Along with training in Isshinryu Karate-do, there is an extensive amount of vocabulary with which students should be familiar. Much of the vocabulary becomes second nature due to frequent in-class use. Other terms require a little more study. Below are most of the terms a new karate-ka should learn.
Karate [ka-ra-te] - empty hand
Isshin [e-shin] - one heart
Ryu [ru] - style
Do [dou] - way
Shihan [she-hon] - master
Shiai [she-eye] - contest
Mokuso [moke-so] - meditation
Rei [ray] - bow
Hajime [ha-jim-mey] - begin
Kumae [ku-may] - guard
Kiotsuke [ki-ote-ski] - attention
Dojo [do-jo] - training hall
Aite [eye-i-tay] - opponent
Kumite [ku-me-tay] - sparring
Waza [wah-zah] - technique
Gi [ghee] - uniform
Obi [o-be] - belt
Kiai [kee-eye] - shout
Kime [kee-may] - focus
Kyu [kiu] - grade
Kyusho [kiu-sho] - vital points
Dan [don] - degree
Shodan [sho-don] - black belt
Kata [ka-tah] - form
Arigato [ar-e-gah-toh] - thank you
Uchi [oo-chee] - inside
Dachi [dach] - stance
Karateka [ka-ra-ti-ka] - karate student
Hachimaka [hach-e-ma-ka] - headband
Sazen [say-zen] - formal seated position
Makiwara [ma-kee-war-a] - striking post
Bunkai [boon-kye] - explanation
Maai [may-aye] - distancing
Ippon [ip-pon] - point
Mizu gami [miz-oo-gah-me] - Shinto water goddess
Ippon Kumite - one step sparring
Matte [mah-tay] - stop
Bo [boh] - wooden staff
Sai [sye] - Hand swords
Nunchakus [nun-chah-kus] - enjoined fighting sticks
Mu-shin [moo-shin] - No-mindedness
Yakusoku Kumite [Yahk-sku] - prearranged sparring
Tameshiwari [tom-she-war-e] breaking
Simban [sim-bon] - referee
Tatami [tah-tah-me] - straw mat
Yamein [yah-mane] - halt or rest
Yudansha [yu-don-sha] - black belt holder
Japanese Counting
In class, we do a lot of activities 'by the numbers'. It's a good idea to learn to count in Japanese sooner rather than later. Most of the time, students will need to know how to count from 1 to 10, but knowing how to count beyond 10 is eventually necessary. Here is how to count from 1-30 in Japanese. Once you recognize the pattern, the rest is easy!
1 - ichi ("eech") 11 - ju-ichi 21 - ni-ju-ich 40 - yon-ju
2 - ni (nee) 12 - ju-ni 22 - ni-ju-ni 50 - go-ju
3 - san (sahn) 13 - ju-san 23 - ni-ju-san 60 - rok-ju
4 - shi (she) 14 - ju-shi 24 - ni-ju-shi 70 - nana-ju
5 - go (go) 15 - ju-go 25 - ni-ju-go 80 - hachi-ju
6 - rok (roke) 16 - ju-rok 26 - ni-ju-rok 90 - ku-ju
7 - sichi (seech) 17 - ju-sichi 27 - ni-ju-sichi 100 - hya-ku
8 - hachi (hach) 18 - ju-hachi 28 - ni-ju-hachi
9 - ku (koo) 19 - ju-ku 29 - ni-ju-ku
10 - ju (joo) 20 - ni-ju 30 - san-ju