Glossary of Japanese Terms Used in Classes

1. Most Commonly Used Terms

ai harmony; love.
aikido the way of harmonizing with the ki (of the universe).
bokken wooden sword.
do way; path; a discipline; a practice striving for perfection.
dojo the place where students practice together; school.
gi clothes; training clothes.
hakama black or blue divided skirt worn over the gi.
irimi step forward.
jo stick.
karada body.
kazu number.
  one ichi; hitotsu.
  two ni; futatsu.
  three san; mittsu.
  four shi; yon; yottsu.
  five go; itsutsu.
  six roku; muttsu.
  seven shichi; nana; nanatsu.
  eight hachi; yattsu.
  nine kyu; ku; kokonotsu.
  ten ju; tou.
ki the life energy force of the universe; the dynamism of mind and body coordination.
kokoro mind; heart; spirit; soul.
kokyu breath; breathing; timing.
maai proper distance between nage and uke.
menjo certificate.
nage thrower, throw.
obi belt.
ojigi bow.
>rei bow.
seiza kneeling posture.
sensei instructor; teacher.
shinsa examination.
shinshin mind and body.
shinshin toitsu coordination of mind and body.
  shinshin toitsu aikido aikido with mind and body coordinated.
  shinshin toitsudo the way of coordinating mind and body.
shugyo training; spiritual training.
taigi arts with kin the state of coordinating mind and body.
taiso exercise.
tantoknife.
tenkanturn; step backward.
toitsu coordination; unification.
torigrab; uke grabs nage.
tsuki punch; uke punches nage.
uchi strike; uke strikes nage.
uke a person who is thrown by nage.
ukemisafe ways of falling down.
undoexercise; motion.
wazatechnique.

2. Dojo Terms

deshi student.
dojothe place where students practice together; school.
dojo kikurules and regulations of dojo.
hyoshigiwooden clappers.
keiko (=geiko)practice; training; practice sessions.
  ippan-geiko general practice sessions in which everyone trains together.
  kakari-geiko group practice sessions in which students are divided into several groups.
  shoshinha-geiko beginner's practice sessions.
  yudansha-geiko black belt rank holders' practice sessions.
keiko-gi training clothes.
kikurules and regulations in the training hall or dojo.
ki no kenkyukaiki society.
ki-no-shoki calligraphy which is hung up at the shomen of the dojo.
koishitsuchanging room.
ojigibow.
reibow.
  risu-rei make a bow from the standing posture.
  za-rei make a bow from the sitting posture.
senseiinstructor; teacher.
shido-inassistant instructor.
shihanan instructor with 7th degree black belt rank or higher.
shinsaexamination.
shokushua booklet of ki sayings which is ead by students before a class starts.
shomenthe wall where the ki calligraphy (= ki-no-sho) is hung.
tatamitatami mat; straw matting.
tearaitoilet.

3. Hoko Terms

deguchiexit.
happoeight directions.
hidarileft.
hokodirection.
iriguchientrance.
irimistep forward.
jogeup (= jo) and down (= ge); upward and downward.
kohoback; backward.
kosacross.
koshinmove backward.
maefront; forward.
migiright.
nanamediagonal.
  naname-mae diagonally forward.
  naname-ushiro diagonally backward.
sayuleft.
shihofour directions.
shitadown; downward.
shomenfront.
tenkanturn; step backward.
ueup; upward.
ushiroback; backward; behind.
yokoside; sideward.
zengofront (= zen) and back (= go); forward and backward.
zenpoforward.
zenshinmove forward.

4. Gorei Terms

goreia word of command.
haiYes!; Now!
hajimeStart!
  hajime-masho Let's begin.
  hajime-masu Let's begin.
kyukeiTake a short rest!
mateWait!
owariFinish!
  owari-masho Let's finish.
  owari-masu Let's finish.
reiBow!
seiretsuLine up!
sonomamaStay there!
soremadeThat's it!
suwatteSit down!
tatteStand up!
tomareStop!
tsugiNext!
tsuzuketeContinue!
ugokunaDon't Move!
yameStop!
yasumi-mashoLet's take a short rest.
yasumi-masuLet's take a short rest.

5. Shisei Terms

agurasit with one's legs crossed.
fudo-taithe immovable posture with mind and body coordinated.
hammia posture in which one foot is advanced one step and the weight of the body is distributed equally on both feet.
  ai-hammi nage and uke stand facing each other in the same hammi.
  gyaku-hammi nage and uke stand facing each other in the opposite hammi.
  hidari-hammi left hammi posture.
  migi-hammi right hammi posture.
kamae (= gamae)posture.
  ai-gamae same as ai-hammi.
  gyaku-gamae same as gyaku-hammi.
  sankaku-no-kamae triangle posture; a posture of hammi.
kata form.
katachishape.
  en a circle.
  maru a circle.
  sankaku a triangle.
  shikaku a square.
seizakneeling posture.
shikkokneee walking.
shiseiposture; position.
shizen-taistanding posture with legs shoulder width.
sugatafigure; form; posture.
suwarusit down.
tachi-sugatastanding posture.
tatsustand up.
toitsu-taithe posture with mind and body coordinated.

6. Ko Koro Terms

doway; path; a discipline; a practice striving for perfection.
fudo-shinthe immovable mind; an unbending spirit; imperturbability.
gyoshu jikkunten precepts for spiritual training.
  1. uchu reisei having a universal spirit.
  2. ban'yu-aigo love and protect all creation.
  3. kansha-hoon be grateful and repay one's kindness.
  4. intoku-kaho do good in secret.
  5. jigan-on'yo have merciful eyes and genial face.
  6. kah'yu-taido be forgiving and tolerant.
  7. shinryo-meisatsu think deep and judge well.
  8. taizen-fudo be calm and composed.
  9. sieki-hatsuratsu be positive and vigorous.
  10. shishi-fudo persevere diligently.
haraspirit; courage; guts.
intokugood done without reward; a secret act of charity.
ishiwill.
ishikiconsciousness; awareness.
  kenzai ishiki the conscious mind.
  senzai ishiki the subconscious mind; subconsciousness.
ki the life energy force of the universe; the dynamism of mind and body coordination.
  kiai a yell with spirit; "Yei!" in sound.
  kihaku spirit; vigor; strong drive.
  kimochi a feeling; a frame of mind.
  kiyoku vitality; ki energy.
kokoro mind; heart; spirit; soul.
  kokoro-gake mental attitude.
  kokoro-gamae mental attitude.
kyudo-shin the mind that seeks after truth.
michiway; path; a discipline; a practice striving for perfection.
nintaiperseverance; patience; endurance.
nenwill.
  nen-no-chikara willpower; the concentrated mind.
  nenriki willpower.
ochitsukiliving calmness.
reisei-shinthe divine mind; the mind with spirituality.
seishinspirit.
setsudoteaching the way of the universe.
shinmind.
shugyotraining; spiritual training.
uchu-reithe universal spirit.

7. Karada Terms

agochin.
ashifoot; leg.
  ashi-kubiankle.
  ashi-no-kohthe instep of a foot.
  ashi-no-urathe sole of the a foot.
  ashi-no-yubitoe.
atamahead
dotaithe trunk of the body.
hananose.
hanajinosebleed.
haraabdomen.
hesonavel; the bellybutton.
hijielbow.
hitaiforehead.
hizaknee.
honebone.
  abara-honethe ribs.
  kei-kotsuthe neck bone.
  kenko-kotsua shoulder blade.
kakatoheel.
kansetsujoint.
kaoface.
karadabody.
katashoulder.
kegainjury; wound; hurt.
  dakkyudislocation.
  kinniku-tsumuscular pain.
  kossetsufracture of a bone; a broken bone.
  nenzasprain.
  suji-chigaicramp.
  uchimibruise.
ketsuekiblood.
kinnikumuscle.
koshiarea from the small of the back to the tailbone.
kubineck.
kuchimouth.
kyushoa vital part; the vitals.
meeye.
mimiear.
momothigh.
munechest.
nodothroat.
senakaback.
shirihips.
sujimuscle; tendon; sinew.
suneshin.
tandanthe abdomen.
tehand.
  tekubiwrist.
  te-no-hirathe palm of a hand.
  te-no-kohthe back of a hand.
tsuchi-fumazuthe arch of the foot; the plantar arch.
tsuma-sakithe tip of a toe.
tsumenail.
udearm.
yubifinger; toe.
waki-no-shitaarmpit.

8. Ki Class Terms

funakogi undoexercise in which a person moves their legs, lower body and arms as if rowing a boat.
futari taisocertain movement exercise for two persons.
happo undoexercise in which a person swings their arms upward and downward at each count and moves their body to eight directions.
homethod.
ikkyo undoexercise in which a person swings their arms upward at count 1 and swings them downward at count 2.
irimi undoexercise in which a person raises one arm and moves their body straight forward.
kenkohealth.
kenko taisohealth exercises.
kiatsupress with ki.
kiatsu-hopressing method with ki.
ki-no-kokyu-hoki breathing method.
ki-no-seiza-hoki meditation method.
  kakudai-hoexpansion method.
  toitsu-hoconcentration method.
ki-no-toitsu-hoki unification method; teaching of four major rules of mind and body coordination.
ki-okuri undoexercise for sending forth ki.
koho-tento undoexercise for rolling backward from the posture of agura and coming back to the original posture; exercise for rolling backward from the posture of agura or tachi-sugata and standing up completely.
kokyubreath; breathing; timing.
kokyu dosapushing exercise with ki for two persons in seiza posture.
kokyu-hobreathing method; breathing exercise.
kote-gaeshi undoexercise in which a person grabs their wrist from underneath and bends it downward gently.
nikyo undoexercise in which a perosn grabs their wrist from the top and bends it inward gently.
sankyo undoexercise in which a person grabs their hand from upper side and thrusts it outward gently.
sayu undoexercise in which a person swings their arms left side at count 1 and bends their left knee at count 2, then swings arms right side at count 3 and bends their right knee at count 4.
seika-no-ittenone point in the lower abdomen.
seiza-homeditation method; same as ki-no-seiza-ho.
shomen-uchi-ikkyo undosame as ikkyo undo; refer to ikkyo undo.
taisoexercise.
tekubi-kosa undoexercise in which a person crosses their wrists around the one point in the lower abdomen; exercise in which a person crosses their wrists in front of their face.
tekubi-shindo undoexercise in which a person shakes their arms quickly.
tenkan undoexercise in which a person thrusts out one hand, turns their body, steps behind and closes his feet.
ude-furi-choyaku undoexercise in which a person swings their arms while turning.
ude-furi undoexercise in which a person swings their arms from side to side.
ude-mawashi undoexercise in which a person swings one arm or both arms, emphasizing a down stroke and a circular motion.
undoexercise; motion.
ushiro-tekubi-tori-koshin undoexercise in which a person raises their arms and steps backward at count 1, then bows and lowers both arms completely at count 2.
ushiro-tekubi-tori-zenshin undoexercise in which a person raises their arms and steps forward at count 1, then bows and lowers both arms at count 2.
ushiro-tori undoexercise in which a person spreads both arms to sides at count 1, then makes a slope with both arms at count 2.
zengo undoexercise in which a person swings their arms upward and downward at counts 1 and 2, then pivots 180 degrees and swings both arms upward and downward at counts 3 and 4.
zenpo-kaiten undoexercise for taking a forward roll repeatedly.
zenshin-koshin undoexercise in which a person moves backward (= koshin) like step, hop and step at count 1, then moves forward (= zenshin) in same way at count 2.

9. Aikido Terms

Ukemi Terms

hagai-jimepinion nage's arms.
hiji-torigrab the elbow or elbows.
kake (= gake)attack.
  futari-gaketwo men attack.
  goin-gakefive men attack.
  sannin-gakethree men attack.
  yonin-gakefour men attack.
katate-kosa-torigrab one hand like shaking hands; cross-handed.
katate-torigrab one hand at the same side.
katate-tori-shomen uchigrab one shoulder, then strike nage on the head.
keri (= geri)kick.
  mae-geri kick the front of nage.
  mawashi-gerikick the side of nage; turning kick.
kosacross.
mochigrab; hold.
mune-tsukipunch the chest.
renzokucontinuation.
ryokata-torigrab both shoulders.
ryote-mochigrab with two hands.
ryote-torigrab both hands.
shime (= jime)tighten; choke.
  kubi-shime strangle the neck.
shomen-uchistrike nage on the top of head or forehead.
tekubi-torigrab the wrist or wrists.
torigrab; hold; uke grabs nage.
tsukipunch; uke punches nage.
uchistrike; uke strikes nage.
ukea person who is thrown by nage.
ukemisafe ways of falling down.
  koho-ukemi roll backward; backward fall.
  zenpo-ukemiroll forward; forward fall.
ushiro-wazeevery technique in which uke attacks nage from behind.
  ushiro-hagai-jime pinion nage's arems from behind.
  ushiro hiji-torigrab the elbows from behind.
  ushiro-katate-tori-kubi-shimegrab one hand and strangle the neck from behind.
  ushiro-kata-torigrab both shoulders from behind.
  ushiro-tekubi-torigrab the wrists from behind.
  ushiro-tekubi-torigrab the wrists from behind.
  ushiro-torihold the upper chest with both arms from behind.
yokomen-uchistrike nage on the side of the neck.
zagievery technique in which both nage and uke start in seiza.
  zagi-mune-tsuki from seiza posture, uke punches nage's chest.
  zagi-shomen-uchifrom seiza posture, uke strikes nage on the top of head or forehead.
zagi-handachievery technique in which uke attacks nage who is kneeling.
  zagi-handachi-katate-tori standing uke grabs one hand of kneeling nage.
  zagi-handachi-mune-tsuki standing uke punches towards chest of kneeling nage.
  zagi-handachi-shomen-uchi standing uke strikes the top of head or forehead of kneeling nage.

Nage Terms

ashi-torigrab foot.
ash-uchistrike the leg.
atemitechniques of punching or striking used by nage; strike with the fist at a vital point.
en-undoa circular motion.
gokyoone of techniques of katame-waza; refer to katame-waza.
hachi-no-jifigure eight.
hantaiopposite.
hantai tenkanafter stepping backward, nage steps forward and turns.
hiki-otoshipull down.
ikkyoone of techniques of katame-waza; refer to katame waza.
irimistep forward; after stepping backward, nage steps forward in front of uke.
  irimi ashi-uchi men-uchi nage strikes uke's kicking leg and then strikes him in the face.
  irimi atemi step forward and punch uke's lower abdomen.
  irimi en-undostep forward and swing arm in circular motion.
  irimi kaiten-nageafter stepping forward and passing under uke's arm, nage throws uke like rolling a ball.
  irimi kirioroshilead uke's ki by swinging nage's arm downward while stepping forward.
  irimi kubi-uchistep outside foot forward, raise outside arm and cut down uke's body near his neck.
  irimi shomen-uchiwhen uke punches nage, nage slides forward on his front foot and strikes uke in the face.
  irimi sudoristep diagonally and bow completely; pass under uke's arm and turn when nage steps in.
  irimi tekubi-kiristep in and cut uke's wrist.
  irimi tekubi-kosanage steps in, crossing his arms in midair to grab uke's wrist.
  irimi tekubi-toristep in and grab uke's wrist.
  irimi tenchi-nagestep in, raising one hand as if pointing to the sky, the other hand reaching towards the earth.
  irimi tobikomistep behind uke and turn (kokyu-nage and kote-gaeshi); step in front of uke and turn (shio-nage).
  irimi ude-kirioroshistep in and cut uke's arm around his elbow.
  irimi ude-oroshistep in, swing one arm up and then downward towards uke's chest.
jujicross.
juji iriminage steps forward with his outside leg, crossing his arms.
kaiten-nagegrab uke's wrist, push down his head and throw him forward like rolling a ball.
katame-wazetechniques which render uke immobile on the floor such as ikkyo, nikyo, sankyo, yonkyo, and gokyo.
kirikaeshireverse; reverse uke's direction to throw him.
kirikaeshi ojigireverse and bow.
kirioroshicut down; lead uke's ki like cutting down.
kokyu dosanage throws uke with ki, both starting from seiza posture.
kokyu-nageone of techniques of nage-waza; a throw in which nage uses the timing of both his mind and body to throw uke.
kosacross
koshinmove backward.
koshi-nagea throw in which nage uses his hips to throw uke.
kote-gaeshione of techniques of nage-waza; a throw in which nage bends uke's wrist downward to throw him.
kubi-uchistrike the neck.
makikaeshi-nagelarger strum movement then makikaeshi.
men-uchistrike the face.
michibikilead; guide.
  michibiki-kaeshi lead uke's ki around and reverse to throw him.
  michibiki-kubi-uchilead uke's ki forward, then reverse to strike his neck.
nagethrower; throw.
nage-wazathrowing techniques such as kokyu-nage, kote-gaeshi, shiho-nage, etc.
nidotwice.
  nido-ojigi bow twice.
nikyoone of techniques of katame-waza; refer to katame-waza.
ojigibow.
oroshilead downward.
otoshilead downward.
renzokucontinuation.
sankyoone of techniques of katame-waza; refer to katame-waza.
seiretsuline up.
senaka-awaseback to back.
shiho-nageone of techniques of nage-waza; a throw in which nage swings uke's arm upward, turns completely and throws him downward.
shomen-uchistrike the face; refer to irimi shomen-uchi.
sudoripass through; refer to irimi sudori.
sudori-nagethrow forward after passing under uke's arm.
suikomidrain; nage suddenly bows so uke's ki flows download.
suikomi-ude-oroshiafter nage bows leading uke's ki downward, nage raises his arms and swings them downward to throw.
tekubi-kiricut wrist.
tekubi-kosacross wrists.
tekubi-torigrab wrist or wrists.
tenchi-nagewhen nage throws uke, one hand points up and the other stretches down towards the ground.
tenkanturn; step backward.
  tenkan en-undo after turning or stepping backward, nage swings his arm in a circular motion and steps backward.
  tenkan kaiten-nageafter turning or stepping backward, nage throws uke like rolling a ball.
  tenkan kirikaeshiafter turning or stepping backward, nage reverses uke's direction to throw him.
  tenkan tekubi-toriafter turning, nage grabs uke's wrist.
  tenkan tenchi-nage after turning or stepping backward, nage throws uke, one hand points up and the other stretches down towards the ground.
  tenkan ude-oroshi after turning, nage swings his arms upward and then downward to uke's chest.
tobikomistep forward and turn.
torigrab; hold.
uchiwaa paper fan.
  uchiwa-nage lead uke's ki like fanning.
  uchiwa-nage kubi-uchilead uke's ki like fanning, then reverse to strike his neck.
  uchiwa-nage men-uchilead uke's ki like fanning, then reverse to strike his face.
ude-kiricut arm.
ude-kirioroshicut arm around elbow.
ude-nukislide arm out like pulling a nail.
ude-oroshinage's arms drop downward to uke's chest.
uragaeshiinside-out; reverse.
ushiro-mukilook backward.
  ushiro-muki kirikaeshi-kubi-uchi after looking backward, nage reverses and strikes uke on the neck.
  ushiro-muki suikomi-ude-oroshi after looking backward, nage suddenly bows leading uke's ki downward, then stands up and swings both arms downward towards his chest.
wazatechniques such as nage-waza and katame-waza; refer to nage-waza and katame-waza.
yonkyoone of techniques of katame-waza; refer to katame-waza.
zenpo-nagea forward throwing in which uke is thrown forward by nage as if a ball were rolling.
  zenpo-nage ashi-tori nage grabs uke's foot with both hands and throws him forward.
  zenpo-nage irimi sudorinage steps in diagonally in front of uke and bows completely while uke is taking a forward roll.
  zenpo-nage kirikaeshinage reverses uke's direction to throw him forward.
  zenpo-nage kirikaeshi ojiginage reverses uke's direction and bows to throw uke forward.
  zenpo-nage koshinnage throws uke forward while stepping backward.
  zenpo-nage koshin ojiginage steps backward and bows to throw uke forward.
  zenpo-nage kubi-uchinage strikes uke on the neck to throw him forward.
  zenpo-nage nido ojiginage steps backward, bows, leads uke behind nage, then bows again to throw him forward.
  zenpo-nage ojigi nage moves their upper body leading uke's ki and bows to throw him forward.
  zenpo-nage tekubi-tori nage grabs uke's wrist to throw him forward.
  zenpo-nage ude-kirioroshi nage cuts down uke's arm around elbow to throw him forward.
  zenpo-nage zenshin nage steps forward while turning, then throws uke forward.
zenshinmove forward.

10. Tanto, Bokken, and Jo Terms

ashi-baraisweep the leg.
ashi-sabakifootwork.
  ayumi-ashi walking footwork.
  suri-ashisliding walk; shuffling walk.
  tsugi-ashiafter one foot advances, the other foot is closed immediately, then do the same foot work aain.
ashi-sukuisweep the leg.
baraisweep.
bokkenwooden sword.
bokutowooden sword.
buguweapon.
bukiweapon.
dothe trunk.
  do-uchi strike the trunk.
happo-giricut eight directions with a sword.
haraisweep.
hiji-uchi-men-uchihit the elbow, then hit the face.
irimi sudoristep in and bow completely into a kneeling position; nage passes in front of uke when uke strikes nage on the head.
irimi-torinage steps in, grabs a sword by the hilt and throws uke forward taking the sword from him.
jostick.
jo-bukurostick sack in which tanto, boken, and jo are kept.
jogistick techniques; stick performance.
jo-nagetechniques in which nage throws uke by using the stick.
jo-toritechniques in which uke attacks with the stick and nage takes the stick from uke and throws him.
kamae (= gamae)posture; make a pose.
  chudan sword position; sword thrusted out to the middle level.
  gedansword position; sword lowered to the downward level.
  hassosword position; sword raised vertically near one should.
  jodansword position; sword raised to the upper level.
  sankaku-no-kamaetriangle posture from which the poking by the sword is done.
  waki-gamaesword position; sword lowered to the side and backward.
kataform; pattern.
katanasword.
  ha blade; edge.
  kissakithe point of a sword.
  minethe back of a sword.
  sageoa sword-knot located on the scabbard.
  sayasheath; scabbard.
  shinogithe ridges on the sides of a sword blade.
  tsubathe guard of a sword.
  tsukathe hilt of a sword.
katana-kakea sword rack.
kensword.
kengisword techniques; sword performance.
kesa-giricut down with a sword from the neck through the upper body diagonally.
kesa-giri ashi-baraicut down with a sword from the neck through the upper body diagonally, then sweep the leg.
kiaia yell with spirit; "Yei!" in sound.
ki-no-tantowooden knife.
kirikaeshireverse with a sword.
koteforearm.
  kote-uchi strike the forearm with a sword.
kumi-tachisword performance by two persons; refer to tachi-uchi.
maaiproper distance between nage and uke.
menhead; face.
nodothroat.
  nodo-tsuki poke the throat with a sword.
osamethe conclusion of a sword or stick performance.
renzokucontinuation.
sabakihandling; manipulation.
  ashi-sabaki footwork.
  tai-sabakibody movement of a turning or pivoting nature.
  te-sabakihandwork.
sakate-mochiin tanto-tori, uke grabs a knife in opposite holding method and pokes nage's neck; in jo-nage, nage grabs a stick in opposite holding method.
shinkenreal sword; mind-sword (use the mental image of an imaginary sword).
shomen-uchistrike the head.
shotoa shorter sword.
suburirepeat the same swinging method with a sword.
tachisword.
tachi-torinage takes the sword from uke and throws him.
tachi-uchitwo persons hold swords and perform some pattern of sword movement with each other.