Glossary
a -
Ai
harmony, union
Ai hanmi
equal or mutual stance; partners stand facing one another with the same foot forward.
Ai uchi
equal strike or equal kill
Atemi
strike to distract or unbalance uke so a technique can be effectively applied.
b -
Bokken
wooden sword used in practice
Budo
martial way
Bukijutsu
weapons training
Bushido
warrior way
c -
Chudan
middle position
d -
Dan
system of ranking; black belt rank
Deshi
student, pupil, disciple
Dojo
training hall
Dori
grab
Domo arigato gozaimashita
thank you very much
e -
Eridori
collar or lapel grab
F -
Fukimasu
to wipe clean
g -
Gedan
low position
Gi
training uniform
Go
five
Gokkyo
fifth pinning technique
Gyaku hanmi
opposite stance; partners stand with the opposite foot forward (like a mirror image)
h -
Hachi
eight
Hakama
divided, skirt-like pant; formal wear, normally worn for iaijutsu and tameshigiri
Hanmi
triangular stance with either left or right foot forward
Hanmi handachi
attack where nage is kneeling and uke approaches from a standing position
Hara
the center of existence; lower abdomen; physical and spiritual center; center of gravity of a person; area below the navel; the reservoir of ki
Hidari
left (direction)
Hiji
elbow
Hijidori
elbow grab
I -
Iaijutsu
the art of drawing and using the sword through a combative, and more practical focus
Ikkyo
first technique, elbow technique
Irimi
to enter
Iriminage
throwing technique using an entering motion
Ichi
one
j -
Jyo
wooden staff
Jodan
high position
Jodori
disarming jyo attack
Ju
ten
Jujinage
crossed arm throw
k -
Kaeshi waza
counter techniques
Kaiten
to revolve or rotate
Kaitenage
rotary throw
Kamae
posture
Kata
pre-arranged exercise
Katatedori
one hand grab to wrist
Katadori
one hand grab to the shoulder
Keiko
practice, training
Ken
sword
Ki
spirit
Kohai
junior or subordinate student
Kokoro
your inner state, where thoughts, emotion, and will power move as one
Kokyu
breathing that is controlled, calm, and connected to your center. Used to generate strength without tension
Kokyunage
breath throw
Koshi
hips, waist
Koshinage
hip throw
Kotegaeshi
wrist turn out throw; wrist turning technique
Ku
nine
Kubishime
choke
Kyu
Martial ranks below dan
m -
Maai
distance + timing + awareness; it is the space where outcomes are decided
Menuchi
strike to the head
Misogi Harai
a demanding breath practice used to build endurance, focus, and mental toughness
Mokuso
meditate
Morotedori
attack grabbing one wrist/forearm with both hands
Munedori
lapel grab
Musubi
blending
n -
Nage
throw; person who is attacked and performs the technique
Ni
two
Nikkyo
second technique, wrist bending technique
o -
Obi
belt
Omote
moving in front/forward
Onegai shimasu
polite way to make a request to train
r -
Randori
a practice of unscripted moves and techniques used to develop spontaneity, adaptability, and manage pressure
Rei
bow, salutation
Roku
six
Ryokatadori
two-shoulder grab
Ryote
both hands
Ryotedori
attack in which both wrists are held from the front
s -
San
three
Sankyo
third technique, wrist twisting/pinning technique
Seiza
formal kneeling position with back straight
Senpai
senior student
Sensei
teacher, the person who has walked ahead on this path
Shi
four
Shichi
seven
Shihonage
four directions throw
Shikko
technique of walking on the knees
Shodan
first degree black belt
Shomen
symbolic center of the dojo; it reflects the values of dojo and the intent behind training
Shomenuchi
strike to forehead
Sode
sleeve
Soto
outside
Soto Kaiten
outside turning motion
Suburi
practice cuts with a sword or bokken
Sumiotoshi
corner drop throw
t -
Tachiwaza
techniques done with both uke and nage standing
Taijutsu
techniques done without weapons
Tameshigiri
tatami mat cutting with a sword
Tanden
point just below the navel
Tanto
knife
Te
hand
Tegatana
hand blade; sword edge of the hand
Tenkan
turning movement
Tsuba
sword handguard
Tsuka
sword handle
Tsuki
thrust, punch
u -
Uchi
inside, also means to strike
Uchideshi
live-in student, apprentice; form of apprenticeship in martial and other arts or disciplines where the student lives alongside the master to study the way
Uchi kaiten
inside turning movement
Uke
person who gives the attack and receives the technique
Ukemi
the art of receiving the technique/falling
Ura
moving behind
Ushiro
back, behind, rear
Ushiro eridori
collar grab from behind
Ushiro hijidori
elbows grabbed from behind
Ushiro kubishime
choke from behind with free hand grabbing wrist
Ushiro ryokatadori
both shoulders grabbed from behind
Ushiro ryotedori
both wrists grabbed from behind
Ushirowaza
techniques applied from the rear
w -
Waza
techniques
y -
Yokomenuchi
strike to the side of head/temple
Yonkyo
fourth technique where pressure is applied against uke's forearm
Yudansha
black belt grade holders
z -
Zabuton
rectangular, base cushion for zazen
Zafu
round cushion for zazen
Zanshin
unbroken awareness and concentration
Zazen
sitting meditation
Zokin
cleaning cloth