Karate Lexicon

Rob Broad

Master of Arts
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I recently read the August Black Belt article called Karate Lexicon. It discusses 10 very popular terms found in most Dojos, but it shows where we have slightly changed the meaning of the words.
 
ok...?

Yes, there is a big difference between what a karate person thinks a word means and is pronounced and what someone that speaks Japanese thinks...

Your post seems like it got caught short?
 
Andrew you are right there is a paragraph missing.

Here is the entire post:

I recently read the August Black Belt article called Karate Lexicon. It discusses 10 very popular terms found in most Dojos, but it shows where we have slightly changed the meaning of the words.

It discussed Bunkai, Bushido, Dan, Dojo, Kata, Kumite, Mokuso, Rei, Reishiki, and Sensei. It is very informative, we all have an idea of what teh words mean and we are usually close but teh actual translation is quite insightful.
 
I was actually thinking we could get some people to post what they think the words mean and then I will give the definitions that were given.
 
I said I would post the definitions give, not "real" definitions. That will be up to the reader to discern.
 
We don´t use all of these words so I´ll post meanings I was given on a few
Bunkai - the practical application of Kata
Dan - a level (up to ten) after black belt. Usually takes at least 2 years to achieve each Dan
Dojo - temple/ place where karate is taught
Kata - a traditional from containing a fixed sequence of fighting moves
Kumite - sparring
Sensei - teacher
 
Japanese translation:

Bunkai: to break apart, seperate, dismantle(lit.)
Dojo: A place where the "way" of XXXX is taught
Kata: form, shape(lit.)
Kumite: meeting of the hands (lit.)
 
kumite also means gripping hands...like in judo kumi kata means "forms of gripping"
 
bignick said:
kumite also means gripping hands...like in judo kumi kata means "forms of gripping"

Actually it doesn't. The word kumi means to meet, join, collect depending on it's usage.
The word "tori" means to grip.
 
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