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

T	Glossary
Tachi	A Japanese long sword worn slung from a sword belt. Like the Katana, the Tachi had a single-edged curved blade.
Tachi Rei	Japanese, Standing bow. A salutation common to numerous Martial Arts.
Tae Kwon Do	Way of hands and feet. The primary form of Korean unarmed combat, named during a conference of Chung Do Kwon masters in 1955. It is considered the most popular Martial Art in the world.
Tai Chi Chuan	Grand ultimate fist. An internal system of Kung Fu, also called soft boxing, characterized by its deliberately slow, continuous, circular, well-balanced and rhythmic movements.
Tai Sabaki	Japanese, Body movement.
Taijutsu	Japanese, Body art. A generic term for a system of empty-hand combat.
Taisho	Japanese, The captain of a team.
Taitai	Thai, Nap, a vital point
Tan Tien	Chinese, The psychic center located just below the naval, which protects the center of gravity and produces a reservoir of force upon which to draw. Also known as Tanden.
Tanden	Japanese, Abdomen.
Tang Soo Do	Art of the Chinese hand. A Korean combative differing only slightly from Tae Kwon Do.
Tao	Thai, Foot
Tare Kepala	An Indonesian term, "Tearing the head," or "Pulling the head," a method of throwing used in Silat. Throwing one's opponent by hyperextending the neck via the forehead or the face, in doing so, arching the spine backward, and changing opponent's the center of gravity.
Tashi	Japanese, Expert. An expert of Martial Arts who is of third- to fourth-degree black belt. All belts within this category, however, do not receive this title.
Tatami	Japanese, Straw mat. A mat usually measuring three by six feet and three inches thick (with bound straw inside.)
Tate	Vertical fist.
Tatte	A command to stand up from a kneeling position.
Te	Japanese, Hand.
Teep	Thai, a technique used in Thai Boxing, Push or thrust with the underside of the foot, foot jab.
Teep Dan Lang	Thai, a technique used in Thai Boxing, Foot thrust to the rear.
Teep Drong	Thai, a technique used in Thai Boxing, Straight forward foot push, a form of foot jab.
Teep Duen Son	Thai, a technique used in Thai Boxing, Heel push.
Tetsubishi	Japanese, A four-pointed caltrop used by the Ninja to slow down a pursuer. No matter which way a Tetsubishi landed one sharp point always protruded upward.
Tetsubo	Japanese, Iron staff. A weapon used by the Samurai from either a horse-mounted or ground position.
Tharn Sa Bi Dee Rhuee	Thai, "You are welcome."
Tharn Wa Yarng Rai?	Thai, "How do you say?"
Three Sectional Staff	A Chinese weapon consisting of three rods connected by chain or rope.
Ti	Belt.
Ting	Thai, a term used in Thai Boxing meaning to Throw one's opponent.
Tobu	An expression referring to the head area except the face.
Tocada	Spanish, See Touché.
Tomoe	"Circular" or "stomach."
Tonfa	Handle. An old Okinawan farming tool developed as a weapon by Okinawan farmers.
Tong	Thai, Stomach.
Tong Noi	Thai, Lower stomach, a vital point.
Touch	English, See Touché.
Touché	French, a fencing term used to denote a touch, or a point scored in a match. Also referred to In Spanish and Italian as Tocada.
Tsuba	Japanese, The guard of a Samurai sword.
Tsuka	Japanese, The handle of a Samurai sword.
Tsuzukete	Japanese, "Continue." A term used by the referee in a Karate match, most frequently after a scoreless exchange.
Tabas Talahib	A horizontal strike.
Tabak Maliit	Palm sticks, used in the Filipino Martial Arts.
Tabak-Toyok	Filipino term, Nunchaku.
Tachi	Japanese, to cut; the long sword (Daito); also referring to the horseman's longsword, somewhat shorter than the Daito, and attached at two points to hang horizontally across the back at the waist, for ease of drawing while mounted.
Tadtad	"Full of," or "Multiples of."
Tadyak	Thrust kick.
Tadyak-Gilid	Side thrust kick.
Tadyak-Tusok	Back thrust kick.
Taga	To strike or cut.
Tagang Alaganin	An outwards horizontal strike aimed at the upper torso region.
Tagang Buhat Araw	An overhead strike aimed at the top of the head.
Tagang Pasumala	Primarily a parry, a sweeping upward diagonal strike used to deflect a weapon.
Tagang San Miguel	A diagonal downward and inward strike aimed at the upper torso.
Tagapagsanay	Trainer or assistant instructor.
Tagapagturo	Senior assistant instructor.
Tai	Japanese, having to do with the body, posture, stance, physical structure.
Tai-Otoshi	Japanese, From Judo, body drop throw.
Taijutsu	Japanese, "body-methods;" methods of training and using the body in combat, a general term used in Jujutsu, Ninpo and other traditional Japanese Arts.
Tajo	Spanish, fencing term, a blow delivered forehand. See Mandritti.
Takedown	A technique that brings the opponent to the ground in a controlled and specified (though not necessarily harmless) manner. A Takedown is less ballistic and more gradual than a Throw.
Tala	Star.
Talang Bartikal	Vertical block.
Talas	Sharp or to sharpen.
Talas Damdam	Sensitivity training.
Tameshi Wari	Japanese, breaking techniques.
Tamoto	Japanese, literally: "sleeve," or outside, a term used in Aikido, opposite of Futokoro.
Tan Sao	Also referred to as Taun Sao, this refers an open handed, palm-up pivoting block or parry.
Tan Sao Da	Cantonese, Tan Sao and hit.
Tan Tien	Chinese, see Hara.
Tang Button	English, On a sword, the pommel nut, attaching the handle to the hilt
Tanto	Japanese, literally: "half-sword;" specifically referring to a small chisel-tipped blade akin to the Wakizashi, but shorter. Generally referring to a knife or knife attack, a term used in Aikido.
Tao	Chinese, pronounced "Dow" the way of...; akin to Japanese, Do.
Tapa	To step on the foot.
Tapi	Knife Tapping, or trapping, a term used in Doce Pares Eskrima to denote the methods of trapping used in that system, and the methods used to develop a kinesthetic awareness. Simply, to parry or deflect.
Tapi-on	To block, parry, deflect or check.
Tapi-Tapi	Checking; a series of parries& blocks.
Tapik	To nudge deflect or parry.
Tapos	Finished; the end.
Targe	Italian, French, See Target.
Target	English, A Renaissance-era battlefield shield, made of wood, iron, or iron-plated wood. Typically 22-30 inches in diameter, these round or squarish shields were larger than their civilian cousin, the Buckler. Also referred to as a Targe or Rondash.
Tatlo	Three.
Tatlumpu	Thirty.
Tatlumpu't Isa	Thirty-one.
Tatsulak	Triangle.
Taub	Facing downward.
Tayo	Stance.
Teka	Wait, halt or pause.
Tekubi Waza	Japanese, wrist locking techniques, a term used in Aikido.
Tempo	From the Latin, The cadence of a fight, or the harmony (or disharmony) between the rhythm of two opponents.
Tenchi Nage	Japanese, "heaven and earth" or "sky and ground" throw, a technique used in Aikido.
Tenkan	Spinning or turning, a term used in Aikido to describe a yielding force that adsorbs an opponent's energy and momentum, and is represented by a circle. Sometimes spelled Tenkai.
Terzo	Italian, Fencing term, the central part of a blade, between the point and the hilt.
Throw	English, A Throw is a technique that brings the opponent to a grounded position with a degree of impact, usually preceded by a short launch or lifting of the opponent from the ground, or a sudden and violent increase in momentum, moving the opponent's center of gravity suddenly beyond their points of support. Throws can cause great damage, especially if the opponent is unprepared or untrained in how to safely land. Throws may cause foot, ankle and leg injuries, groin, jaw, face, skull, shoulder, neck and back injuries. Upon landing the arms are also susceptible to injury if they are used improperly to break one's fall.
Tiempo	Spanish, Fencing term, literally: Time; timing, on time. See Tempo.
Tierce	French, Fencing term, high outside parry, palm down (pronated grip).
Tigil	Stop or cease.
Tigpas	A horizontal strike deflected at the knees.
Tihaya	Facing upward.
Tiniklink	Footwork drill.
Tip	English, Fencing term, the thrusting end of a weapon, farthest from the hand in a normal or hammer grip. In the Filipino Martial Arts, this is sometimes called Punto, or Point; the point of a sword, the most dangerous part of a thrusting weapon such as a Rapier.
Tisod	To stumble.
Tjabang	Indonesian term for a Sai, a truncheon-like weapon used in Silat.
Tjambok	A 4' - 6' whip-like weapon used in the Indonesian Martial Art of Silat.
Todome	Japanese, finishing off a downed opponent.
Toe Dai	Chinese, student.
Toe Suen	Chinese, student's student.
Toi Gye	Korean, the name of a form used in Tae Kwon Do, Toi Gye is the pen name of the noted scholar Yi Hwang (16th Century), an authority on neo-confucianism. The 37 movements of the pattern refer to his birthplace on the 37th latitude, and the diagram represents the Chinese character for "scholar."
Tok Sao	Cantonese, Lifting hand; Elbow Pressing Block, used in trapping, this involves moving the opponent's elbow(s) upward from underneath, in a palm-up fashion.
Token Resistance	English, This refers to the nominal amount of pressure used in training to simulate realistic resistance, while still allowing a beginning student to acquire new skills without frustration. This is lessened as the students skills progress, and is replaced with varied degrees of resistance.
Tombak	An Indonesian term for a spear.
Tomoe-Nage	Japanese, From Judo, circle throw. A sacrificial throw involving throwing one's opponent over oneself moving from standing to a prone position.
Tonda	Italian, a fencing term referring to a horizontal line of attack.
Tondo	Italian, fencing term, referring to the horizontal plane or line of attack along a horizontal axis.
Tonfa	Japanese, a side-handled baton, often used in pairs, one of the traditional Okinawan Kobudo weapons.
Tong Il	Korean, the name of a form used in Tae Kwon Do, Tong IL denotes the resolution of the unification of Korea which has been divided since 1945. The diagram symbolized the homogeneous race.
Tongkat	An Indonesian term for a stick or club.
Tori	Japanese, a term used in Aikido to refer to a type of grab; such as Katate Tori, Kote Tori, etc. Sometimes spelled Dori.
Totsada	From the Spanish, A thrust.
Totsar	From the Spanish, To thrust.
Toya	An Indonesian term for a wooden staff, typically made of rattan.
Trancada	From the Spanish, A lock, to lock; locking techniques.
Training Partner	English, The one person who can help you advance. The assumption is: "I will loan you the use of my body so you can improve, in return for the same. Please treat it with respect."
Tsuba	Japanese, the pommel or butt of a sword.
Tsuba Zeriai	Japanese, a term describing a very close range of combat with swords, dueling pommels.
Tsugi-Ashi	Japanese, from Judo, special footwork, specifically designed to set up opponent's momentum for throwing.
Tsuka Tori	Japanese, grabbing of the hilt of the sword, an attack to be defended in Kenjutsu.
Tsuka Gashira	Japanese, the pommel of a sword, particularly referring to the end held forward when sheathed.
Tsuki	Japanese, literally, to thrust or poke, a metaphor for opportunity, an opening, the appropriate time to act. Specific to Karate and Aikido, a punch or other linear attack. In Kenjutsu, this term also refers to a cut to the throat that starts by pushing forward on the blade after the initial point of contact.
Tsurikomi-Goshi	Japanese, from Judo, lifting hip throw.
Tsuyoki	Japanese, "This person has strong ki."
Tuhod	Knee.
Tui Tora	Korean, About Face, turn around, a command used in Tae Kwon Do.
Tul	Korean, a term used to refer to the belt in Tae Kwon Do.
Tulay	Bridge.
Tulisan	The knife fighting art of Kali Ilustrisimo.
Tuloy-tuloy	Continuous.
Tunga-tunga	Medium range.
Tuo	To the right.
Turk's Head	English, On a Renaissance-era sword, a small washer or nut that follows the grip of the handle, and precedes the Tang Button for attaching the grip.
Tusok	To thrust.
Tut Sao	Cantonese, Freeing hand.
Tuyok	Cycling movement; to spin.
Twimyo Apcha Busigi	Korean, flying front kick, double motion front kick, a technique used in Tae Kwon Do.
Twimyo Bandae Dollyogoro Chagi	Korean, mid-air 180 degree reverse hook kick, double motion heel crescent kick, a technique used in Tae Kwon Do.
Twimyo Bandal Chagi	Korean, flying crescent kick, jump outside crescent, a technique used in Tae Kwon Do.
Twimyo Colcho Chagi	Korean, flying hooking kick, fade-away double motion hook kick, a defensive technique used in Tae Kwon Do.
Twimyo Dollyo Chagi	Korean, flying turning kick, jump or flying roundhouse kick, a technique used in Tae Kwon Do.
Twimyo Dwitcha Jirugi	Korean, Midair 180 degree back piercing kick, Jump spin side kick, a technique used in Tae Kwon Do.
Twimyo Nopi Chagi	Korean, flying high kick, jump front kick, a technique used in Tae Kwon Do.
Twimyo Nyopcha Jirugi	Korean, flying side piercing kick, flying side kick, a technique used in Tae Kwon Do.
Twimyo Sewo Chagi	Korean, flying vertical kick.
Twimyo Yobap Cha Busigi	Korean, flying side front kick, a technique used in Tae Kwon Do.
Twimyo Yopcha Milgi	Korean, flying side pushing kick.

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