Kiai

Kiai (気合) /ˈkiː.aɪ/ is a Japanese term used in martial arts for the short yell or shout uttered when performing an attacking move.

Traditional Japanese Dojo generally use single syllables beginning with a vowel. The concept has become a notable part of Asian martial arts in popular culture, especially in martial arts films, in writing rendered in variants such as Hi-yah!, Aiyah!, Eeee-yah!, or Hyah!.

The term is a compound of ki (気) meaning energy or mood, a(u)(合), an emphatic marker. The same concept is known as K'ihap in many Korean martial arts, such as taekwondo, hap being the, based on the Korean reading of the same characters; its Hangul spelling is 기합.

In the board game Go the term describes fighting spirit.

Use in martial arts

Students of Japanese martial arts such as aikido, karate, kobudo, kendo, or judo (or related arts such as taiko drumming) use kiai to startle an opponent, intimidate, express confidence, or express victory. In kendo, for example, a point is only given by the Shinpan (referees) if the hit is accompanied by a strong, convincing kiai. The physical aspects of a kiai are often thought to teach a student proper breathing technique when executing an attack which is a common trait adopted by many other foreign martial arts and combat sports.

KIAI

KIAI (93.9 FM) is a commercial radio station that serves the areas of Mason City, Iowa and Austin–Albert Lea, Minnesota. The station broadcasts a Country format. KIAI is owned by Digity, LLC, through licensee Digity 3E License, LLC, which owns several other radio stations in Iowa and Minnesota.

The station was originally licensed as KNIQ on April 9, 1985 but changed callsigns to KIAI on October 4, 1991.

The transmitter and broadcast tower are located 4 miles east of Mason City along 280th Street. According to the Antenna Structure Registration database, the tower is 244 m (801 ft) tall with the FM broadcast antenna mounted at the 229 m (751 ft) level. The calculated Height Above Average Terrain is 241 m (791 ft).

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