Free Online Martial Arts Dictionary S

Martial Arts Terms Beginning With The Letter S

SABOM
Korean
"Teacher" or "Instructor"

SAI 釵
Japanese / Okinawan
"Baton / Trident Head"
The term Sai is used to describe a traditional style of baton weapon common to the islands of Okinawa and the Ryu Kyu. The Sai is essentially a tapered metal bar attached to the upper handle of which are two forward facing prongs, which are used to protect the users hands from strikes as well as catching an opponents weapons. Use of the Sai within Japan was generally limited to the Ryu Kyu islands although numerous modern authors insist that the Japanese Ninja also used the weapon. This is untrue, although some examples of the Japanese Jutte have been found with additional prongs giving some hint at a common evolution. The Sai is generally considered to be one of the five systemised weapons of Okinawan Karate, the others being the Bo, Kama, Tonfa and Nunchaku.

SAKE 酒
Japanese
"Rice Wine"
The term sake is most commonly used to describe an alcoholic drink made from fermented rice, although the term Sake has also come to refer to alcoholic drinks in general. Although most people describe Sake as a "Rice Wine" it is technically far closer to being a Beer as it shares a similar fermentation process. However Sake further differentiates itself from other Beers in that it contains the high alcohol content common to wines.

SAKI
Japanese
"Killing Intent / To Sense The Intention To Kill"
The term Saki is used as an alternative spelling for the word Sakki.

SAKI 酒
Japanese
"Rice Wine"
The term Saki is used as both an alternative spelling and pronunciation for the word Sake.

SAKKI
Japanese
"Killing Intent / To Sense The Intention To Kill"
The term Sakki is used to describe an extrasensory perception that allows a practitioner to sense a surprise attack against themselves or others.

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

SAKURA 桜 or 櫻
Japanese
"Cherry Blossom"

SAM
Chinese
"Uniform"
The term Sam is used to describe any traditional style of uniform worn during the practice of Kung Fu.

SAMURAI
Japanese
"One Who Serves"
A Male member of the Feudal Japanese warrior caste.

SAN 三
Japanese
"3 / Three / Third"

SANDAI 三諦
Japanese
"Three Truths"
Within the Tendai sect of Buddhism the belief that a) all things are void b) all things are temporary c) all things are in the middle state between these two. Also Santai.

SANDAN 三段
Japanese
"Third Step / Third Grade / Black-Belt Third Grade"
The term Sandan refers to a Martial Artist who has achieved his Third step on his path to mastery of his chosen Martial Art. The first step being Shodan, more commonly known as a Black-Belt.

SANKUKAI
Japanese
A style of Karate formulated from a mix of other martial arts systems. Its techniques are characterised by their evasion methodsa and strong Aikido like defensive techniques.

SANTAI 三諦
Japanese
"Three Truths"
Within the Tendai sect of Buddhism the belief that a) all things are void b) all things are temporary c) all things are in the middle state between these two. Also Sandai.

SAVATE
French
The term Savate is used to describe a French system of hand and foot fighting, similar in many ways to modern kickboxing. Historically savate was a popular entertainment for the french aristocracy.

SEGAKI 施餓鬼
Japanese
"Feeding The Hungry Ghosts"
The term Segaki is used to describe a Japanese Buddhist ritual used to pacify, banish or return to their portion of Hell the mythological creatures known as Gaki. Although the Segaki may be performed at any time of the year it most commonly takes place during the festival of O-Bon. The Segaki normally takes place after several days of meditation in which prayers are said for the recently deceased as well as the lost souls. Participants then gather at their local temple and place offerings of food, wine and water on a small alter hidden from the view of any statues or images of Buddhas or other enlightened beings. Pairs of participants then approach the altar, with one burning incense and the other sprinkling blessed water with a pine branch. The Gaki are then requested to attend and consume the offerings once all participants have left the area.

SEIKA TANDEN
Japanese
“Lower Abdomen”

SEIZA 正座
Japanese
"Proper Sitting / Formal Sitting / Formal Kneeling"
The term Seiza is used to describe the traditional method of formalsitting in Japan. Seiza is performed first by kneeling on the floor with the toes lifting the ankles up. The legs are kept together and tucked underneath so that the buttocks rest on the back of the heels. The heels are then turned out and the buttocks finally rest upon the inside edge of the ankles.

SENSEI
Japanese
“Teacher”

SEPPA
Japanese
"Washer / Dividing Disk"

SEPPUKU
Japanese
“Ritual Suicide”
Most commonly executed by cutting a blade deep into the Hara.

SHAKEN 車剣
Japanese
"Wheel Blade"
The term Shaken is used to describe a style of thin metal throwing weapon formed from a flat metal disk and featuring three or more radiating spikes. Thanks to modern cinema and video games the name Shaken is frequently confused and wrongly interchanged with that of the Shuriken.

SHICHIDAN 七段
Japanese
"Seventh Step / Seventh Grade / Black-Belt Seventh Grade"
The term Shichidan refers to a Martial Artist who has achieved his seventh step on his path to mastery of his chosen Martial Art. The first step being Shodan, more commonly known as a Black-Belt.

SHIHAN
Japanese
“Master Teacher”
The title of Shihan is used to indicate the senior most Sensei of any Ryu or in some cases the senior most Sensei below the Soke.

SHIKKO 膝行
Japanese
"Knee Walking"
The term Shikko is used to describe any of a number of methods of Walking on the knees and feet whilst remaining in the formal Seiza position. In order to perform Shikko the body must remain upright yet relaxed and the heels must remain in constant contact with one another. Because of its influence over an individuals posture, Shikko is commonly practiced in the majority of Aikido and Aikijujutsu Dojo.

SHIKYAKU 刺客
Japanese
"Assassin"
The term Shikyaku is used to describe an individual trained as an Assassin or hired to kill another in cold blood. Shikyaku however is not a term that should be used interchangeably with that of Ninja as Ninjutsu emphasises the use of espionage and information gathering above the actual killing of an individual.

SHIN 身
Japanese
"Body / The Main Part"

SHINAI 竹刀
Japanese
"Flexible / Bending / Bamboo Sword"
The term Shinai is used to describe the various lengths of sword formed from strips of bamboo bound together and used for both training and competition within the martial art of Kendo. Developed during the Edo period the Shinai was a far safer training weapon than the Bokken / Bokuto combative use of which often led to injury and even death. The word Shinai is taken from the verb Shinau, meaning "to bend or flex" and is itself an abbreviation of the term Shinai-Take meaning "Flexible Bamboo".

SHINAI-TAKE
Japanese
"Flexible Bamboo"

SHINAU 撓う
Japanese
"Flexible / Bending / Yielding"

SHINIAI 竹刀
Japanese
"Bamboo Sword"
The term Shiniai is used as an alternative spelling for the word Shinai.

SHINOBU 忍
Japanese
"Endure / Endurance / Patience / Self-Restraint"

SHINTO
Japanese
"Way Of The Gods"
The native Japanese religion based largely around the worship of ancestors as well as the Kami of the land.

SHOULDER
(English)
(Chinese) Jianbang 肩膀
(Japanese) Kata 肩
(Korean) Eokkae

SHURIKEN 手裏剣
Japanese
"Hand Hidden Blade"
The term Shuriken is used to describe a style of thin metal throwing blade or spike, sharpened to a point at either one or both ends. Thanks to modern cinema and video games the name Shuriken is frequently confused and wrongly interchanged with that of the Shaken.

SIBAT
Filipino
"Staff / Rod / Pole"
The Sibat is a hardwood or Rattan Staff used within some Filipino martial arts. Also known as a Tongat.

SIKARAN
Filipino
"Foot Fighting"
Sikaran is a Filipino martial art that focuses almost exclusively on kicking. During the 1500's peasant farmers would gather in the rice paddies after a long days work and would socialise with bouts of fighting; the aim of which is to drive your opponent out of the designated area known as a Pitak.

SOHEI
Japanese
"Warrior Monk"

SOJUTSU
Japanese
"Art Of The Spear"

SOKE
Japanese
"Inheriting Headmaster"

SONKYO 蹲踞
Japanese
"Squat / Crouch"
The term Sonkyo is used to describe the squatting position used to show respect at the opening of a bout of combat between two Kendoka.

SONKYO 蹲踞
Japanese
"Squat / Crouch"
The term Sonkyo is used to describe the straight backed squatting position used by Sumoka following their preliminary exercises in order to mentally prepare them for a bout of combat.

STOMACH
(English)
(Chinese) Duzi 肚子
(Korean) Bae