Niju Kun (twenty precepts)

Funakoshi's Twenty Precepts of Karate-Do

1. Karate-do begins and ends with bowing.
   
2. There is no first strike in karate.
   
3. Karate stands on the side of justice.
4. First know yourself, then know others.
5. Mentality over technique.
6. The heart must be set free.
7. Calamity springs from carelessness.
8. Karate goes beyond the dojo.
9. Karate is a lifelong pursuit.
10. Apply the way of karate to all things. Therein lies it's beauty.
11. Karate is like boiling water; without heat it returns to it's tepid state.
12. Do not think of winning. Think rather, of not losing.
13. Make adjustments according to your opponent.
14. The outcome of a battle depends on how one handles weakness and strength.
15. Think of hands and feet as swords.
16. When you step beyond your own gate, you face a million enemies.
17. Formal stances are for beginners, later one stands naturally.
18. Perform prescribed sets of techniques exactly; actual combat is another matter.
19. Do not forget the employment of withdrawal of power, the extension or contraction of the body, the swift or leisurely application of technique.
20. Be constantly mindful, diligent, and resourceful in your pursuit of the Way.

Detailed explanation of the precepts: 

    The Martial Way - Twenty Precepts of Karate - Niju Kun

Heian Shodan

HEIAN (THE PEACEFUL SPIRIT) 

    There are five Heian Kata, which contain a large number of techniques and almost all of the fundamental postures. When one has achieved a degree of mastery in these Kata, one can be confident in his ability to defend himself effectively in most situations. The meaning of the name should be understood from this point of view.

Kata Diagram

Bunkai

Video

Uke Waza (blocking techniques)

 

This is what Gichin Funakoshi has to say about practicing blocks:

Gedan barai (low block): although it is a blocking technique, it is preferable to present the Gedan-barai (low block) from now on in the following exercises. First, adopt the Zenkutsu posture, left leg forward, left arm extended so that the fist is about fifteen centimeters above the knee, fingers pointing towards the ground. Likewise, when the right leg is advanced, it is the right arm which is forward. The body is three-quarters (in the Hanmi position) to the right, that is, the hips are turned at an angle of about 35° to the front, around a vertical axis. The upper-body must lean, neither forwards nor backwards, this is an important point valid for all postures. The training consists of repeating the exercise by moving forward or backward with each block. Whether stepping forward with the right leg or stepping back with the left, bring the right fist locked diagonally from the waist to the left shoulder, then whip down, locking in sync with the movement of the legs. Simultaneously the left fist is withdrawn at the waist in a locked position, just above the hip, with the fingers up. As shown in Figures 3 and 4, Gedan-barai is used to block a frontal attack by the opponent and you have to work with this idea in mind. Practice both sides in this way, alternating each side.

Jodan age-uke (upper-level rising block). The preparation position is the same as for Gedan-barai. The extended arm above the front leg is raised in a concave inward and upward motion, then throws upward, the forearm tilted to block a blow to the face. After blocking, it is possible to block with the other arm in the same way by moving forward or backward; the arm that goes up (the one doing the blocking) and the one that is withdrawn must cross at the level of the face. The movement of crossing the two arms should be interpreted as a dislocation technique carried to the arm with the aid of which the opponent has just executed his attack. We grab this arm with the hand that has just blocked and we pull it down while using the arm that goes up to exert a violent push on it at the crossing point.

Chudan shuto-uke (middle-level knife hand block). As shown in figure 11, one adopts the Kokutsu dachi stance, with the command to stand ready (Yoi). With the right leg advanced, bring the right hand up to a point above the left shoulder and in a circular motion slightly downward, bring it to the right so as to deflect a frontal attack from the opponent. The elbow is vertical to the right leg at the end of the blockage, the arm is bent at a right angle, forming a slight hook towards the inside of the body. At this moment, the upper-body is straight, the eyes, the blocking hand and the front foot directed towards the opponent, the hips are in profile. The training consists of performing sets by moving forward or backward, while blocking alternately from the right and the left, the body must be placed as if to dodge the frontal attacks.

Some Japanese Terms

Karate Terms

    Karate - "empty hand" or "china hand" (homophones, so could mean either)
    Dojo - Place of training
    Karateka - Karate practitioner
    Gi - Karate uniform
    Obi - Belt
    Sensei - Teacher (used to refer to the head instructor of the dojo)
    Sempai - Senior (used to refer to other Karateka of high rank in the dojo)
    Seiza - the formal Japanese way of kneeling with your feet under your buttocks
    Mokoso - Meditate
    Mokoso yame - Stop meditating
    Shomani - Ancestors
    Rei - Bow
    Otagi ni rei - bow to others
    Yoi - ready (assume the natural stance)
    Hajime - begin
    Yame - stop
    Matte - wait
    Mawatte - turn around
    Kiai - battle shout

Karate Training

    Kihon - Basics
    Kata - Forms
    Kumite - Sparring

    Waza - Technique
    Bunkai - Deconstructing, analyzing, or "breaking down" the kata.  Also, a demonstration of such with two or more people.
    Dojo kun - moral precepts of the Dojo
    Kyu - rank of color belt levels
    Dan - rank of black belt levels

Karate Skills

    Kokyu - "breathing in and out".  proper breathing technique for karate
    Kime - power put into a strike at the moment of contact
    Zanshin - focus, being "in the zone"
    Mushin - calm, inner stillness, keeping your head
    Toshi - fighting spirit

Kihon Terminology

    Gedan - lower level (e.g. gedan barai)
    Chudan - mid-level (e.g. chudan oi-zuki)
    Jodan  - upper level (e.g. jodan age uke)

 Japanese Numbers

1. Ichi
2. Ni
3. San
4. Shi 
   
5. Go
6. Roku
7. Shichi
8. Hachi
9. Ku
10. Ju

To continue to 99 you put the numbers together in this pattern:

    2nd decimal + ju + 1st decimal

For example:

    niju-shi - twenty-four

    sanju-hachi - thirty-eight

Conversational Phrases

    Hai - yes
    I'e - no; Oh, it’s nothing
    Dozo - please
    Arigato - Thanks (informal)
    Domo arigato gozaimasu - Thank you very much.
    Do itashimashite - You’re welcome
    I'e, ii desu - No, thank you
    Gomennasai - Sorry! (really sorry)
    Sumimasen - I’m sorry (regular sorry)
    Chotto sumimasen - Excuse me (little bit sorry)

Body Parts

    Ashi - Foot and/or Leg
    Empi - Elbow
    Hiza - Knee
    Kakato - Heel
    Ken - Fist
    Koshi - Hips
    Soku - Foot
    Sune - Shin
    Te - Hand
    Ude - Forearm

Directions

    hidari - Left
    migi - Right
    chikai - Near
    massugu - Straight
    koko - Here
    soko - There
    mae ni - In front of
    ushiro ni - Behind
    no uchigawa de - Inside
    no sotogawa de - Outside