Free Online Martial Arts Dictionary J

Martial Arts Terms Beginning With The Letter J

JANOMENOSUNA 蛇の目の砂
Japanese
"Circle Of Sand"
The sand circle around a Sumo ring

JAW
(English)
(Japanese) Ago 顎
(Korean) Teok

JI SHU
Chinese
"Technique"

JIAN
Chinese
"Straight Sword"
The term Jian is used in reference to the double-edged straight swords used throughout China since the 7th Century BC. The blade can vary greatly in length with both single and double handed versions commonly encountered. Ancient Jian were generally shorter bladed and formed from bronze, the improvements to Chinese metallurgy allowed for longer steel bladed versions to be produced. The blades go from being very flexible to almost entirely stiff. The Jian is fondly referred to as "The Gentleman Of Weapons" the Jian has always been a weapon of the warrior class and unlike the Dao was rarely ever used by peasant forces. The Jian is considered to be one of the four Major weapons of Chinese Martial Arts along with the Dao (Sabre) Qiang (Spear) and Gun (Staff).

JINGAMA
Japanese
"Battle Sickle"
A very rare style of Kama favoured by some Japanese nobleman and often featuring a hand guard and a signed folded blade.

JINKAI 陣貝
Japanese
"War Shell"
The term Jinkai is used to describe a Conch Shell blown as a trumpet. Although there are a number of names for the Conch Shell instrument the term Jinkai is used in reference to those Conch Shells used during times of war as a signalling trumpet. Unlike most Conch Shell instruments, the Jinkai can produce three or five different notes, thanks to the addition of a mouthpiece and some small alterations to the shells structure. The Jinkai is contained in an loosely woven basket and utilises its different notes to signal troops to attack, withdraw or move around the field of battle. The player of the Jinkai was known as a Kai-Yaku.

JO
Japanese
"Stave"
The four-foot stave, an abreviated name for the Shishakubo.

JOGO DO PAU
(Portuguese)
"Game Of The Staff / Stick Fencing"
A phrase Jogo Do Pau is used to describe a martial art developed in the northern part of Portugal which focuses solely on the use of a staff as a weapon. The exact origins of the art are debatable although all parties accept that is was designed primarily for self-defence. Until fairly recently Jogo Do Pau was still used in the more rural regions of northern Portugal to settle matters of honour between individuals, families and even small towns and villages. Historical references also exist stating that the art was used successfully against the Napoleonic troops occupying Lisbon during the Napoleonic Wars.

JOUHOU KAISHUU
Japanese
"Information Gathering"

JU
Japanese
"Flexible / Compliant / Gentle / Yielding"

JUDAN 十段
Japanese
"Tenth Step / Tenth Grade / Black-Belt Tenth Grade"
The term Judan refers to a Martial Artist who has achieved his Tenth step on his path to mastery of his chosen Martial Art. The first step being Shodan, more commonly known as a Black-Belt.

JUDO
Japanese
"Way Of Gentleness"
A system of Jujutsu created by Kano Jigoro Sensei.

JUJUTSU
Japanese
"Art Of Gentleness"
Also known as Yawara, Jujitsu, JiuJitsu, Jiujutsu and Jiujiutsu.

JUJUTSUKA
Japanese
"Student Of The Art Of Gentleness"

JUKENDO 銃剣道
Japanese
"Way Of the Bayonet"
The term Jukendo is used to describe the Japanese martial art of bayonet fighting. The techniques of Jukendo are largely based upon earlier examples of Sojutsu and early Jukenjutsu techniques from the mid 17th century. During the Meiji era numerous methods of Jukenjutsu were organised and consolidated into Jukendo and instructed to the modernised Japanese military. In place of real weaponry modern Jukendoka use a Hardwood weapon shaped to resemble a rifle and bayonet. Training takes the form of Kata, paired technique and competition.

JUKENDOKA 銃剣道家
Japanese
"Way Of the Bayonet Practitioner / Practitioner Of The Way Of the Bayonet"
The term Jukendoka is used to describe any student of the art of Jukendo.

JUKENJUTSU
Japanese
"Art Of the Bayonet / Science Of The Bayonet"
The term Jukenjutsu is used to describe the early forms of the Japanese martial art of bayonet fighting. The techniques of Jukenjutsu were largely based upon earlier examples of Sojutsu and early Jukenjutsu techniques from the mid 17th century when modern firearms were introduced to Japan from Europe.

JUKENJUTSUKA
Japanese
"Art Of the Bayonet Practitioner / Practitioner Of The Art Of the Bayonet"
The term Jukenjutsuka is used to describe any student of the art of Jukenjutsu.

JUNSEI
Japanese
"Truth / Purity"

JUTE 十手
Japanese
"Ten In The Hand"
The term Jute is used as an alternative spelling for the word Jutte.

JUTSU
Japanese
"Art / Combative Method / Military Science"
Also incorrectly known as Jitsu and Jiutsu.

JUTTE 十手
Japanese
"Ten In The Hand"
The term Jutte is used to describe the normally Single Pronged Baton carried by both Samurai and Doshin as a defence against a sword and a method of easing the restraint of criminals.

JYAN
Chinese
"Straight Sword"
The term Jyan is an alternative spelling for the double edged straight swords more commonly known as Jian.