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{{Short description|Japanese term for basic budō techniques}}
{{Nihongo|'''Kihon'''|基本, きほん}} is a [[Japanese language|Japanese]] term meaning "basics" or "fundamentals." The term is used to refer to the basic techniques that are taught and practiced as the foundation of most [[Japanese martial arts]].<ref>{{cite book |author=Luis Bernardo Mercado |title=Tsuku-Kihon: Dynamic Kumite Techniques of Shotokan Karate |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=uMvwaqyja44C |publisher=Authorhouse |year=2012 |pages=15 |isbn=978-1477289280}}</ref><ref>{{cite book |author=Masayuki Shimabukuro, Leonard Pellman |title=Flashing Steel: Mastering Eishin-Ryu Swordsmanship |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=6QYpF6ujPusC |publisher=Blue Snake Books |year=2008 |pages=85 |isbn=978-1583941973}}</ref><ref>{{cite journal |author=((Oya Minoru, Professor-International Budo University, Kendo Kyuoshi 7-dan)) |title=The Aims and Ideals of Training/ 3. The Inportance of Kihon (basics) |journal=Kendo World |year=2006 |volume=3 |pages=50–51 |issn=1175-8872}}</ref> 

The practice and mastery of kihon is essential to all advanced training, and includes the practice of correct body form and breathing, while practicing basics such as stances, punches, kicks, blocks, and thrusts, but it also includes basic representative ''[[kata]]''.

Kihon is not only practicing of techniques, it is also the [[Budō|budōka]] fostering the correct spirit and attitude at all times.<ref>{{cite book |author= Claudio A. Iedwab, Roxanne L. Standefer |title=Martial Arts: Mind & Body |url=https://archive.org/details/martialarts00clau |url-access= registration |publisher=Human Kinetics Europe Ltd |year=2000 |pages=[https://archive.org/details/martialarts00clau/page/64 64] |isbn=0736001255}}</ref>

Kihon techniques tend to be practiced often, in many cases during each practice session.  They are considered fundamental to mastery and improvement of all movements of greater complexity.<ref>{{cite book |author=Chris Thompson |title=Black Belt Karate |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=6wH4ld9EcwwC |publisher=Blue Snake Books |year=2008 |pages=25–26 |isbn=978-1583942543 }}{{Dead link|date=May 2023 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}</ref> Kihon in martial arts can be seen as analogous to basic skills in, for example, [[basketball]]. Professional [[NBA]] players continue to practice dribbling, passing, free throws, jump shots, etc. in an effort to maintain and perfect the more complex skills used during a basketball game.

==References==
{{Reflist}}

{{Japanese martial arts}}
{{Karate}}

[[Category:Japanese martial arts terminology]]