Shotokan
Elements
Elements of Shotokan Karate
This page defines the principal
elements of karate, and provides a glossary of the meanings of
"karate words" you will often hear during training.
Dojo
"Dojo" has a number of
meanings - literally, it means "place of The Way",
but it is often translated as "training room" or
"karate club". Our dojo is something to be revered -
it is the place where we all work hard to improve our karate,
where we sweat together, where we laugh together and
sometimes, where we cry together! Our dojo is ultimately a
family and a place of joy.
Sensei
More revered than our Dojo, is our
Sensei. Sensei literally means "teacher". In Japan,
any type of teacher is "sensei", but Sensei, in the
Mirai Dojo at least, is our karate parent, our protector and
our guide. Sensei knows how we're feeling on any particular
day, what perhaps should be avoided on that day, and above all
what we each need to learn progress our karate.
This
link attempts, quite eloquently, to define "Sensei".
Gi (uniform)
The uniform of Shotokan Karate (and
most other martial arts) is the "do-gi", or "gi"
for short. The gi is composed of a jacket, pants and a belt
("obi"). A karate gi is usually white, symbolising
the purity we are training to attain, and is made of a robust
medium-weight cotton. The gi is designed to be loose-fitting
for comfort and freedom of movement, and comes with quite
short sleeves and pants, so that you don't get your fingers
and toes caught, which is required in karate as you'll punch
and kick with both speed and power.
The simplest way to get yourself a gi
is to ask sensei, who will judge the correct size for your
build, advise on an appropriate material weight, and can even
order one for you. Of course, you may decide to go out and buy
your own, but you must take account of the shrinkage that will
occur when washing (the first wash, hotter washes, and
tumble-drying tend to shrink the gi more - also you should
avoid the temptation to bleach your gi, since bleach can
severely weaken the fibres and lead to holes and rips). Also,
if ordering from an internet-based supplier, be careful - gi's
for the western market are of different proportions for say,
the Japanese market - even if the size code is the same,
Your own gi should be treated with the
same amount of respect as your dojo, as your sensei and as
yourself. Your gi is your outward appearance for your art.
Your gi should not have holes or be dirty. Your gi should
never be left in a pile. When not being worn or washed, it
should be hung up, folded or rolled up and tied with the belt.
Periodically, you'll be shown the traditional way to roll your
gi, but if you miss the demonstration, you can always ask your
seniors or sensei.
Obi (belt)
As you progress in your training it is
usual to take grading exams - when you and your sensei think
you're ready. As you achieve a new grade, you'll receive a new
belt colour. There is a somewhat "standard"
progression in belt colours, but this can differ across styles,
or even dojos.
The colour progression adopted at the
Mirai dojo is White, Orange, Red, Yellow, Green, Purple, Brown
and then Black. There are two levels of Purple belt, and three
levels of Brown belt - with additional levels denoted by the
addition of a white tag at each end of the belt. There are
then up to 10 levels of black belt. When you compare belt
colour with other martial art practitioners, be aware that your
dojo may or may not use the same colour progression as another
dojo. The belt colours (other than white and black) are really
only valid within the walls of your own dojo.
White and black are the only colours
of the belt that are "original" to karate. The
original idea of a "black" belt was due to the use
the belt got and its age. A student would start his training
with a white belt. Over the years, as the student trained and
practiced the belt would get dirtier and dirtier. Eventually,
the belt would be "black". The concept of adding
various colours to designate rank appears to have been added
when karate began being taught to US servicemen in Japan.
Karate Techniques
There are four basic techniques that
comprise Shotokan Karate - punches ("zuki"), strikes
("uchi"), blocks ("uke") and kicks ("geri").
Of course there are many types of punch, many types of block,
and many types of kick.
Zuki (Punching techniques)
Oi-zuki: stepping, straight (square)
punch
Gyaku-zuki - reverse (in-place) punch
Kizami-zuki: reaching (open) punch
Ren-zuki: double punch (oi-zuki,
gyaku-zuki combination)
Sanbon-zuki: triple punch (oi-zuki,
gyaku-zuki, oi-zuki combination)
Ura-zuki: short punch (palm up)
Ta-te-zuki: vertical-fist punch
Maewashi-zuki: roundhouse punch
Kagi-zuki: hook punch
Age-zuki: rising punch
Nagashi-zuki: flowing/rolling punch
Yama-zuki: mountain (two-fist) punch
Uchi (striking techniques)
Empi-uchi: elbow strike
Ura-ken-uchi: back fist strike
Shuto-uchi: knife-hand strike
Haito-uchi: sword-ridge-hand strike
Tet-sui-uchi: hammer-fist strike
Uke (blocking techniques)
Age-uke: rising block
Soto-uke: outside (middle level) block
Uchi-uke: inside (middle level) block
Gedan-barai: sweeping (low level)
block
Geri (kicking techniques)
The Three K's of Karate - Kihon, Kata, Kumite
Kihon - Basic Techniques
Kata - The Art
Kumite - Applied Fighting Techniques
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