Ninjutsu terms and definitions

Discussion in 'Ninjutsu Resources' started by sshh, Aug 6, 2004.

  1. sshh

    sshh Not Talking Anymore

    Here is a list I've compiled of basic techniques and forms of the bujinkan. It is a derivation of the tenchijin ryaku no maki, as well as other training curricula and technical outlines.

    I've tried my best to be as complete and correct as possible, but alas there are still mistakes. If anyone has questions, comments, concerns, corrections, or complaints - please share!

    Enjoy!

    ---------------------------------
    bujin shoku to seikatsu – warrior diet and lifestyle
    seishinteki kyoyo – spiritual refinement
    mokuso – close eyes and meditate

    Bujinkan opening & closing ceremony:

    “chi haya furu, kami-no oshie-wa tokoshie-ni tadashii ki, kokoro o miomamoru ran / shikin haramitsu daikomyo”

    = “With many quick shakes, I invoke the divine teaching that everlasting pure spirit will protect one’s heart in troubling times / by these sounds and words find peace and become enlightened.”

    Two claps and a bow call the spirits and show humble respect. A final single clap and a bow signal that the spirits are present and shows gratitude.

    Onegaishimasu – please assist me
    domo arigato gozaimashita – very much thank you for that

    “In tune with the providence of heaven and the impartial justice of nature, and following a clear and pure heart full of trust in the inevitable, the ninja captures the insight that will guide him successfully into battle when he must conquer, and conceal himself protectively from hostility when he must acquiesce.” ~ Takamatsu Toshitsugu

    taiso – body conditioning
    kokyuho – breathing methods
    meiso – meditation
    ryutai undo – flowing body movement
    juunantaiso – flexible body conditioning (stretching)
    godai kokyuho – five element breathing method
    zazen – seated meditation
    shinkokyu sanaun – spirit breath meditation (three “ohm’s”)

    taihenjutsu – body movement (lit. ‘art of body changing’)
    taisabki – body control
    tai no kurai dori – positional body management
    ashi no kamae gata to ashi sabaki – footwork forms and control
    oki age – fall recovery
    naname kouhou aruki – diagonally retreating
    jodan / gedan uke nagashi – upper / lower receiving flow
    shihou aruki – four direction stepping
    happou aruki – eight direction stepping
    sanpo – natural walking
    kamae no kata – posture transitions
    yoko aruki – cross-stepping
    moguri gata – crouching / kneeling forms
    shizen gyo un ryusui – naturally moving like clouds and flowing water

    ukemi – break-falls (lit. ‘receiving with the body’)
    kaiten – rolling
    tobi – leaping
    karuwaza – acrobatics

    ukemi gata to ryusui – receiving body forms and flowing water
    zagata zenpou ukemi – seated forward break-fall
    zagata kouhou ukemi – seated backward break-fall
    yoko nagare – sideways flow
    shizen tatte zenpou ukemi – natural standing forward break-fall
    kouhou ukemi – backward break-fall
    tare nagare – hanging flow
    yokonagashi zenpou ukemi – sideways flowing forward fall

    zenpou kaiten, ryoute – forward roll, two-handed
    kouhou kaiten, ryoute – backward roll, two-handed
    naname zenpou kaiten – diagonal forward roll
    zenpou kaiten, katate – forward roll, one-handed
    outen, ryoute – “cartwheel” (barrel roll), two-handed
    kouhou kaiten, katate – backward roll, one-handed
    sokuhou kaiten – sideways roll
    yoko nagare kaiten – sideways flowing roll
    zenpou kaiten, mute – forward roll, no-hands
    kouhou kaiten, mute – backward roll, no-hands
    outen, katate – “cartwheel” (barrel roll), one-handed
    naname, happou kaiten – diagonal, eight-direction roll
    hicho tobi kaiten – flying / diving roll
    zenpou / kouhou kiten – forward / backward “spirit flip” handsprings
    zenpou / kouhou kuten – forward / backward “air flip” somersaults

    shinkengata taihenjutsu – realistic fighting forms

    taijutsu no kamae to sono kata – Taijutsu’s postures and their uses (lit. ‘viewing the form’)
    shizentai – natural body
    hira – flat
    seiza – proper seat
    rei – courtesy bow
    gassho – hands together in greeting
    hibi / shoshin – normal (“everyday”) / first intention
    fudoza – firm seat
    hira-ichimonji – flat straight line
    zagamae – kneeling
    ichimonji – straight line (lit. ‘numeral one’)
    doko – angry tiger
    jumonji – cross (lit. ‘numeral ten’)
    katate hicho – one hand flying bird
    hoko – circling the tiger
    ichimonji seigan – straight at the eyes
    kosei – offensive
    hicho – flying bird
    ihen – emergency

    shiho tenchi tobi – leaping in all directions
    shotobi – short leap up
    zenpou tobi – forward leap
    kouhou tobi – backward leap
    sokuhou tobi, sayu – sideways leap, left and right
    tenchi tobi, fudoza – vertical leap, legs tucked under
    kuhi tobi – sacrificial “flying” leap

    shinobijutsu – stealth and evasion (lit. ‘art of perserverence’)
    shoten no jutsu to nobori gata – vertical running and climbing methods
    shoten – “going to the sky” (running up vertical / near-vertical surfaces)
    shizen nobori – natural climbing
    shuko to ashiko – using hand and foot spikes
    kagi nawa – using hook and rope

    hoko no jutsu to ankoku toshijutsu – walking and seeing through darkness
    ankoku toshijutsu – seeing in the dark
    shinobi aruki – stealth movement
    soshin sosoku ho – quick sideways walking
    hyojo hoko – slippery surface walking
    mu on no ho – silent methods
    ashinami jukajo – ten ways of silent stepping
    nukiashi – stealthy feet
    suri ashi – shuffling / sliding feet
    shime ashi – squeezing feet
    tobi ashi – leaping feet
    kata ashi – single foot
    ou ashi – big feet / long stride
    ko ashi – small feet / short stride
    kizami ashi – mincing feet / very short stride
    wari ashi – split bamboo feet / using special shoes
    tsune no ashi – pinching feet

    onshinjutsu / intonjutsu – “disappearing arts” (concealment and disguise)
    gotonpo – five ways of natural concealment
    doton – using earth and stone
    mokuton – using plants and wood
    suiton – using water
    katon – using fire
    kinton – using metal
    kuton – using all or combination of some elements

    hensojutsu shichiho – seven disguises
    sukke – begger
    akindo – merchant
    komuso – priest
    ronin – leaderless soldier
    sarugakushi – performer (actor / singer)
    hokashi – street peddler
    tsunebito – peasant

    shinobi iri – stealth entering methods

    dakkentaijutsu – striking methods (lit. ‘art of striking with the fists and body’)
    houken juroppo – sixteen treasured striking methods
    fudoken – firm (clenched) fist
    sanshitanken – three fingertip fist
    sokuyakuken – dancing foot fist (heel / sole of foot)
    kitenken – upward turning fist (sword hand)
    ****ouken – finger sword fist (thumb)
    sokugyakuken – reversed foot fist (toes / ball of foot)
    shikanken – finger ring fist (extended knuckles)
    shakoken – claw fist
    koppoken – bone method fist (thumb knuckle)
    kikakuken – demon horns fist (forehead)
    shukiken – hand raise fist (elbow)
    sokkiken – foot raise fist (knee)
    happaken – eight leaves fist (palms of hands)
    shishinken – finger needle fist (little finger)
    taiken / shizenken – body fist / natural weapons
    kiken – spirit fist

    atemi – strikes
    tsuki – thrust
    zenpou geri – forward kick
    omote shuto – outer sword hand
    ura shuto – inner sword hand
    jodan / gedan uke utte – upper / lower receiving strike
    sokuhou geri – sideways kick
    kouhou geri – backwards kick
    shihou geri – four direction kick
    juji geri – cross kick
    kakushi geri – hidden kick
    sampo geri – walking kick
    shuken uchi – palm strike (shakoken; happaken)
    tobi geri – leaping kick
    zu tsuki – head thrust
    hichou geri – flying bird kick
    shuki uchi – elbow strike
    sokki geri – knee kick
    hito tobi – flying man attack

    koppojutsu – bone method (attacking the skeleton)
    tsuki ken kudaki – breaking the punching hand
    jujigeri takeori – “bamboo breaking” cross kick
    koshi kudaki – breaking the hips

    kosshijutsu – bone-finger method (attacking the muscles)
    boshiken – stick finger fist
    tsuno yubi – fingernails

    ki-ken-tai ichijou – spirit-weapon-body unification
    kyusho to kiai – targeting and focus (spirit)
    kinketsu teisoku kasho mesho – “a treasure of established poetic names”
    ~ Takamatsu, re: Koto ryuha kyusho:
    urakimon – inner spirit gate (ribs under chest)
    ryufu – willow wind (larynx; adam’s apple)
    kasumi – fog; mist (temple)
    hiryuran – flying dragon confused (eyes)
    shishiran – lion confused (stomach)
    kosei – tiger’s power “life-to-come” (groin)
    yugasumi – evening mist (below the ear; behind the jaw)
    tsuyugasumi – drop of mist (under the jaw)
    ryumon – dragon’s gate (under collarbone)
    jujiro – intersection (between chest and shoulder)
    jakkin – weak muscle (inner upper arm)
    daimon – big gate (shoulder joint)
    asagiri – morning mist; also asagasumi (bottom of chin)
    sei – star, sphere of influence; also hoshi (armpit)
    kinketsu – treasure trove (sternum)
    koshitsubo – hip pot (inner ridge of hipbone); also koe (voice)
    hichibatsu – touch hit (side of hip)
    tenmon – sky gate (ridge of eye socket)
    amado – rain shutters; also uko (side of neck)
    jinchu – man’s center (under the nose)
    happa – eight leaves; explosive blast (palms to both ears)
    menbu – face (bridge of nose)
    tokotsu – single bone; skull (hyoid bone – above adam’s apple)
    gorin – five rings (muscles around navel)
    sai – leg (inside and outside of upper thigh)
    matsukaze – pine tree wind (above collarbones)
    murasame – village rain (notch between collarbones)
    hoshisawa – valley of stars (elbow joint)
    in – shadow (under cheekbone); also kage
    tento – top of head (soft spot between skull bones)
    shinchu – heart’s center (middle of chest)
    wakitsubo – side pot (ribs under armpit)
    yubitsubo – finger pot (base of thumb)
    butsumetsu – unlucky day (lower ribs)
    kyokei – strong tendons (top of foot, above toes)

    kiaijutsu – spirit focus (lit. ‘art of harmonizing energy’)
    (the four shouts):
    seme no kiai - attacking shout
    hannou no kiai – reacting shout
    kachidoki / kachi no kiai – victorious shout
    kage no kiai – shadow shout

    kimejutsu – focusing
    zanshin – remaining mind
    ishiki – energy of intention
    mushin – no mind

    atemi no tanren - hitting discipline (weapon)
    ten (the sky) – striking air, to improve accuracy
    chi (the earth) – striking objects, to condition the weapons
    jin (the man) – striking bodies, to affect the target

    inashi gata – polishing the form (body)
    kengata to seido – fist form and accuracy
    maai to ashi sabaki – distance and footwork
    kensabaki – fist control
    taijutsu kenpou – unified body fist method

    juutaijutsu – grappling methods (lit. ‘supple body art’)
    torite – grappling (lit. ‘taking hands’)
    katate tori – one hand take
    ryoute tori – two hand take
    katamune dori – one lapel take
    ryoumune dori – two lapel take
    kata dori – shoulder take
    sode dori – sleave take
    katamune katasode dori – one lapel and one sleeve take, a.k.a. kumiuchi (joining together)

    kuzushi – breaking balance
    oshi – press
    hiki – pull
    nejiri – torque
    age – lift
    taoshi – bring down

    hajutsu kuho – nine releasing methods
    tehodoki – untying the hands
    taihodoki – untying the body
    happou geri – eight ways of kicking
    ashi barai – leg sweep
    oya goroshi – “killing the parent” (thumb crush)
    ko goroshi – “killing the child” (little finger crush)
    koshi kudaki – breaking the hips
    ken kudaki – fist crush
    toki kudaki – toe crush

    gyakugi – reversal techniques
    omote kote gyaku dori – outer wrist twist hold
    ura kote gyaku dori – inner wrist twist hold
    hon gyaku – base (centerline) reverse
    omote oni kudaki – outer demon crusher
    ura oni kudaki – inner demon crusher
    uchi maki dori – inner wrapping take, a.k.a. musha dori (warrior take)
    muso dori – unbeatable take
    ura / omote take ori – inner / outer bamboo break
    ougyaku – large reversal

    shime waza – squeezing techniques
    kihon shime gohou – basic squeezing five ways
    hon jime – base squeeze
    gyaku jime – reverse squeeze
    itami jime – pain squeeze
    sankaku jime – triangle squeeze
    do jime – torso squeeze

    mimi jime – ear squeeze
    kata- / ryou- ude jime – single- / double- arm squeeze
    omote / ura kubi jime – front / rear neck squeeze
    katatedori kubi jime – single-hand neck squeeze
    seion jime – sound of life squeeze (squeezing the windpipe)
    ougyaku jime – great reverse squeeze
    koroshi jime – killer squeeze

    nage waza – throwing techniques
    ganseki nage – boulder throw
    ganseki otoshi – boulder drop
    ganseki oshi – boulder press
    ganseki ori – boulder break
    gyaku nage – reverse throw
    harai goshi – sweeping hips
    taki otoshi – waterfall drop
    seoi nage – on the back throw
    koshi nage – on the hip throw
    ousoto nage – large outside throw
    uchi mata uchi gake nage – inner thigh reaping throw
    hane goshi – snapping up hips
    itami nage – pain throw
    ryusui iki – flowing like water
    tomoe nage – whirl throw
    tachi nagare – standing flow
    yoko nagare – sideways flow
    temakura – hand pillow
    kuruma nage – wheel throw
    kuki nage – air spirit throw

    newaza; osae komi – ground fighting; pinning and immobilization

    keri kaeshi; ashi ori – kick countering and leg breaking
    ashi dori – leg catch (“in a manner of walking”), also possibly ashi dome (leg touch)
    keri kudaki – kick destroyer
    sukui dori – scooping catch
    tsure yuki – carry along
    kakushi geri henka – hidden kick variations

    anataoshi – trapping (lit. ‘throwing down in a hole’)
    jigoku otoshi – hell drop
    gokuraku otoshi – paradise drop
    yume no makura – pillow of dreams

    nage kaeshi – throw countering

    waza bunkai; kata to henka – technical analysis; forms and variations

    sanshin go kyo no kata – three hearts (uniting body, mind, and spirit) five principle forms
    chi no kata – earth form
    sui no kata – water form
    ka no kata – fire form
    fuu no kata – wind form
    kuu no kata – void form

    kihon happo – fundamental eight ways
    kihon kosshi sanpo – three basic striking forms
    ichimonji no kata – straight line form
    jumonji no kata – cross form
    hichou no kata – flying bird form
    kihon torite goho – five basic grappling forms
    ura gyaku – inner reverse
    omote gyaku ken sabaki – outer reverse with fist control
    oni kudaki – demon crusher
    musha dori – warrior capture, also possibly ude jime ashi ori (arm squeeze and leg break)
    ganseki nage – boulder throw

    taihenjutsu mutodori gata – sword evasion forms
    hira no kamae kata – flat posture form
    ichimonji no kamae kata – straight line posture form
    jumonji no kamae kata – cross posture form

    suwari gata sanpo – three kneeling forms
    ichi geki – one shot (single rage)
    osaekomi – immobilization
    ude ori (shindenfudo ryu) – arm break

    suwari gata shichiho – kneeling forms seven methods
    kasumi dori (takagi) vs grab, ura gyaku – grabbing fog
    ate komi (kasumi dori ura gata) vs grab, omote gyaku – strike and hold down
    do gaeshi vs punch or knife thrust – body turnover
    karame dori vs kick – entwining? arrest? taking the rear entrance?
    keri kaiten? – kick then back roll away
    koho kaiten nage (tomoe nage) – kick then roll over throw backwards
    musha dori – warrior take

    tenchijin ryaku no maki, jin no maki kata:
    katate dori (5 kata) – single hand grabs
    ate nage (takagi) – hit throw
    settou (koto? kukishin? most likely koto) – break drop?
    hiki otoshi – pull down
    fudo (shindenfudo) – immovable
    hoteki (koto) – release and throw?

    ryoute dori (7 kata) – double hand grabs
    kanashibari – tightly bound
    tengu dori – goblin take
    ryote gake – two hand trap
    koki (koto) – strike the demon
    shizen (shindenfudo) – naturally
    soto – hold and fall
    ransetsu (koto) – blizzard

    haibu yori (5 kata) – grabbed from behind
    yubi kudaki / shi sai (gyokko) – finger break
    sakketsu (gyokko) – killer squeeze
    kin kudaki (gyokko?) – gold crush
    ketsu miyaku (gyokko) – squeeze pulse
    tei ken (gyokko) – squeeze fist

    tsuki uchi (9 kata) – punch counters
    koyoku (koto) – rival scoop
    hisaku (koto) – fly and squeeze
    setsu yaku (shindenfudo) – dancing snow?
    musan (shindenfudo) – disperse (vanishing like mist)
    gekkan (shindenfudo) – moon liver?
    katamaki (koto) – shoulder wrap
    hibari (shindenfudo) – skylark (=ujaku? unjaku? – cloud sparrow?)
    shihou dori – four direction take
    moguri dori – diving capture?

    keri ni taisuru uke (5 kata) – kick counters
    jigoku otoshi – hell plunge
    keri ni taishite koto – body against kick
    huko – felling the tiger
    keta oshi – soul press
    yume no makura – pillow of dreams

    tsuki to keri ni taisuku (4 kata) – punch and kick counters
    kokuu (gyokko) – empty space
    renyo (gyokko) – emperor’s palanquin
    saka nagare (gyokko) – reverse flow
    kasasagi (shindenfudo)– magpie

    nage kaeshi (8 kata) – throw counters
    okyo – false push
    atami dori – head take (a.k.a. zudori)
    fukan (shindenfudo) – wind turn? no turn?
    seion (kukishin) – life sound
    gokuraku otoshi – paradise drop
    ugari – quail reap?
    hito – flying topple
    tai jime – body squeeze

    tanto dori (1 kata) – knife takeaway
    ken kobushi – weapon flow

    zanto tonko no kata (togakure ryu) – escaping forms (fleeing / seeking refuge)
    kata ude tonso – single arm escape
    sayu tonso – left and right escape
    kubi sugi tonso – rear collar grab escape
    atekomi tonso – push hit escape
    kote uchi tonso – forearm strike escape
    sayu kumogakure – left and right cloud hiding
    kosei kirigakure – attacking mist hiding
    happou kirigakure – scattering mist hiding

    buki – warrior tools
    taiken – body weapon
    shizenken – natural weapons
    kikai no shigen – resources of opportunity
    hanbo – half stick
    tanto – knife
    kusari fundo – weighted chain
    shuriken – small blades
    rokushakubo – six foot staff
    katana – sword (bokken / bokuto = wooden sword, shinken = ‘live’ sword’)
    shuko – hand claws
    kyoketsu shoge – ring, cord, and dagger
    metsubishi – sight removers
    kayaku – fire and explosives
    yari – spear
    kodachi – short sword
    naginata – halberd
    bisento – battle axe
    tessen – iron fan

    cho ho – information gathering

    goshinjutsu – practical personal self-protection methods
    kikai no shigen taihodoki – escaping body grab with improvised weapon
    kikai no shigen hanbo – improvised hanbo (umbrella, cane, etc.)
    etc. . . .

    kumite / randori – sparring / free play
    sokki hentenken – impromptu transitions?

    -------------------------------------------

    That's all I have for now. At the discretion of the moderators, this can be made a sticky, and if anyone has questions or comments on Japanese translations of ninjutsu terms, this is the place to post 'em.
     
  2. Brad Ellin

    Brad Ellin Baba

    Thank you sshh! Consider this stuck :D
    Everyone, if you can contribute, please do.
     
  3. hatsie

    hatsie Active Member Supporter

    very good, that must have been good finger conditioning.

    i thought though shoshin = beginer posture

    fudoza/fudoken = immovable seat/ .....fist

    could be wrong, great post though!

    dazza
     
    Last edited: Aug 9, 2004
  4. sshh

    sshh Not Talking Anymore

    hatsie: "very good, that must have been good finger conditioning."

    it sure was!

    "i thought though shoshin = beginer posture

    fudoza/fudoken = immovable seat/ .....fist"

    yes those are correct ways to call them as well.

    the 'sho' of shoshin means first or beginner, and the 'shin,' meaning heart has the primary definition of intention in this combination. so together 'shoshin' can mean original intention, or the beginner's mind.
    'shoshinsha' means beginner (person with original intentions). so it is entirely correct to call shoshin no kamae, the beginner's posture.

    fudoza/fudoken: fudo means no movement, so immovable, firm, solid, etc. are all correct for those terms.

    in some cases I was trying to be as literal as possible with the definitions of the kanji, and in others I was trying to translate into something easily understandable, so naturally some terms can have many different translations.
     
  5. Brad Ellin

    Brad Ellin Baba

    Here's a link to a glossary of terms. Using the 2 together can give you a better idea of how complex or simple the Japanese language can be when defining a term or word.

    http://kihon.com/dojo/glossary.html
     
  6. Jaro

    Jaro rhymes with bear-o

    This is incredibly awesome! Thanks a whole lot Shh.
     
  7. Kirberus

    Kirberus Valued Member

    This will be the only thread I have ever bookmarked. And probably the most useful one I have ever seen. Thanks so very very much sshh and kuro.
     
  8. hatsie

    hatsie Active Member Supporter

    yes also, thank you!
     
  9. sshh

    sshh Not Talking Anymore

    new terms:

    from: http://www.martialartsplanet.com/forums/showthread.php?t=18627
    "...also whats a men[k]yo?"

    levels of training:
    shoden - first transmission / first level of training
    chuden - middle level of instruction
    okuden - secret (esoteric) transmissions
    menkyo - license (technical mastery) - initiation into secrets
    menkyo kaiden - full transmission (full mastery) of art
    densho - information handed down / initiation into tradition

    This is the way that separate ryu grade their students. The bujinkan teaches a combination style of 9 separate ryu, so it isn't possible (or it would be cumbersome) to use the five levels of training for each ryu simultaneously.

    However, during training in techniques and forms from particular ryu, one progresses in a global-overview style through the shoden, chuden and okuden levels of each ryu all at once.

    So as a whole, an analogy could be that by sho-dan level, one has completed the sho-den levels of all (or most) of the 9 ryu. Then as shidoshi-ho, one works through the chuden and okuden levels of each ryu more in depth. I picture godan as being menkyo in this case, and further that judan is the equivalent of menkyokaiden.

    (Related discussion here: http://www.martialartsplanet.com/forums/showthread.php?t=18582)

    Trainee ranks (as used in the bujinkan):
    mukyu - white belt, "no rank" ("10th kyu")
    kukyu - green belt, "rank nine" (9th kyu)
    hachikyu / hakkyu - green belt, "rank eight" (8th kyu)
    shichikyu / nanakyu - 7th kyu
    rokkyu - 6th kyu
    gokyu - 5th kyu
    yonkyu - 4th kyu
    sankyu - 3rd kyu
    nikyu - 2nd kyu
    ikkyu - 1st kyu

    Student grades (bujinkan shidoshi-ho):
    shodan - black belt, "first grade" (1st dan)
    nidan - 2nd dan
    sandan - 3rd dan
    yondan - 4th dan

    shidoshi - teacher / leader / "enlightened gentleman warrior"
    shidoshi-ho - one on the way to becoming a shidoshi; an assistant instructor

    godan - 5th dan, earning menkyo, shidoshi teacher's license, student of Hatsumi

    Teacher grades:
    rokudan - 6th dan
    shichidan / nanadan - 7th dan
    hachidan - 8th dan

    shihan - model teacher (an honorific - used as a compliment and rarely as a title, especially not a personal title), used to describe a student-teacher of about this level or higher, especially for judan and above.

    kyudan - 9th dan
    judan - 10th dan, menkyo kaiden, master of the bujinkan arts

    Master student grades (happo biken shihan - master teacher of infinite ways and weapons):
    judan chi menkyo - "11th dan"
    judan sui menkyo - "12th dan"
    judan ka menkyo - "13th dan"
    judan fuu menkyo - "14th dan"
    judan kuu menkyo - "15th dan,"
    tatsujin - one with complete mastery, an expert, a fully developed human being.

    soke - inheritor of tradition, head of the familily, headmaster, grandmaster, etc. or the founder / originator of a ryu
    (An interesting aside: 'soke' written with different kanji is a homonym for prototype, as in the headmaster is also the prototype for the next generation).
     
    Last edited: Aug 13, 2004
  10. Vanir

    Vanir lost my sidhe

    Nicely done, my compliments Shhh.
     
  11. Miran

    Miran Valued Member

    I'm not sure about all the stuff you've posted here but let's finish with some to me very annoying mistakes in ninjutsu terminology.The purson guilty of this is probobly one of the first translators of ninjutsu books.Though it is tough to determin by "a naked ear",in writen form you can clearly see that it is not "onshinjutsu" but actually "onshijutsu".The "onshijutsu" is nothing more than a different pronounciation of "kakushijutsu"("kaku"-to hide can be also pronouced as "in" or "on".I don't know does this forum support this but I think we should consider using kanji when it comes to this kind of terminology problems.Also atemi no tanren means "hitting training"not "hitting discipline (weapon)".Kanashibari means "kana (Japanese sillabury) binding" vs."tightly tied".
    As for Ganseki,here are some more variations:
    Ganseki dome-Stopping the rock;
    Ganseki makikomi-Unfolding (or bringing in) the rock;
    Ganseki goshi-Bringing the rock over one's hip;
    Ganseki geri-Kicking the rock.
    Also I would appreciate If someone knows any other ukemi (I can perform a few but am not sure about the terminology).
     
  12. sshh

    sshh Not Talking Anymore

    Thank you for the correction!

    Miran: "I'm not sure about all the stuff you've posted here but let's finish with some to me very annoying mistakes in ninjutsu terminology..."

    I'm sure there are many mistakes in that list. Most I have double-checked with my Japanese-English dictionary, but even then it is hard to be sure if the definition I'm getting is the right one.

    "Though it is tough to determin by "a naked ear",in writen form you can clearly see that it is not "onshinjutsu" but actually "onshijutsu"."

    Doh! That is one I knew about and I let it slip. Thanks for catching that. I agree that it is hard to tell what's what just hearing it, and many times reading it - if you don't have the kanji.

    "I don't know does this forum support this but I think we should consider using kanji when it comes to this kind of terminology problems."

    I agree. I'll try posting with kanji to see if it works.

    隠し術 kakushijutsu

    (looks like it works)

    "Also atemi no tanren means "hitting training"not "hitting discipline (weapon)"."

    This is not a correction. They are synonymous. For tanren ( 鍛錬 ), the definitions given are: tempering; forging; hardening; disciplining; training.
    I have "(weapon)" after in parentheses, because I have that part of the list organized into "mind/spirit - body - weapon" training, and it is to emphasize that atemi no tanren is used to temper the weapons of the body.

    "Kanashibari means "kana (Japanese sillabury) binding" vs."tightly tied".

    I'm just going to have to take your word for that until I can see the kanji in a Bujinkan reference manual. My dictionary shows kanashibari ( 金縛り ) to mean: bound hand and foot; a feeling of paralysis.

    仮名縛り (kana-shibari) is syllabary binding - a phrase that doesn't make sense to me.

    "As for Ganseki,here are some more variations:
    Ganseki dome-Stopping the rock;
    Ganseki makikomi-Unfolding (or bringing in) the rock;
    Ganseki goshi-Bringing the rock over one's hip;
    Ganseki geri-Kicking the rock."


    Thank you for those. And here's the kanji:
    gansekidome 岩石止め
    gansekimakikomi 岩石巻き込み
    gansekigoshi 岩石腰
    gansekigeri 岩石蹴り

    "Also I would appreciate If someone knows any other ukemi (I can perform a few but am not sure about the terminology)."

    Please check out our ukemi taihenjutsu thread:

    http://www.martialartsplanet.com/forums/showthread.php?t=18934


    Again, thank you for the correction!


    p.s. if anyone has trouble reading the kanji because they are too small - I recommend copying them and pasting to a word processor (e.g. MS-Word), and then changing the size.
     
    Last edited: Oct 3, 2004
  13. Miran

    Miran Valued Member

    Kanashibari 仮字縛り means binding someone by pronouncing kana syllabury and is considered an occult art or a kind of Japanese witchcraft.
    Check this out,too.I think it is not kitenken (wisdom fist?) but kiteken 切手拳 (cutting/sharp hand fist).I think this is one more example of "tagged -n" as with onshinjutsu.Another misunderstanding,maybe?
     
  14. sshh

    sshh Not Talking Anymore

    Miran: "Kanashibari 仮字縛り means binding someone by pronouncing kana syllabury and is considered an occult art or a kind of Japanese witchcraft."

    I've heard of that kind of kanashibari, but I thought it used the same kanji as 金縛り (to mean "a feeling of paralysis.") I understand that there are different methods of 'binding tightly.' One would be the ultra-literal: tying someone up with rope. Another would be the somewhat-literal: to use physical methods such as jujutsu grappling/pinning/restraining techniques. A subtler, vaguely-literal method: using physical methods of contact, but lightly; the feeling of paralysis is due more to positioning, balance, and the sense that any attempted movement would lead to a worse situation. Lastly, the ultra-subtle, not-so-literal: causing a feeling of paralysis in someone by force of will alone (possibly combined with spell-casting if that's what you're in to). Spell-casting aside, I think this final method is very similar to the previous subtle method, except of course that no actual contact is necessary.

    I'll have to do more research into this.

    "Check this out,too.I think it is not kitenken (wisdom fist?) but kiteken 切手拳 (cutting/sharp hand fist).I think this is one more example of "tagged -n" as with onshinjutsu.Another misunderstanding,maybe? "

    That, I'm not so sure of. kiteken 切手拳 (kiri-te-ken) does mean cutting hand fist, and I think that's another good way of saying sword-hand or knife-hand ( 手刀 te-gatana / shu-tou), but all the reference works for Bujinkan Gyokko Ryu (where I see this term used most often) use kitenken 起転拳 (rise-turn-fist). I don't know where someone got "wisdom fist" from kitenken, but I have seen that on a particular website.

    I think rise-turn-fist is more descriptive of the technique anyway. The fist rises and turns to impact the target, it isn't really a cutting/slashing motion which kiri 切 would imply.

    However, you have sparked more curiosity, and I will investigate further.
     
  15. sshh

    sshh Not Talking Anymore

    Miran: "Here is a list of 36 Japanese combat arts ..."

    Ah yes, the '36 chambers' of ninpou bugei ... :D

    "...there are only few lists of bugei juhappan and they're almost always different because this list changed over time ..."

    True, for example the happou hiken of Kukishinden has been nearly the same over the years, but there are a few differences in primary focus depending on the needs of the time period.

    "...feel free to corect my mistakes and contribute in any way."

    Will do.

    "34。変装術【intonjutsu】Disguise"

    Is this meant to be hensojutsu?
     
  16. Miran

    Miran Valued Member

    The kiai interpretations which you posted are a bit colloquial.There are
    originally three kinds of kiai refered in densho as sansei fushin 三声風神 or Three voices of the Wind-god:
    kangi yaku - winning kiai;
    haku yakuso - offensive kiai;
    yaku sohei - defensive kiai.
    Kage or shadow kiai represents the higher level of kiaijutsu.It merges previous
    three into one silent kiai which is intended to break opponents spirit,technique
    and finally a body.This is why it is called mitsu kujiku 三挫くor the three
    breaks.
    By the way,do you have any idea how to write those three kiais in kanji,Sshh?...Anybody?...I have a few ideas but still will not dare to expose them publicly...
    So if you think there is kage no kiai-there isn't!And if you think there
    isn't kage no kiai-there is!...Understood?...No?...Excelent! Now go train!
     
  17. Miran

    Miran Valued Member

    Here is a list of 36 Japanese combat arts said to be practiced by the ancient
    ninja that is 18 conventional and additional 18 unconventional.Though ninja
    juhakkei is often refered to there are only few lists of bugei juhappan
    and they're almost always different because this list changed over time
    along with the importance of particular art.So I figured that this list
    should comprise the most utilitarian combat skills.Nevertheless,feel free
    to corect my mistakes and contribute in any way.

    忍法三十六計【ninpo sanjuroppo】36 forms of stealth methods

    武芸十八般【Bugei Juhappan】All eighteen martial arts

    1。弓術【kyujutsu】Archery
    2。馬術【bajutsu】Horsemanship
    3。槍術【yarijutsu】Spearmanship
    4。水泳術【suieijutsu】Swimming
    5。剣術【kenjutsu】Swordsmanship
    6。抜刀術【battojutsu】Drawing a sword
    7。短刀術【tantojutsu】Knife-fighting
    8。十手術【jutte】Iron truncheon fighting
    9。手裏剣術【shurikenjutsu】Throwing blades
    10。含み針【fukumibari】Blowing needles
    11。薙刀術【naginatajutsu】Halberd fighting
    12。砲術【hojutsu】Artillery
    13。捕手術【toritejutsu】Restraining
    14。柔術【jujutsu】Flexible art
    15。棒術【bojutsu】Cudgels
    16。鎖鎌術【kusarigamajutsu】Chain and sickle fighting
    17。捩り術【mojirijutsu】Imitation
    18。忍び術【shinobijutsu】Espionage

    忍者十八計【ninja juhakkei】18 forms of the ninja

    19。精神的教養【seishinteki kyoyo】Spiritual refinment
    20。体術【taijutsu】Empty hand fighting
    21。忍法剣術【ninpo kenjutsu】Secret fencing methods
    23。手裏剣術【shurikenjutsu】Throwing blades
    24。鎖鎌術【kusarigamajutsu】Chain and sickle fighting
    25。鑓術【yarijutsu】Spearmanship
    26。薙刀術【naginatajutsu】Halebard fighting
    27。馬術【bajutsu】Horsemanship
    28。水練【suiren】Swimming
    29。火薬術【kayakujutsu】Demolitions
    30。謀略【boryaku】Tactics
    31。諜報【choho】Intelligence
    32。忍び入り【shinobiiri】Infiltration
    33。隠遁術【intonjutsu】Exfiltration
    34。変装術【hensojutsu】Disguise
    35。天文【tenmon】Astronomy
    36。地文【chimon】Physiography
     
  18. Miran

    Miran Valued Member

    Here's the correction!Thanks Sshh!I missed thatone.
     
  19. sshh

    sshh Not Talking Anymore

    Miran: "The kiai interpretations which you posted are a bit colloquial."

    I admit I made those up myself, I had no idea what they were really called.

    Thanks for the clarification.

    "By the way,do you have any idea how to write those three kiais in kanji,Sshh?...Anybody?..."

    Not off-hand, but I'll do a little research.

    "So if you think there is kage no kiai-there isn't!And if you think there
    isn't kage no kiai-there is!...Understood?...No?...Excelent! Now go train!"


    Actually, I do understand, which I guess isn't excellent, but I will go train regardless!
     
  20. Miran

    Miran Valued Member

    Don't worry about making up those kiai terms I recently did pretty much the same translation but,alas,found correct names...Do you happen to know where can I find (read:download) copies of Ninpiden,Shoninki or Amatsu Tatara?I've seen people discussing them on some forums (I've been stupid for not asking them!).By the way I downloaded Bansenshukai recently and I've been cracking my scull open over its translation.Is there some typed version of it (Nevermind if it's in Japanese!)?I'd really appreciate it!
     

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