Terminology

Terminology

Ai
Harmony, unity, meeting, love.
Ki
Spirit, intrinsic energy, Electromagnetic energy, life energy, mind, attention.
Do
Path or way (Tao)
Aite
One's partner
Atemi
Striking
Bokken
Wooden sword
Budo
Japanese martial arts, based on the principal of the order of the universe. The path of the warrior (Samurai) which is to nurture and protect nature and human society.
Dan
Black belt rank.
Deai
Moment of truth, two forces meet.
Deshi
Student; apprentice.
Hakama
Wide skirted pants.
Hanmi
Triangular stance of Aikido, stable yet flexible.
Hanmi-handachi
Techniques with one person sitting and the other standing.
Hara
The lower abdomen. The vital center of life energy. All movement must originate from this point.
Irimi
Technique of entering through the line of your aite's attack.
Jo
Wooden training staff
Kamae
Stance
Kannagara
The flow of the Divine universal consciousness.
Katana
Japanese sword
Keiko
Study or practice. Not repetition but rather to return to the mind of the ancients and discover reality.
Kiai
Release of physical and spiritual power in the form of a shout. Literally it means a meeting of the spirits.
Kohai
Junior student
Kokyu
Breath
Kototama
The soul of words. Life energy as consciousness.
Kyu
White belt grade
Mai
The distance of space between the meeting of two forces.
Misogi
Spiritual purification
Mushin
A mind without ego which reflects all reality without judging.
Musubi
Unifying, tying together (of the yin and the yang).
Nage
A throw; one who throws.
Omoiyari
An attitude of concern for the feelings of others.
Omote
Face; front; yang.
Randori
Niningake, sannin gake, etc., multiple opponent attack.
Rei
Formality, politeness, to bow.
Seiza
Formal sitting position on one's knees.
Sempai
Senior student
Sensei
Literally, one who is born first; used for one who has gained the qualification to teach the way.
Shikko
Knee walking (suwari waza)
Shinai
Bamboo sword
Shomen
(a) The upper seat where the shrine is placed; (b) a direct strike to the face or the top of the head is shomen uchi.
Shugyo
Spiritual training to polish one's self.
Suburi
Repeating the same cut over and over with a sword.
Suwari waza
Techniques executed from a sitting position.
Tachi
Long Japanese sword
Taijutsu
Empty handed techniques
Tanden
Hara
Tanren
Training through repetition. This is different from keiko.
Tanto
Wooden practice knife
Tenkan
Turning to dissipate your partner's force.
Uke
The person who receives an attack.
Ukemi
The art of falling (receiving)
Ura
Back side (Used to describe techniques which one enters behind on).This is the (Yin) way of executing a technique.
Waza
Technique
Yudansha
Black belt holder.
Zanshin
Continuity; remaining aware and prepared for the next attack.

Attacks

Shime
A choke or tight grasp of the entire body.
Tori (or Dori)
Grab
Tsuki
Thrust
Uchi
Strike
Kata tori
Shoulder or lapel grasp
Katate tori
One hand grasp of your partner's wrist.
Kosa tori
Cross hand grab
Mune tsuki
Straight punch to the heart or solar plexus.
Ryote tori
Two hands grabbing one hand (also called ryo te mochi)
Men tsuki
Punch to the face
Shomen uchi
Strike to the top of the head
Yokomen uchi
Diagonal strike to the side of the head or to the neck (45°)
Ushiro
Behind

Techniques

Ikkyo
First teaching
Nikkyo
Second teaching
Sankyo
Third teaching
Yonkyo
Fourth teaching
Gokyo
Fifth teaching
Shihonage
Four directions throw
Irimi nage
Entering throw
Kaiten nage
Rotating throw
Koshinage
Hip throw
Kokyu nage
Breath of rhythm throw
Tenchi nage
Heaven-earth throw
Kote gaeshi
Returning the wrist throw
Kokyu ho
Basic exercise for blending one's ki with that of one's aite.
Tachi tori
Taking away sword
Tanto tori
Taking away knife
Kumi tach
Two peoples sword practice

Parts of the Body

Ashi
leg
Do
rib area-trunk of the body
hiji
elbow
kata
shoulder
koshi
hips
kubi
neck
kuchi
mouth
me
eyes
men
head
mune
chest
te
hand