Glossary

S

Sabaki: Evasion, footwork

San: Three

Sanshin no kata: Three hearts movement methods

Saya: Japanese sword scabbard

Seiza: Seated posture, correct sitting

Sempai: Any student senior to another

Sensei: Teacher or instructor

Shako ken: Claw and palm strike

Shi: Four; finger

Shichi: Seven

Shin: Heart, mind, spirit

Shinai: Practice sword made of split bamboo

Shinken gata: Real fighting form or feeling

Shidoshi: Teacher of the warrior way, godan or higher

Shidoshi-ho: Assistant teacher of the warrior way

Shihan: Honorary title of master teacher; hachidan and above

Shikan ken: Extended knuckle fist

Shikomi zue: A walking stick with hidden weapon

Shime: To choke, constrict, tighten

Shinobi: Another name for the ninja

Shinobi aruki: Ninja walking

Shinobi zue: Staffs and canes of varying sizes

Shinodake: Hollow bamboo cane used to breathe underwater

Shishin ken: Finger needle strike

Shitan ken: Thumb pressure strike

Shizen: Natural

Shomen: The front

Shomen uchi: Forehead strike

Shoten no jutsu: Tree climbing (climbing to the heavens)

Shoto: Short sword

Shuko: Hand claws (also called ‘tekagi’)

Shuriken: Throwing blades, throwing stars

Shuto, Shuto ken: Knife hand or open sword hand

Sojutsu: Art of fighting with a spear

Soke: Head of family; grandmaster

Sokugyaku: Ball of foot kick

Sokuho kaiten: Sideways roll

Sokuho tobi: Sideways leap

Sokuyaku: Foot strike

Sokugyaku: Toe strike

Sui: Water

Suiren: Water training

T

Tabi: Traditional footwear of the Japanese

Tachi: Long sword; a longer version of the katana. worn hanging from the belt edge down

Tai: Large, big, great; also refers to the body

Tai kai: Lit. great party; annual seminar given by Dr. Hatsumi

Tai sabaki: Body evasion; natural movements for evading attacks

Taihenjutsu: Body changing arts: rolling, leaping, silent movement, tumbling, breakfalls

Taijutsu: Body techniques, unarmed combat methods

Taiso: Flexibility exercise; stretches

Takagi: Tall tree, large tree

Take: Bamboo

Tanto: Knife; dagger; dirk

Tatami: Straw mat

Te: Hand; arm

Ten: Heaven, sky; top

Tessen: Iron fan

To: And; head; sword

Tobi: Leaping and jumping skills

Tobi keri: Leaping kick

Tori: To seize, catch; the one applying the technique

Tsuba: Sword guard (hilt)

Tsuki: Thrust, punch