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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

Tachi: A Japanese long sword worn slung from a sword belt. Like the katana, the tachi had a single-edged curved blade.

Tachi rei: "Standing bow." A salutation common to numerous Japanese martial arts.

Tae kwon do: "Way of hands and feet." The primary form of Korean unarmed combat, named during a conference of chung do kwan masters in 1955. It is considered the most popular martial art in the world.

Tai-Chi: (tye chee) the "Grand Ultimate" or symbol for the Yin-Yang

Tai chi chuan: "Grand ultimate fist." An internal system of kung fu, also called soft boxing, characterized by its deliberately slow, continuous, circular, well-balanced and rhythmic movements.

Taijutsu: "Body art." A generic term for a system of empty-hand combat.

Tai sabaki: "Body movement."

Taisho: The captain of a team.

Tai-Yang: (tye yahng) "Great Creative Energy," Chinese name for the sun

Tai-Yang Lung: (tye yahng loong) The Sun Dragon

Tanden: Abdomen.

Tang soo do: "Art of the Chinese hand." A Korean combative differing only slightly from Tae Kwon Do.

Tan tien: "Sea of chi." The psychic center located just below the naval, which protects the center of gravity and produces a reservior of force upon which to draw. ( Center of spiritual power and energy within the physical body )Also known as "tan den."

Tanto: A Japanese dagger with a blade eight to sixteen inches long and carried by the samurai in addition to the katana.

Technical practice: Activities designed to improve the skills needed
to perform at the optimal level in a sport.

Toa: (dow) spiritual path to oneness with nature and the universe, literally "The Way"

Tashi: "Expert." An expert of Japanese martial arts who is of third- to fourth-degree black belt. All belts within this category, however, do not recieve this title.

Tatami: "Straw mat." A mat usually measuring three by six feet and three inches thick (with bound straw inside.)

Tate: Vertical fist.

Tatte: A command to stand up from a kneeling position.

Tetsubishi: A four-pointed caltrop used by the ninja to slow down a persuer. No matter which way a tetsubishi landed one sharp point always protruded upward.

Tetsubo: "Iron staff." A weapon used by the samurai from either a horse-mounted or ground position.

Te: Hand.

Teisho: Palm heel.

Teisho tsuki: Palm heel punch.

Teisho uchi: Palm heel strike.

Teisho uke: Palm heel block.

Teiji dachi: T-stance.

Tekubi: Wrist.

Tekubi tori: Wrist pull.

Tettsui: Hammer fist; downward strike with closed fist, little finger side as the striking surface. Te-waza: Hand techniques.

Three sectional staff: A Chinese weapon consisting of three rods connected by chain or rope.

Ti: Belt.

Ti: (tee) kick, eight characteristic of defense

Tien: (tee-ehn) heaven, trigram #5 of the I-Ching

Tien-Yen: (tee-ehn yehn) the "Eye of Heaven" or third eye of psychic sight

Ting: (tihng) fixation, a phase of meditation

Ting-Yu: (tihng yoo) complete vertical alignment of the spine

To-Noa: (toh noh-ah) a Complete Breath, literally "exhale-inhale"

Tjabang: An iron truncheon similar to the Okinawan sai.

Tobu: An expression referring to the head area except the face.

Tomoe: "Circular" or "stomach."

Tonfa: "Handle." An old Okinawan farming tool developed as a weapon by Okinawan farmers.

Tsai: (zeye) pull down, fourth characteristic of defense

Tsou: (zow) projection or redirection, literally "lead by walking away"

Tsuba: The guard of a samurai sword.

Tsuka: The handle of a samurai sword.

Tsuki: Thrust.

Tsuzukete: "Continue." A term used by the referee in a karate match, most frequently after a scoreless exchange.

Tui: (too-ee) push, sixth characteristic of defense.

Tui: (too-ee) marsh, trigram #6 of the I-Ching.

Tuite: Grappling techniques, using pressure points.

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