Common Japanese words used in karate ( glossary of terms )

We have available English alphabet representations of Japanese words.  It is known as Romaj.  There are several systems for writing romaji which means there are variations in the English spellings of how they represent Japanese words. 

​

According to Wikipedia ( https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Romanization_of_Japanese ) there are three main ones:

• Hepburn romanization,

• Kunrei-shiki romanization (ISO 3602), and

• Nihon-shiki romanization (ISO 3602 Strict).

Variants of the Hepburn system are the most widely used.  Note that Japan revised the official version in 2024 ( https://web.archive.org/web/20240303164028/https://english.kyodonews.net/news/2024/03/250d39967042-japan-to-revise-official-romanization-rules-for-1st-time-in-70-yrs.html )

​

When you read our explanations of karate movements, they are predominantly the Hepburn representation, however, mistakes creep in.  Should you ever wish to correct a spelling to conform to Hepburn representation then please advise us of the mistake.