15 Okinawan Terms Clarified!

 

https://hsbudo.blogspot.com/2016/08/15-okinawan-terms-clarified.html?spref=fb

 

 

Traditional Karate & Kobudo originated in the Ryukyu Islands, the main island being Okinawa.

 

Before this area became "Okinawa Prefecture" and was forced was adopt mainland Japanese language (Nihongo) as the official language, there were several different dialects spoken, the most well known of which was the Okinawa Language (Uchinaguchi).

 

The majority of the words we use Budo are from Nihongo, not Uchinaguchi, but not all, some of the old Okinawan words are still used in Budo today.

 

Here is a list of some that you should know.

 

Uchina - 沖縄 The Uchinaguchi name for 'Okinawa', which directly translates to English as "Rope in the Sea".

 

 

 

Uchinaguchi - 沖縄口 The Uchinaguchi name for 'Okinawa Language'

 

 

 

Haisai - はいさい Informal greeting, the same as saying "Hi".

The more formal greeting in Uchinaguchi is "Chuu Wuganabira".

Also "Mensooree" means "Welcome".

 

 

 

Di - 手 Translates directly as 'Hand', the name of the native Okinawan martial art that can be dated back prior to 600 CE. This is 'Te' in Nihongo.

 

 

 

Toudi - 唐手 Translates as " Chinese Hand". Meaning 'Tang Hand', named after the Tang Dynasty in China. 'Toudi' was the result of Chinese martial styles being introduced and mixing with the native 'Di'. This became the roots of what we know today as Karate.

 

Chichi - 突き The Uchinaguchi name for 'punch', a more accurate translation of this is 'thrust'. In Nihongo this is 'Tsuki'.

 

Uki - 受け The Uchinaguchi name for techniques known in the western world as 'blocks', a more accurate translation is 'to receive'. In Nihongo this is 'Uke'

 

Giri - 下痢 The Uchinaguchi name for 'kick'. In Nihongo this is 'geri'.

 

Fun fact: out of context this directly translates as diarrhoea, it is only when it's preceded by words like Mae, Yoko or Mawashi that it means 'kick'.

 

 

Atifa - 衝撃波 Meaning "Shock-wave" or "Energy Transfer".

It is the principle of transferring energy to the opponent. Staying relaxed, then briefly tensing at the point of contact creates a 'shock-wave' that travels through the target.

 

 

Gamaku - 横っ腹 Gamaku is the correct application of strength and position of the side and front sections of the waist. Gamaku muscles are important when doing Okinawan martial arts.

This helps with correct application of strength, power generation and stability.

 

 

Muchi - 柔 Meaning 'supple', 'flexible' or 'resilient'. This is a term used to emphasize Elasticity over Rigidity.

 

 

Muchimi - 餅米 This is the Okinawan term for 'sticky rice'. In Okinawan Budo it refers to 'sticky hands'. This is a way of executing techniques that involves keeping the hands in contact with the opponent at all times, leaving no gaps or openings.

 

 

Shishee - 姿勢 Meaning 'Posture' or 'Attitude', it refers to using the entire body in a technique. It is about is putting power from the hips, waist and breath the correct way to generate the most amount of power possible.

 

 

Chinkunchi - ちんくんち Directly translates as 'muscle stamina'. It is the combined use of muscles, bones, and tendons working together to produce maximum power with minimal energy expenditure.

When a certain birds (such as albatross) flies long distances, they rely not only on the wing muscles, but on a combination of everything in their body working together for efficiency.

 

 

A Un - 陰陽 The Uchinaguchi term for Yin Yang. ☯ The concept of balance between opposing forces (of any kind).

This is taken straight from Chinese Daoist philosophy. Many elements of Daoism, Confucianism, Buddhism and especially Shintoism were adopted into old Ryukyuan culture and are an intrinsic part of Okinawan Budo today