Japanese 日本語 for Karate – Ranking test – Keywords and Commands

Let’s continue our journey of learning Karate Do and Japanese. In this case, we will focus on common vocabulary that will allow us to prepare ourselves for a ranking test.

Stances (Dachi)

There are multiple stances used across Shito-Ryu. The most common ones used during a test are:

• Musubi Dachi (結び立): Attention Stance (heels together).
• Heisoku-dachi (閉足立): Heels and Feet Together Stance.
• Zenkutsu Dachi: Front Stance.
• Neko Ashi Dachi: Known as Cat Stance (Cat – Neko, Foot – Ashi, Stance – Dachi to be precise).
• Shiko Dachi (四股立) : Known as Horse Stance (or sumo or square stance).

Other stances used are:

• Kokutsu Dachi: Back Stance.
• Sanchin Dachi: Hourglass Stance.
• Kosa Dachi: Crossed Leg Stance.
• Heiko Dachi: Parallel Stance.
• Moto Dachi (基立): Basic or Foundational Stance.

Defense: Blocks (Uke) and Sweeps (Barai)

The most common ones for a test are:

• Gedan Barai: Downward Block. (Lower block)
• Soto Uke: Outside Block. (Middle block)
• Jodan Uke: High Block.
• Uchi Uke: Inside Block.
• Shuto Uke: Knife Hand Block.
• Shuto Barai: Knife Hand Sweep.

Attack: Punches (Tsuki/Zuki), Strikes (Uchi), and Kicks (Keri/Geri)

The name of the punch will depend on the arm being used and the stance. For example, a punch done with the same leg that is bend and in front then it is called Oi Zuki. If you use the opposite arm it is called Gyaku-Zuki.

One punch fight (Ippon kumite)

This is a one punch (Ippon) sparring/fight (Kumite). You are demonstrating a simple technique where you will block and then attack. This is done in the same spot you are and you will move your left or right leg to the back (depending on your rank, you will need to do each side or a single side).

Walking Basics (Ido kihon)

Translated as Walking (Ido) Basics (Kihon), this is a demonstration of your understanding of all the terms above. Depending of your rank, you may not need all of them during your test.

And example of Ido Kihon is to perform Zenkutsu dachi gedan barai, this will be a front stance with a downward block.

Form (Kata)

In addition to understanding all these basic terms and being able to execute them in the correct way and with the correct form, you have an opportunity to display them during your kata (form). Kata is an imaginary fight using all the techniques you have learned in a determined sequence. Katas use a drawing called Embusen (演武線). This is used to understand where the Kata starts and what is the line of movement that will be executed.

For example, Shi Ho No Kata (Kata of four directions) will have an Embusen that is a square. The direction will be forward, then left, left and left, returning to the same exact point from where you started.

The kata you will need to perform varies per rank. In some cases, more than one needs to be performed. Shito-Ryu has over 60 different katas. Here’s an example of the basic curriculum: