Karate - Names of Body Parts (i.e. Strike to Head, Knee or Neck)

Here is a list of Japanese words used in Karate to identify various body parts (i.e. head, foot and neck). These Japanese words are often used during Karate training in order to identify targets to strike or areas to defend. In addition, below are a couple of instructional videos that will help you to properly pronounce these Japanese words.

For other Karate words & commands, please visit the main Karate Terminology section.

Karate Names for Body Parts - English to Japanese

• Abdomen (Belly) - Hara
• Ankle - Ashikubi
• Arm - Wan
• Body - Tai/Karada
• Collar Bone - Sakotsu
• Ear - Mimi
• Elbow - Empi or Enpi (sounds like En-pee or Em-pee)
• Eye - Me
• Face - Kao
• Finger - Yubi
• Fist - Ken
• Foot - Ashi (sounds like Ah-she)
• Groin (Testicles) - Kinteki
• Hair - Kami
• Hand - Te (sound like Tay)
• Head - Atama (sounds like Ah-ta-ma)
• Heel - Kakato (sounds like Ka-ka-toe)
• Jaw - Ago
• Kidney - Jinzo
• Knee - Hiza (sounds like He-zah)
• Mouth - Kuchi
• Nose - Hana
• Palm of Hand - Shute
• Rib - Rokkotsu
• Shoulder - Kata
• Spine - Sebone
• Thigh - Mata
• Throat - Nodo (sounds like No-doe)
• Thumb - Oyayubi
• Toe - Tsumasaki
• Tooth - Ha
• Wrist - Tekubi

References Sources

1. Washington Shotokan, Parts of the Body, http://www.dckarate.com/shotokanBody.html, Added - 03/30/15
2. Shotokan Karate-Do Club at the University of Houston, Parts of the Body, http://www.uh.edu/shotokan/terminology.html#parts, Added - 03/30/15
3. Welcome Mat Judo Club, Japanese Terminology, http://www.welcomematjudoclub.com/JAPANESE-TERMINOLOGY.html, Added - 03/30/15
4. About.com, Japanese Vocabulary, http://japanese.about.com/od/japanesevocabulary/, Added - 03/30/15