Martial Arts Glossary

(she-zen dah-chee): Natural position

Shōdan-kan (昇段位): Promotion Rank / Graduated Level. Refers to the specific promoted rank or step attained during formal belt evaluations (Shinsa).

Shugyō-dō (修行道): The Path of Austere Training. Refers specifically to the journey of self-discipline and mind-body refinement through rigorous practice.

(shoe-toe oo-chee): Knife hand strike

(so-chin dah-chee): Diagonal straddle-leg stance

(tye sah-bah-key): Body movement

(tie-so): Tai meaning body and So meaning hardening is a Japanese term for conditioning the body.

(tahn-dehn):  Breathing center in lower abdomen

(the-gee dah-chee): T stance

(tay-sho oo-chee): Palm hand strike

(the-soo-ee oo-chee):  Hammer fist strike

(toh-bee-koh-mee):  Jumping-in attack

Tōde / Tō-te (唐手): Chinese Hand. The original historical name used in Okinawa before the 1920s, highlighting the influence of Chinese Quanfa (kung fu) on native Okinawan striking arts.

Tōkyoku / Combative Exchange (対局): A term used in broader Japanese martial context to denote an active match or combative encounter between two practitioners.

(toh-ree-teh):  Escape techniques