Aikido Glossary (for moving to the resource forum) Please note: In order to see the Japanese text within this post you will need a Japanese language pack installed for your choice of browser A ai (合) meeting, harmony, unity, blending aihanmi (合半身) basic relation between partners: both have same foot forward (left or right), aihanmi katatedori (合半身片手取り)wrist grip, right on right or left on left, also called kosadori aiki (合気)Meeting one's ki or energy with that of the partner aikibatto (合気抜刀)sword drawing exercises, solo or paired aikibudo (合気武道)budo based on the aiki principle, earlier name for aikido aikido (合気道)-The way through the life energy to harmony/unity aikidoka (合気道家) - An aikido practicioner aikido toho (合気道刀法)Nishio sensei's iaido school Aikijinja (合気神社)the aikido temple in Iwama aikijo (合気杖)aikido jo-staff exercises aikijujutsu (合気柔術)name on the Daito ryu Martial art, also called aikijujutsu Aikikai (合気会)organization and "label" for Ueshiba's aikido aikiken (合気剣)aikido sword exercises aikinage (合気投げ)aiki-throw, throwing technique aiki no michi (合気の道)aikido (michi=do) aikiotoshi (合気落とし)aiki-drop, throwing technique aikitaiso (合気体操)aikido warm-up exercises aite (相手)partner in training arigato (有難う)thanks arigato gozaimasu (有難う御座います)thanks for something going on arigato gozaimashita (有難う御座いました)thanks for something completed ashi (足)leg, foot ate (当て)hit, strike atemi (当身)strike to the body awase (合わせ)harmonizing/blending movement ayumiashi (歩み足)alternating footwork, like natural walking. B batto (抜刀)To draw the sword. Can also be an abbreviation of sword drawing arts or technique. bo (棒)A staff. A staff of any length can be referred to technically as a bo, but usually this term refers to the 6' rokushakubo. bokken (木剣)wooden training sword bokuto (木刀)See bokken budo (武道) Martial ways/the Japanese Martial arts budoka (武道家)A practicioner of budo bugei (武芸)Martial crafts. An older term still used in some circles bugeisha (武芸者) A practicioner or exponent of martial crafts bujutsu (武術) Martial arts bukiwaza (武器技)weapons techniques C choku (直) direct chokusen (直線) Direct/Straight line chokutsuki (直突き)direct strike with the jo, like a spear thrust. chudan (中段)middle level, compare jodan and gedan chudan no kamae (中段の構え)guard position with a weapon at belly height. Also known as Chudan gamae chudan tsuki (中段突き)strike at belly/solar plexus, with weapon or empty hand D Daito ryu aikijujutsu (大東流合気柔術) The main influence in Ueshiba O'sensei's formulation of aikido. dan (段)level, black belt grade in budo deshi (弟)student do (道)way, also michi dogi (道着)training dress, also keikogi dojo (道場)training hall dojo cho (道場長)head of a training hall domo arigato gozaimasu (どうも有難う御座います)Thank you so much, for something going on domo arigato gozaimashita (どうも有難う御座いました)thank you so much, for something completed dori (取り) Suffix version of tori. To take, grab or catch. dosa (動作) Exercise doshu (道主)way leader, head of a budo. Lit. Master of a way. dozo (どうぞ)please/proceed/by all means G gassho (合掌) The meeting of hands in respect to the kamiza and to the anscestors in the art. gasshuku (合宿)Training camp, lodging together gedan (下段) Low level, compare jodan and chudan gedan barai (下段払い)Low sweeping block gedan no kamae (下段の構え) Low level posture go (五)Five gokyo (五教)Fifth teaching, pinning technique gomen nasai (ごめんなさい)Excuse me /Sorry gyaku (逆)Reverse, opposite gyaku hanmi (逆半身) Left side hanmi and can also refer to two partners in hanmi on different sides. gyakuhanmi katatedori (逆半身片手取り)Wrist grip, right on left or left on right, gyaku tsuki (逆突き)Thrust punch with opposing arm and leg forward, H hachi (八) eight hajime (始め) The verbal command to begin. hakama (袴)traditional wide pants, used in aikido and other traditional budo. hanmi (半身) half body hanmi gamae (半身構え)angled guard position hanza handachi (半座半立)sitting versus standing. A situation commonly found in Daito-ryu aikijujutsu, aikido and koryu bujutsu. hantai (反対)opposed happo (八方)eight directions, hara (腹)stomach harai/barai (払い)sweep away, parry hasso gaeshi (八相返)jo-staff technique hasso no kamae (八相の構え)guard with weapon at shoulder level henka waza (変化技) Technique variations. hidari (左) left (right: migi) hiji (肘)elbow hijidori (肘取り)grip on elbow hijikime osae (肘極め押さえ)pinning technique, sometimes called rokkyo hiki (引き) From the verb "hiku", to pull hineri (捻り)Twist. From the verb "hineru". hito e mi (一重身)making the body small, guard position, more triangular than hanmi hiza (膝)knee ho (法)method ho (方)direction, side hombu (本部)head quarters Hombu dojo (本部道場)headquarters dojo
I I iaido (居合道)the art of drawing the Japanese sword iaijutsu (居合術) older term for iai iaito (居合刀)training sword, usually not sharpened ichi (一)one ichiban (一番)first, best ikkyo (一教)first teaching, pinning technique ikkyo undo (一教運動)exercise of the basic ikkyo movement ipponken (一本拳)strike with one knuckle irimi (入り身)in to the body, inwards irimi nage (入り身投げ)entering throw, throwing technique Iwama (岩間)the town in Ibarai prefecture, where Osensei had a dojo and a home. Iwama ryu (岩間流)Saito Morihiro sensei's aikido style. Since Saito sensei's passing, his son, Saito Hitohiro formed the Shin Shin Aikishurenkai. J jiyu-geiko (自由稽古) free training or practice jiyu waza (自由技)free technqiues jo (杖)wooden polearm of roughly four feet in length. jo awase (杖合わせ)jo exercises jodan (上段)high level, compare chudan and gedan jodan no kamae (上段の構え) High level posture, usually armed. jodan tsuki (上段突き)thrust at head jodori (杖取り)defense against jo-staff jo-tai-jo (杖対杖)jo vs. jo jo-tai-ken (杖対剣) jo vs. ken ju (十)ten ju (柔)soft, pliable, flexible, gentle judo (柔道) the flexible way jujigarami/jujinage (十字絡み・十字投げ)cross throw jujutsu (柔術)the flexible/pliable art junbi taiso (準備体操)warm-up exercises, also called aikitaiso jun tsuki (順突き)strike with the same arm and leg forward, also called oitsuki, compare gyakutsuki jutsu (術)technique/art
K kaeshi/gaeshi (返し)return, turn, reverse kaeshi tsuki (返し突き)reverse strike with jo-staff kaeshi waza (返し技)counter techniques kai (会)club, association kaiten nage (回転投げ)rotation throw, throwing technique kaiten osae (回転押さえ)rotation pinning technique kakae dori (抱え取り)embrace or bear hug kakari geiko (掛り稽古)attackers in line, one after the other kakudo (角度)angle kamae/gamae (構え)guard position/posture kami (神) divinity/the gods kamiza (神座)honorary place in a dojo, kansetsu (関節)joint (on body) Kashima Shinto-ryu (鹿島新当流)Koryu kenjutsu style that Ueshiba O'sensei and some of his uchideshi in Iwama trained in. Their names are historically recorded on the ryuha's eimeiroku (register). kata (形)form, pre-decided movements kata (肩)shoulder kata dori (肩取り)shoulder grip katadori menuchi (肩取り面打ち)shoulder grip followed by shomenuchi katame waza (固め技)pinning techniques katana (刀)the Japanese sword, also ken, to and tachi katate (片手) Single handed katate dori (片手取り)single handed wrist-grip katate ryote dori (片手両手取り)grip with both hands, also called morotedori keiko/geiko (稽古)training keikogi (稽古着)training dress, also dogi ken (剣)sword, also katana, to and tachi kendo (剣道)Japanese modern sport focused fencing ki (気)spirit, life energy kiai (気合)gathered ki, usually used for shout in budo kihon (気合)basics kihon waza (基本)basic training kikai tanden (気海丹田)the ocean of ki in the body's center kime (決め)focusing kimusubi (気結び)Tying one's ki to that of the partner kinagare/ki no nagare (気の流れ)Ki flow. kiri/giri (切り・斬り)Cut kirikaeshi (切り返し)Returning cuts in kumitachi. Is also a training exercise in kendo & kenjutsu kobudo (古武道)Older budo kobujutsu (古武術) Older martial arts kogeki (攻撃)attack kogekiho (攻撃法)Attacking techniques kokoro (心)Heart or mind, also pronounced shin kokyu (呼吸)Breathing kokyuho (呼吸法)Breathing exercise/breathing method kokyu nage (呼吸投げ)Breath throw kokyu ryoku (呼吸力)Breath power koshi (腰)Hip koshi nage (腰投げ)Hip throw kote (小手)Wrist & forearm area kote gaeshi (小手返し)Reversed wrist, throwing technique kote hineri (小手捻り)Twisted wrist, sankyo kote mawashi (小手廻し)Turned wrist, nikyo ku/kyu (九)Nine kubi (首)Neck kubi shime (首絞め・首締め)Neck choke kumi (組み)Group, set kumijo (組杖)Jo-staff exercises, jo against jo kumitachi (組太刀)Sword exercises, sword against sword kumite (組手)Free sparring, not unlike judo randori. kumi-uchi (組討)An older term for jujutsu. Some of the techniques in kumi-uchi are very similar to sumo. kuzushi (崩し) To break balance kyo (教) teaching kyu (級)Grade before blackbelt
M-n M ma-ai (間合)harmonious, balanced distance between training partners mae (前)front, forward, compare ushiro mae geri (前蹴)straight kick mae ukemi (前受身)forward fall makiwara (巻藁)target for hitting practice in karatedo maru (丸)circle mawashi (回し)revolving, turning mawashi geri (廻蹴り)roundhouse kick mawate (回って)Vocal order to turn me (目)eye men (面) Head area Me Tsubushi (目潰) To distract the uke by attacking the eyes. michi (道)way, also do migi (右)right (left: hidari) misogi (禊)purification, cleansing mochi (持ち)hold/grip, also called dori mochigata (持ち方) Ways of grabbing mokuso (黙想)meditation,clearing of the mind morote dori (諸手取り)grip with both hands, also called katate ryotedori mu (無)nothing, empty mushin (無心)empty mind mudansha (無段者)trainee without dan grade, compare yudansha mune (胸)chest mune dori (胸取り)collar grip by the chest musubi (結び)tie together - connection nagare (流れ)flow, streaming. Also nagashi nage (投げ)throw, also used for the one doing the aikido technique, compare tori N nage waza (投げ技)throwing techniques nana (七)seven, also pronounced shichi ni two Nihon/Nippon (日本)Japan nikyo (二教)second teaching, pinning technique ninindori (二人取り)two attackers, also called futaridori , from the tasunindori exercises in Daito-ryu. noto (納刀)resheathing of the sword into the scabbard nukitsuke (抜き付け)drawing the sword, also called batto
O-r O obi (帯)belt omote (表)front, surface onegai shimasu (お願いします)please, asking for something osae (押さえ)press down, pinning osensei (翁先生)great teacher, in aikido Morihei Ueshiba otagai ni rei (お互いに礼)bow to each others otoshi (落とし)drop oyo waza (応用)applied techniques, modified for efficiency R randori (乱捕り) rei (礼)bow reigi (礼儀)etiquette, also called reishiki (礼式) or reiho (礼法) renshu (練習)training renzoku (連続)continuous renzoku uchikomi (連続打ち込み)jo-staff exercise renzoku waza (連続技)consecutive techniques, a series of techniques renraku waza (連絡技) Combination techniques ritsurei (立礼)standing bow rokkyo (六教)sixth teaching, pinning technique, see hijikime osae roku (六)six ryo (両)both ryotedori (両手取り)gripping both wrists ryu (流)school, also ryuha (流派)or ryugi (流儀)
S sabaki (捌き) movement/handling san (三)three sankaku (三角)triangle sankakudai (三角体)triangle shape, position of the feet in hanmi sankyo (三教)third teaching, pinning technique sannindori/sanningake (三人取り・三人掛け)three attackers sanpo (三方)three directions saya (鞘)scabbard seiki (生気)life energy seiza (正座)correct sitting, sit on knees sen no sen (先の先) initiating at the same instant as an attack sensei (先生)one who has gone before - usually applied to a person leading a class in aikido sensen no sen (先々の先)initiating before the attack begins. shi (四)four, also pronounced yon shiai (試合)competition or match, meaning to literally meet and test. The older meaning was a lot more serious; (死合) to meet with death. shichi (七)seven, also pronounced nana shidoin (指導員)instructor, middle title for aikido teacher, 4-5 dan shihan (師範) Literally means teacher. Japanese practicioners who reach rokudan are automatically titled Shihan. shiho (四方)four directions shihonage (四方投げ)four directions throw, throwing technique shihogiri (四方切り) Cutting in four directions, one of the kihon taught in aikiken. shikaku (四角)square shikko (膝行)knee walking shime (絞め)choke shin (心)heart, will, mind, also pronounced kokoro shinken (真剣) A live Japanese sword. Also refers to being serious in modern day Japanese. shinken shobu (真剣勝負) A life or death match. Teachers in Japan sometimes refer to shinken shobu keiko - Training as if your life depended upon it. shinzen (神前) front of the gods, facing towards the kamiza. shisei (姿勢)posture shizentai (自然体)natural body posture shodan (初段)first dan grade shomen (正面)front of the head. Also, the front of the dojo where the kamiza is. shomen ni rei (正面に礼)bow to head place of the dojo shomenuchi (正面打ち)cut or blow to head shoshinsha (初心者)beginner shuto (手刀) sword hand sode (袖)sleeve sodedori (袖取り)sleeve grip sodeguchidori (袖口取り)grip on the cuff of the sleeve soto (外)outside, outer, compare uchi soto deshi (外弟子)student who lives outside the dojo, compare uchideshi soto kaiten (外回転)outer rotation, compare uchikaiten soto uke (外受け)block from outside, compare uchiuke suburi (素振り)basic exercises with sword or staff suki (隙)opening or a weakness in one's technique or posture sumi (隅)corner sumikiri (隅きり)sharpness of body and mind sumimasen (すみません) excuse me/sorry sumo (相撲)traditional Japanese wrestling sutemi waza (捨て身技) Sacrifice techniques where you give away your position to exploit your opponent's vulnerability suwari waza (座り技)seated training, also called suwate. In jujutsu, usually referred to as Idori (居捕) suwatte waza (座って技)seated training, also called suwariwaza
tachi (太刀)sword, also nihonto, ken and katana tachi ai (立ち合い) training where both parties stand tachidori (太刀取り) defense against sword. lit. "Sword taking" tachi waza (立ち技)standing techniques tai (体)body taijutsu (体術)body techniques, unarmed techniques. Also another term used instead of jujutsu tai no henko (体の変更)body turn, also called tai no tenkan tai no tenkan (体の転換)body turn, also called tai no henko tai sabaki (体捌き)body move, evasive movement in aikido taiso (体操)exercises takemusu (武産)improvised Martial art. The unification of mind, body and principle in aiki. "The spontaneous execution of limitless techniques". takemusu aiki (武産合気)improvised Martial art through the principle of aiki tameshigiri (試し斬り)cutting test with sword tanden (丹田)body center, compare seika no itten tanren (鍛錬)drilling to forge the spirit tanto (短刀) Japanese style dagger tantodori (短刀取り)defense against knife tatami (畳)mat te (手)hand tegatana (手刀) sword hand. To use the hand to strike in sword-like movements. tekubi (手首)wrist tekubi osae (手首押さえ)pinned wrist, yonkyo tenchi nage (天地投げ)heaven-earth throw, throwing technique tenkan (転換)turn tobikoshi (飛び腰)fall over hip, break fall tori (取り・捕り)the one who takes, defender in aikido, also called nage and ****e (Pronounced "Shtay" for you wiseguys out there!) torifune (取り船)rowing exercise, also called funakogi undo tsuba (鍔)sword guard tsugiashi (次足)sliding step, back foot following and not passing front foot tsuka (柄)sword hilt tsuki (突き)to thrust with a weapon or empty hand
U uchi (打ち)to strike or hit uchi (外)inside, within, inner, compare soto uchi deshi (内弟子)student living in the dojo, compare sotodeshi uchi kaiten (内回転)inner rotation, compare sotokaiten uchi gata (打ち方)striking methods uchikomi (打ち込み)hitting repeatedly uchi uke (内受け)block from inside, compare sotouke ude (腕)arm ude kime nage (腕極め投げ)arm lock throw ude nobashi (腕延ばし)extended arm, gokyo ude osae (腕押さえ)pinned arm, ikkyo uke (受け)the one receiving, attacker in aikido uke (受け)block, parry ukemi (受身)falling undo (運動)exercise ura (裏)backside, inside, reverse side, compare omote uraken (裏拳)backfist strike ushiro (後ろ)behind, backwards, compare mae ushiro kiriotoshi (後ろ切り落とし)rear cutting drop, throwing technique ushiro ukemi (後ろ受身)backward fall ushiro waza (後ろ技)techniques from behind W waka sensei (若先生)young teacher, used in aikido for successor of Doshu wakarimasen (分かりません)I do not understand waki (脇)side waki gatame (脇固め) side armlock in jujutsu, similar to hiji shime wakizashi (脇差)short sword, also called a kodachi (小太刀) waza (技)technique, skill, training method Y yame (止め)verbal order to stop yari (槍・鑓)spear yoko (横)side, sideways, horizontal yokomen (横面)side of the head yokomenuchi (横面打ち)strike to the side of the head yoko ukemi (横受身)side fall yon (四)four, also pronounced shi, however is rarely used, since shi rhymes with the Japanese word for death (死) yonkajo (四ヶ条)older term for yonkyo yonkyo (四教)fourth teaching, pinning technique yudansha (有段者)dan graded, compare mudansha Z za (座)seated, sit zanshin (残心)remaining spirit, continued concentration. Awareness focused on the opponent after the execution of a technique. zarei (座礼)sitting bow zazen (座禅)sitting meditation, also called mokuso zen (禅)a form of buddhism zengo (前後) forward and back, front and rear zori (草履)sandals