Abara The ribs
Ago Jaw
Aiki otoshi entering more deeply and picking up uke's off-side leg
Aikido The way of harmony with Ki
Arigato Thank you (informal)
Ashi Leg
Ashikubi Ankle
Asoko Over there
Atama Head
Atemi-waza Techniques to strike a vital point
Atemi Strike to a vital point
Ato Move back
Bokken Wooden sword
Bokuto Wooden sword
Budo Martial way
Chokkaku Right angles
Chokusen A straight line
Chototsu Atemi point between the eyes
Chudan-zuki A punch to the abdominal region
Chudan Middle kamae, sword in middle, seigan is a chudan gamae.
Chudan Middle
Daitai The thigh
Dan More advanced grades, from 1 to 10:
Shodan, Nidan, Sandan,
Yondan, Godan , Rokudan ,
Nanadan , Hachidan , Kudan ,
Judan
Denko Atemi point at the floating ribs
Dojo-cho "Leader" of a dojo
Dojo Lit. "way place"
Dokko Pressure point behind the ear
Domo Arigato Gozaimas'ta Thank you very much (very formal)
(for something that has just ended)
Domo Arigato Gozaimasu Thank you very much (very formal)
(for something that is happening)
Domo Arigato Thank you (formal)
Domo Thanks (informal)
Doshu Head of the way (currently Moriteru Ueshiba, grandson of O Sensei)
Dozo Please go ahead
Embu gi Demonstration top / uniform.
Empi The elbow
Enten-jizui Moving and turning freely
Eri Lapel; collar
Fukushiki-kokyu Abdominal breathing
Fukuto Atemi point just above inside of knee
Ganmen The face
Ganseki otoshi Arm bar with elbow braced over shoulder
Gedan-zuki Downward punch
Gedan Low
Gedan Lower level, sword pointed down.
Gekon Pressure point below lower lip
Genshin Intuition
Giri Duty; What you have to do
Gokoku Pressure point in fleshy area between thumb and forefinger
Gokyo 5. principle = kuji-osae
Gomen nasai Excuse me, I'm sorry
Gyaku-uchi Any reverse strike
Gyaku-zuki Punching with the rear hand
Gyaku Reverse, opposite, inverted
Gyakute-dori To grasp with one's hand reversed; to grasp and opponents right wrist with your left hand
Hai Yes
Haishu Back of the hand
Haito Ridgehand
Haiwan Back of forearm
Hajime Start
Hakama Split skirt, wide legged pants.
Hakyo 8. principle = kote-ori-kakae-kimi, kuji-dori = Nikkyo in which his elbow is in your armpit and his hand is pulled forward; Pinning their hand with your foot
Hanashi-waza Techniques from escaping from holds; also known as hazushi-waza
Hanmi-handachi waza One person standing, one person sitting techniques
Hanmi Half forward stance.
Hanshi Highest title from ZNKR, must be 55 or older and 8 dan.
Hantai-ni In the opposite direction
Hantai The other way around
Happo-baraki To be totally aware of ones surroundings
Happo The eight sides; in all directions
Hara The abdomen, stomach
Hasso gamae Figure 8 stance, sword by side of head. Usually Hasso Hidari, sword on right, left foot forward.
Hayaku Quickly
Heiko Parallel
Henka waza Varied technique. Especially beginning one technique and changing to another in mid-execution
Hera Peg in back of Hakama.
Hidari Left
Hiji dori Elbow grab
Hiji-zume Atemi point on inside of elbow
Hiji Elbow
Hiki Pull; tug
Hineri A twist
Hitai Forehead
Hito-e-mi Blending with motion of attack
Hitoemi Equal stance, feet parallel forward
Hitori waza "invisible partner practice"
Iai goshi Hips lowered, stable position.
Iai hiza, Tate hiza Kneeling on one calf.
Ibuki A breathing method featuring a long exhalation, followed by a short cough to clear lungs
Ichimonji A straight line
Ido Movement
Idori Techniques practiced from seiza
Iie No
Ikki-ni In one breath; instantly
Ikkyo 1. principle = oshi taoshi, ude osae
Ima Now
In-ibuki Internal (quiet) breathing
Ippon-ken An one-knuckle fist
Irimi nage Entering throw ("20 year technique")
Irimi Entering
Jiju waza Freestyle practice of techniques. Usually a set of attacks or techniques. It is different from Randori where everything is allowed.
Jinchu Pressure point on upper lip below nose
Jinkai-kyusho Vital points on the human body
Jintai The body
Jo Short staff (~130 cm length)
Jodan-zuki Upper strike
Jodan High
Jodan Upper level, sword above head. Usually Hidari Jodan, left foot forward.
Joseki ni rei Bow to the high section of the dojo
Juizo The kidney area
Juji nage, Juji garami Arm entwining throw ("No. 10 throw", since the arms form the Japanese sign for 10 "+". arms crossed, elbows locked)
Junchu Atemi point on the upper lip
Kaeshi-waza Counter techniques
Kaeshi-zuki Counter thrust
Kaicho "Owner" of school (organization) e.g. Sei Do Kai
Kaiten nage Rotary throw. Uchi-Kaiten nage and Soto-Kaiten nage (inside and outside)
Kaiten-juki The axis of rotation of a technique
Kaiten Rotation
Kakato The heel of the foot
Kakuto Back of the wrist (for a strike)
Kamae Posture, stance.
Kamiza ni rei Bow to Kamiza (gods)
Kan Intuition
Kancho "Owner" of school (building, hall) e.g. Yugen Kan
Kansetsu-waza Dislocation techniques
Karame To tie up; to arrest
Karami An entanglement
Karui-geiko Light, easy practice
Karuma like waki gamae, blade horizontal.
Kashaki-uchi Continuous attack
Kashi Legs
Kasumi Arms crossed over to hide technique (mountain mist).
Kata dori Shoulder hold
Katagatame A variation of Kaiten nage where you lock your opponents shoulder and bring him directly to the ground in a lock
Katame-waza Grappling techniques; consisting of osae waza, kensetsu waza, and shime waza
Katate dori One hand holding one hand.
Katate-uchi One-handed strike
Katate One hand
Keichu Atemi point on back of neck
Keiko gi, do gi, gi Practice uniform.
Kenkokotsu Shoulder blades
Kesa Lapel / part of monk's costume hanging from left shoulder.
Kiai A shout delivered for the purpose of focussing all of one's energy
Kihon-waza Fundamental techniques
Kihon Fundamental
Kikan Trachea
Kiku Lower
Kiyotsukete Be careful
Kiza Kneeling, but up on the toes.
Kohai Junior student
Koko Area between thumb and forefinger
Kokoro-gamae Mental attitude
Kokoro Spirit, will, heart, intuition, mood
Kokutsu Backward leaning
Kokyu dosa Breath-power movement (from seiza)
Kokyu ho morotetori Kokyu nage or ryotemochi Kokyu nage ude-oroshi irimi
Kokyu nage Breath throw (There are a zillion of these in Aikido. Most of them just variations of the basic techniques)
Komi Coming close or drawing near.
Kongo Blade vertical in front of face.
Koryu Old style
Kosadori hand grab (Katate dori ai-hanmi)
Koshi nage Hip throw
Koshiita Back plate on Hakama.
Kote Gaeshi Wrist turn-out
Kote Wrist
Koutai Change
Kubi-naka Atemi point at base of skull
Kubi Neck
Kujiki Strain
Kukyo 9. principle = Inverted nanakyo
Kumijo Staff partnership practices
Kumitachi Sword partnership practice
Kushin Springing in to attack
Kusshinuke To dodge an attack
Kyoshi Middle title from ZNKR, must be 7th dan.
Kyu Student grade, from 10 up to 1, the highest: jukyu, kukyu, hachikyu, nanakyu, rokyu , gokyu , yonkyu , sankyu , nikkyu , ikkyu
Kyusho Vital point on body
Maai Combat engagement distance
Mae-no-sen Taking the initiative; Attacking the instant your opponent thinks about it
Mae Forward
Maki otoshi nage ends up down on one knee, having thrown uke over nage's shoulder
Maki Wrapped around
Massugu Straight ahead
Mata The thigh; the groin
Matadachi Split in side of Hakama.
Mate Wait
Mawashi A turn; a rotation
Mawatte Turn around
Men-Uchi Strike to head
Men Head
Migi Right
Mikazuki Atemi at corner of jaw
Mimi Ears
Misogi purification ceremony
Moku roku A catalog of techniques
Mokuso Close the eyes, meditation
Mokuso Meditation
Mon Family crests on uniform
Montsuki Wide sleeved top with Mon on chest, sleeve and back.
Morote dori Two hands holding one hand.
Morote Both hands
Mudansha Members with Kyu grades
Mukozune Atemi point in middle of shin
Mune dori One or two hand lapel hold.
Mune tsuki Thrust toward knot on obi
Mune Chest
Munen mushin Striking without conscience
Munen muso The goal of Zazen
Murasame Pressure points on each side of neck behind collar bone
Musubi Ending, conclusion, union
Nagashi waza Flowing from one technique to next
Nagashi Flow
Nage Doer of the technique (defender)
Naike Pressure point on inside of ankle
Naka ni To the center
Naka Center
Nanakyo 7. principle = Yonkyo applied to back of wrist
Naname Diagonal
Ne waza Grappling techniques
Nikkyo 2. principle = Kote mawashi, kotemaki
Ninjo What you have to do
No Possessive particle of speech
Nobashi Stretched out
Nogare Breathing method featuring long exhalation with sharp gasp
Nuki Pull
Nukite Ends of stiffened fingers
O Sensei Great Teacher (Ueshiba, Morihei)
Obi Belt (White belt , Black belt
Oi-zuki A step-punch
Oji waza To block and then counterattack
Oji A response
Omote waza Techniques that are revealed to the public
Omote Front
Onegaishimasu Please (when asking for something, usually as in Please lets practice together)
Osae waza Pinning techniques.
Osae Press; push; to immobilize
Otagai ni rei Bow to each other
Otoshi Dropping
Randori Free style
Rei Bow
Reigi Etiquette; also reishiki
Renshi Title bestowed from ZNKR in addition to Dan ranks.
Renshu Hard work on basics
Ritsurei A standing bow
Ritsuzen Standing meditation
Rokkyo 6. principle = hiji-kime-osae or waki-katame or ude-hishigi.
Ryokata dori Grabbing both shoulders.
Ryote dori Two hands holding two hands.
Sabaki Body motion
Saho The left direction
Sankaku Triangle
Sankyo 3. principle = Kote hineri, shibori-kime
Satori Enlightenment
Seigan Natural step, fundamental kamae.
Seika-tanden Lower abdomen
Seiken Front of fist
Seikichu The spine
Seiza Kneeling on both calves.
Seme-guchi An opening for an attack
Semete Attacker
Sempai Senior student
Sen-no-sen Seizing initiative just as opponents initiates attack
Sen The initiative; also 1000
Senaka The back of the body
Senjutsu Tactics
Sensei ni rei Bow to Sensei
Sensei Instructor
Sente The person who takes the initiative
Shi waza A counter technique
Shi A (samurai) person
Shihan A senior teacher, properly used within the school only, when outside, use Sensei
Shiho nage Four direction throw
Shiki Ceremony, style, form
Shikko On one's knees
Shinai Bamboo sword
Shinshin shugyo Mind and body training
Shinshin Toitsu Mind and body unified
Shinshin Mind and body
Shintai The body
Shinzen ni rei Bow to shrine
Shita hara Lower abdomen
Shita-no Of the lower part
Shita Down
Shizoku Safe spot
Sho Small
Shomen uchi Overhead strike to the head.
Shomen Face
Shomen Straight ahead
Shoshin Beginners mind
Shuchu Concentration
Shugeki Attack
Shugyo Training, pursuit of knowledge
Shuhai Back of the hand
Shuto Edge of hand
Sode dori Sleeve grab
Sode Sleeve, on practice top.
Sode Sleeve
Soke Head of style (actually head of family, unifier of gods and lineage)
Sokei Groin
Soko There, that position
Sokuso Tips of toes (for kicking)
Sokutei Bottom of heel
Sokuto Edge of foot
Soto Outside
Sudori Momentum
Sukashi waza Techniques performed without allowing the attacker to complete a grab or to initiate a strike.
Sukui Scooping
Sumi Gaeshi corner throw
Sumi otoshi Corner drop
Sumimasen Excuse me (to attract attention)
Sutemi waza a technique accomplished by sacrificing your body
Suwari waza Techniques executed with both uke and nage in a seated position.
Suwatte Sit down
Tabi Japanese sock-slippers used in dojo.
Tachi dori Sword takeaways
Tachi waza Standing techniques.
Tachi Standing.
Tai-atari uchi otoshi from Yokomen uchi, entering and blocking.,Uke gets thrown backwards
Tai-atari Body contact
Tai-chikara External power (muscle)
Tai-no-henko Reversing the body's position
Taijutsu Body art
Taisabaki Body motion
Tanden Abdomen
Tanin-geiko Practicing with multiple attackers
Tanomo Large sleeves on formal tops.
Tanto dori Knife takeaways
Taoshi To tip over
Tatami Mat
Tateki-geiko Practicing with multiple attackers
Tateki-uchi Fighting with multiple attackers
Tateki Multiple attackers
Tatte Raise
Te-no-hira Palm of hand
Te-ura Inside of wrist
Te-waza Hand techniques (as opposed to weapons)
Tegatana The arm as sword
Teisho Heel of the hand
Tekubi Wrist
Tenchi nage Heaven and earth throw
Tenkan Pivot
Tento Atemi point on top of head
Tenugui Small hand cloth to wipe face. Also worn under the helmet in Kendo.
Tettsui Hammer fist
Tsukami To seize (and immobilize)
Tsuki In Aikido, usually a Chudan Oi-zuki
Uchi Deshi A live-in student
Uchi-waza Striking techniques
Uchi Inside; strike
Uchi Inside
Uchima Distance where you can strike by taking a single step
Uchimata The inside of the throw
Uchite The attacker
Ude The arm
Ue Up
Uke-waza Blocking techniques
Uke Receiver of the technique (attacker)
Ukemi Lit. "receiving with the body"
Uki Floating
Ura Back
Uraken Back of fist
Ushiro Eri-dori Neck grab from the back (usually the collar :-)
Ushiro Kubi shime Rear choke.
Ushiro Ryokata dori As above from the back.
Ushiro Ryote dori As above from the back.
Ushiro tekubi dori Wrist grab from the back.
Ushiro udoroshi pull down from behind
Ushiro-waza Techniques from rear attacks
Ushiro Rearward, behind
Uwa gi Practice top.
Wakarimasu I understand
Waki gamae Sword pointed down and back, for a Sutemi (sacrifice) waza. Usually sword on right side (Migi Waki gamae), left foot forward. Other purpose - hiding length of sword, especially in case of a broken one.
Waki Side; armpit
Waki Side; armpit
Wakikage Atemi point in armpit
Yame Stop
Yo-inbuki External (power) breathing
Yo Positive principle of nature
Yoi Ready
Yoko-furumi Sideward motion
Yoko-uchi A sideward strike
Yoko Horizontal, to the side
Yokomen uchi Diagonal strike to the side of the head.
Yokomen Side of the head
Yonkyo 4. principle = tekubi osae
Yubi Finger
Yudansha Members with dan grades
Yukuri Slow
Yumi A bow (archery)
Yuru yaka ni Smooth
Zanshin lit. "remaining spirit", balanced and aware state
Zekken Chest patch embroidered with own name and dojo name.
Zengaku Forehead
Zenpo Front
Zenshin The entire body
Zentai Total
Zenwan Forearm
Zori Japanese sandals for use outside dojo.