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Karate
The Meaning of "Karate"
"Karate-do" translated literally means "empty-hand ways". It
is an art passed through generations and cultures for the purpose of self-defense,
physical fitness, and improvement of character.
History of Karate
Karate dates back over a thousand years to China, beginning as a form of physical
exercise and endurance training. Gichin Funakoshi, the master of karate, brought
the art to Japan and Okinawa in 1922 where his skilled demonstrations impressed
those who watched. In 1936 Master Funakoshi established the Shotokan. Master Funakoshi
introduced karate to America and formed the Japan Karate Association (JKA) in 1955.
He served as the chief instructor for two years until his death in 1957, at the
age of eighty-eight. Since then, karate has flourished as a competitive sport as
well as a means for physical fitness, self-discipline and defense.
Types of Martial Arts
There are many styles of karate as well as forms of martial arts. Below you will
find a brief description of today's most common forms of martial arts and their
distinctive features.
- Shotokan: Japanese karate focusing on three basic parts: Basic techniques,
Kata, and Kumite (sparring). Shotokan is distinctive due to the focus on perfection
of all stances, strikes, and blocks.
- Aikido: Japanese martial art meaning "The Way of Harmonious Power ".
Aikido is purely a defensive art that uses an attacker's own strength to protect
both the attacker and the person attacked.
- Iaido:(Ee-eye-doh)Japanese art of sword-drawing, cutting, and returning it
to its scabbard, all with a minimum of exertion. Iaido's essence is a non-combative
form of spiritual cultivation.
- Tae Kwon Do: Korean karate that is distinguishable from other martial arts
by its focus on kicking.
- Tai Chi:A Chinese martial art that emphasizes harmony of mind and body. Tai
Chi is not an art that focuses on self-defense, but on relaxation.
- Kung Fu:"Kung" meaning discipline, and "Fu" meaning person,
this martial art concentrates on blending mind, body and spirit. Kung Fu includes
both the use of weapons as well as empty-hand techniques.
Karate Uniform
The karate uniform is called a Gi (pronounced "Ghee"). Both jacket and
pants are completely white. The Gi comes in two styles, medium or heavy weight.
Medium weight Gis are recommended for youth and beginners because of the cost factor.
Uniforms are available at the Dojo. Whenever wearing a Gi, it should be clean and
without any holes. It is considered appropriate for women to wear a white t-shirt
under their Gi while training. All students should wear a Shotokan patch on their
Gi which is also available at the dojo. All training is done without shoes or jewelery.
All jewelery and other accessories should not be worn to prevent any type of injury.
Washington Shotokan Rankings
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11th Kyu
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- Yellow Belt with Stripe (KinderKarate)
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10th Kyu
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- Yellow Belt
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9th Kyu
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- Orange Belt
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8th Kyu
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- Blue Belt
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7th Kyu
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- Green Belt
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6th Kyu
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- Green Belt
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5th Kyu
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- 1st Degree Purple
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4th Kyu
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- 2nd Degree Purple
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3rd Kyu
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- 1st Degree Brown
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2nd Kyu
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- 2nd Degree Brown
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1st Kyu
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- 3rd Degree Brown
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Pre-Shodan
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- Black
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Shodan
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- 1st Degree Black Belt
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Nidan
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- 2nd Degree Black Belt
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Sandan
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- 3rd Degree Black Belt
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Yondan
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- 4th Degree Black Belt
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Godan
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- 5th Degree Black Belt
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Rokudan
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- 6th Degree Black Belt
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Kihon (Basic Techniques)
Basic techniques (blocking, punching, kicking, striking, stances)are practiced continuously
when studying karate. It is the ultimate goal for the karate-ka to execute a block
and counter-attack with with the maximum power in the shortest time possible. Combinations
of basic techniques are frequently practiced during class for coordination and endurance
training.
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Kata (Formal Exercises)
Kata are organized arrangements
of blocking, punching, kicking, and striking techniques in certain set sequences.
It is an exercise that simulates a fight with multiple attackers and is an excellent
method of perfecting basic techniques. Approximately fifty kata are practiced in
today's karate with skill levels appropriate for the beginner to the most advanced
karate-ka.
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Kumite (Sparring)
Kumite (also known as "sparring") is the direct application of blocks,
strikes, kicks, and punches with a partner. Shotokan is considered non-contact,
where the objective is to perfectly execute a block and counter-attack with such
control and technical perfection that if carried through to completion, the counter-attack
would be a "killing blow". Kumite can sound intimidating, however as Gichin
Funakoshi often told his students, "The spirit of karate-do is lost without
courtesy." There is no more appropriate way to practice the application of
techniques than with a respectful partner at the dojo.
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Dojo Creed (rules of Karate)
- Seek perfection of character
- Be Faithful
- Endeavor
- Respect others
- Refrain from violent behavior
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Counting (Japanese)
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Ichi
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One
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Ni
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Two
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San
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Three
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Shi
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Four
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Go
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Five
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Rokku
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Six
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Sichi
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Seven
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Hachi
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Eight
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Ku
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Nine
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Ju
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Ten
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Basic Techniques
Dachi (Stance)
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Zenkutsu Dachi
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Front stance
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Kokutsu Dachi
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Back stance
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Kiba Dachi
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Horse stance
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Sanchin Dachi
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Hourglass stance
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Shiko Dachi
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Square stance
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Hangetsu Dachi
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Half-moon stance
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Fudo Dachi
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Rooted stance
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Geri (Kick)
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Mae-Geri
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Front kick
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Keage
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Snap kick
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Kekomi
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Thrust kick
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Yoko-Geri
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Side kick
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Mawashi-Geri
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Roundhouse kick
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Ushiro-Geri
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Back thrust kick
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Tobi-Geri
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Jump kick
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Tsuki (Punching)
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Gyaku-Zuki
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Reverse punch
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Oi-Zuki
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Lunge punch
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Kizami-Zuki
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Jab
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Age-Zuki
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Rising punch
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Ura-Zuki
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Close punch
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Kagi-Zuki
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Hook punch
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Mawashi-Zuki
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Roundhouse punch
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Uchi (Striking)
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Uraken-Uchi
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Back-fist strike
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Kentsui-Uchi
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Hammer fist strike
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Hiji-Ate
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Elbow strike
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Uke (Blocking)
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Gedan Barai
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Downward block
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Jodan Age-Uke
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Upper block against head attack
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Chudan Ude Uke Soto-Uke
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Forearm block against body attack, outside inward
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Chudan Ude Uke Uchi-Uke
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Forearm block against body attack, inside outward
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Shuto Uke
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Sword hand block
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Tate Shuto-Uke
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Vertical sword-hand block
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Glossary of Karate Terms
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Dan
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Rank of Black Belt (1st - 10th)
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Dojo
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Karate school
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Hajime
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To start, begin
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Karate
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Empty hand
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Karateka
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Karate student
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Kiai
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Loud, focused yell-from the diaphram for power, speed and effect
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Kihon
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Basic training
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Kohai
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Lower belt
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Kyu
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Refers to rank of lower belts
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Mokuso
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Close your eyes/Meditate
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Mokuso yame
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Open eyes
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Naote
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Relax but be ready
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Rei
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Bow
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Seiza
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To kneel
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Sempai
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Senior, higher rank
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Sensei
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Instructor
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Shomen
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Front wall of the dojo
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Shomen ni rei
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Bow to the front of the dojo
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Yame
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To stop, but still in concentration
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Yoi
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To be ready
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WSA Kata
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Taikyoku Shodan
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Taikyoku Nidan
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Taikyoku Sandan
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Heian Shodan
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Heian Nidan
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Heian Sandan
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Heian Yondan
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Heian Godan
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Bassai Dai
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Tekki Shodan
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Tekki Nidan
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Tekki Sandan
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Jion
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Jitte
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Empi
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Kanku Dai
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Kanku Sho
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Hangetsu
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Jiin
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Jitte
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Gankaku
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Chinte
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Sochin
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Bassai Sho
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Nijushiho
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Gojushiho Dai
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Gojushiho Sho
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Meikyo
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Wankan
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