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Martial Arts Dictionary

This dictionary is a collection of terms and definitions of various styles, phrases and concepts of the martial arts. We wish to make this the most authoritative dictionary on the web. So, if you see a term that is not present, please send the term with an acurate definition to webmaster@elite-fighters.com

Click on a letter of the alphabet to begin:

A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z

Hachi: Eight.

Hachimaki: "Head wrapping." A light cotton towel, also known as a tengui, wrapped around the forehead to restrict perspiration from running into the eyes and face.

Hadake: Naked.

Hadake jime: Naked choke/strangle.

Hadari: Left.

Hajime: "Begin." Referee's command used to start a Japanese martial arts match.

Haishu: Back of the hand.

Haishu uchi: Back hand strike.

Haisoku: Instep.

Haisoku geri: Instep kick.

Haitto: Ridge hand (first knuckle of thumb and side of hand).

Haitto uchi: Ridge hand strike.

Hakama: "Divided skirt." The skirtlike trousers or cullotes primarily worn in kendo, aikido, iaido, and sometimes the upper ranks of judo.

Hakko ryu: A form of jujutsu in which atemi (striking) techniques are emphasized.

Halberd: A shafted weapon with an axelike cutting blade, sometimes used to describe the Chinese quando.

Hane: Spring.

Hanbo: A three foot wooden staff.

Hane goshi: Spring hip throw.

Hane makikomi: Springing winding throw.

Hangetsu dachi: Hourglass stance. Hara tsurikomi ashi Lift-pull foot sweep.

Han mu kwan: "Military arts school." A style of Korean karate.

Hanshi: "Master." A respected master, of Japanese martial disciplines, who is of eigth- to tenth-degree black belt rank, although not all masters receive this title.

Hansoku gachi: "Winner by violation." The decision awarded in a match when an opponent has violated the rules.

Hansokumake: "Loser by violation." A verdict against the loser when there has been a violation of the rules in a match.

Hantei: "Judgement" or "decision." A command by the referee to the judges to choose the winner of a match when neither contestant has scored or if the score is tied.

Hapkido: "way of coordinating power." A Korean martial art characterized by kicking without retraction and composed of three primary skills: nonresistance when meeting force, circular motion to countering and attacking, and the water principle - total penetration of an enemy's defenses.

Hara: "Abdomen." Gravity, mass in the human body, traditionally considered in Eastern thought to be the seat of the soul & center of ki.

Haragei: The art of concentrating ki in the abdomen; disciplines focusing on developing the tanden.

Harai: "Sweep" or "sweeping."

Hara Kiri: Ritual Japanese suicide with a knife, practiced by the samurai warrior. This phrase is the informal word for seppuku.

Hara tsurikomi ashi: Lift-pull foot sweep.

Hata: "Flag." The flags used by referees or line persons to indicate scores, decisions, or jogai.

Hauri: Hip.

Heisoku dachi: Attention stance.

Hidari: Left or left side.

Hiji: Elbow. Also known as empi.

Hikiwake: "Draw" ( tie ) Referee's term denoting a draw in a match.

Himm: "Force" or "power."

Hirate: Foreknuckle.

Hiza: Knee or lap.

Ho goo: Protective equipment worn by tae kwon do competitors to minimize injury while sparring.

Hohup: "Breathing."

Hojo jutsu: The art of tying. Techniques used to tie and immobilize a victim by means of a cord.

Hojutsu: The art of firearms or gunnery.

Hombu: "Headquarters." This term can be used to define any headquarters for a martial arts school.

Hon: Fingers.

Honbu: Headquarters.

Hop gar: A style of Chinese kung fu, also known as Lama, which is composed of twelve short-hand and twelve long-hand maneuvers.

Hosin sul: Self-defense techniques.

Hsing i: "Form of mind." An internal system of kung fu emphasizing linear movement.

Hsiang-Chiao Bu: (shee-ahng chee-ow boo) cross leg stance

Hsu-Jing: (shoo jihng) stillness within movement

Hua-Yi: (hoo-ah yee) suspicion, the state of "Healthy Paranoia"

Hun: (hoon) conscious mind, fluctuation between Po and Shen

Hung gar: A major style of southern Chinese kung fu characterized by very hard, strong techniques and stable horse stances.

Hun-Yuan Kung: (hoon yoo-ahn kuhng) natural posture, ready stance

Hwa chuan: "Flowery hand type system." A northern Chinese style of kung fu.

Hwarang: A band of Korean warriors who, much like the Japanese samurai, adhered to strict philosophical and moral codes.

Hwarang do: "Way of the flower of manhood." A native Korean philosophical code similar to Japanese bushido and possessing a structured series of physical techniques that were advocated by warriors known as the hwarang.

Hyung: "Pattern," "form," or "mold." A series of prearranged offensive and defensive movements executed against imaginary attacking opponents. Also known as katas or poomse.

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