Click on STRETCHandSTRENGTH for photos and instructions for recommended stretching and strengthening activities particularly selected for the new student.

  Click on Dojo Rules and Etiquette for rules of etiquette expected in our dojo and in most martial arts dojos.  Learn how to act right to gain the respect of others in our dojo and wherever you train.

  Click on 37 FORMS - for text descriptions of each of the 37 Forms for viewing.

Yakusoku Kumite

37 Forms - or Yakusoku Kumite are a series of defined defenses involving specific body movements and hand and foot techniques to address attacks to the body and head.

NOTE:  These descriptions are not intended to be self-explanatory, but rather a reference aid for use after you have been shown the techniques by a Sensei.
DO NOT request clarification of these descriptions.

   
 

Names and Japanese Terms Used in the Dojo 

  Japanese Numbers

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

 
  Karate  Empty hand
  Iwao Tamotsu Soke, or overall master of Renshinkan Shorinji-ryu living in Kagoshima, Japan.
  Renshinkan School where one works hard with feeling from the heart", and is name of Headquarters of Renshinkan Shorinji-Ryu in Kagoshima, Japan.
  Shorinji-Ryu Name of the main style of Karate-Do taught at the Academy - means "small forest temple style". The style is rich in history, folklore, and lineage from Okinawa prefecture.
  Isamu Tamotsu Now deceased original Master of Renshinkan and father of current Soke Iwao Tamotsu.
 
 
  Dojo Training Hall
  Gi Training uniform
  Obi Belt that holds jacket together
  Sensei Teacher
  Sempai Assistant teacher
  Hajimi Begin or start
  Mate Stop
  Kiai  Spirit yell
  Naote  Recover -  formally
  Yoi Ready
  Budo Way of the Warrior and includes code of conduct and chivalry, Code of Budo
  Dan  Black belt rank
  Kyu Below Black Belt rank
  Kumite Sparring
  Kata  Formal patterns of movement consisting of Karate-Do techniques
  Migi Right
  Hidari Left
  Zenshin Kotai Forward Backward - name of 7 basic formal floor exercises done moving forward and backward
 
 
  Dachi: Stances:
  Zen kutsu dachi front stance with both feet facing forward, one in front of the other
  Shiko dachi Middle stance - feet pointed about 45 degrees outward
  Kiba dachi Horse or straddle stance - feet pointed straight ahead or inward
  Neko Dachi Cat stance - short back stance with front heel raised off floor
  Neko ashi dachi Longer form of Back stance - legs wider
  Hamni dachi Half front facing stance with feet slightly angled
  Heiko dachi Natural parallel stance - feet shoulder width
 
 
  zuki, or ate: Strikes:
  Kukon zuki Turning punch
  Oi-zuki Front hand lunge punch
  Gyaku zuki Rear hand punch or reverse punch
  Shuto Knife hand strike from outside to inside
  Empi Elbow strike
  Haito Ridge hand strike
  tetsui Hammer fist strike
  Shote Palm heal strike
  Nukite Finger strike
  Uraken Back fist strike
 
 
  Uke: Blocks:
  Jodan  Upper rising block
  Chudan  Middle block
  Gedan Low block
  Shuto Knife hand
  Age Rising
  Hara-te Slapping hands block
 
 
  Geri: Kicks:
  Mai geri Front kick
  Mawashi geri Round-house kick
  Sokuto/Yoko Knife edge or side kick
  Ushiro Back kick
  Kagi Hook kick
  Mikazuki Outside crescent
  Hakku Inside crescent
  Tobi Jump or flying
  Kekomi Thrusting kick generally
  Geage Snap kick generally
  Kakato Heel stomp
 
 
    Body Parts:
  haisoku instep or top of foot
  sune shin
  josoku ball of foot
 
 
  Formal Oriental Style Courtesy Bowing at beginning and end of class:
  Mokuso Close eyes and calm mind
  Kaigon Open eyes
  Shomen-ni rei Bow facing front or shomen
  Sensei -ni rei Bow facing teacher
  Sempai-ni rei Bow facing any senior student acting as sempai
  0 ta gai-ni rei Bow facing each other
  O-negai shi mas Please teach me - while facing teacher and bowing at start of class
  Arigato Gozaimash'ta Thank-you for teaching me - while facing teacher and bowing at end of class