A
Abunai
Dangerous,risky. Lookout!
Agaru
To rise; to ascend; to rise in rank.
Agatsu
Self victory.
Ago
Jaw, chin.
Ai
Harmony, unity, to join, coming together, unification,or become one with. The word carries the feeling of the strength and power of naturalforces.
Ai
is the active principle of Aikido.
Ai
(love) The spirit of love is the spirit of harmony. Not selfish, limited affection for a particular person or group, but all-embracing, compassionate love for all things.
Ai – Hanmi
Mutual stance, harmonious stance. When both partners have the same foot forward.
Aiki
Blending of ki. Universal life energy, the creative principle of life. All elements of the universe arise through the blending of positive and negative ki; practitioners of Aikido attempt to harmonize their ki with both that of their partner and that of the larger environment.
Aikido
The Way of Divine Harmony, The Way of Harmonizing Engergies.
Aikidoka
One who practices Aikijujitsu.
Aiki
– ken Aikido sword techniques.
Aiki no kurai
The secret of Aiki, the highest consciousnessof Aiki.
Arigato gozaimasita
Thank you.
Ashi
Foot
Ashi waza
Foot techniques.
Ashikubi
Ankle.
Assaku
Pressure; compression.
Atama
Head; top; brains.
Ate
Thrust.
Atemi
A strike to an opening. The defensive blow used toneutralize the ki of your partner.
Atemi Waza
Atemi technique(s). Specifically, the first section of kata of 17 techniques used in competition
B
Boo
Wooden six foot staff. Stick; club; rod.
Bo
Wood.
Bokken
Wooden practice sword.
Bu
Martial ardor. In Aikido, Bu signifies valor and indomitable spirit, not contention and strife. Aikido is the ultimate expression of Bu, which originally meant to prevent two weapons from coming together. To stop weapons. To stop war. The Chinese character for bu literally means, “To stop a spear.”
Budo
Martial ways. Ways. Ways originating in the martialarts. The way of the warrior arts, but the deeper meaning is the way of the protection of society, of strength and honor in peace. “A mind to serve for the peace of all human beings is needed in Aikido, and not the mind of one who wishes to be strong and practices only to fell an opponent. There are neither opponents or enemies for true budo. Therefore, winning and losing, is not true budo. True budo knows no defeat. Never defeated means never fighting.
Budoka
One who practices budo.
Bujutsu
Fighting techniques.
Buki
Arms; weapons.
Bushi
Warrior.
Bushido
The Way of the Warrior. Warrior’s code.
C
Chi
Wisdom,intelligence. Blood. Earth.
Chikara
Strength, might, power, force.
Chi no kokyu
(the breath of earth) The second stage of breath-meditation.
Chokusen no irimi
(direct entry) The irimi technique in which one enters directly behind one’s parter.
Chudan
Middle level.
Chudan uke
Midsection block.
Chushin
Center.
D
Daito
Long sword.
Daito-ryu
A traditional system of Aikijutsu. The Daito in Daito-ryu does not mean Long Sword. It was the name of the castle of the founder of Aiki-jujitsu, Lord Shinra Saburo Yoshimitsu.
Dan
Aikido rank, grade holder, black belt rank.
De-ashi-harai
Advanced foot sweep.
Deshi
Student, pupit disciple.
Do
The Way. In Japan, any art that is practiced to develop both technical and spiritual maturity is considered a ‘do’. They are a Ways to harmonize body and mind.
Do
A cut to the side.
Dogi
Practice uniform.
Dogi dori
Grasps to the dogi.
Dojo
The place where the Way is revealed. A place for strengthening and refinement of body, mind, and spirit.
Dojo cho
Term used for the head of the dojo; dojo leader.
Do itasimasite
You’re welcome; don’t mention it.
Domo, Doomo
– very; much; rather; quite.
Dookaku
Same rank, status, ect.
Do no tanden
Middle body training.
Dori Take
, grab, grasp. To control.
Dosa
Drill, exercise.
Dozo
Please; as in, “Go ahead.”
E
Empi-uch
i Elbow strike.
En no irimi
Circular entry.
Eri
Lapel; neck; neckband; collar.
F
Fudo no kamai
Immovable posture. Sitting or standing, one must always be in an immovable posture. Not rigid but unperturbable.
Fukurahagi
Calf of the leg.
Fumihazusu
To miss (lose) one’s footing.
Fumitodomaru
To stand one’s ground, remain.
Funakegi
Rowing motion.
G
Gawa
Outside; side. (soto gawa = outside; uchi gawa = inside).
Gedan
(lower level) Sword or hands held at a lower level.
Gedan-barai
Downward block.
Gedan uke
Low level block.
Geiko
Alternative pronunciation of Keiko, practice.
Gi
Honor, justice.
Gi
White training uniform.
Giri
Cut (sufflx)
Go
Five; 5.
Gokyo
Fifth of the pinning techniques of traditional aikijujitsu.
Gokui
Secret; secret principles.
Gomen nasai
I’m sorry; forgive me.
Go no sen
After uke’s attack.
Goshin
Self defense.
Goshin ho
Self defense method.
Guruma
Wheel. To spin, as one would a wheel.
Gyakute
dori Reverse grip.
Gyakute dori-kote hineri Nikko, kote-mawashi,
reverse grip kote hineri.
Gyaku-zuki
Reverse punch.
H
Hachi
Eight; 8.
Hachiji-dachi
Open stance.
Hadakajime
Bare-hand strangle.
Hai
Yes.
Hai yame
Please stop.
Hajime!
Please begin.
Hakama
Traditional pleated pants worn by samurai and kobudo students.
Hanashi
Talk, conversation.
Hanasu
To speak, talk, converse; to tell.
Hanbun
Half.
Hane-gosh
i Spring hip-throw.
Hanmi
The basic triangular stance of Aikido.
Hanmi Handachi
Tori is kneeling and opponent attacks from a standing position.
Hanza Handachi
Tori is sitting cross legged and opponent attacks from a standing position.
Happo
Eight directions. All directions.
Hara
One’s center. Center of ki. The lower abdomen – two inches below the navel. The physical and spiritual center of the life energy.
Harai-goshi
Sweeping loin throw.
Harai-tsurikomi-ashi
Lifting foot sweep.
Harigaya Usai Sekiun
A renowned seventeenth century swordsman.
Hasso
Sword held level and hands at shoulder level.
Henka waza
Beginning one technique then switching to another – combination.
Hidari
Left.
Hidari ni
To the left.
Hidari ho
Left side.
Hifu
Skin.
Hiji
Elbow.
Hiji mochi no tsukuri
Technique structure of grasping of the arm with both hands (kansetsu waza).
Hiji waza
Elbow techniques.
Hikkishiken
Written examination.
Hitai
Forehead; brow.
Hiza
Knee.
Hiza-gatame
Knee-elbow lock.
Hoko
Spear. One of the component elements in the kanjibu.
Hon
Prefix denoting: true; proper; original.
Hombu Dojo
The intemational headquarters of a particular style of martial art, the head dojo.
I
I
Stomach.
Iaigoshi
A form of crouching.
Ichi
One, first.
Iki
Breath. Iki refers more to the physical act of respiration,while kokyu signifies the deeper cosmological aspects of breathing.
Ikkajyo
Same as Ikkyo.
Ikkyo
The first movement, first principle. Number one pinning technique.
I-omote
Rush matting. Grass matting.
Irimi
Moving into and through the line of attack with no thought of escape. Technique of entering and choosing death.
J
Jin
Benevolence.
Jin no kokyu
The breath of human beings. The third stage of breath meditation.
Jiu waza
Free style practice.
Jiyu-kumite
Free fighting or sparring.
Jo
Five foot wooden staff.
Jodan
Upper level. Sword or hands held at an upper level.
Jodan uke
Upper level block.
Jo-dori
Jo taking. Techniques for disarming an opponent armed with a jo.
Juji-gatame
Cross arm-lock.
Juji jime
Crossed hands choke.
Juji nage
Crossed arms throw. A throw executed when one’s partner’s arms are crossed at right angles.
K
Kaeshi waza
Reversal techniques, counters.
Kagi-zaki
Hook punch.
Kagura mai
Dance of the gods.
Kaiden
Master’s certificate. The final license awarded according to the classical martial art teaching system.
Kaiten
Open and turn. To revolve or rotate. Turning of the body.
Kaiten nage
Spinning throw.
Kakae dori
Bear hug from behind.
Kakato
Heel.
Kakiwake-uke
Wedging block.
Kamae
A posture or stance of readiness. There are many different stances, and with each stance there are different positions for the hands or weapon: the Jodan/High position, Chudan/Middle position, Gedan/Low position.
Kami
God(s), deity, divine spirit, holy inspiration, guardianangel, exalted human being. The Japanese conception of kami has no direct parallel in Western religious terminology. Kami-sama was the Founder’s expression for the Ultimate Principle of the universe.
Kami-shiho-gatame
Four quarter hold.
Kanji
Chinese characters, ideographs.
Kao tsuki
Punch to the face.
Kansetsu waza
Joint techniques.
Karate
Empty hand fighting.
Kata
Set form(s).
Kata
Shoulder.
Kata dori
Shoulder grab(s).
Katame
Hold or lock, as in “wakigatame”.
Katame
waza Grappling techniques.
Katana
Japanese sword; blade. Medium length long sword. Customarily worn in a scabbard with the cutting edge up, the scabbard thrust through a sash at the hip. When the sword is attached to the sash with a connecting cord and worn with the cutting edge down, it is called a tachi (long sword). The long sword may also be referred to as a shinken (real blade) to distinguish it from the bokken. (see shi)
Kata-te
A single hand.
Katate dori
Held by one hand. Wrist grab(s).
Katate ryote
Grasp with both hands to one wrist.
Katsu Hayabi
Victory at the speed of light.
Ken
Sword. (Prefix)
Kendo
The modern art of Japanese fencing.
Ken jutsu
sword techniques. Aikido techniques performed while holding a sword.
Keri
Kick
Kesa giri
Diagonal cut across the body.
Kete tsuki
Kick to the gut.
Ki
Vital energy. The life-stuff of the universe, has no English equivalent. An essential element of all aspects of oriental culture, be they philosophy, medicine,art, physical training. The full significance of ki only becomes clear through first handexperience.
Kiai
Full of ki. On the physical plane, kiai is manifested as a piercing shout emanating from the depths of one’s being; on the spiritual plane, it is manifested as a steady outpouring of vital energy.
Kiba-dachi
Horse stance.
Kihon
Basic.
Kime
A lock using nerve centers.
Kimusubi
Linking ki. To be linked to the ki of anotherperson or thing is to be in kimusube, a fertile state that fosters new life. When the ki of a man and the ki of a woman comes together in kimusube, a new being is created.
Kiri
To cut.
Kiriage
To cut upward. To slash upward.
Kiritsu
To stand at attention, heels together, toes at 45 degrees.
Kobudo
Classical Japanese martial arts.
Kokoro
Spirit, heart, or mind. Essence.
Ko-kutsu-dach
i Back stance.
Kokyu
Power of breath and life force; the coordinationof ki flow and breathing.
Kokyu-ho
Breath meditation. A special set of meditationand development techniques aimed at calming the spirit and establishing true kokyu.
Kokyu-nage
Breath throw(s). A particular throw which topples the opponent by using his own momentum and the timing of one’s own mind and body, but without any pressure being applied to his joints.
Konban wa
Good evening.
Konnichi wa
Good afternoon.
Koryu
Traditional, Old way or Ancient way.
Koryu Goshin no Kata Dai San kata
; Old fashion kata; 55-hon yudansha kata. Old way of self defense.
Koryu Goshin Aikijujitsu
Ancient or old way of self defense where the practitioner blends their body movements and energy with their opponents in order to subdue and injure. An injured opponent will not return to attack again.
Koshi
Hip.
Koshi nage
Hip throw.
Koshi waza
Hip techniques.
Kote
Minor hand. Forearm & Wrist.
Kote-gaeshi
Wrist turn out throw.
Kote giri
Wrist cut.
Kote-hineri
Wrist turn in throw.
Ku
Nine; 9.
Kubi
Neck.
Kubi-shime
An opponent’s strangle hold.
Kumi tachi
Paired sword practice in which both partners begin with their swords already drawn. Sword against Sword.
Kurai
Secret, consciousness, inner being.
Kurai dori
To control another’s consciousness.
Kuzushi
Breaking balance, breaking posture.
Kyu
Grades preceding yudansha rank. White belt grades.
M
Ma-ai
The distance of time and space between uke and tori. The movement of mind, the stream of spirit and the direction in which mind and spirit move, along with the physical distance, determines the balance and proper use of space. (Combative distance) The proper interval between two partners; it varies according to the height of the
practitioners and whether or not they are holding weapons.
Mae
Forward
Mae-geri
Front kick
Matte
Stop!
Mawashi-geri
Roundhouse kick.
Me
Eye.
Meiji Restoration
The period following the arrival of Admiral Perry, in which Japan began the process of modernization.
Men
Head. Face.
Menkyo
Teacher’s certificate. The third license granted according the classical martial art teaching system.
Migi
Right (the direction).
Miyamoto Musashi
One of Japan’s greatest and most renowned swordsmen, author of ‘The Book of Five Rings’.
Mochi
To grasp of hold with the hand(s).
Morote dori
Held by two hands.
Morote tori
two hands on one.
Mu
Void
Mune
Chest.
Mune tori
One lapel grab from the front.
Mune tsuk
i Thrust or punch to the middle of the torso.
Mushin
No mind; a mind without ego. A mind like a mirror which reflects and does not judge or anticipate actions.
Musubi
Harmonious connection, unity, ultimately our unity with all life and with the universe. Opposites are but different images of the same reality.
Musubi
is the process of their unification. It is the movement of the spiral. Knot.
N
Nage
A throw; the person who throws.
Nakasode dori
Inside or middle grab. Grab to the sleeve.
Nigiri
Grab.
Nikajyo
Same as Nikkyo.
Nikkyo
Number two pinning technique of traditional Aikido. A technique that uses wrist torque to control the opponentts center.
No
Particle denoting: pertaining to; of.
O
O
Big or major.
Obi
Belt (part of the gi)
O-goshi
Major hip throw.
Omote
To the front, in front of.
Onegaishimasu
Please do it for (with) me. Said to someone to invite them to practice with you.
Osae
Hold down. Pin. Pressing
O-sensei
Great Teacher.
O-soto-gari
Major external reaping. A judo throw.
Otoshi
Floating type of drop. A judo throw.
R
Randori
Free fighting with resistance. Multiple attack practice. To control chaos.
Rei
Etiquette, courtesy. Bow.
Reigi
Etiquette, courtesy.
Roku
Six.
Ryo
Prefix denoting: both; two.
Ryote
Both hands.
Ryote dori
Both hand grab–i.e. grabbing someone using both of your own hands.
Ryote-jime
Two-hand strangle.
Ryote mochi
Two-hand grab (either two hands grabbing one hand or two hands grabbing two hands).
Ryote tori
Both hands grabbed from the front.
Ryu
Style or school of practice, as in “Daito-ryu jujutsu”.
S
Samurai
A member of the feudal knightly class in Old Japan. Literally, “one who serves”.
San
Three.
Sankajyo
Same as Sankyo.
Sankyo
Number three pinning technique of traditional Aikido. Controls partner’s center through the wrist and elbow. Also know as kote hineri.
Sayonara
Good bye.
Seiki
Vital force. The vital force that enlivens the universe. The energy which emanates from the tip of a sword.
Seiza
Traditional Japanese manner of sitting with one’s knees folded under.
Sempai
Senior student.
Sen
Attack. Start an attack slightly before your opponent.
Sensei
Teacher, one who gives guidance along the way, one who goes before.
Sensei-ni-rei
Bow to the teacher.
Sen-sen no sen
Sensing and preparing for your opponent’s attack before your opponent moves or perhaps even knows his manner of attack.
Seoi
Shoulder.
Seoi nage
Shoulder throw.
Shi
Four. Also can denote death or deadly. Yo; yon; yottsu.
Shiai
Contest. Unfettered competition is contrary to the spirit of Aikido; if duels were allowed they would likely be “death matches”, since Aikido techniques, if applied recklessly, can be fatal. Professor Tomiki Kenji selected and modified for safety seventeen techniques that could safely be used in regulated competition. This form of competition, or shiai, is refereed by a head umpire and two assistant umpires. In individual matches, each player generally goes two minutes as torii and two minutes as uke. In team matches (five persons per team), each shiai is a minute and a half.
Shichi
Seven (7)
Shidoin
Title for Aikido teacher with typically the rank of third Dan.
Shihan
Title for a master teacher who has been ranked usually to the grade of Fifth Dan or higher.
Shihan-dai
Designated representative(s) of a shihan.
Shiho
Four directions. Four corners.
Shiho giri
(four directions cut) A basic Aikijujitsu sword movement.
Shiho rei
Four directions respect. A Shinto rite employed by the Japanese Emperor to express his gratitude to the deities in all directions, the Founder interpreted shiho-giri as shiho-hai. That is, each cut symbolizes our respect and gratitude for (1) the Universe, (2) our parents, (3) nature, and (4) our fellow beings.
Shiho nage
Four directions throw. The first pillar of Aikido throwing techniques. Also called Tenkai kote gaeshi and Junte dori kotegaeshi.
Shikaku
Death Angle. Standing to side and slightly behind an opponent. Like the blind spot on a car.
Shikko
Knee walking.
Shiko-dachi
Straddle stance.
Shime
A lock. As in “kubi-shime” — choke on the neck
Shime-waza
Strangle techniques.
Shinai
A split bamboo practice sword. Used in Kendo.
Shinken
A live or sharpened steel sword.
Shinkokyu
Deep breathing exercise at the end of practice.
Shizen
Natural.
Shizentai
Natural standing position, with the legs parallel and feet shoulder width apart, the knees slightly bent, weight on the balls of the feet, backstraight and arms relaxed at the side.
Shodan
First degree black belt rank.
Shomen
The front of the head.
Shomen
The Front of the dojo, specifically the shrine at the front of many dojos which houses a pictureof the Founder and by extension the spirit of Aikido.
Shomen-ni-rei
Bow to the front.
Shomen uchi
Specifically, an empty hand strike to the front of the head with the blade of the hand. Direct blow to the head.
Shuto
Knife hand. Tegatana.
Shichi
Seven. (7)
Soto-uke
Outside/inward block.
Suburi
Repetitions of a motion done in order to perfect performance. Training. Suburi is training as opposed to kumi tachi, which is study (keiko).
Sukashi waza
Techniques performed without allowing Uke to complete an attack.
Suwari waza
Techniques beginning with both attacker and defender in formal sitting position, executed from the knees.
T
Tachi
Longsword. When the sword is attached to the sash with a connecting cord and worn with the cutting edge facing down, it is called a tachi.
Tachi dori
Sword taking. Techniques used to disarm an opponent armed with a sword.
Tachi waza
Standing techniques.
Tai no tenkan
Body turn.
Tai-otoshi
Body drop. A judo throw.
Tai-sabak
i Avoidance. Moving the body out of the way of an attack. In Aikido it should be free-flowing, natural, and prudent.
Takemusu Aiki
Inexhaustible Fount of Aiki. Unlimited creativity of Aikijujitsu.
Tanto
Practice knife.
Taoshi
Body drop, as in a tree falling down.
Tatami
Mats.
Tate-zaki
Vertical punch.
Te
Hand.
Teji-dachi
T-stance
Tekubi
Wrist.
Tekubi dori
Grasps to the wrists.
Tekubi waza
Wrist techniques.
Tenchi
Heaven and Earth. A common expression in Aikido; one should think of oneself as a miniature universe, rooted to the earth while reaching toward heaven. There is also a whole range of techniques called tenchi-nage, “Heaven and Earth Throws”.
Tenchi nage
Heaven and earth throw.
Tenkai
Turning under & between arm and body of uke.
Tenkan
Turning movement used to dissipate force.
Tsugi Ashi
A sliding step, advancing the feet while maintaining contact with the floor in a light shuffling motion. The feet do not cross each other.
Tsuki
A thrust or punch.
U
Uchi
To strike.
Uchi-deshi
A live in student. A disciple who lives in the dojo and acts as a twenty-four hour trainee/attendant to a master.
Uchi-uki
Inside/outward block.
Uchi-waza
Blocking techniques.
Ude
Arm.
Ude-garami
Entangled armlock.
Ude osai
Control of the center through the arm.
Uke
The one who receives the force, the person who is thrown.
Ukemi
The act of taking a fall when thrown. Can be either offensive of defensive.
Unsoku
Basic foot movements.
Ura
To the rear.
Ushiro-geri
Back kick.
Ushiro ryokata dori
Shoulders grabbed from behind.
Ushiro tekubi dori
Both wrists grabbed from behind.
Ushiro-tori
Bear hug from behind.
Ushiro waza
Rear techniques. Techniques applied when one is attacked from the rear.
W
Waki
To the side or lateral. Waki gamae refers to a position with the sword held out and back by the swordsman’s side.
Waza
Technique(s).
Y
Yari
Spear.
Yari dori
Spear taking techniques. Techniques against a spear to grab the weapon away from the spearman.
Yari waza
Techniques using a spear.
Yoi
Prepare; a command.
Yoko
Term to denote the side of something or some body.
Yoko-geri
Side kick.
Yoko-giri
A cut to the side.
Yokomen
The side of the head or neck.
Yokomen uchi
An empty hand strike to the side of the head or neck with the blade of the hand.
Yoko ukemi
Side breakfall.
Yonkyo
Fourth pinning technique of traditional Aikido. Controls the opponent’s center through his wrist, elbow, and shoulder.
Yudansha
Those who have achieved dan, or black belt, ranking in an art.
Z
Zanshin
Unbroken concentration when finishing a technique. Zanshin is the follow through of a technique; one is connected to one’s partner even after the throw in an unbroken flow of ki, simultaneously ready to receive any new attack. Needed for the complete and continuous awareness of one’s surroundings.
Zempo
Forward.
Zenpo
Forward. Alternative spelling of Zempo.
Zenpo kaiten ukemi
Forward rolling breakfall.