Martial Arts: Karate (PATHFIT3)

Prepared by: Prof. Reginald Alexander L. Bernardo

Course Description: Martial Arts: Karate (PATHFIT3)

This course offers a menu of physical activity options—including dance, sports, martial arts,
group exercise, outdoor, and adventure activities—designed to develop fitness and lifelong
wellness. Students engage in varied movement experiences to enhance cardiorespiratory
endurance, musculoskeletal strength, agility, and coordination. Through structured training,
active participation, and self-directed physical activities, learners are encouraged to set,
monitor, and evaluate personal fitness and dietary goals.

 History
Karate is an art of self-defense. Karate is a Japanese martial art whose physical aspects
seek the development of defensive and counterattacking body movements. It also focuses on
personal development and improvement of character.

Karate evolved in East Asia over a period of centuries, becoming systematized in

Okinawa in the 17th century, probably by people forbidden to carry weapons. It was imported
into Japan in the 1920s.

Karate is a martial art that became recognized in Japan during the 17th century. And its
origins are not in mainland Japan at all: It was born in the archipelago of Okinawa, a long-
independent kingdom whose culture was heavily influenced by China, and which maintains its
own identity today.

Gichin Funakoshi is credited as being the father of modern karate. Like many other forms
of martial arts, karate focuses on a belt ranking system, mental strength, coordination and
respect. The word karate, which means “empty hands” in Japanese, indicates that a practitioner
of the art doesn’t hold a weapon, students of karate are taught that their bodies are weapons.
They learn a variety of kicks and punches, as well as blocks for defensive positions.

Its practice is thought to have become influenced by Chinese settlers in Okinawa, who
brought techniques with them that blended Chinese and Indian self-defense styles. The practice
of modifying and changing karate has continued over the centuries, generating a variety of styles.
For this reason, there are many types of karate currently practiced. Karate continues to evolve
and change as new karate masters open schools and generate followings. There are currently
more types of karate than you can reasonably count.

Karate is more than just a sport. Instead, karate is a way of life, with teachings that lean
heavily towards moral and mental aspects to allow people to become the best versions of
themselves. At the same time, students are taught how to deliver powerful blows and block
attacks in the name of self-defense rather than violence.
  Major Styles of Karate
The four major karate styles are Goju-ryu, Shotokan-ryu, Wado-ryu and Shito-ryu.
Each form is derived in some way from the karate established by Gichin Funakoshi. Each one
has its own techniques that rely heavily on the core tenets of karate in general. However, they
offer ways for each style to distinguish itself and cement itself as a main style of karate while
displaying the differences.

Shotokan (House of Shoto/Pine Breeze)

Shotokan-ryu is a style created by the Gichin Funakoshi himself and named after the penname
he used for writing poetry. After studying in Okinawa, he moved to Tokyo on mainland Japan
and established this style in 1938. Utilizing wide stances and linear methods, this form enables
students to deliver impressive strikes in a quick and efficient manner using the hands, elbows,
knees and feet. By far the most popular style, this one is widely known throughout the world.

Goju-ryu (Hard-Soft)
Goju-ryu is a style of karate that was established in 1930 by Chojun Miyagi who was a student
of Kanryo Higaonna. This form is comprised of formidable counter-strike movements in the
offensive positions and soft and circular blocks in the defensive positions that resemble jujitsu. It
also uses breathing power and a variety of stances that offer soft and hard techniques capable of
showing the differences between karate styles.

Wado-ryu (The Way of Peace)

This style of karate is an offshoot of Shotokan-ryu and is all about the harmony of movements,
being rather similar to the martial art jujitsu. Hienori Otsuka created this spiritual form of karate
in 1939. Rather than focusing on contact sparring, it teaches students how to move the body to
avoid attacks. As a way of distinguishing itself from other karate styles, this fluid form of karate
uses shorter stances compared to other ones.

Shito-ryu
Shito-ryu was created in 1928 by Kenwa Mabuni, it is all about landing powerfully accurate
strikes. A high emphasis is placed on technique in these styles, as evidenced by the fifty katas
students learn, which are predetermined moves for attacks and defense that student must perfect.
Oftentimes, these katas are demonstrated as part of competitions and students can be tested on
them. This particular style requires physical strength and strong stances to perform the moves.
Shito-ryu focuses on fluidity and speed during katas and sparring.

Kenwa Mabuni originally named his system 'Hanko Ryu' (half-hard style), but later changed it to
reflect the deep respect he felt towards his two great masters, Itosu and Higaonna. Using the
alternative reading of the kanji for 'Ito' from master Itosu's name, (which can also be read as
'Shi'), and 'Higa' from master Higaonna's name, (which can be interpreted as 'To'), kenwa mabuni
created the new name, 'Shito' for his style of karate.
  Basic defense (Blockings and Striking)
Blockings
Jodan Uke Upper/Rising/High Block
Yoko Uke Outside Block
Harai Uke Downward/Lower Block
Yoko Uchi or Uchi Uke Inside-Out Block

Stances
Zenkutsu Dachi Forward Stance
Hachiji Dachi Open Leg Toe's 45°
Heisoku Dachi Feet Together
Mosubi Dachi Heels Together

Punches
Zuki or Tsuki Punch
Uchi Strike
Jodan High Section
Chudan Middle Section
Gedan Low Section
Choku-Zuki Straight Punch
/Choku-Tsuki

Kickings
Geri or Keri Kick
Keage Snap
Kekomi Thrust
Mae Geri Front Kick
Ushiro Geri Back Kick
Yoko Geri Side Kick
Mawashi Geri Roundhouse Kick

 Terminologies
TERMINOLOGIES JAPANESE ENGLISH
Karate Terms & Anata You
Commands Anza Sitting position, cross legged
Ashi Foot
Ashi-Kubi Ankle
Atama Head
Barai Sweep
Bunkai Kata Technique Application
Chudan Middle (Level)
Dachi Stance
Dan Black Belt Grade or Rank
Dojo School (Karate)
Dojo Kun Training Hall Rules
Domo Thank You (Informal)
Domo Arigato Thank You (Formal)
Dozo Please
Embusen or Enbusen This is the term used to refer to the
spot where a kata begins. In addition,
nearly all kata start and end on
exactly the same Embusen point.
Empi or Enpi Elbow
Empi-Uchi or Enpi-Uchi Elbow Strike
Gedan Low (Level)
Geri or Keri Kick
Gi Uniform
Gyaku Reverse
Hai Yes
Hajime Begin/Start
Harau Sweeping Techniques
Hidari Left
Hikite Pulling Hand (bringing hand back to
ready position)
Hiza Knee
Iie No
Jodan Upper (Level)
Kakato Heel
Karateka Practitioner of Karate
Kata Form or Pattern
Keage Snap
Kekomi Thrust
Keri or Geri Kick
Ki Type of intrinsic energy. Known as
Qi or Chi in Chinese martial arts.
Kiai Shout
Kihon Basic Techniques
Kime Focus
Kiotsuke Attention
Kohai Junior Student
Kokyu Ho Breathing exercises
Kumite Sparring
Kyu Grade or Rank
Mae Front
Mawatte Turn Around
 Migi Right
Mo Ichi Do One More Time
Mokuso Meditate
Mushin Void or State of No Mind
Nage Throw
Neko Cat (i.e. Neko Ashi Dachi = Cat Foot
Stance or Cat Stance)
Nodo Throat
Obi Belt
Oss or Osu Push On Through Difficulties.
Rei Bow
Sayonara Goodbye
Senpai or Sempai Senior Student
Sensei Teacher/Instructor
Seiza Kneel
Seiza Waza Kneeling Techniques
Shihan Teacher of the Teacher
Shomen Front wall of a Dojo
Shuto Knife Hand
Tatami Practice/Training Mat
Te Hand
Tsuki or Zuki Punch
Uke Block
Ushiro Back
Watashi I (Me)
Waza Technique
Yame Stop
Yoko Side
Counting In Ichi One
Japanese Ni Two
San Three
Shi Four
Go Five
Roku Six
Shichi or Nana Seven
Hachi Eight
Kyu Nine
Juu Ten
Karate Punches & Zuki or Tsuki Punch
Hand Strikes Uchi Strike
Jodan High Section
Chudan Middle Section
Gedan Low Section
Age Zuki (Age-Tsuki) Uppercut Punch or Rising Punch
Choku Zuki (Choku-Tsuki) Straight Punch
 Enpi (Empi) Uchi Elbow Strike
Gyaku Zuki (Gyaku-Tsuki) Reverse Punch
Haishu Uchi Back Hand Strike
Haito Uchi Ridge Hand Strike
Hasami Zuki Scissor Punch
Heiko Zuki Parallel Punch
Ippon Ken One Finger Strike
Nihon Ken Two Finger Strike
Kage Zuki (Kage-Tsuki) Hook Punch
Kizami Zuki (Kizami-Tsuki) Jab Punch
Mawashi Zuki (Maswashi- Roundhouse Punch
Tsuki)
Morote Zuki (Morote-Tsuki) Double Fist Punch or Double U
Punch
Nukite Spear Hand Strike
Nihon Nukite Two Finger Spear
Oi-Zuki (Oi-Tsuki) Lunge Punch
Sokumen Zuki Double Side Punch
Shotei Uchi Palm Heel Strike or Palm Strike
Shuto Uchi Knife Hand Strike
Tate Zuki (Tate-Tsuki) Vertical Punch
Teisho Uchi Palm Heel Strike
Tobikomi Zuki Snap Punch
Uraken Uchi Back Fist Strike
Ura Zuki (Ura-Tsuki) Upside-Down Punch or Inverted
Punch (To The Solar Plexus)
Yama Zuki (Yama-Tsuki) Two-Level Double Punch or
Mountain Punch
Karate Kicking Geri or Keri Kick
Techniques Keage Snap
Kekomi Thrust
Ashi Barai Foot Sweep
Fumikomi Stomp or Stomping Kick
Gedan Mawashi Geri Low Roundhouse Kick
Hiza Geri Knee Strike
Kakato Otoshi Geri Axe Kick
Kansetsu Geri Joint Kick
Kin Geri Groin Kick
Mae Geri Front Kick
Mae Geri Keage Front Snap Kick
Mae Geri Kekomi Front Thrust Kick
Mae Tobi Geri Jumping Front Kick
Mawashi Geri Roundhouse Kick
Mikazuki Geri Crescent Kick
Uchi Mikazuki Geri Inside Crescent Kick, In-To-Out
 Crescent Kick, etc.
Nidan Tobi Geri (or Nidan Jumping Double Front Kick
Geri)
Otagai Each Other
Otoshi Mawashi Geri Downward Roundhouse Kick,
Circular Falling Kick, Falling
Roundhouse Kick, etc.
Tatsumaki Senpuu Kyaku Tornado Kick
Tobi Geri Jumping Kick
Tobi Hiza Geri Jumping Knee Strike
Tobi Mae Geri or Mae Tobi Jumping Front Kick
Geri
Tobi Mawashi Geri Jumping Roundhouse Kick
Tobi Ushiro Geri Jumping Back Kick
Tobi Yoko Geri or Yoko Tobi Jumping Side Kick or Flying Side
Geri Kick
Tsumasaki Geri Toe Kick
Uchi Haisoku Geri Twist Kick, Instep Kick, etc.
Ura Mawashi Geri Reverse Roundhouse Kick or Hook
Kick
Ura Ushiro Mawashi Geri Spinning Reverse Roundhouse Kick,
Spinning Wheel Kick, Spinning
Hook Kick, etc.
Ushiro Geri Back Kick
Ushiro Geri Keage Back Snap Kick
Ushiro Geri Kekomi Back Thrust Kick
Yoko Geri Side Kick
Yoko Geri Keage Side Snap Kick
Yoko Geri Kekomi Side Thrust Kick
Yoko Tobi Geri Jumping Side Kick or Flying Side
Kick
Karate Stances Dachi Stances
Fudo Dachi Immovable Stance, A Cross Between
Front And Back Stance (Sochin
Dachi)
Gankaku Dachi Crane Stance
Hachiji Dachi Open Leg Toe's 45°
Hangetsu Dachi "Half-Moon" Stance
Heiko Dachi Parallel Leg Stance
Heisoku Dachi Feet Together
Kiba Dachi Horse Stance
Kokutsu Dachi Back Stance
Kosa Dachi Crossed-Leg Stance
Mosubi Dachi Heels Together
Nekoashi Dachi Cat Stance
 Sanchin Dachi Hour-Glass Stance
Shiko Dachi Sumo/Square Stance
Zenkutsu Dachi Forward Stance
Karate Strikes Empi Uchi Elbow Strike
Haito Uchi Ridge-Hand Strike
Kentsui Uchi (Or Tettsui Hammer Fist Strike
Uchi)
Mae Empi Forward Elbow Strike
Mawashi Empi Uchi Roundhouse (Circular) Elbow Strike
Otoshi Empi Uchi Dropping Elbow Strike
Tate Empi Uchi Rising Elbow Strike
Tate Uraken Uchi Vertical Back-Fist Strike
Ushiro Empi Uchi Elbow Strike Aiming Behind Own
Body
Yoko Mawashi Empi Uchi Side Elbow Strike
Nukite Stabbing Using the Extended Index
Finger or Both the Index and the
Middle Fingers
Karate Blocks Jodan Uke or Age Uke Upper/Rising/High Level Block
Yoko Uchi or Uchi Uke Inside-Out Block
Yoko or Soto Uke Outside Block
Harai Uke or Gedan Barai Downward/Lower Level Block
Shuto Uke Knife Hand Block
Morote Uke Reinforced (Augmented) Block
Juji Uke X Block (Upward or Downward)
Kakiwake Uke X Block (Middle)
Manji Uke Double Block with One Arm in
Gedan Barai and the Other in Uchi
Uke.
Kumite Commands Go No Sen Allow the Opponent to Attack First
So as to open up Targets for
Counterattack
Inasu Avoid an On-Coming Attack by
Removing Your Body from the Line
of Attack
Sen No Sen Attack at the Exact Moment That the
Opponent Attacks
Sen Sen No Sen Attack before the Opponent Attacks
Tai Sabaki Shift to Remove Your Body from the
Line of Attack
Dojo Kun Hitotsu, Jinkaku Kansei Ni Strive for the perfection of character
Tsutomeru Koto
Hitotsu, Makoto No Michi Wo Defend the path of truth
Mamoru Koto
Hitotsu, Doryoku No Seishin Foster the spirit of effort
 Wo Yashinau Koto
Hitotsu, Reigi Wo Omonzuru Honor the principles of etiquette
Koto
Hitotsu, Kekki No Yū Wo Guard against impetuous courage
Imashimuru Koto
Proper Opening: Opening:
Seiza Kneel
Mokuso Meditate
Dojo Kun Training Hall Rules
Shomen ni, rei Face the Front wall of a Dojo, Bow
Otogae ni, rei Bow to your peers, Bow
Closing: Closing:
Shomen ni, rei Face the Front wall of a Dojo, Bow
Otagai ni, rei Face each other/peers, Bow
Senpai ni, rei Face the Senior Student, Bow
Mawatte Face Back