The general Japanese term for “directions” is Hōgaku — 方角. It can mean directions, orientation, or bearings. It’s used for cardinal directions, positioning in space, or orientation on a map.
Related Terms
Hōkō (方向) — direction / orientation / heading – (more about movement or vector-like direction)
Shikaku (四角) — the four directions – (often used in classical or religious / ritual language)
ShihōShihō (四方) literally means “four directions,” usually the cardinal directions of north, south, east, and west, but in traditional Japanese language, shihō often means “all directions around you.” More (四方) — all directions / all sides – (“in every direction”)
Hōi (方位) — compass direction / bearing – (especially in navigation or geomancy)
In martial arts context, when talking about directions in a dojo or for technique, the word hōkō (方向) is most natural for movement. “Change direction” → 方向を変える (hōkō o kaeru). Hōgaku (方角) is more for spatial layout: “Face the correct direction” → 正しい方角を向く
Basic Directions & Levels
Ushiro — 後ろ — Back
Mae — 前 — Front
Yoko — 横 — Side
Migi — 右 — Right
Hidari — 左 — Left
Gedan — 下段 — Low
Chūdan — 中段 — Middle
Jōdan — 上段 — High
Horizontal & Diagonal Directions
Naname — 斜め — Diagonal
Mae-naname — 前斜め — Forward diagonal
Ushiro-naname — 後ろ斜め — Rear diagonal
Massugu — 真っ直ぐ — Straight / directly forward
Mawashi — 回し — Around / circular
Sayū — 左右 — Left and right / side-to-side
Vertical Directions
Ue — 上 — Up / above
Shita — 下 — Down / below
Zujō — 頭上 — Overhead
Jōhō — 上方 — Upper direction
Kahō — 下方 — Lower direction
Center & Off-Center Concepts
Chūshin — 中心 — Center
Seichūsen — 正中線 — Centerline
Uchi — 内 — Inside
Soto — 外 — Outside
Uchigawa — 内側 — Inner side
Sotogawa — 外側 — Outer side
Angles & Planes
Tate — 縦 — Vertical
Yoko — 横 — Horizontal
Naname — 斜め — Diagonal
Age — 上げ — Upward movement
Oroshi — 下ろし — Downward movement
Positional / Relative Directions
Mae ni — 前に — To the front
Kōhō — 後方 — Rear / behind
Sokumen — 側面 — Side / flank
Hantai — 反対 — Opposite side
Dōgawa — 同側 — Same side
Movement Directions (Footwork & Positioning)
Zenshin — 前進 — Advance
Kōtai — 後退 — Retreat
Kaiten — 回転 — Turn / rotate
Tenkai — 転回 — Pivot / turning rotation
Hairu — 入る — Enter / step in
Sagaru — 下がる — Step back / retreat
