Free Online Martial Arts Dictionary G

GADKA
Indian
"School"

GAKE 掛
Japanese
"Hook, Suspend, Hang, Hanging"
The term Gake is most commonly used to describe the hooking action used in the execution of some ankle throws and dsacrifice techniqes.

GAKI 餓鬼
Japanese
"Hungry Ghost"
The term Gaki is used to describe a particular type of restless dead featured within Japanese Buddhism. The Gaki take a number of physical forms but the most common is that of an emaciated or decomposing human with a massively distended stomach, clawed hands and feet and a tiny mouth filled with rows of needle like teeth. All Gaki are tormented by an insatiable hunger a fact only made worse by the fact their mouth are so small as to only be able to take a small mouthful of food at a time. Gaki are normally pitied and prayed for, although some become so enraged by their perpetual hunger that they hunt down people in order to drink their blood and feast upon their flesh. The eating habits of the Gaki are somewhat abhorrent with them favouring the flesh from human corpses, Blood, Feces and even Placenta. Once a year Japanese Buddhists perform a day of ritual known as the Segaki in order to pacify these unholy creatures.

GAKI 餓鬼
Japanese
"Hungry Ghost"
Although the word Gaki is synonimous with the "Hungry Dead" of Japanese Buddhist mythology, the term can also be applied as a derogatory term for a spoilt, selfish or bratty child. In children's games such as tag, the one who is "it" may be referred to as a Gaki.

GAKKO
Indian
"Fencing"
The term Gadka is used as an alternative name for the Indian martial art of Gatka.

GAKKO 学校
Japanese
"School"

GAMA 蝦蟆 or 蝦蟇
Japanese
"Toad"
The term Gama is used to describe any of the numerous types of Toad found amongst the islands of Japan.

GAMO 蝦蟆 or 蝦蟇
Japanese
"Toad"
The term Gamo is used as an alternative spelling and pronunciation of the word Gama.

GANMEN 顔面
Japanese
"Face"

GANMEN 顔面
Japanese
"Head And Face Target Area"
The term Ganmen is used to describe the target area of the face and the whole of the head as used in many systems of Karate.

GASSHO 合唱
Japanese
"With Respect" or "Please"
The term Gassho is used to describe the act of pressing ones hands together either as an act of prayer or Buddhist correspondence (for example the veneration mudra).

GATKA
Indian
"Fencing"
Gatka is an Indian style of Fencing comparible to European Sabre Fighting with the exception that practitioners use wooden sticks to represent the sword, these are known as Gatka. The style is very popular amongst Sikh practitioners who almost single handedly preserved the art into the modern era.
Also See: Fari Gatka, Shastar Vidiya

GENDAI 現代
Japanese
"New School / Modern System"
The Term Gendai is used to describe any modern Japanese school of thought.

GENDAI BUDO 現代武道
Japanese
"New School Of The Military Way / Modern Martial Way System"
The Term Gendai Budo is used to describe any school of Japanese influenced martial arts established at any time following the Meiji Restoration (1866 AD – 1869 AD).

GENIN 下忍
Japanese
"Low Ranked Menial"
The term Genin is used to describe Ninja of the lowest rank, often sent on highly dangerous missions with a very low chance of success.

-GERI 蹴り
Japanese
"Kick"
The pronunciation of the word Keri becomes Geri when used as a suffic, for example in the term Mae-Geri.

GI
Japanese
"Uniform"
The term Gi is used as an abbreviated form of any style of martial arts training uniform such as a Keiko-Gi, Dogi, Karate-Gi or Judo-Gi.

GI
Korean
"Inner Strength / Spirit"

GIM
Chinese
"Straight Sword"
The term Gim is an alternative name for the double edged straight swords more commonly known as Jian.

GLIMA
Icelandic
"Struggle / Wrestling"
The term Glima is used to describe the traditional methods of Icelandic Wrestling. The core of Glima revolves around eight basic techniques, from which are derived around fifty variations of throws or take-downs. Historical evidence shows that Glima dates back to at least 1200AD although the descriptions of wrestling found in the early Icelandic Sagas suggest that it could be much older.

Glima differentiates itself from other styles of Nordic wrestling by implementing the following rules.

1) Both Wrestlers must stand upright
2) Opponents must continue to step clockwise (Left) in order to prevent a stalemate and create openings,
3) Opponents must not fall upon one another nor use unnecessary force.
4) Opponents must endeavour to look across one another's shoulders rather than at their body.

GODAN 五段
Japanese
"Fifth Step / Fifth Grade / Black-Belt Fifth Grade"
The term Godan refers to a Martial Artist who has achieved his fifth step on his path to mastery of his chosen Martial Art. The first step being Shodan, more commonly known as a Black-Belt.

GONG-BU
Chinese
"Bow Stance"

GUAI 柺
Chinese
"Crutch"
The term Guai is used to describe the what has come to be generally known as the Tonfa or Side Handled Baton. Numerous variation of this weapon exist throughout Okinawa, China, Korea and other parts of south-East Asia with each culture believing it to be a weapon of their own creation. In the case of the Chinese Guai it is generally believed that they are shortened versions of walking crutches, originally designed as an aid to walking and later adapted for use as a weapon.
Also See: Mae Sun Sawk, Tonfa, Nightstick

GUAN DAO 關刀 or 关刀
Chinese
"Guan Yu Blade"
The term Guan Dao is used to describe the style of deeply curved Chinese glaive used to great effect with deep, sweeping cuts. In addition to the blades edge, almost all Guan Dao are forged with a curved rear spike used to ensnare an opponents weapon. More correctly the Guan Dao is called a "Yan Yue Dao 偃月刀" although this name is rarely ever use by modern martial artists, who prefer to associate themselves with the weapon of a legendary hero of China; the great 3rd Century General "Guan Yu" who allegedly used an oversized version of such a weapon. Although uncommon in Japan, imported and imitated versions were created for use by native Japanese, where it was renamed the "Bisento"

Also See: Yan Yue Dao, Guandao, Kwan Dao, Kwandao, Kwan Tao, Kuan Dao, Quandao.

GUNBAI 軍配
Japanese
"Battle Distribution" or "Troops Signaler"
The term Gunbai is used to descibe a style of Japanese war fan which is normallu formed from a solid plate of wood, reinforced with strips of metal. Historically Gunbai were used by high ranked Samurai as a means of troop comunication, but in the modern word they are largely used by Gyoji during Sumo matches.

GYAKU 逆
Japanese
"Reverse" or "Opposite"

GYOJI 行司
Japanese
"Referee"
The term Guoji is used to describe a professional Sumo referee in Japan. The majority of Gyoji enter the Sumo world as teenagers and remain employees of the Sumo Association (S.A.) until they formally retire at the age of 65. There is a strict and highly regimented career progression within Gyoji circles, and Gyoji of a particular rank have to adhere to a strict dress code.