Martial Arts Glossary
Glossary of commonly used terms in the Japanese martial arts.
Glossaries
| Term | Definition |
|---|---|
| Empi-uchi | Empi-uchi (肘打ち / 猿臂打ち)Empi-uchi (frequently rendered as Empi-uchi or Hijiatami) is the primary class of elbow strike techniques in Shotokan Karate and traditional Japanese Budo. Executed by driving the hard, bony point of the flexed elbow joint or the surrounding forearm bone into an opponent at close range, Empi-uchi delivers devastating kinetic force. Because the elbow leverages the full rotation of the hips (Koshi no Kaiten) and core over a short trajectory, it represents one of the most powerful striking weapons in close-quarters combat (Chika-ma).
Author - Sensei Miller
Hits - 1 Synonyms -
Elbow strike, hiji-ate, enpi-uchi, elbow strikes karate, ape arm strike. |
| Enpi | Empi (飛燕)Empi (historically known as Wansu or Wanshi) is one of the foundational intermediate Sentei Kata in Shotokan Karate, translating directly to "Flying Swallow." Renowned for its rapid, agile rhythms, explosive changes in level, and light footwork, Empi mimics the darting, unpredictable flight of a swallow. It develops a karateka's ability to shift rapidly from low, evasive postures into explosive upward strikes, embodying high-speed entry, evasion, and decisive close-quarters counters.
Author - Sensei Miller
Hits - 2 Synonyms -
Flying swallow kata, Wansu kata, Empi kata, Shotokan swallow form, Wanshi. |