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JAPANESE TERMS

GENERAL TERMS

 

Aikido: The way of the harmonious spirit

Aikitaiso: Aikido warm-up exercises
Budo: Martial w
ay
Bushido: The way of the warrior 
Dojo: Training hall

Embukai: Public demonstration

Harakiri: Suicide ritual (Seppuku)

Kamiza: Dojo altar

Kamikaze: Divine wind

Katana: Japanese sword

Karate: Empty hand
Kanji: Ideograms/Chinese writing
Kiai: Energy shout

Koan: Zen riddle
Kumite: Empty handed fight
Mushin: Empty mind

Satori: Enlightenment

Samurai: One who serves
Shikaku: Blind spot
Shinto: The way of the gods
Tatami: Mat

Tengu: Forrest demon
Tekatana: Hand blade
Tori: Defender, also called Nage
Uke: Attacker

Zanshin: Lingering spirit
Zazen: Sitting meditation
Zen: Meditation/emptiness

Zendo: Meditation hall

Zenbu: Warrior meditator

Zenbukai: Zenbu dojo organization

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BODY PARTS

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Ude: Elbow

Te: Hand

Men: Head

Ashi: Leg, foot

Mune: Chest

Koshi: Hip

Kote: Wrist

Hara: Abdomen

Kubi: Neck

Kata: Shoulder

Hiza: Knee

Tai: Body

 

STANCES

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Heisoku Dachi: Toes & heels together

Musubi Dachi: Heels together & toes apart

Heiko Dachi: Feet parallel hip apart 

Neko Dachi: Cat stance

Kiba Dachi: Horse stance

Zenkutsu Dachi: Front stance

Kokutsu Dachi: Back stance

Shizentai: Natural Body Position

Kamae: Ready Position

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TECHNIQUES

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Ikkyo: First Principle

Nikkyo: Second Principle

Sankyo: Third Principle

Yonkyo: Fourth Principle

Gokyo: Fifth Principle

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Koshinage: Hip Throw

Jujigarami/Jujinage: Cross Throw

Iriminage: Direct or Entering Throw

Kotegaeshi: Wrist Twist Throw

Shihonage: Four Direction Throw

Tenchinage: Heaven & Earth Throw

Udekiminage: Elbow Throw

Kokyunage: Breath Throw

Kaitennage: Rotation Throw

Kiriotoshi: Cut/Drop Throw

Udeosae: Arm Pin

Sumi Otoshi: Corner Drop

Ude Garami: Arm Lock

Tai Otoshi: Body Drop

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Jiju-waza: Mixed Techniques

Kaeshi-waza: Counter Techniques

Henka-waza: Chainging Techniques

Tachi-waza: Standing Techniques

Suwari-waza: Kneeling Techniques

Nage-waza: Throwing Techniques

Katame-waza: Grappling Techniques

Atemi-waza: Striking Techniques

Sutemi-waza: Sacrifice Techniques

Buki-waza: Weapon Techniques

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Kumitachi: Sword against sword

Tachidori: Defense against sword

Randori: Freestyle/Multiple Opponents

Hanmi-Handachi: Standing against kneeling

Suburi: Basic exercises with sword or staff

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Tantodori: Defense against Tanto

Jodori: Defense against Jo

Kirikaeshi: Repeted Cuts

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RANKS AND TITLES

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Sensei: Teacher

Senpai: Senior Student

Kohai: Junior Student

Deshi: Student

 

Kyu: Ranks before Black Belt (Mudansha)

Dan: Black belt ranks (Yudansha)

Sotodeshi: Student who lives outside the dojo

Uchideshi: Student who lives inside the dojo​

KICKS

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Geri: Kick

Yoko Geri: Side kick

Mae Geri: Front kick

Mawashi Geri: Round kick

Ushiro Geri: Back kick

Ura mawashi Geri: Hook kick

Mikazuki Geri: Crescent kick

Ushiro Mawashi Geri: Spinning hook kick

Hiza Geri: Knee strike

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STRIKES

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Atemi: Strike

Tsuki: Straight punch

Kizami Tsuki: Jab straight punch

Gyaku Tsuki: Cross straight punch

Age Tsuki: Uppercut

Kagi Tsuki: Hook punch

Yokomenuchi: Strike to the side of the head

Shomenuchi: Strike to the head

Uraken: Backhand strike

Empi Uchi: Elbow Strike

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GRABS

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Katatedori: Wrist grab

Ryotedori: Grabbing both wrists

Kubishime: Neck choke

Katadori: Shoulder grip

Morotedori: Grip with both hands

Ushiro Tekubidori: Grip both hands from behind

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WEAPONS & GEAR

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Hakama: Traditional pants

Obi: Belt

Gi: Uniform

Katana: Japanese Sword

Bokken: Wooden Sword

Jo: Short Staff

Tanto: Wooden Knife

Shinai: Bamboo Sword
Shinken: Sharp Sword
Wakizashi: Short Sword

Tsuba: Sword Guard

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FOOTWORK

 

Mawashi: Revolving/Turning
Mawate: Turning

Irimi: To Enter

Tenkan: Turn

Kaiten: Body Shift

Tai Sabaki: Body Movement

Sugi Ashi: One foot follows the other

Ayumi Ashi: Crossed Step
 

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UKEMI/FALLS

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Ukemi: Roll/Fall

Mae Ukemi: Forward Roll

Tobi Ukemi: Breakfall

Ushiro Ukemi: Back Roll

Yoko Ukemi: Side Roll

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REFERENTIAL

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Hidari: Left

Migi: Right

Mae: Forward

Ushiro: Back/behind

Yoko: Sideways

Gyaku: Reverse/Opposite

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Omote: In Front

Ura: Behind

Uchi: Inside

Soto: Outside

Hajime: Begin

Yame: End

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Haragei: Awareness

Maai: Vital distance

Seiza: Seated Position

Tachi Waza: Stand Up

Nagare: Flow

Nage: Throw

Kime: Focus

Mokuso: Meditation

Misogi: Purification

Shikko: Knee Walking

Kokyu: Breathing

Kata: Form

Rei: Bow

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BODY AREAS

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Gedan: Low Area

Chudan: Middle Area

Jodan: High Area

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EXPRESSIONS

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Dozo: Please/by all means

Gomen Nasai: Excuse Me

Onegai shimasu: Please

Domo Arigato: Thank you very much


Otagai ni rei: Bow to each other

Sensei ni rei: Bow to your teacher

Shomen ni rei: Bow to head place of the dojo

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Gassho: A ritual gesture of Eastern origin, with hands pressed together in front of the chest. It can be used for prayer or as a sign of greeting, gratitude, reverence, or apology.

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