A dictionary for understanding the names of techniques in Shorinji Kempo
This document contains a list of Japanese terms used in Shorinji Kempo. Translations are not guaranteed to be exact or comprehensive as they relate specifically to a Shorinji Kempo context. The list aims to contain all words used in the naming of Shorinji Kempo techniques, and although other words are present, it is not intended to be a complete reference for all Shorinji Kempo vocabulary.
Some words appear twice in the list because they may have a hard or soft sound (and spelling) depending on the syllable preceding. It is worth noting these adjustments since in some cases words may appear only under one spelling. Sounds commonly exchangeable are k/g, t/z, n/m, s/z.
Age Up
Ai Love
Ashi Foot/Leg/Step
Ate Strike
Atemi Striking the body (anywhere)
Baku Bind/Tie up
Budo Martial way
Byakuren ken Goho techniques in which the defending arm frequently returns the attack.
Fist of White Lotus
Chi Earth (sometimes meaning down/lower)
Chio ken Goho family where a multiple attack begins with a jodan zuki, or a geri
Fist of Earth King
Chidori Plover (a type of bird that moves diagonally!)
Chudan Mid-level (torso)
Dai … Number …
Daisharin Cartwheel
Dori Capture
Eri Lapel
Furi Swing
Fusatsu katsujin Not hurt, but develop (principle of Shorinji Kempo)
Gaeshi Return
Gai Outside
Garame Entwine
Gassho Palms together
Gatame Pin
Gedan Low level (legs/groin)
Geri Kick
Giri Cut
Giwa ken Fist of righteous harmony
Goho Hard (techniques involving strikes)
Go Ju Ittai The unity of hard and soft (techniques)
Gote Wrist
Gyaku Reverse/Rear (hand, leg etc.)
Gyakute Reversed hand
Haku Upper arm
Han Half
Harai Brush away/Knock away
Hasso (gamae) Stance like holding a beach ball
Hidari Left
Hiji Elbow
Hiki Pull
Hiraki Open
Hiza Knee
Hokei Pattern encapsulating part of the system
Ichi One
Ichiji Horizontal line
Ichinyo Unity
Idori Seize
Ippon One point
Jodan Top level (head/neck)
Juho Soft (techniques for grappling/contact)
Juji Cross (shape)
Jun Front (front hand, leg etc.)
Kaisin Opening the body
Kaeshi Return
Kagite Locked hand
Kakuritsu ken Goho family involving blocking and countering with the leg.
Fist of Standing Crane
Kani Crab
Kannuki Gate bar
Kata Set form/Single
Katame Pin
Katate One handed
Ken Fist
Ken Zen Ichinyo The unity of mind and body
Keri Kick
Kinteki Groin
Kiri Cut
Ko manji ken Fist of crimson manji
Komi Push in
Kon Mix
Kongo ken Attacking juho family
Fist of Diamond (a Buddhist symbol of indestructible truth)
Konoha Leaf (meaning hand)
Koshi Cross over/Move over
Kote Wrist
Kubi Neck
Kumade Bear hand (heel of hand)
Kumo Spider
Kusshin Yield (a ducking motion)
Mae Front
Maki Wrap
Me Eye(s)
Midare Mixed
Migi Right (not left)
Morote Two hands on one hand
Muna Chest
Nai Inside
Nami Wave
Ni Two
Nidan Two level
Nio ken Single Jodan attack goho family
Fist of Nio (the two Buddhist temple Guardians)
Nuki Elude (escaping from a grab)
Okuri Send (sometimes ‘leading’ by the hand)
Osae Push
Oshi Push
Otoshi Drop/Release/Let fall
Rakan ken Juho family involving wrapping/binding in clothing.
Fist of Lohan (achiever of Nirvana)
Ran dori Free fighting practice
Ren Continuing
Ren han ko Extended/continuing attack
Riki Strength
Riki Ai Funi Strength and love together
Ryaku Simplified/Informal
Ryo Double
Ryote Two hands on two hands
Ryuka ken Hand capture and throwing juho
Fist of Blossoming Dragon
Ryu Dragon
Ryuo Dragon King
Ryuo ken Eluding juho family
Fist of Dragon King
Ryusui Waterfall (body motion, the head arcs downwards)
Sabaki Movement
Sagari Retreat
Sambo Triple defence
San Three
Sango ken Mainly chudan attack, keri defence goho family
Fist of Triple Unity/Triplet
Sankaku Triangle
Se Finger/Thumb
Seiza Kneel
Shita Down
Shorinji Kempo Small forest (Shaolin in
Henan, China) temple fist/combat system
Shushu koju Defence before attack
Shuho Defence system
Shuto Hand blade (side of hand)
Sode Sleeve
So Doshin The founder!
Sotai Pair-form
Sokuto Foot blade (side of foot)
Soto Outside
Sukui Scoop
Tai (gamae) Oposite stance (closed)
Tai sabaki Body movement
Taiki (gamae) Waiting stance
Tanen Pair form
Tanto Dagger
Tate Vertical
Tembin Pressure point on triceps above elbow
Ten Heaven (sometimes meaning top/upper)
Tenchi ken Fist of heaven and earth (Kata)
Tenno ken Multiple attack, jodan first goho family
Fist of Heaven King
Tenkan Turn
Tenshin Pivot/Shuffle/Skip
Tsubame Swallow (bird)
Tsuitate Vertical thrust
Tsuki Punch/Lunge
Tsuri Hang/Suspend/Hook
Uchi Inside/Strike
Ude Arm
Uke Block/Deflect
Ukemi Roll, Cartwheel (evasive body movement)
Umpoho Footwork
Ura Back
Uraken Back-fist (top two knuckles)
Ushiro Rear
Uwa Up
Wa Circle/Ring
Wanto Arm blade (inside or outside of forearm)
Waza Technique
Yoko Side
Yori Coming together
Yubi Finger/Thumb
Zeme Attack
Zen Mind/Zen/Full
Zen tenkan Full turn
Zuki Punch/Lunge