Free Online Martial Arts Dictionary m

MAAI
Japanese
The distance between two opponents.

MA-BU
Chinese
"Horse Stance"

MAE
Japanese
"Front" or "Forward"

MAE SUN SAWK
Thai
"Side Handled Club"
The term Mae Sun Sawk 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. Widely used in the art of Krabi Krabong the Thai Mae Sun Sawk it is generally believed to be a baton used to both increase the damage of elbow strikes whilst at the same time bracing the arms of a fighting individual in a similar way to a splint. Also See: Guai, Tonfa, Nightstick

MAHUIZZOH CHIMALLI
Aztec
"Decorated Shield"
The term Mahuizzoh Chimalli is used to describe all styles of ornamental Chimalli shield that are decorated with feathrwork, hair or beads.

MAIRI
Japanese
"Submission" or "To Yield"
Tapping with the hand to signify submission.

MAKERU 負ける
Japanese
"To Be Defeated"

MAKIWARA 巻藁 or 巻き藁
Japanese
The Makiwara A padded training post used in many karate systems in order to toughen up the body weapons so as to improve striking techniques.

MANO MANO
Filipino
"Hands To Hands"
Mano Mano is a Filipino martial art similar in many ways to modern schools of Japanese MMA in that it incorporates punching, Elbow Strikes, Finger Strikes, Kicking, Knee Strikes, Blocks, Locks and Grappling with an opponent.

MANRIKIGUSARI 万力鎖
Japanese
"Ten Thousand Power Chain"
The term Manrikigusari is used to describe a weapon formed from a length of chain weighted at both ends.

MARQUESS OF QUEENSBERRY RULES
European
The Marquess of Queensberry Rules is set of generally accepted rules for Western Boxing publicly endorsed by a Scottish gentleman named John Douglas who was the 9th Marquess of Queensberry. The rules were intended to be used within both Amateur Boxing and Professional Boxing matches and specified that "you must not fight simply to win; no holds barred is not the way; you must win by the rules".

The main rules read as follows:

1) The fight should be a stand-up boxing match in a 24-foot ring, or as near that size as possible.
2) No wrestling or hugging allowed.
3) The rounds to be of three minutes duration, and one minute's time between rounds.
4) If either man falls through weakness or otherwise, he must get up unassisted, 10 seconds to be allowed him to do so, the other man meanwhile to return to his corner, and when the fallen man is on his legs the round is to be resumed and continued until the three minutes have expired. If one man fails to come to the scratch in the 10 seconds allowed, it shall be in the power of the referee to give his award in favour of the other man.
5) A man hanging on the ropes in a helpless state, with his toes off the ground, shall be considered down.
6) No seconds or any other person to be allowed in the ring during the rounds.
7) Should the contest be stopped by any unavoidable interference, the referee to name the time and place as soon as possible for finishing the contest; so that the match must be won and lost, unless the backers of both men agree to draw the stakes.
8) The Boxing Gloves must be new, of the best quality and fair-sized for boxing.
9) Should a glove burst, or come off, it must be replaced to the referee's satisfaction. A man on one knee is considered down and if struck is entitled to the stakes.
10) No shoes or boots with spikes or sprigs fixed to them are allowed.
11) The contest in all other respects to be governed by revised London Prize Fighting Rules.

MATE
Japanese
"Wait" or "Stop"

MAU RAKAU
Maori
"To Bear A Weapon"
The term Mau Rakau is used to describe one of the traditional martial arts of the Maori that specialises in the use of Maori Weaponry. Mau Raku was traditionally taught from a young age in the Whare-Tu-Taua where Toa studied not only the fighting arts but their cultural history and mythology.

MAU TAIAHA
Maori
"To Bear A Taiaha"
The term Mau Taiaha is used to describe a Whare-Tu-Taua where the Taiaha is the either the only weapon studied or the most predominant weapon studied.

MEMPO  面頬
Japanese
"Armoured Face-Mask" or "Face Mask"
The term Mempo is used as an alternative name for the Menpo.

MENBO  面頬
Japanese
"Armoured Face-Mask" or "Face Mask"
The term Menbo is used as an alternative name for the Menpo.

MENGU  面頬
Japanese
"Armoured Face-Mask" or "Face Mask"
The term Mengu is used as an alternative name for the Menpo.

MENKO  面頬
Japanese
"Armoured Face-Mask" or "Face Mask"
The term Menko is used as an alternative name for the Menpo.

MEKUGI 目釘
Japanese
"Pin" or "Peg"
The Mekugi is a bamboo peg used to secure the Tsuka (Handle) of a Nihonto to the Nakago (Tang).

MENKYO 免許
Japanese
"License"
The term menkyo is used to describe any license awarded to practitioners of numerous Japanese arts as an indication of their level of ability. The principle of a Menkyo has existed in Japan since the 8th century and is applied not only to martial arts but also to flower arranging, tea making and painting amongst other arts.

MENPO  面頬
Japanese
"Armoured Face-Mask" or "Face Mask"
The term menpo is used to describe the armoured facemask portion of a traditional suit of Yoroi armour. Menpo are characteristically savage in appearance with the vast majority depicting a somewhat demonic face, complete with a bristling moustache and sharpened fangs for teeth.

MENUKI 目貫 or 目貫き
Japanese
"Hilt Ornaments"
The term Menuki is used to describe the smallornaments placed within the handle of a Nihonto.

METSUBISHI
Japanese
"To Crush The Eyes"
The term Metubishi is used to describe the tactic of blinding or distracting an opponent in order to gain an advantage during combat. Common methods of Metsubishi include the throwing dust, sand, dirt or metal shavings into the eyes of an opponent, but can also take the form of strikes to the eyes and nose as well as cuts to the forehead.

MISOGI 禊
Japanese
"Ritual Purification"
Any of the Shinto purification rites designed to test the bodies endurance to pain and discomfort whilst also purifying the soul in the process. Common methods of Misogi include standing beneath waterfalls and waist deep in rivers for extended periods of time.

MI TSUNG I
Chinese
"Labyrinth Art"
A highly deceptive style of kung fu featuring rapid movement, confusing turns and attacks.

MOGITO 模擬刀
Japanese
"Mock Sword" or "Imitation Sword”
A Katana formed with a blunt blade so that sword-drawing practice may be performed safely. Alternatively known as an Iaito.

MOKUSO
Japanese
"Meditation"
A quiet meditation usually performed before and after a training session in many traditional Japanese martial arts.

MOO DUK KWAN
Korean
"Institute Of Military Virtue"
A Korean martial art similar in many ways to Taekwondo.

MOK JONG
Chinese
The term Mook Jong is used as one of the traditional names for a Wing Chun dummy.

MORI 守り
Japanese
"Defender / Defense / Protector / Observer / Babysitter"

MORI 森
Japanese
"Forest"

MORI 銛
Japanese
"Harpoon / Fishing Spear"

MOROTE 諸手
Japanese
"With Both hands / Two Handed"

MU 無
Japanese
"Nothingness / Nothing / Emptiness / Without / None"
The Zen nothingness or emptiness. This principle is often used in the Japanese martial arts to make one clear in the mind of all thought so the body will respond instantly to any situation.

MUDANSHA 無段者
Japanese
"Unranked Student"
The term Mudansha is used as a collective term for all students of Gendai Budo who are not of Yudansha grade

MUGE
Japanese
"Horse Bridle"
The term Muge is used to describe the traditional wooden horse bridle use throughout Okinawa and the Ryu Kyu. It is generally accepted that the Muge is one of the ancestors of the modern Nunchaku.

MUI FA JEONG
Chinese
"Plum Flower Stumps"
the term Mui Fa Jeong is used to describe a series of upright posts driven into the ground upon which some styles of Kung Fu pracice balancing techniques.

MUNE 棟
Japanese
"Ridge On A Roof"

MUNE 棟
Japanese
"Spine Of Sword / Back Of Sword"
The term Mune is used to describe the blunt back edge or spine of any single edged Nihonto. The Mune is normally untempered and as such is formed from a softer metal than the Ha, for this reason many Japanese sword schools teach the use ofthe Mune in order to block incoming sword strikes.

MUNE 胸
Japanese
"Chest / Breast"

MUSHIN 無心
Japanese
"No Mind"
The term Mushin is used to describe the state of consciousness when one is able to react effectively to any combat or high stress situation without the apparent use of conscious thought.