QIANG 枪 or 槍
Chinese
"Spear"
The term Qiang is used to describe the myriad
designs of Chinese spear and spear-like weapons. Due to its simple construction methods, spears always formed a major part
of the Chinese arsenal as recently as the modern era. A common feature to Chinese spears is the addition of a long fringe
of red dyed horse hair at the base of the spearhead, which has the advantage of providing a distraction to ones enemy whilst
simultaneously soaking up the blood on the spearhead and preventing it covering the haft of the weapon. In length Chinese
spears vary anything between 7 and 15 feet.
QI BEN GONG
Chinese
"Five Basic Stances"
The term Qi Ben Gong is used to describe the five basic stances fundamental
to the study of Wu Shu. The stances by name are Ma-Bu, Gong-Bu, Xu-Bu, Pu-Bu and Xie-Bu.
RAN 乱
Japanese
"Chaos / Disorder"
RANDORI 乱取り
Japanese
"Chaos Training / Chaos Taking / Training Through Disorder"
The
term Randori is used to describe a freestyle practice or sparring between two or more opponents. The purpose of Randori is
to use techniques learnt in a structured Kata form and apply them in an unrehearsed manner against an unwilling opponent.
The meaning of Randori can also vary between differing schools of martial arts;for example in Judo and Jujutsu, Randori normally
refers to paired training in which each combatant tries to counter and resist each others technique. However in Aikido the
term Randori is normally used to describe the action of a single Aikidoka defending against multiple opponents in rapid succession,
each of whom is using a single committed attack unknown in advance to the defender.
REI 礼
Japanese
"Bow / Bowing"
The
term Rei is used as a generalisation for all methods of formal bowing used in Japanese Culture.
REIGI 礼儀
Japanese
"Etiquette
/ Protocol / Correct Manners"
The term Reigi is used to describe the correct observance of social etiquette
at all times. The practice of Reigi is as important as ones martial ability as it demonstrates an individuals understanding
of their place within their society be it within the Dojo, political, cultural or religious.
RENMEI 連盟
Japanese
"Federation
/ Union / Alliance"
RENSHI
Japanese
"Polished Expert / Polished Instructor / Tempered Person"
The
term Renshi is used as an honorary title that is written but not normally spoken. An example of the use of the Renshi tile
would be as follows "May I introduce you to you Sensei for the day, John Smith Sensei who is Shichidan Renshi".
Although the exact details vary from organisation to organisation most Renshi titles are awarded to individual students of
Gendai Budo who have achieved Yondan grade or above, The Honorific Renshi however is not automatically awarded upon the achievement
of a particular grade and individuals of Renshi rank may only make up a small percentage of the senior grades in any Dojo.
RENSHU 練習
Japanese
"Practice
Period" or "Training Period"
RENSHUJO
練習場
Japanese
"Practice Grounds" or "An Outdoor
Dojo Space"
RENZUKI
Japanese
"Continuous
Attack"
RITSU 立
Japanese
"Standing"
RITSUREI
立礼
Japanese
"Standing Bow"
ROKUDAN 六段
Japanese
"Sixth
Step / Sixth Grade / Black-Belt Sixth Grade"
The term Rokudan refers to a Martial Artist who has achieved his
sixth step on his path to mastery of his chosen Martial Art. The first step being Shodan, more commonly known as a Black-Belt.
RONIN 浪人
Japanese
"Man Of the Waves / Wave Man / Vagabond"
The term Ronin is used to describe any itinerant Samurai
without a lord to follow. Although a social outcast amongst other Samurai, the Ronin retained his status and his right to
carry the Daisho, but without a regular wage from a lord or beneficiary, many Ronin took to hiring themselves out as bodyguards
and mercenaries in order to stay alive, whilst others chose to become Priests or Monks. The social discrimination forced upon
the Ronin by other Samurai and Daimyo was so undesirable many Ronin chose to give up their rank entirely and take up a peasant
existence working as farmers and labourers. Some Samurai became Ronin following the death of their masters, refusing to serve
another Lord. Others were forced to become Ronin because of some cowardly, illegal or immoral matter, whilst others had simply
lost their land to conflict with neighbouring clans. In fact throughout the Kamakura and Muromachi periods the term Ronin
was used to describe any warrior whose lands were under occupation from an enemy clan. During such warlike times any Ronin
with fighting skill could easily find employment in one of the many armies that continually fought one another for the dominion
of Japan. Perhaps the two most famous examples of Ronin are the 47 Ronin and the near legendary swordsman Miyamoto Musashi,
both of which are still celebrated as bastions of the Japanese warrior culture.
RYU 流
Japanese
"School / Flow / Teachings"
RYU 龍 or 竜
Japanese
"Dragon"
