At Indianapolis Shotokan Karate, we practice traditional Shotokan karate-do, honoring the teachings of its founder, Gichin Funakoshi. Funakoshi, born in Okinawa, dedicated his life to karate, introducing it to mainland Japan in the early 20th century.
In 1963, Tsutomu Ohshima, a direct student of Shotokan Karate founder Gichin Funakoshi and head instructor of Shotokan Karate of America (SKA), began teaching Japanese language at Maryknoll School in Los Angeles. His disciplined approach extended beyond language, and upon request from student John Teramoto, Ohshima Sensei founded the Maryknoll Karate Club, the world’s first elementary school karate club.
Mr. John Teramoto (Godan) began training with Tsutomu Ohshima, founder of Shotokan Karate of America (SKA), at age 13 in 1963, forming what may be the world’s first elementary school karate club. He received his Godan in 1990, served as SKA Black Belt Council President (1998-2017) and SKA President (2017-2018), and was named SKA Shihan in 2020.
Mr. Teramoto has been teaching Karate at Indianapolis Shotokan Karate Club and since 2000.
Glossary
Numbers | General | Standing Forms | Blocks | Hand Techniques (punches and other striking techniques) | Kicks | Sparring | Throwing Techniques
- Pronunciation keys of Japanese terms are given in parentheses.
- How to read Japanese in English alphabet (rōmaji):English vowels a=ah, i=ee, u=oo, e=eh and o=oh
- A macron or a line over a vowel indicates that it is pronounced for twice the length of the vowel without a macron or a line. Sometimes an "h" is added instead, as in Mr. Ohshima's name. The first "o" in Mr. Ono's name, on the other hand, is not lengthened. Ohno and Ono are two different names. However, these sounds are just approximations and there are some exceptions.
- Please note that the pronunciation keys given here are only approximations and are primarily designed for the members in the U.S. and Canada. They may not necessarily be helpful for the members of international affiliates.
- Hiroko Mori has recorded each term twice -- first slowly, then natural speed. Click each Japanese term to hear the recording.
Numbers | |
| One | |
| Two | |
| Three | |
| Four | |
| Five | |
| Six | |
| Seven | |
| Eight | |
| Nine | |
| Ten | |
General | |
| Head instructor/Master instructor (of an organization) *(see Notes at the end) | |
| Instructor *(see Notes at the end) | |
| Training hall | |
| Training uniform | |
| Training uniform belt | |
| Vocal expulsion of air | |
| Black Belt rank | |
| White/Brown belt rank | |
| Meditation | |
| Bow | |
| Assume stance | |
| Get ready | |
| Begin | |
| Pivot/assume opposite direction | |
| Stop | |
| At ease | |
| Basic training | |
| Formal exercise/forms | |
| Sparring | |
| Escape techniques | |
| Throwing techniques | |
| Foot sweep | |
| Maximum effectiveness/ focus of techniques | |
| Pulling hand | |
| Breathing center in lower abdomen | |
| Getting into the opponent | |
| Elbow Attacks | |
| Jumping-in attack | |
| Continuous Techniques | |
| Punching board | |
| Staff | |
Standing Forms: | |
| Front stance | |
| Back stance | |
| Horse riding stance | |
| Immovable stance | |
| Cat stance | |
| Natural stance | |
| Close-leg stance | |
| Half-facing stance | |
| Open-leg stance | |
Blocks | |
| Downward block | |
| Rising block | |
| Forearm block | |
| Hammer block | |
| Knife-hand block | |
| Cross-arm block | |
| Two-hand block | |
| Palm-heel block | |
Hand Techniques | |
| Lunge punch | |
| Reverse punch | |
| Jab | |
| Continuous punches alternating hands | |
| Continuous punching attacks | |
| Punching with horse riding stance | |
| Double punch | |
| Hook punch | |
| Palm-heel | |
| Rising punch | |
Striking Techniques | |
| Back-fist strike | |
| Bottom-fist strike | |
| Knife-hand strike | |
| Spear-hand | |
| Two-finger spear-hand | |
| Fore-fist | |
| Fore-knuckle fist | |
| One-knuckle fist | |
| Middle finger/knuckle fist | |
| Ridge-hand | |
Kicks | |
| Front kick | |
| Round kick | |
| Side-thrust kick | |
| Side-up kick | |
| Crescent kick | |
| Stamping kick | |
| Rear kick | |
| Double front kick | |
| Flying front kick | |
| Flying side-thrust kick | |
| Front kick with front leg | |
| Front-thrust kick | |
| Continuous kicks | |
| Foot edge | |
| Heel | |
| Kneecap | |
Sparring: | |
| Basic one-time sparring | |
| Free one-time sparring | |
| Three-time sparring | |
| Five-time sparring | |
| Free-style | |
| Upper body | |
| Middle body | |
| Lower body | |
| Distance, timing, and other things between opponents | |
| Match | |
| Bow | |
| One point match | |
| Begin | |
| Stop | |
| Clash | |
| I award no point | |
| Continue | |
| One more time | |
| End of match | |
| Half-point | |
| Point | |
| Two half-points equal one point | |
| Draw | |
| Red | |
| White | |
| Red is the winner | |
| Referee | |
Throwing Techniques | |
| to topple a folding screen | |
| spinning top | |
| encircle the neck | |
| half wheel | |
| 'v' turning swallow | |
| to spear a ball | |
| to push off a cliff | |
| to encircle with the arm | |
| to hammer upside down | |
| Performer of the technique | |
| Receiver of the technique | |
| Falling techniques |
*Notes
When Shihan or Sensei is used as an honorific or a title, there are a few important things one needs to be aware of:- Shihan or Sensei is attached to the end of the person's family name, e.g., Ohshima Shihan (not Shihan Ohshima), Ohshima Sensei (not Sensei Ohshima)
- According to the Japanese culture, it is not appropriate to call oneself Shihan or Sensei, or introduce oneself with the title Shihan or Sensei, e.g., Instructor John Doe shouldn't call himself Shihan, Sensei, Doe Shihan or Doe Sensei. His students can, but he shouldn't.
- The same thing applies to the honorific san (meaning Mr., Mrs., or Miss). Mr. John Doe shouldn't call himself Doe-san or John Doe-san. San can be attached only to the end of others' names.