
JAPANESE TERMS
GENERAL TERMS
Aikido: The way of the harmonious spirit
Aikitaiso: Aikido warm-up exercises
Budo: Martial way
Bushido: The way of the warrior
Dojo: Training hall
Embukai: Public demonstration
Haragei: Awareness
Harakiri: Suicide ritual (Seppuku)
Kamiza: Dojo altar
Kanji: Ideograms/Chinese writing
Kiai: Energy shout
Koan: Zen riddle
Kumite: Empty handed fight
Mushin: Empty mind
Rei: Bow
Satori: Enlightenment
Shikaku: Blind spot
Shinto: The way of the gods
Tatami: Mat
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: Aikido organization
​
​
BODY PARTS
​
Ude: Elbow
Te: Hand
Men: Head
Ashi: Leg, foot
Mune: Chest
Koshi: Hip
Kote: Wrist
Hara: Stomach
Kubi: Neck
Kata: Shoulder
Tai: Body
STANCES
​
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 knee bent long stance
​
​
TECHNIQUES
​
Ikkyo: First Principle
Nikkyo: Second Principle
Sankyo: Third Principle
Yonkyo: Fourth Principle
Gokyo: Fifth Principle
​
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
​
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
​
Kumitachi: Sword against sword
Tachidori: Defense against Sword
Randori: Freestyle/Multiple Opponents
Hanmi-Handachi: Standing against kneeling
Suburi: Basic exercises with sword or staff
​
Tantodori: Defense against Knife
Jodori: Defense against Staff
Kirikaeshi: Repeted Cuts
​
​
RANKS AND TITLES
​​
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​
ATTACKS
Atemi: Strike to the body
Geri: Kick
Yoko geri: Side Kick
Mae geri: Front Kick
Mawashi geri: Round Kick
Ushiro geri: Back Kick
Ura mawashi geri: Hook Kick
Ushiro Mawashi geri: Spinning hook kick
​
​
Tsuki: Straight Punch
Oi tsuki: Jab straight punch
Gyaku tsuki: Cross straight punch
Yokomenuchi: Strike to the side of the head
Shomenuchi: Strike to the head
Morotedori: Grip with both hands
Katatedori: Wrist Grab
Ryotedori: Grabbing both wrists
Kubishime: Neck Choke
Katadori: Shoulder grip
Uraken: Backhand strike
​
​
WEAPONS & GEAR
​
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
​
​
BODY DYNAMICS
Kamae: Ready Position
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
​
Hajime: Begin
Yame: Stop
Maai: Vital distance
Seiza: Seated Position
Tachi waza: Stand Up
Nagare: Flow
Nage: Throw
Kime: Focus
Mokuso: Meditation
Misogi: Purification
Shizentai: Natural Body Position
Shikko: Knee Walking
Kokyu: Breathing
Kata: Form
​
​
UKEMI/FALLS
​
Ukemi: Roll/Fall
Mae Ukemi: Forward Roll
Ushiro Ukemi: Back Roll
Yoko Ukemi: Side Roll
​
​
REFERENTIAL
​
Hidari: Left
Migi: Right
Mae: Forward
Ushiro: Back/behind
Yoko: Sideways
​
Omote: In Front
Ura: Behind
Uchi: Inside
Soto: Outside
​
Gedan: Low Area
Chudan: Middle Area
Jodan: High Area
Gyaku: Reverse/Opposite
​
​
EXPRESSIONS
​​
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
​
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.
​
​