BEGINNING KARATE

As with any new endeavor, Karate for the beginner may seem very confusing. These
sheets contain a basic introduction to Karate-Do (the way of Karate) proper etiquette,
philosophy and terminology.

Karate-Do is more than a sport - it is a martial art for the development of character and
physical ability through training. An empty handed art of self-defense with ancient roots
in many Asian countries, karate has been developed and refined into several styles.

Japan Karate Association of Albany, Inc. teaches Shotokan, the most popular Japanese
style karate, which was developed by Gichin Funakoshi. More than ten million people
around the world practice it. This club is a member of the Japan Karate Association
World Federation and the Shotokan Karate-Do America Inc.

Japanese etiquette is followed in the dojo (training area). The basic rules are as follows:

1. Bow as you enter or leave the dojo (this is an expression of courtesy and
respect).

2. Bow to the Sensei (teacher) as he enters the dojo. Your teacher is addressed as
Sensei during class. Black Belt instructors or assistants to the instructor are
addressed as Sempai (Senior).

3. Follow the formal opening and closing ceremony explained hereafter.

4. Class generally begins with the command “line up”. Students line up in front of
and facing the Sensei, more advanced students to his right. Position in line is
determined by the individuals rank and date achieving that rank, i.e. a first
degree black belt of two years standing is more senior than a newly passed first
degree black belt.

5. No talking during an instruction period or practice. If you understand an

instruction or command reply with the Japanese word “Hai”. (Yes-ok). If you have
a question, or do not understand raise your hand.

6. During class stand only in heisoku-dachi (informal attention stance) feet together,
arms relaxed, the hands lightly touching the thighs and eyes focused straight
ahead, or Hachiji-dachi (ready stance) - feet apart, shoulder width - hands in fists
in front of hips and eyes focused straight ahead until you are told relax or shake it
out. Movements, such as yawning, scratching or looking around are not
permitted. Lounging and leaning against walls are also not permitted.

7. Do not leave the dojo during class without requesting permission to do so.

8. After completing the introductory beginners classes all students must wear a gi
(traditional white uniform). Training is in bare feet. When adjusting the gi a
student must face the rear of the dojo.

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 9. All students must follow the basic rules of hygiene. Bathe regularly, cut
fingernails and toenails and wash your practice clothing at least once or twice a
week. Belts are not normally washed, as they will shrink.

10. No jewelry or other ornamentation may be worn during class. No patches or

emblems are allowed on the gi. Headbands are not allowed unless needed. If
needed, they should be white only. Protective pads may not be worn except to
protect an injury.

11. Always be on time for class. It is suggested that a student arrive fifteen (15)
minutes before start of class. If a student comes late because of some
unavoidable circumstance he must saiza (kneel) at the rear of the practice floor
until the instructor gives permission to join the class. Time is needed to wash the
dojo floor before training begins, and if you miss the warm-up, you may well pull
a muscle or injure yourself later in practice.

12. Smoking and food are not allowed in the dojo. Towels, articles of clothing, shoes,
etc. are not allowed on the dojo floor.

NEW STUDENTS

A person starts out in Karate by taking special beginner instruction for a period of about
a month. During this time loose clothing such as sweat pants or shorts and tee shirt are
suggested attire. After learning the basic stances, blocks, punches, and kicks, the
student joins the regular class. At this time, the student must wear a gi with a white belt.
Kyu testing is normally every three months (March, June, September, and December)
and is the method whereby a student advances in rank. Dan testing is twice a year.

FORMAL OPENING AND CLOSING CEREMONY

On the command, “line up”, students form a line, highest in rank to the left, lowest in rank
to the right. Sensei faces the front of the Dojo, his back to the class. The highest ranking
student gives the command, “saiza’ (formal sitting position) and all kneel and sit back on
their heels with backs straight, knees apart approximately the distance of two fists
touching those of the students on either side, hands with fingers closed resting on their
thighs and eyes straight ahead. With the command “mokuso” (clear your mind), all close
their eyes and meditate for a few moments to empty their mind of the days activities and
prepare it for learning. When the word “yame” (stop) is spoken all open their eyes. On
the next Command “shomen ni rei” (to the front bow) all bow in unison. Sensei will turn
and face the class. Then the senior student will say “Sensei ni rei”, at which time Sensei
and students bow to each other, stand, and class begins.

At the end of class “line up”, “saiza”, “mokuso” and “yame” are commanded as in the
beginning. The senior student recites the Dojo Kun (principles we strive for) and all
students repeat each line after him.

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 Dojo Run

Seek perfection of character

Be faithful
Endeavor
Respect others
Refrain from violent behavior

The senior student says, “shomen ni i” and “Sensei ni rei” as in the beginning. All
students then say “thank you Sensei” at which time the Sensei will then rise and leave
the practice area. At this point, class is officially over and students stand and leave the
dojo floor in order of rank.

RANKING

RYU (CLASS) RANKS DAN (Black Belt Degrees)

8TH White Belt 1ST Shodan

7TH 2ND Nidan
3RD Sandan
6TH Green Belt 4TH Yodan
5TH 5TH Godan
4TH 6TH Rokudan
7TH Shichidan
3RD Brown Belt 8TH Hachidan
2ND 9TH Kudan
1ST

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GLOSSARY

AGE ZUKI: Rising Punch

AGE UKE: Rising block

AWASE ZUKI: U - punch

CHOKU ZUKI: Straight punch

CHUDAN: Chest area

DOJO: Training hail

EMPI: Elbow

EMPI UCHI: Elbow Strike

FUDO DACHI: Rooted stance

FU1IIKOMI: Stamping kick

GEDAN: Lower area of body

GEDAN BARAI: Downward block

GI: Uniform worn during practice

GYAKU ZUKI: Reverse (counter) punch

HACHIJl DACHI: Open-leg stance

HAISHU: Back-hand

HAISHU UCHI: Back-hand strike

HAISHU UKE: Back-hand block

HAISOKU: Instep

HAITO: Ridge-hand

HAITO UCHI: Ridge-hand strike

HAJIME: Command to begin

HANGETSU DACHI: Half-moon stance

HANMI: Half-front facing posture

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HEIKO DACHI: Parallel stance

HEIKO ZUKI: Parallel punch

HEISOKU DACHI: Informal attention stance

HIDARI: Left

HIRAKEN: Fore-knuckle fist

HIRAKEN ZUKI: Fore-knuckle fist straight punch

HITTSUI: Knee

IPPON: One point

IPPON KEN: One-knuckle fist

IPPON KEN ZUKI: One-knuckle fist straight punch

JYU KUMITE: Free-style sparring

JODAN: Face area

JUJI UKE: X-block

KAGI ZUKI: Hook punch

KAKATO: Heel

KAKE UKE: Hooking block

KAKIWAKE UKE: Wedge block

KAKUTO: Bent wrist

KAKUTO UKE: Bent wrist block

KANKU: “Viewing the sky”

KARATE: Empty-hand fighting

KATA: Forms, or formal exercise

KEAGE: Snap kick

KEITO: Chicken-head wrist

KEITO UKE: Chicken-head wrist block

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KEKOMI: Thrust Kick

KERI: Kicking

KIBA DACHI: Straddle-leg stance

KIHON KUMITE: Basic sparring

KOKUTSU DACHI: Back stance

KOSHI: Ball of foot

KUMADE: Bear-hand

KUMITE: Sparring

MA-Al: Distancing

MAE GERI: Front kick

MAE GERI KEAGE: Front snap kick

MAE GERI KEKOMI: Front thrust kick

MAE TOBI GERI: Jumping front kick

MAKIWARA: Punching board

‘‘MATE!” ‘‘Wait!’’

MAWASHI GERI: Roundhouse kick

MAWASHI ZUKI: Roundhouse punch

MIGI: Right

MIKAZUKI GERI: Crescent kick

MOROTE UKE: Augmented forearm block

MOROTE ZUKI: Double-fist punch

MUSUBI DACHI: Informal attention Stance, feet turned out

NAGASHI UKE: Sweeping block

NEKO ASH DACHI: Cat stance

NIDAN GERI: Double kick

NIHON NUKITE: Two-finger spear hand

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NUKITE: Spear hand

Of ZUKI: Lunge punch

SANCHIN DACHI: Hourglass stance

SEIKEN: Fore-fist

SEIKEN CHOKU ZUKI: Punch

SEIRYUTO: Ox-jaw hand

SEIRYUTO UKE: Ox-jaw hand block

SENSEI: Teacher

SHIAI: Contest

SHIKO DACHI: Square stance

SHIZEN TAI: Natural stance

SHUTO: Knife-hand

SHUTO UCHI: Knife-hand strike Fore-fist straight

SHUTO UKE: knife-hand block

SOCHIN DACHI: Diagonal Straddle- leg stance

SOKUTO: Edge of foot

SUKI: Opening

SUKUI LiKE: Scooping block

TANDEtI: Lower Stomach

TATE SHUTO: Vertical knife- hand

TATE SHUTO UKE: Vertical knife-hand block

TATE ZUKI: Vertical fist punch

TEIJI DACHI: I-stance

TEISHO: Palm-heel

TEISHO UCHI: Palm-heel strike

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TEISHO UKE: Palm-heel block

TOBI KERI: Jump kick

TSUKAMI UKE: Grasping block

TSUKI: Punching

TSUKI LiKE: Punching block

UCHI: Striking

UCHI WAZA: Striking

UDE: Forearm

UDE UKE: Forearm block

URAKEN: Back-fist techniques

URAKEN UCHI: Back-fist strike

USHIRO: Back

USHIRO GERI: Back Kick

WAZA-ARI: Half point

YAMA ZUKI: Wide U-punch

YOKO: Side

YOKO GERI: Side kick

YOKO GERI KEAGE: Side snap kick

YOKO GERI KEKOMI: Side thrust kick

YOKO TOBI GERI:

ZENKUTSU DACHI: Forward stance

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