Glossary of Terms

A | B | D | G | H | I | J | K | M | N | O | R | S | T | U | W | Y | Z

 

A
Ai Harmony, to join or become one with
Ai hanmi Asymmetric stance, (ex: both uke and nage line up right foot to right foot)
Aiki Harmonizing or blending with energy
Aikido The way of harmonizing energy
Aikikai Aikido association. Usually refers to the Aikido association headed by the Ueshiba family
Arigato gozaimashita! Thank you very much!
Atemi Strike (usually used by nage to catch uke off guard)
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B
Bokken Wooden sword used in Aikido practice
Bu “Martial” or “Military”
Budo Lit. “The way of martial arts”
Bushido “The way of the Warrior.” Ethical code relating to the samurai class in ancient Japan.
Dan Blackbelt rank
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D
Do The “way” or path
Do-gi Training uniform
Dojo Training facility, Lit. “Way place”
Dojo cho leader of dojo (chief instructor)
Dori grabbing attack
Doshu Title referring to leader of martial style
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G
Gaeshi Reversal or change
Gasshuku training seminar
giri sword cut
Go Five
Gokyo The fifth technique
Gyaku Reverse or Opposite
Gyaku Hanmi Symmetric stance (eg. right foot to left foot). Uke and nage stand in mirror image
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H
Hachi Eight
Hai Yes!
Hajime Begin
Hakama Traditional Japanese pleated pants
hanmi stance, literal “half stance”
Hanmi Handachi Uke (attacker) is in standing position, nage (receiver) is in kneeling position
Happo Eight directions
Happo giri Eight direction cutting
Hara Center of the body, located right below navel
henka waza Changing or shifting to another technique in mid execution
Hiji Elbow
Hiji tori Grab at elbow
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I
Ichi One
Ikkyo The first technique
Irimi Entering throw
Irimi nage Entering throw
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J
Jiyu Free, freedom
Jiyu waza Multiple attackers attack nage
Jo Shorter staff, approximately 4′ long, used in Aikido practice.
Ju Ten
Ju Jitsu (also Jiu jitsu) Literally “Soft Skill”
Judo The way of gentleness
Juji Vertical cross, (10 symbol)
Juji Garami Cross arm throw
Juji Nage Cross arm lock throw (same as Juji garami)
Jutsu (also jitsu) Skill or art
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K
Kaeshi (also Gaeshi) Reverse or change
Kaeshi waza counter techniques
Kaiten turn around, revolve
Kaiten nage Turning thow
Kamae Ready position
Kamiza Honorary location in dojo
Karami (also garimi) Entangle, tie up
Kata 1. Shoulder Grab
2. pre defined form or technique
Kata tori one handed grab onthe shoulder
Kata tori men uchi One hand grabs the shoulder, the other strikes with shomen uchi strike.
Katate Tori one handed wrist grab
Keiko training, practice
Ken Japanese sword
Ki Universal life force, vital energy
Ki musubi To connect energetically
Ki-no-nagare techniques performed with movement
Kiai sharp shout or yell
Kihon Basic
Kihon waza Basic.training. Techniques are done from static.
Kohai Junior member
Kokoro Heart
Kokyu Breath
Kokyu dosa Seated throwing practice
Kokyu ho Breath exercise (can also referred to breath throw)
Kokyu nage breath throw
Konban wa Good evening
Konnichi wa Good afternoon
Kosa cross over
Kosa tori Cross hand grasp to the wrist
Koshi referring to hips or lower back
Koshi nage Hip throw
Ku Nine
Kumi Group or set
Kumi jo Jo partner practice (set of exercises)
Kumi tachi Sword partner practice (set of exercises)
Kyu Rank or grade prior to black belt designation
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M
Ma-ai Distance between two or more persons. (could refer to physical or energetic distance)
Matte Stop!
Men Face or head
Misogi Purification of self
Morehei Ueshiba Founder of Aikido. Referred to as O Sensei (Great teacher).
Morote tori two handed wrist grab on one wrist
Mu Nothing or empty
Mudansha practitioner below dan grade
Mune Chest
Musubi To tie together
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N
Nagare To flow
Nage The person performing the technique (also Tori)
Nana Seven (also shichi)
Ni Two
Nikkyo Second technique
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O
O Sensei Great teacher (In Aikido we refer to the founder of the art, Morihei Ueshiba, as O Sensei)
Obi Belt
Omote Front side
Onegai shimasu Please (when asking for something). Normally a request to train with another.
Otoshi Drop (eg. Sumi otoshi, corner drop)
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R
Randori Free style practice or sparring. Often done with multiple attacks.
Rei Respect, also refers to formal bow at beginning and end of class.
Rokku Six
Rokkyu The sixth technique
Ryo Both
Ryote tori Both hands grab both wrists
Ryu School or tradition
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S
Sabaki Body movement
San Three
Seiza Formal and preferred sitting position
Sempai Senior student
Sensei Teacher
Shi (also yon) Four
Shichi (also nana) Seven
Shidoin Formal title “instructor”
Shihan Formal title, “Master instructor”
Shiho Four directions
Shiho nage Four direction cut
Shikko Knee walking
Shite Thrower, also tori or nage
Shizentai Natrual body posture
Sho First or beginning
Shodan first step, referring to first black belt grade
Shomen uchi Strike to the head. The hand is raised and lowered straight down.
Suburi Basic repetitive movement, often performed with a weapon
Sumi Otoshi Corner drop
Sutemi Literally: Sacrifice the body
Sutemi waza Techniques involving nage losing balance
Suwari waza Techniques performed when both uke and nage are in kneeling position
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T
Tachi tori Sword disarming techniques
Tachi waza Techniques performed when both uke and nage are in standing position
Tai sabaki Body movement
Tai-no henko Body turning exercise
Taijutsu Body arts, unarmed techniques
Tanto Knife
Tanto tori Knife disarming techniques
Te Referring to hand/hands
Tekubi Wrist
Tenchi nage Heaven and earth throw
Tsuki Straight punch
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U
uchi strike, as in shomen uchi
Uchi Inside; also strike
Uke One who receives a technique
Ukemi Receiving a technique, also art of falling.
Ushiro Behind
Ushiro ryokata tori Two shoulders grabbed from behind
Ushiro ryotekubi tori two hands grab two wrists from behind. (also ushiro ryote tori)
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W
Wakizashi Japanese short sword
Waza Technique or training method
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Y
Yoko Side, sideways or horizontal
Yokyo The fourth technique
Yudansha Referring to person or persons who hold the rank of blackbelt
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Z
Zanshin Literal: Remaining mind. Continuous attention and awareness
Zen Form of Buddhism