Glossary
Understanding the Techniques, Theory, and Philosophy of Karate and Budo
Budo has developed a rich vocabulary through a long history of practice, teaching, and reflection.
Terms such as Kihon (基本), Kata (型), Kumite (組手), Kamae (構え), Maai (間合い), and Zanshin (残心) often contain meanings that cannot be fully conveyed by replacing them with a single English word.
In addition to traditional terminology used in karate and budo, this textbook also uses concepts developed and organized through the research and practice of Takushin Budo (拓心武道), as well as terms related to budo theory and philosophy.
This glossary serves as a common reference for understanding the terminology used throughout the Digital Karate Budo Textbook.
About This Glossary
This glossary is intended to do more than provide dictionary definitions.
For each term, we seek to explain:
What does the term mean?
In what context is it used?
How is it related to technique and training?
What ideas or theories are connected to it?
Where appropriate, traditional terms may also be examined in relation to their historical background, differences among schools and traditions, and contemporary interpretations.
Rather than assuming that every term has only one absolute meaning, this glossary seeks to provide the context necessary for deeper study.
Categories
The terminology in this glossary is broadly organized into the following areas.
1. General Karate and Budo Terms
This section contains fundamental terminology widely used in karate and budo.
Examples
Kihon (基本), Keiko (稽古), Shuren (修練), Kata (型), Kumite (組手), Kamae (構え), Maai (間合い), Zanshin (残心), Reiho (礼法), Dojo (道場), Budo (武道), Bujutsu (武術), and related terms.
→ General Karate and Budo Terms
2. Kyokushin Karate Technical Terms
This section contains technical terminology used in Kyokushin Karate kihon, moving basics, kata, kumite, and related training.
Main areas include:
Stances, fighting postures, punching techniques, striking techniques, defensive techniques, kicking techniques, body and striking surfaces, target levels, directions, and footwork.
Examples include:
Seiken (正拳)
Jodan (上段)
Chudan (中段)
Gedan (下段)
Tsuki (突き)
Uke (受け)
Keri (蹴り)
→ Kyokushin Karate Technical Terms
3. Body Mechanics and Theory of Offense and Defense
This section contains terminology used to understand body mechanics and interaction with an opponent.
Examples and areas of study include:
Center of gravity, body axis, Tai-sabaki (体捌き), transmission of force, relaxation, breathing, Maai (間合い), timing, line of attack, defense, counterattack, Sen (先), and related concepts.
These terms are examined not only as definitions but also in relation to actual technique and practice.
→ Body Mechanics and Theory of Offense and Defense
4. Takushin Budo Terminology
This section contains terms and concepts used in the research and practice of Takushin Budo (拓心武道).
Takushin Budo studies and inherits existing budo techniques while examining their underlying principles and exploring methods for further development.
For this reason, certain concepts may require terminology that cannot be fully expressed through conventional karate terminology alone.
Examples and areas of study include:
Riho (理法), Tengi (転技), defensive techniques, Initiator, Responder, and other technical and training concepts used within Takushin Budo.
For these terms, we examine not only their definitions but also why the concepts are necessary and how they relate to existing budo concepts and methods.
→ Takushin Budo Terminology
5. Budo Theory
This section contains theoretical concepts used to examine the techniques, training methods, and structure of offense and defense in budo.
Main areas include:
Structure of offense and defense, principles of technique, distance and time, initiative and response, body and force, technical efficiency, training, hypothesis, testing, and verification.
The purpose is to organize knowledge gained through practice and to examine budo systematically rather than relying solely on accumulated experience.
→ Budo Theory
6. Budo Philosophy and Thought
This section examines terminology related to budo as a way of human development, self-examination, and life.
Examples and areas of study include:
Do (道), Shugyo (修行), the self, the other, Kokki (克己), self and others, Rei (礼), Wa (和), Kokoro (心), freedom, responsibility, and Seisei-Kaiku (生成化育).
These concepts are considered not only in their traditional meanings but also in relation to the study, practice, and educational possibilities of budo presented in this textbook.
→ Budo Philosophy and Thought
From Terminology to Technique — and from Technique to Terminology
This glossary is not intended to stand apart from the rest of the textbook.
It is interconnected with the technical, theoretical, and philosophical pages of the Digital Karate Budo Textbook.
For example, while studying:
Seiken Chudan-zuki (正拳中段突き)
a reader may wish to understand:
What is Seiken?
What does Chudan mean?
What is meant by Tsuki?
Each of these terms can be explored through the glossary.
Conversely, a reader who begins by studying Maai (間合い) may follow links to pages dealing with kumite, body movement, offense and defense, and related theories.
The intended learning process is:
Terminology → Technique → Theory → Practice
and, in the other direction:
Practice → Questions → Terminology and Theory → Practice again
Through this cycle, terminology becomes a tool for deeper understanding rather than something to be memorized in isolation.
Japanese Terminology in Budo
Some Japanese budo terms cannot be fully translated into a single English expression.
For example:
Kamae (構え)
Maai (間合い)
Uke (受け)
Zanshin (残心)
may contain meanings that are broader than their common English translations.
For this reason, the English edition of this textbook retains important Japanese terms in Romanized form and explains their meanings in English when necessary.
The purpose is not to treat Japanese terminology as something special for its own sake.
Rather, it is to preserve as much as possible of the technical, cultural, and conceptual context in which these terms developed.
Terminology Is Not Always Fixed
The meanings and uses of budo terminology may differ according to historical period, school, tradition, teacher, and context.
Further technical study may also lead us to reconsider an existing explanation or definition.
This glossary therefore values both:
respect for tradition
and
verification through practice and the willingness to reconsider definitions when necessary.
It is not intended to be a fixed and final dictionary.
It is a developing glossary for learning, thinking, and testing ideas, and will continue to evolve together with the Digital Karate Budo Textbook.
Find a Term
Terms can be explored in several ways:
Browse by Japanese syllabary
Browse alphabetically
Browse by category
Search by keyword
Browse by Category
General Karate and Budo Terms
Kyokushin Karate Technical Terms
Body Mechanics and Theory of Offense and Defense
Takushin Budo Terminology
Budo Theory
Budo Philosophy and Thought
[Links to each category will be added here.]
