Bassai, also known as “Passai” is a Tomari-te kata that uses dynamic stances and hip rotation. It’s a very old Okinawian kata of unknown origin, the name Bassai translates to “to storm a castle”. Funakoshi renamed this kata as Bassai... more »
Chintō (in Shotokan, “Gankaku“) is an advanced kata practiced in many styles of Karate. According to legend, it is named after a Chinese sailor, sometimes referred to as Annan, whose ship crashed on the Okinawan coast. To survive, Chintō stole from the crops of the local people. Matsumura Sōkon, a Karate master and chief... more »
Gedan barai is a karate technique mainly used for blocking an attack. The approximate English meaning is ‘low level sweep’. Standing in natural stance, and in a yoi (ready) position, bend left forearm up until fist reaches near the right ear while the right arm moves slightly in to the middle. The left elbow... more »
A gyaku tsuki or gyaku zuki is a karate technique. It involves a punch executed by the back arm. A gyaku tsuuki is sometimes called a “reverse punch”. It is also executed better if you use the hips to push it forward. It is one of the most used and effective punches used in... more »
Hironori Otsuka was born in Shimodate City in Japan in 1892. He was the second of four children. His father Tokujiro was a doctor and his uncle Chojiro Ebasi was the official martial arts instructor of the Tsuchiura Clan. At the age of five even though he was in poor health he began training... more »
Jion (translated: “Temple” or “Temple of love and goodness”) is a Tomari-te kata. It is taught in the Wado Ryu system because of the importance of the perfection of the basic stances it contains, notably zenkutsu dachi (front stance) and kiba dachi (horse... more »
The history of Jitte (ten hands) is very clouded, but most agree that the kata developed in Tomari, but probably originated in China. The kata has very moves, associated with defence against a staff. These unusual kata moves seem to have been mixed with the more traditional shotokan karate moves, ie, age-uke (upper rising... more »
The leg sweep or foot sweep in Karate is called Ashi Barai. Its primary target is usually just above the ankle but below the knee. This sweeping kick can be delivered with power using your shin as the weapon or by using the sole of your foot. This is one of the difficult kicks... more »
Kumite means sparring, and is one of the three main sections of karate training, along with kata and kihon. Kumite is the part of karate in which you train against an adversary, using the techniques learned from the kihon and kata. Kumite can be used to develop a particular technique or a skill (e.g.... more »
Kizami tsuki (jabbing punch), is an extremely important Karate technique, one which some karateka really perfect and seem to have unbelievable speed. Kizami zuki is the closest weapon to an opponent and the fastest to deliver. Karate dojo should really focus on this punch, as it is not only simple, but can be extremely... more »
A knifehand strike is a strike using the part of the hand opposite the thumb (from the little finger to the wrist), familiar to many people as a karate chop, (in Japanese, shuto-uchi). This refers to strikes performed with the side of the knuckle of the small finger. Suitable targets for the knife hand... more »
Kote uchi is the forearm strike in Karate. Its primary target is usually the head with strikes to the neck, jaw and ears as the most common. It can also be a strike to the ribs or groin depending on the situation at hand. You can use the forearm strike as a recovery technique if... more »
The name Kushanku refers to the name of the Chinese diplomat from Fukien who is believed to have traveled to Okinawa and taught his system of fighting there. The kata was renamed to Kanku-Dai by Funakoshi Gichin during the 1930′s while developing the now very popular system of karate known as Shotokan. Kushanku is a cornerstone in Wado Ryu: it... more »
Mae Geri (front kick) is the most basic of the many kicks in karate. And it’s fundamental, used more than all kicks in karate, so it’s important a beginner knows it. Steps Position yourself in a double “gedan barai”. This is a normal gedan barai with both arms slanting downwards to the sides of... more »
Mae tobi geri is a jumping (or flying) front kick in Karate. This kick is usually performed in two motions. The first kick not only adds momentum, but is also used to kick aside the blocking hand while the opposite kick attacks the face. Flying kicks can be executed from nearly any stance, though the rear... more »
Mawashi empi uchi (inside circular elbow strike) is a Karate technique. Empi uchi are very strong, they are applied mainly for close range fighting where it’s difficult to avoid or lock them. The elbow strikes are generally forbidden in Karate competitions. They are studied mostly in Katas and self... more »
Mawashi geri (round kick) may be executed from a variety of stances, and there are several methods of proper execution. The portion of its execution that is always consistent is that the kick is executed inward and at an angle that is anywhere from parallel to the floor to 45 degrees upward. In general,... more »