshi Gichin. With more influence from Bushido, it is less fluid and more open than Okinawan Karate.

Si:
Chinese word for four.

Sonshi:
Japanese name for Sunzi.

Sonshiheiho (Sonshiheihou):
Japanese name for Sunzi Bingfa.

Sumo Stance:
An extended version of the Southern Kung Fu Horse Stance.

Sun Tzu:
See Sunzi.

Sunzi:
Author of Sunzi Bingfa (The Art of War).

Sunzi Bingfa:
"The Art of War" by Sunzi. Written three centuries before the birth of Christ, this book is internationally acclaimed as being the most comprehensive piece of literature ever written about warfare and military strategem. Although written nearly two and half millenia ago, Sunzi's tactics are still used today by modern military strategists and corporate tycoons.

Taekwondo:
A Korean martial art developed from Shotokan Karate in the early 1950s by Gen. Choi. Used in the Vietnam War by Korean troops who were fighting with Americans. In the early 1970s, the South Korean government modified Taekwondo into a sport to promote nationalism. This style of Taekwondo has since become an Olympic Sport and has long lost any usage for actual fighting.

Taekyun:
An ancient Korean martial art that has since evolved into a game. It no longer holds any real use for fighting.

Tai Chi:
See Taiqi.

Taijiquan:
An internal Chinese martial art based on principles of Taiji and Taiqi.

Taiqi:
An internal Chinese martial art used mostly as a form of health and exercise. Has limited to almost no value for actual combat (depending on style). Also known as Tai Chi.

Tanglangquan:
Praying Mantis Fist. See Praying Mantis.

Wing Chun:
See Yongchun.

Wu:
Chinese for five.

Wushu:
Chinese word for martial arts. When the Communist Party overtook China, they developed a nationalistic sport known as Xiandai Wushu (Modern Martial Arts) by combining traditional Wushu with gymnastics and aerobics. Although it looks spectacular, Xiandai Wushu is not effectual for fighting. To avoid confusion with this style, all other schools of Wushu started referring to themselves as Gongfu (Kung Fu).

Wuzuquan:
Five Ancestors Fist. A Southern Fujian style of Kung Fu. Known in Cantonese as Ng Gor Kune.

Xiaolin / Xiaolinsi:
Also known as Shaolin. Famous temple in Northern China that became a learning centre for Chinese martial arts until the Cultural Revolution where monks were executed and books were burnt. What remains is mostly a corrupted form of Xiaolin Kung Fu used to promote government propaganda and generate tourist spending. Practitioners these days are not necessarily authentic monks either (but acrobats in costumes). Known in Cantonese as Siu Lam (although some people mis-spell it as Sil Lum) and in Japanese as Shorin, or Shorinji (Shourinji).

Yi:
Chinese for one.

Yongchun:
A Southern style of Kung Fu developed by a Buddhist nun. Characterised by its speedy sticking techniques. Known in Cantonese as Wing Chun. Also known for having developed the wooden dummy - which has since been adopted by many other martial arts.

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