Martial Arts Terms Beginning With The Letter D
DA 大
Chinese
"Big / Great"
DADAO 大刀
Chinese
"Big Knife / Great Sabre"
The term Dadao is used to describe
a very large Chinese Sword of the Dao type. The design of the Dadao was originally based on over-sized agricultural blades
similar in use and function to Machete. The two to three foot long blade of a Dadao is single edged and normally forward weighted,
adding immense power to its chopping and hacking actions. The Dadao is by no means a graceful or sophisticated sword, but
its powerful chopping actions made it a highly effective weapon for untrained combatants and local militia groups.
DAI 大
Japanese
"Big / Great"
DAITO
Japanese
"Large Sword"
A Nihonto with a blade
length of more than two Shaku.
DAITO
Japanese
"Large Sword"
The largest size of Shiniai available for use within the art of Kendo. In accordance
with the rules set out by the International Kendo Federation (IKF), the maximum length for use within competition is 120 centimeters.
DAISHO 大小
Japanese
"Large And Small"
The combination of a Daito and Shoto; or Daito and Tanto
worn by Samurai. The Daisho was considered to be a badge of office by all Samurai and as such the penalty for none samurai
wearing Daisho was severe. Daisho were generally fitted in identically matching mounts, although some Samurai of lower status
did wear a "mismatched" Daisho.
DAN
段
Japanese
"Step"
The ranking system used throughout Japan as
an indication of level and ability. Originally invented for the indication of rank within a group of Edo period Go players,
the system was later adopted and modified by Kano Jigoro for use within his martial art of Judo. Since its inception the Dan
system has spread throughout the world of martial arts and martial artists of Dan grade generally still depicted wear a black
belt as a symbol of their rank.
DAO 刀
Chinese
"Knife / Sabre"
The term Dao is generally used to describe any curved single edgedswords or knifes
used primarily for slashing and hacking movements. The Dao is often translated as a Chinese Broadsword because of the blades
large width. The Dao is considered to be one of the four Major weapons of Chinese Martial Arts along with the Jian (Sraight
Sword) Qiang (Spear) and Gun (Staff).
-DAO 刀
Chinese
"Knife / Sabre"
The term Dao is used as a suffix to another weapon
denoting that the blade portion is curved and designed primarily for hacking, slashing and cutting movements. Common examples
of the use of word Dao as a suffix are the Pudao and Quan Dao.
DATTO
Japanese
"Removing The
Sword From The Obi"
DE
Japanese
"Advancing"
DO
Japanese
"Path / Way / Method"
DO
Japanese
"Torso / Trunk Of the Body"
DO
Japanese
"Kendo Breastplate"
The armoured breastplate worn by
practitioners of Kendo. Most modern Do are formed from layers of fiberglass lacquered to a smooth finish. But some earlier
examples of Bamboo, Padded Leather and traditional Steel do exist. The Do only covers the chest, stomach and sides of the
wearer and offer no protection to the wearers back.
DOJO
Japanese
"Place
Of The Way"
DOMARU
Japanese
"Torso
Covering Armour"
A style of Yoroi that wraps around the torso of the wearer and fastens under the right armpit.
DOSHIN
Japanese
"Feudal Policeman"
DOSHU
道主
Japanese
"Master Of The Way"
Doshu is a
martial arts title normally signifying the single highest ranked individual within a style or system. Within the martial art of Aikido,
the title Doshu is a hereditary one denoting the head of the Aikikai. To date three men have held this title, those men being:
Ueshiba Morihei, Ueshiba Kisshomaru and Ueshiba Moriteru. In accordance with the Japanese system of Iemoto, when the founder
of Aikido Ueshiba Morihei died in 1969 his son Kisshomaru became the second Doshu, when Kisshomaru died in 1999 his son inherited
the title and became the third Doshu.
DUMOG
Filipino
"Wrestling"
Although the Martial Artof Dumog is amongst the most ancient of Filipino combat disciplines, it is rarely ever
taught as a stand alone system and is more commonly taught in conjunction with other Filipino Martial Arts.
