Martial Arts Terms Beginning With The Letters U, V & W
UCHI Japanese "Strike"
UCHI DESHI
内弟子 Japanese "Apprentice" An old
Japanese practice where a student was apprenticed to a martial arts master in order to become an instructor in turn.
UCHIGAKE 内掛け or 内掛 Japanese "Inside Leg Trip" A Sumo technique
UDE 腕 Japanese "Arm"
UECHI RYU Okinawan / Japanese "Uechu School" Uechi Ryu is an Okinawan style of Karate
founded by Kanbum Uechi and characterisedby linear patterns and strong Ibuki breathing techniques.
UKE 受け
Japanese "Receiver" The term Uke is used to describe the person having a technique executed upon
them by another during martial arts training. Also See: Tori
UKE Japanese "Block / Blocking"
UKEMI 受け身 Japanese) "Blocking The Fall / Receiving The Fall / Break-Falling"
The term Ukemi is an abbreviated name used in place of Ukemi Waza.
UKEMI WAZA Japanese "Methods
Of Blocking The Fall / Break-Falling Techniques / Safe Falling Methods" Any of the numerous methods of landing safely
following a fall, throw or trip.
UKIDARU 浮き壺 Japanese "Floating Pots" The term Ukidaru is used to describe the pottery or waterproofed reed pots used primarily by Ninja as a means of crossing
bodies of water. The Ukidaru is normally used in conjunction with a long bamboo oar similar in appearance to an elongated
fan.
UMA 馬 Japanese "Horse"
UMANORI HAKAMA 馬乗り Japanese "Horse
Riding Split Skirt" The term Umanori Hakama is used to describe by far the most commonly encountered style of Hakama
often likened to a pair of culottes. The Umanori style Hakama have divided legs both of which are deeply pleated and were
originally designed to be worn in a similar manner to a horse-mans chaps; as such they became synonymous with the early Bushi
and Samurai.
UN 雲 Japanese "Cloud"
UNRYU 雲龍
or 雲竜 Japanese "Cloud Dragon"
URA Japanese "Reverse
/ Rear / Back"
URAKEN Japanese "Back Fist"
URA ZUKI Japanese "Reverse
Punch"
USHIRO Japanese "Back / Rear / Behind"
UTSU 打つ
Japanese "To Beat Against / To Strike / To Hit / To Beat"
VAJRAMUSHTI Indian "Thunder Fist" Vajramushti is believed to have been and ancient form of Unarmed Combat practiced by the
Kshatriya warrior class prior to 1000bc. Some Indian scholars also believe that some forms of this martial art traveled along
the silk road into China along with the transmission of Buddhism, and as such created the earliest forms of Chuan Fa. Although
there is very little written evidence to substantiate these claims, the sculptures of a large number of ancient Hindu temple
guardians are shown in fighting postures almost identical to those of both Chuan Fa and its descendant art Kenpo.
VAJRAMUSHTI वज्रमुश्टि Indian "One Who
Grasps A Thunderbolt / One Whose Fist Is Clenched Like A Diamond" The term Vajramushti is written in the Ramayana
epic as one of the names of the great Hindu warrior god Indra.
VAJRAMUSHTI वज्रमुश्टि
Indian "Thunder Fist" The term Vajramushti is used in reference to a spiked gauntlet or Cestus used
within the ancient Indian martial art of Malla-Yuddha.
WA Japanese "Accord / Harmony" The term Wa is an ancient Japanese expression from Harmony, Accord and Coordination.
It represents the basic principle inherent to Japanese martial arts systems in that it denotes nonresistance to an opponent.
Also See: Aiki
WABOSHI Japanese "Bandanna / Head-Cloth" The Waboshi is a length of cloth
worn tied over the head and covering the majority if not all of the wearers hair. Also See: Tenugui
WADO RYU 和道流 Japanese "Way Of Peace System / Way Of Harmony System" Wado Ryu is a Japanese system of Karate founded in 1938 by Hironori Otsuka and based on his experience in earlier Karate
and Jujutsu. It is one of the four major Japanese Karate systems practiced in the world today.
WAI-CHIA Chinese "External System / Outside Group" The term Wai-Chia is used as to classy those Chinese Martial
Arts that rely on external power, vigorous exertion and physical prowess in order to execute their techniques.
WAKASENSEI
Japanese "Young Teacher" The term Wakasensei is used in reference to the son of a master of any
martial art system who has not yet inherited the system as successor.
WAKI 脇 Japanese "Side / Flank"
WAKIZASHI 脇差 Japanese "Side Insertion / Side Sword" The term Wakizashi is used to describe those Shoto created in the same
construction manner of a Katana. Originally the term Wakizashi was used to describe any sword worn on the side of the main
sword (For example a Katana worn against a Tachi) but later came to be known as the "Side Sword" or "Short
Sword" as it was worn at the side and was by definition shorter than the Katana.
WAKO 倭寇·
or 倭冦· or 和冦 Japanese Pirates of the Feudal era.
WASHIN RYU 和真流 Japanese "Way Of Harmonious Truth System" Washin Ryu is a Japanese system of Karate founded by
Hidehiko Ochiai. The system was introduced to America by its founder around 1970 where it developed a strong following in
the American North-East.
WAZA 技 Japanese "Technique / Method"
WAZAMONO 業物 Japanese "Sharp Sword"
WHARE-TU-TAUA Maori "House Of War" The Term Whare-Tu-Taua is used to describe the location where young Maori Toa were educated
in the basic arts of war. Traditionally the Whare-Tu-Taua was overseen by the god Tu, who is believed to be a manifestation
of the human tendency for violence, war and conflict.
WIND AND FIRE WHEELS Chinese The term "Wind And Fire Wheels" is a common translation of the traditional Chinese weapon known as
The Feng Huo Lun.
WING CHUN 詠春 or 永春 Chinese "Eternal Spring
詠春 / Forever Springtime 永春" Wing Chun is a Chinese system of Kung Fu known for its
strong linear punches and kicks.
