Japanese Terminolgy

(Used in The Art of Karate-do)

The Japanese language is very difficult to learn partly due to the kanji symbolism used. Nevertheless, it is advantageous to try and learn some of the terminology used in Karate. It will assist you understanding literature on Karate and to converse with fellow karateka and Sensei’s from visiting association members. An understanding of the Karate terms is regarded as good etiquette.

Counting in Japanese

Japanese:

Ichi (一)
Ni (二)
San (三)
Shi (四)
Go (五)
Roku (六)
Shichi (七)
Hachi (八)
Ku (九)
Ju (十)

English:

One
Two
Three
Four
Five
Six
Seven
Eight
Nine
Ten

Japanese:

Ju ichi (十一)
Ju ni (十二)
Ju san (十三)
Ju yon (十四)
Ju go (十五)
Ju roku (十六)
Ju shichi (十七)
Ju hachi (十八)
Ju ku (十九)
Ni ju (二十)

English:

Eleven
Twelve
Thirteen
Fourteen
Fifteen
Sixteen
Seventeen
Eighteen
Nineteen
Twenty

Japanese:

San ju – (三十)
Yon ju – (四十)
Go ju – (五十)
Roku ju – (六十)
Nana ju – (七十)
Hachi ju – (八十)
Kuju – (九十)
Hyaku – (百)
Sen – (千)
Rei – (零)

English:

Thirty
Forty
Fifty
Sixty
Seventy
Eighty
Ninety
One Hundred
One Thousand
Zero

Karate Grades & Titles

Student Grades

Japanese (Kanji)

Kukyu – 無 級
Hachikyu – 八 級
Nanakyu – 七 級
Rokkyu – 六 級
Gokyu – 五 級
Yonkyu – 四 級
Sankyu – 三 級
Nikyu – 二 級
Ikkyu – 一 級

English:

Ninth Kyu (Red)
Eighth Kyu (Yellow)
Seventh Kyu (Orange)
Sixth Kyu (Green)
Fifth Kyu (Blue)
Fourth Kyu (Purple)
Third Kyu (Brown+1)
Second Kyu (Brown+2)
First Kyu (Brown+3)

Black Belt Grades

Japanese:

Shodan – 初段
Nidan –
二段
Sandan –
三段
Yondan –
四段
Godan –
五段
Rokudan –
六段
Shichidan –
七段
Hachidan –
八段
Kudan –
九段
Judan –
十段

English:

First Dan
Second Dan
Third Dan
Fourth Dan
Fifth Dan
Sixth Dan
Seventh Dan
Eighth Dan
Ninth Dan
Tenth Dan

Teaching/Shogo Titles

Japanese:

Jun Shidoin – 準指導員
Shidoin – 指導員
Jun-Shihan – 準師範
Shihan – 師範
Tasshi – 達士
Hanshi – 範士

English:

Associate Instructor
Instructor
Associate Senior Instructor
Master title for a Senior Instructor – Equiv to Doctorate
Tasshi
Master title for the Head Master of a style