Japanese numbering systems can seem somewhat opaque and irregular to westerners. There are basically two types of number systems used in martial arts. The first is Native Japanese (Kun’yomi) which uses the basic numbers like ichi, ni, san, shi, go, etc., which are used for counting reps, warmups, and drill commands. The second is Sino-Japanese (On’yomi) which uses the same numbers like ichi, ni, san, etc., but in compound form. They appear in technique names, kata names, ranks, and historical documents. For example, ikkyo (一教) uses ichi which turns into ik (sound becomes geminated). Same for nikkyo (二教), sankyo (三教) and yonkyō (四教) (not shikyo, because that would mean “death”).
Basic Numbers
These are used in kihon drills, kata warmups, ukemi reps, striking practice, and pushups and conditioning. In the dojo, the numbers are said sharply and clipped, often exaggerating the first sound, such as: ICH! NI! SAN! YON! GO! ROK! NANA! HACH! KYŪ! JŪ!. Some dojos use “Yon” and “Nana” rather than “Shi” and “Shichi” because those words also mean death. Shi (死) means death while shichi (七) sounds too close to shi (death).
| # | Kanji | Hiragana | Rōmaji | Spoken in martial arts / dojo shorthand | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 一 | いち | ichi | “Ichi” → “Ich!” or “Hit!” | The final vowel is clipped — sounds like “itch!” or “eetch!” |
| 2 | 二 | に | ni | “Ni!” | Short, sharp “nee!” (quick exhale) |
| 3 | 三 | さん | san | “San!” | Crisp, short “sahn!” |
| 4 | 四 | し / よん | shi / yon | Usually “Shi!” | Shi is standard in counting drills; yon used in formal numbering (to avoid word for “death”). |
| 5 | 五 | ご | go | “Go!” | Very sharp — exhale through it strongly. |
| 6 | 六 | ろく | roku | “Roku” → “Rok!” or “Rok’!” | The -u is often dropped. |
| 7 | 七 | しち / なな | shichi / nana | Usually “Shichi” → “Shich!” | Nana is used in daily life; Shichi in martial arts cadence. |
| 8 | 八 | はち | hachi | “Hachi” → “Hach!” | -i dropped — short, explosive. |
| 9 | 九 | きゅう / く | kyū / ku | Usually “Ku!” | Ku is quicker; Kyū used when counting slowly/formally. |
| 10 | 十 | じゅう | jū | “Jū” → “Joo!” | Extended “joo” sound, often with slight drawn-out breath. |
| 11 | 十一 | じゅういち | jūichi | “Jū-ichi” → “Jū-ich!” | Combine “jū” + “ichi,” often clipped at the end. |
| 12 | 十二 | じゅうに | jūni | “Jū-ni!” | Clean, rhythmic — “joonee!” |
| 13 | 十三 | じゅうさん | jūsan | “Jū-san!” | Maintain rhythm with previous numbers. |
| 14 | 十四 | じゅうし / じゅうよん | jūshi / jūyon | Usually “Jū-shi!” | Again, shi used in counting, yon in general contexts. |
| 15 | 十五 | じゅうご | jūgo | “Jū-go!” | Quick but distinct — “joogo!” |
| 16 | 十六 | じゅうろく | jūroku | “Jū-rok!” | Drop the -u at end of roku. |
| 17 | 十七 | じゅうしち / じゅうなな | jūshichi / jūnana | Usually “Jū-shich!” | Shortened for cadence. |
| 18 | 十八 | じゅうはち | jūhachi | “Jū-hach!” | Same rule: drop -i to keep rhythm. |
| 19 | 十九 | じゅうきゅう / じゅうく | jūkyū / jūku | “Jū-ku!” | Ku easier in fast sequences. |
| 20 | 二十 | にじゅう | nijū | “Ni-jū!” | Strong “nee-joo!” count; rarely needed in most sets (often stop at 10). |
After 20, numbers follow the standard pattern:
20 = Ni-jū
21 = Ni-jū-ichi
30 = San-jū
100 = Hyaku
1,000 = Sen
10,000 = Man
Compound Number Words
Sino-Japanese (On’yomi) words use the same numbers like ichi, ni, san, etc., but in compound form. They appear in technique names, kata names, ranks, and historical documents. For example, ikkyo (一教) uses ichi which turns into ik (sound becomes geminated). Same for nikkyo (二教), sankyo (三教) and yonkyō (四教) (not shikyo, because that would mean “death”).
Some numbers transform when used inside compound words.
- ichi becomes ik/iss. Example: 一足一刀 (issoku-ittō)
- ni becomes ni (unchanged)
- san becomes san/zan. Example: 三戦 (Sanchin)
- shi becomes shi/yon depending on meaning. Example: 四方 (shihō) but 四角 (shikaku)
- roku becomes ro. Example: 六法 (roppō)
- hachi becomes hap/hacch. Example: 八方 (happō)
- ju becomes ju/ji. Example: 十字 (jūji)
These changes are standard Japanese pronunciation rules, not martial-arts inventions.
Koryū (classical styles) often use:
- Ippo / Nippo / Sanpo (一歩・二歩・三歩) — “First step, second step, third step”
- Dai Ichi / Dai Ni / Dai San (第１, 第２, 第３) — “Number 1, Number 2, Number 3”
- Happō (八方) — “Eight directions” (very common)
- Juppon / Gohon / Nanahon — “Ten forms/five forms/seven forms”
These appear in kata scrolls (densho) and curriculum.
Counting in Kata Lists and Technique Names
Here are some special martial arts number words you’ll see.
- Ichi-no-kata — Form No. 1
- Ikkajo / Nikajo / Sankajo / Yonkajo (一〜四箇条). Aikido/jūjutsu numbered control principles.
- Ippon — “One point/one decisive strike” (judo, kendo)
- Issoku-Ittō (一足一刀) — one-step, one-sword distance. Core kenjutsu maai concept.
- Nidan/Sandan/Yondan — second, third, fourth degree black belt
- Sankyō — Third teaching
- Sanbon Kumitachi (三本組太刀) — three-paired sword forms. Common across koryū.
- Shiho-nage — Four-direction throw
- Gohon Kumitachi — Five paired-sword forms
- Rokudan/Nanadan/Hachidan — 6th, 7th, 8th danDan 段 is a graded level or stage of advancement in Japanese arts, especially martial arts. More
- Happō (八方) — eight directions. Classic in sword, staff, aikido, judo.
- Happō-giri — Eight-direction cut
- Happo-no-kuzushi — “Eight directions of unbalancing”
- Happo-giri — “Eight-direction cutting”
- Hachi-dan Hanshi — 8th danDan 段 is a graded level or stage of advancement in Japanese arts, especially martial arts. More with master title
- Hachimonji (八文字) — “figure-eight” / 八-shape stance. Seen in sword, spear, karate, iai.
- Kuji Goshinpō — Nine-syllable protection method
- Jū-ren-tsuki — Ten rapid thrusts
Numbering for Methods or Ways
Dai Ippo 第一法 First method
Dai Nippo 第二法 Second method
Dai Sanpo 第三法 Third method
Dai Yonpo 第四法 Fourth method
Dai Goho 第五法 Fifth method
Dai Roppo 第六法 Sixth method
Dai Nanaho 第七法 Seventh method
Dai Happo 第八法 Eighth method
Dai Kyuho 第九法 Ninth method
Dai (大) great, major, advanced designates a set or level of techniques, often formalized or “major” versions
Ippo / Niho / Sanpo… 一法, 二法, 三法… “first method,” “second method,” “third method,” etc.
法 (hō) law, method, principle denotes a method, technique, or principle in martial arts taxonomy.
So Dai Ippo (大一法) literally means “Major First Method” or “Primary Form No. 1.”
In ryūha or dojo systems (especially those influenced by Kukishin / Takagi / Hontai Yoshin / Shinden Fudō-ryū lines), this pattern denotes a series of kata or striking combinations organized numerically. For example, Dai Ippo means the first combination of strikes (1st “method”), while Dai Nippo means the second method, etc., up to Dai Kyuho (第九法) — the ninth method. Each “method” (法) usually corresponds to a distinct tactical sequence or principle — e.g., entering, turning, parrying, countering — not merely different angles of attack.
About “Dai”
The 大 (dai) prefix in this context can mean:
Major / Formal / Great — marking these as the main set of nine formal striking methods, or Ordinal marker — analogous to “Number One,” “Number Two,” etc. in Japanese listings, similar to 第 (dai, “number/ordinal”) written as 第一法, 第二法, etc. So the heading might be using 大 (great) or 第 (ordinal) — they are pronounced the same “dai.” Both readings make sense in context, but in numbered kata lists, it is often 第 (ordinal) rather than 大 (great)** — just romanized identically as dai.
Number Terms Grouped by Number
1 — ICHI / IPPŌ / IKK- / ISS-
Ikkyo (一教) — first teaching (aikidōAikidō is a Japanese martial art that blends with an opponent’s force to control and throw them without relying on strength. More)
Issoku-ittō (一足一刀) — “one step, one sword-length” (kenjutsu maai)
Ippon (一本) — decisive point (judo, kendo)
Ippon-zuki (一本突き) — single thrust
Ippo / Dai Ippo (一歩) — first step / first form (koryū)
2 — NI / NIPPO / NIKK-
Nikyo (二教) — second teaching (aikidōAikidō is a Japanese martial art that blends with an opponent’s force to control and throw them without relying on strength. More)
Nidan (二段) — second degree black belt
Nidan-geri (二段蹴り) — double kick
Nippo / Dai Nippo (二歩) — second form (koryū)
3 — SAN / SAM / SANK-
Sankyo (三教) — third teaching
Sandan (三段) — third degree
Sanbon-zuki (三本突き) — three-punch combination
Sanchin (三戦) — “three battles” kata
Sanpo / Dai Sanpo (三歩) — third form (koryū)
4 — SHI / YON / SHIH-
Shiho-nage (四方投げ) — four-direction throw
Yondan (四段) — 4th danDan 段 is a graded level or stage of advancement in Japanese arts, especially martial arts. More
Shiho-giri (四方切り) — four-direction cutting
Shihō-sabaki (四方捌き) — four-direction body movement
Dai Yonpo (第四歩) — fourth step/form
5 — GO
Godan (五段) — 5th danDan 段 is a graded level or stage of advancement in Japanese arts, especially martial arts. More
Gohon-kumitachi (五本組太刀) — five paired-sword forms
Gokyo (五教) — fifth teaching (aikidōAikidō is a Japanese martial art that blends with an opponent’s force to control and throw them without relying on strength. More)
Gohō (五法) — five methods/principles
Dai Goho (第五歩) — fifth form (koryū)
6 — ROKU / RO
Rokudan (六段) — sixth danDan 段 is a graded level or stage of advancement in Japanese arts, especially martial arts. More
Roppō (六法) — “six directions / six methods”
Roppō-giri (六方切り) — six-direction cutting
Dai Roppo (第六歩) — sixth step/form
7 — NANA / SHICHI
Nanadan (七段) — seventh danDan 段 is a graded level or stage of advancement in Japanese arts, especially martial arts. More
Nanahon-me (七本目) — seventh kata in a series
Dai Nanaho (第七歩) — seventh form
Note: Avoiding “shichi” in martial arts because of sound similarity to “shi” (death).
8 — HACHI / HAP–
Happō (八方) — eight directions
Happō-giri (八方切り) — eight-direction cut
Happō-no-sabaki (八方の捌き) — eight-direction movement
Happō-no-kuzushi (八方の崩し) — eight-direction unbalancing (judo)
Hachidan (八段) — eighth danDan 段 is a graded level or stage of advancement in Japanese arts, especially martial arts. More
Dai Happo (第八歩) — eighth form
9 — KYŪ / KU
Kudan (九段) — ninth danDan 段 is a graded level or stage of advancement in Japanese arts, especially martial arts. More
Kuji (九字) — nine mystic syllables
Kuji-in (九字印) — nine-hand-seals (esoteric)
Dai Kyūho (第九歩) — ninth form
10 — JŪ / JUPP–
Jūji-uke (十字受け) — cross block
Jūji-gatame (十字固め) — cross armlock (judo)
Juppon-me (十本目) — tenth kata in a list
Jūdan-uchi (十段打ち) — ten-strike drill
