Introduction

This effort was inspired by the lack of complete esoteric references to terms and phrases that would help the practitioner of martial arts to relate to the cultural aspects that drive the systems.

It is an effort to pass on these esoteric teachings of the Okinawan and Japanese systems of combat, i.e. Okinawan Karate Goshin Do, etc.

It is a compilation of such terms, phrases and characters/ideograms used to convey the more spiritual aspects of training and practice. Not to be confused with religious spirituality.

An effort to define terms/phrases used in the martial art community. The attempt will include, in most cases, the kanji/kana of the term.

Terms to be included are also those determined as "cultural" so that we may get the cultural influences in martial arts.

What is found here is the effort of the author and the author alone. Some come from common words found in many martial systems and some come directly from the mind of this author. Take it all with a grain of salt and give feedback were appropriate to clarify and validate, if possible.

Of course, if this doesn't work for you think of this effort as a teaching tool. Each one is a subject unto itself and provides a generous means of teaching all you can about martial arts, protection and defense.

Let this dictionary be a means to remove all ambiguities from instruction, training and teachings of martial arts. It will provide thought so when you teach, train and practice martial arts you get the full, complete and unabridged version.

Caveat: It should be noted that this author has very little training and experience in the Japanese language and writing. I used a variety of sources that are listed in the bibliography as well as on-line language translators to find the content herein. I ask for contributions about corrections from those who are proficient in both the language and writing. I also understand from my studies that the terms, ideograms and kanji carry a variety of meaning in accordance with the environment and persons using it that can vary enough that even the Japanese have to have explanations to determine true meaning.

Please understand that this content is not written in stone and that all errors are mine and mine alone. I have attempted to get this as accurate and correct as I can at my level.