Sage Arts Unlimited - Student Section - Glossary of Martial Arts Terminology

K	Glossary
Kaa	Thai, Leg.
Kaayusan	Order or organization.
Kabakas	Partner or assistant.
Kabaroan	A term used by the Ilocanos (a group of inhabitants of the Philippines) to describe Kali, "new style," also referred to as "Cabaroan," or "Didya."
Kabuto	Japanese, The helmet worn by the Samurai. It was made of iron or lacquered leather, and was secured to the head by a series of silk cords.
Kachi	Japanese, Win or victory.
Kachinuki Shiai	Japanese, A type of contest in which a contestant takes on each opponent in succession without rest between matches until he or she is defeated. Each win counts as one, and a draw counts as one-half but eliminates both contestants.
Kadena	From the Spanish, Chain-like series of movements.
Kado	Ikebana, Japanese practice of flower arranging, one of the arts comprising the practice of Bushido.
Kadyot	A shallow, snap thrust.
Kaen	Thai, Arm.
Kagangai	Thai, the Jawbone, a vital point.
Kagi Yari	Japanese, Key spear. A hooked spear used for parrying and hooking an opponent's weapon. Like the Jutte, it was useful to the police in making arrests.
Kai	Thai, Camp.
Kai Muay	Thai, Boxing camp.
Kaiken	Japanese, Short knife. A six-inch knife used by women of the Samurai class.
Kaiten	Japanese, one revolution, as in a circle.
Kaitenage	Japanese, "windmill" or "rolling" throw; a technique used in Aikido. Sometimes spelled Kaiten Nage.
Kajukenbo	A hybrid method of combat founded in Hawaii in 1947 by five experts Walter Choo, Joseph Holke, Frank Ordonez, Adriano Emperado, and Clarence Chang.
Kakato	Japanese, Heel of the foot.
Kakato Otoshi Geri	Japanese, Axe kick.
Kakup	Rank.
Kalahati	Half.
Kalari Payat	An ancient form of Indian combat embracing hand-to-hand techniques and weapons such as the staff and daggers.
Kalas	To disengage, release or disarm.
Kalasag	To shield.
Kalas-Sandata	Disarming technique.
Kali	A term referring to the older forms of the Filipino Martial Arts.
Kaliradman	A term for Kali used by the Visayans, also referred to as "Pagaradman."
Kalirongan	A term for Kali used by the Pagasinan natives.
Kaliwa	Left side.
Kama	Japanese, a small handheld sickle, often used in pairs, traditional Okinawan Kobudo weapons.
Kama Yari	Japanese, A spear to which a single-edged, sickle-shaped blade is attached.
Kamab	Thai, the Temples, vital points.
Kamae	Japanese, posture, sometimes spelled Gamae.
Kamagong	A type of dense hardwood native to the Philippines, often used in the production of weapons for use in the Filipino Martial Arts. Kamagong is harder than Bahi, but slightly less dense and lighter than Cocobolo.
Kamay	The hand.
Kamayan	Empty-hand training.
Kami Shiho Gatame	Japanese, from Judo, north-south position hold down; four quarter hold down.
Kamiza	Japanese, "Divine seat" or "upper seat. The area at the front of the Dojo where the instructors and honored guests sit.
Kamot	To punch.
Kampilan	A large, straight bladed sword from the Philippines, one of the four main weapons indigenous to the Central Philippines.
Kan Shu	Penetration hand. A Chinese training method in which a practitioner thrusts his or her hands into powder, then rice, sand, beans, and finally pebbles, to condition the limbs for striking.
Kanan	The right side.
Kancho	Japanese, Head of a Martial Arts system.
Kang Fa	Hard method. A ancient art of Chinese boxing that concentrated on kicking and thrusting techniques.
Kansetsu Waza	Japanese, from Judo, Jiujitsu; joint locking techniques.
Kanzashi	Japanese, Hairpin. An ornamental hairpin used for self-protection by the women of feudal Japan.
Kao	1. Thai, Knee. 2. Thai, Nine.
Kao Drong	Thai, a technique used in Thai Boxing, a Frontal knee kick.
Kao Kong	Thai, a technique used in Thai Boxing, Over-arm knee kick.
Kao Loy	Thai, a technique used in Thai Boxing, Jumping knee kick.
Kapatid	Brother.
Karasa	A term used in the Filipino Martial Arts referring to a Long rectangular shield used in conjunction with a sword or spear. The use of this in terms of Pananjakman refers to the use of the arms and shin to "shield" against a kick or strong attack.
Karate	Japanese, Empty hand; Chinese hand; predominant system of empty-handed Martial Arts from Japan.
Karateka	Japanese, One who practices Karate; a practitioner of Martial Arts.
Karunungan	Knowledge.
Kasa	To cock or chamber; to accept a challenge.
Kasama	Companion, friends.
Kashira	Japanese, "Pommel cap" or "ferrule. A metal cap covering the tip of the hilt of Japanese swords, daggers and so forth.
Kata	Forms; Japanese term describing traditional method of passing on information and training methods using a series of prescribed motions and techniques in a prearranged order. In Korean, Hyung; in Pilipino, Pormas, in Tagalog, Sayaw.
Kata Tori	Japanese, wrist grab, a term used in Aikido, also spelled Kote Tori, Kata Dori.
Kata-Gatame	Japanese, Single shoulder hold down, similar to Kesa-Gatame; also refers to a choke from this position.
Kata-Ha-Jime	Japanese, Single wing strangle.
Kata-Juji-Jime	Japanese, Half cross strangle; one palm up, four fingers grip, one palm down, thumb grip. Also refers to the papercutter choke from the cross body position.
Katame-Waza	Japanese, grappling techniques.
Katana	Japanese style longsword, often possessing a chisel tip and a slight curve.
Katapatan	Loyalty.
Katarungan	Justice.
Katate	Japanese, a term used in Aikido to refer to the shoulder or lapel.
Katate Tori	Japanese, shoulder or lapel grab, a term used in Aikido.
Katawan	Referring to the body or torso.
Katipunan	Organization, association, or brotherhood.
Katsu	Japanese, resuscitation points.
Kehai	Japanese, a sign, indication, opportunity; subtle indicators in fighting.
Keibo	Japanese, A wooden club used by the police.
Ken	Japanese, sword.
Kendo	Japanese, way of the sword, one of the primary arts comprising Bushido.
Kenjutsu	Japanese, Art of the sword. An aggressive method of swordsmanship practiced by the Japanese feudal warriors in which the combatants pitted naked blade against naked blade.
Kenkoy	A derogatory term used for unrealistic or impractical styles of fighting.
Kenkyaku	Japanese, Fencer. One of many words used to describe those who lived by the sword, especially in literary usage.
Kenpo	Japanese, Fist Law. A modern term describing one of the more innovative Martial Arts practiced in Hawaii and the Americas, developed by Ed Parker.
Keri	Japanese, Kick.
Kesa-Gatame	Japanese, Scarf-hold position, collar hold down, headlock position.
Khob Chai Mark	Thai, "Thanks, very much."
Khob Ton Rub Tharn	Thai, "You are welcome."
Khuen Kru	Thai, a term used in Thai Boxing referring to the ceremony during which a teacher accepts a new student.
Ki	Japanese, Spirit. Ideally, the mental and spiritual power summoned through concentration and breathing that can be applied to accomplish physical feats. This centralized energy, possessed by every person, can be manifested through the practice of just about any martial discipline. See Chi.
Ki Musubi	Japanese, matching your partner's movements.
Kiai	1. Japanese: yell, shout, spirit shout. Sometimes spelled Kwai or Kwatz; in Korean, Kiap. 2. Japanese, Spirit meeting. A loud shout or yell of self-assertion most common to the Japanese and Okinawan martial disciplines.
Kiba-Dachi	Japanese, Horse stance; riding or center stance.
Kihap	Korean, See Ki.
Kihon	Japanese, "Basics" or "basic training. In Karate, the repetition of the fundamental techniques.
Kihon Ken No Sosaho	Japanese, basic sword movement.
Kiki Wake	Japanese, a tie, in a match, a conclusion that ends in a draw.
Kilat	"Lightning Blow."
Kilos	Movement.
Kilos-Paa	Footwork.
Kime	Japanese, Bushido concept of a focussed, concentrated intention. Tightening of one's mind to the point of perfect action devoid of distraction, hesitation, or uncertainty. Also refers to blocking or fixation in general.
Kimura	Brazilian Jiu Jitsu jargon, Hammerlock, or Figure-four arm lock with arm held downward, applying pressure to the shoulder joint.
Kina-Iya	Natural.
Kinteki Geri	Japanese, groin kick.
Kiritsuki	Japanese, Cut and thrust. The cutting action of the sword.
Kissaki	Japanese, the cutting tip of the sword; last three inches of the sword blade.
Kito Ryu	Japanese, One of the early Jujutsu schools which especially influenced Jigoro Kano's formulation of Kodokan Judo.
Klewang	An Indonesian term for a long sword with a single cutting edge and a protruding notch near its tip, similar in shape and length to a Filipino Kampilan.
Kobudo	Japanese, "Weapons way." A generic term coined in the 20th century, which can be used to describe collectively all Okinawan combatives. However, it is more accurate to specify "Okinawan Kobudo" in order to distinguish them from "Japanese Kobudo.
Kobudo	Japanese, Okinawan system of traditional weaponry, an art derivative of Okinawan Karate.
Kodachi	Japanese, Small sword. A forerunner of the Wakizashi, that boasts a blade between twelve and eighteen inches.
Kodansha	Japanese, A high-ranking Judo black belt of fifth degree and above.
Koguryo	Korean, one of the three ancient kingdoms of Korea.
Kogusoku	Japanese, An ancient method of unarmed combat mentioned in connection with Kumiuchi and Sumo in the oldest records of the Japanese Martial Arts.
Kohai	Japanese, A junior in a school or organization.
Kojiri	Japanese, The Chape or end cap of the scabbard of a Samurai sword.
Kokoro	Japanese, heart; that which one has who perseveres.
Kokyo Ho	Japanese, breathing methods.
Kokyo Nage	Japanese, Breath or timing throw, a method of action used in Aikido which denotes great skill in execution and awareness. This type of throw involves harnessing the momentum of an attacker to throw them or negate their attack. Sometimes referred to as Aikinage.
Kokyu	Japanese, "Breathing" or "Ki."
Kokyu-Ryoku	Japanese, a term used in Aikido to describe the perfect coordination of consciousness, breath power and body.
Konasa	A term used in the Filipino Martial Arts referring to a Small Circular shield used in conjunction with a sword or spear. The use of this in terms of Pananjakman refers to the use of the opposite arm and shin to "shield" against a kick or strong attack. This type of shield is used with a rolling motion, differentiating it from the motion described by the term Karasa.
Konigsmarke	German, see Colichemarde.
Koo Ek	Thai, a term used in Thai Boxing referring to the Main bout on a card, literally the "number one pair."
Koshi	Japanese, Ball of the foot, or the hip(s).
Koshi Nage	Japanese, "fireman's carry" throw, or over-the-back hip throw, a technique used in Aikido.
Ko-Soto-Gake	Japanese, from Judo, foot hook.
Kote	Japanese, a term used in Aikido to refer to the wrist or gauntlet portion of the arm.
Kote Gaeshi	Japanese, wrist turn-out; outside wristlock used in Aikido and many other locking arts. Sometimes referred to as Kote Hineri.
Kote Hineri	Japanese, a general term used to describe joint locking techniques used to twist the wrist. See Kote Gaeshi.
Ko-Tsuri-Goshi	Japanese, from Judo, a form of hip throw.
Ko-Uchi-Gari	Japanese, from Judo, minor inner reaping.
Kow Sao	Cantonese, "Double Circling Hands" technique. Sometimes spelled Kao Sao.
Kow Sao Da	Cantonese, Kow Sao and hit.
Kow Tao	Cantonese, Headbutt strike.
Kradot	Thai, a term used in Thai Boxing meaning to Jump.
Kris	A bladed weapon used in the Filipino Martial Arts which has a wavy blade, often seen as a cultural symbol, with significance given to the number of waves in the blade and the etchings and engravings along the blade and the handle. One of the 4 main weapons of the Central Philippines.
Kru Muay	Thai, Boxing teacher, See Ajarn.
Ku	Japanese, significant concept of nothingness, void.
Ku Ki Yea Tae Hae	Korean phrase, Face the flag, used in Tae Kwon Do.
Kuan Tao	A method of Chinese boxing practiced in Indonesia, Malaysia and the Philippines.
Kuen	Chinese, See Kata.
Kuji Kiri	Japanese, Energy channeling. A hypnotic movement of the fingers used by the Ninja to confuse their opponents. Known as Mudras in Sanskrit.
Kumite	Japanese: sparring, fighting; a formalized match or sparring session that takes place in the dojo or at a tournament, as opposed to a street fight.
Kumiuchi	Japanese, Grappling. Wrestling techniques originally used by the Samurai on the battlefield and which gave birth to Jujutsu.
Kuneh	Korean, Pronounced "Koon-yeh" a command to bow, Bowing.
Kung Fu	A generic term for a majority of the Chinese Martial Arts. Kung Fu has two major divisions. The southern styles display a clear preference for techniques of strength and power, whereas the northern styles employ soft, open movement.
Kunsi	Grappling techniques.
Kuntao	Chinese, "First way," system.
Kup	The grade levels below black belt in the Korean Martial Arts.
Kup Sao	Cantonese, Capturing hand; scooping hand.
Kupso	Korean, The vital points of the body.
Kurbada	From the Spanish, Literally, "Curved," a term used in Doce Pares Eskrima to represent the close range indirect strikes that are delivered in an Abaniko manner so as to strike around the opponent's blocking attempts and create openings by their response for larger, more powerful strikes.
Kusari Fundo	Japanese, A small chain with weighted ends.
Kusarigama	Japanese, A chain-sickle weapon, noted for its efficiency in neutralizing the sword at long range.
Kuzishi	Japanese, From Judo, off-balancing methods; breaking opponent's posture. Sometimes spelled Kuzushi.
Kuzure-Kami-Shiho-Gatame	Japanese, Modified north-south position hold down, grappler in the superior position makes use of the out-rigger posture, with both arms gripping from over the armpit and at the belt of the opponent, pulling them into their hips, with the outrigger on the belt-grip side.
Kuzure-Kesa-Gatame	Japanese, Brazilian scarf-hold; modified Kesa-Gatame, with the crossing arm under the opponent's armpit, as opposed to around their neck.
Kuzushi Waza	Japanese, In Aikido, this term refers to techniques that break an opponent's balance before executing the throw.
Kwaa	Thai, Right, to the right.
Kwai	Cantonese, Down.
Kwai Jern	Cantonese, Down elbow.
Kwon Sao	Cantonese, Crossed Arms Block, a combination of the Boang Sao and the Taun Sao. Used in trapping.
Kwonbop	A Chinese method of unarmed combat that spread to and was popularized in Korea between A.D. 1147 - 1170.
Kwoon	A facility in which the Chinese Martial Arts are practiced.
Kwoon	Cantonese, School or dojo.
Kyocha Sogi	Korean, X-stance, used in Tae Kwon Do.
Kyokpa	Korean, Breaking.
Kyong Ye	Korean phrase, to Salute (over heart) or bow, used in Tae Kwon Do.
Kyosaku	Japanese, The stick of awakening, a device used in traditional Zen meditation.
Kyoshi	A Japanese Martial Arts teacher who is sixth- or seventh-degree black belt rank.
Kyu	Japanese, A rank designation signifying a level of achievement below black belt or Dan rank in the Martial Arts.
Kyubo	Japanese, Chest area.
Kyudo	Japanese practice of Archery, one of the Arts comprising the practice of Bushido.
Kyudo	Japanese, Way of the bow. The modern practice of archery as a discipline of coordinated integration. Kyudo's basis is the clarity of execution, the poise, and the control over the bow.
Kyuketsu Shoge	Japanese, a twin bladed knife consisting of a handle attached to a rope or chain with a metal ring at its end. From the handle stem two blades, one over the other, one straight and long, the other curved towards the user's knuckles. This is a traditional Ninpo weapon.
Kyun Hyung	Korean, breath control, a factor in the theory of power, a concept studied in Tae Kwon Do.
Kyushu	Japanese, moving out of range of your opponent's attack so that you draw their power or momentum with little or no contact.

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