Słownik słówek – Aikido Kołobrzeg

TERMINOLOGY USED IN THE ART OF AIKIDO (Japanese – English)

abara 肋 body part; the ribs

agaranai karada 上がらない体 unliftable body

agatsu 吾勝 self victory, according to the O`Sensei, true victory (masakatsu) is the victory one achieves over oneself (agatsu)

age uchi 揚げ打ち striking the arc (uppercut)

age uke 揚げ受け rising block

ago bone, gakkotsu 颚骨 body part; jaw

ago tsuki 顎突き straight punch to the chin

ago 顎 body part; chin

agura wo kaku 胡座をかく informal seating position

agura 胡座 sitting cross-legged (anza 安座)

ai 合 harmony and balance, adapt to something. In the context of aikido, it is used to signify the spirit of harmony and accord

ai 相 together, in line, the same, identical

ai hanmi katate dori 相半身片手取り positioning of uke and tori in the same half-profiles with one hand grip for the forearm by the wrist (the left hand grabs the left one or the right hand grabs the right one), position preceding the implementation of the technique in kihon waza

ai hanmi 相半身 positioning of uke and tori before executing the technique in compatible profiled positions (e.g. uke’s right foot and tori’s right foot forward)

ai uchi 相打ち / ai tsuki 合突き mutual impact, simultaneous uke and tori’s strike, the “at once” settling most frequently found in sword schools

aiki 合気 body and mind control, experience of the state of domination over ki, in techniques manifesting itself in uniting uke’s ki with tori’s ki

aiki budo 合気武道 martial arts and the philosophy of a gentle settling of conflicts, a harmonious path of development

aiki in yo ho 合気陰陽法 harmony of mind based on yin and yang

Aiki Jinja 合気神社 aikido temple in Japan, in the town of Iwama

aiki michi no Morihei 合氣道之盛平

aiki nage 合気投げ techniques ending in uke’s throw, according to the concept of energy transfer with limitation of physical contact between uke and tori

aiki no michi 合気の道 path of aiki, the direction of development in the art of aikido

aiki O`kami 合気大神 “The Great Spirit of Aiki” O`Sensei’s sentence

aiki otoshi 合気落とし aikido technique consisting in lifting uke’s hips, throwing technique by dropping uke

aiki towa wagowe 合気とは和合世 “Aiki is a World of Peace”, the sentence of the aikido master Hiroshazu Kobayashi

aikibatto 合気抜刀 sword drawing exercise

aikido 合気道 Japanese martial art, which is aimed at human development and knowledge of the laws of nature and harmony. A precursor of aikido was Morihei Ueshiba. In 1940, aikido becomes a legalised form of budo (then aikibudo). The word aikido is made up of three kanji characters: ai – harmony; ki – spirit, mind, or universal energy; do – way. The way of harmony with ki

aikido hachijuo Ueshiba Morihei 合氣道八十翁植芝盛平 O`Sensei’s sentence

aikidogi 合気道衣 training clothes (kimono) in which aikido is practised

aikidoka 合気道家 practitioner of aikido, adept, person who follows the path of aikido. The last kanji 家 here it takes the meanings: person; expert

aikijo 合気杖 area of aikido techniques using a stick about 130 cm long (jo)

aikijutsu 合気術 prototype of aikido, martial art based on the principle of harmony of defence with the attack

Aikikai 公益財団法人合気会 aikido foundation founded in 1940 by Kisshomaru Ueshiba. The central Aikikai dojo is the Hombu Dojo in Tokyo. Also aikido style

aikiken 合気剣 area of aikido techniques using a wooden sword (bokken)

aikitai 合気体 area of aikido techniques using only the body, techniques without weapons

aikitaiso 合気体操 gymnastic exercises with elements of kokyu, techniques and tactics, gymnastics for achieving the state of aiki

aisatsu 挨拶 greetings and conversational etiquette (congratulations)

aite 相手 training partner, co-practitioner

akashi 證 certyfikat

ako gishi 赤穂義士 the tale of the 47 ronin

an 安 relaxed, at ease

anza 安座 cross-legged sit

anzen 安全 safety

anzen chitai 安全地帯 comfort zone (safe areas)

aramitama 荒御魂 ara (rough, wild, rude), mi (honorable), tama (soul, spirit), aramitama (rough or turbulent soul)

arigato 有難う thank you

arigato gozaimashita 有難う御座いました appreciation, informal „thank you very much”

asa geiko 朝稽古 early morning training

asahi 旭 / 朝日 sunrise

ashi 脚 body part; leg

ashi 足 body part; foot

ashi ate 足当 foot strike

ashi barai 足払い technique taking advantage of mistakes in tai sabaki, in aikitai and aikijo based on sweeping partner’s leg, causing the effect as if slipping or tripping

ashi kotai 足交代 command to switch sides during a drill (literally “feet alternation”)

ashi no ko 足の甲 instep of the foot

ashi no undo 足の運動 aikitaiso exercises for the legs

ashi no ura 足の裏 sole of the foot

ashi no yubi 足の指 body parts; toes

ashi sabaki 足捌き technique of foot movement, leg work in aikido techniques

ashi ura 足裏 body part; foot sole

ashikubi no taiso 足首の体操 aikitaiso exercise for the feet

ashikubi 足首 body part; ankle, ankle joint (literally “neck of the foot”)

atama 頭 body part; head, also an ancient practice of cutting off enemies’ heads for gaining greater glory

atatameru 温める to warm oneself through physical exercise

ate 当て strike

atemi 当て身 striking the body, element of technique consisting in precise (punctual) blow (with a hand or a foot) to the attacker’s body to take over a defensive initiative or a blow that fills the empty space in a technique. Atemi prototype were impacts disturbing the opponent’s ki, war acupressure

ato / ko 後 back, behind, move back, rear

ato ashi 後足 back foot

awase 合せ combined

awase uchi 合せ打 combined strike

awase waza 合わせ技 combining techniques, techniques going one into another without ending

ayumi ashi 歩み足 tai sabaki; body movement technique; natural walking, alternating leg positioning

banzai 万歳 congratulations (literally “ten thousand years”)

barai 払い sweep

batto 抜刀 naked blade

battodo 抜刀術 ancient schools specialising in improving the art of Japanese swordplay. The training was based on individual improvement of the technique, after which the skills were practically tested, among others on convicts. Currently, styles that continue the ancient message carry out their tests on, for example, straw bales

benkyo 勉強 study

betsuden 別傳 secret teaching to most loyal students

bo 棒 a long staff

bodo 棒道 the way of the staff

bogyo 防御 defense

bojutsu 棒術 art of the staff

bokken 木剣 a wooden training sword with parameters similar to the katana, originally bokken was a practice sword used to avoid damage by katana

bokken kake 木剣掛け a rack for holding bokken (lit “wooden sword hook”)

bokken no kamae 木剣の構え posturę, pose, stance with bokken

boku 木 tree

bokuto 木刀 a wooden training sword (a bit more heavier than a bokken and with a weight more referring to the katana). The term is used primarily by the Japanese

boshi 帽子 element of the katana construction; the hamon hardening line going through the kissaki

boshi 拇指 body part; thumb

boshi uchi 拇指打ち atemi waza, a thumb strike

boshiken 拇指拳 thumb tip strike in aikiken

budo 武道, warrior’s way, philosophy of avoiding fighting „stop enemy spears”, general term for Japanese martial arts

budo seishin 武道精神 martial spirit

budoka 武道者 person who devotes his life to the values of budo, martial way practitioner

budokan 武道館 budo training hall

bugeisha 武芸者 practising budo, martial arts practitioner

bujutsu 武術 general name for Japanese traditional martial arts, the art of war

buki 武器 a general term for weapon

buki rei 武器礼 formal bow to one’s weapon

buki waza 武器技 techniques using traditional Japanese weapons

bukkyo 仏教 buddhism

bukyo 武教 teachings of bushido

bun 文 classroom learning

bungaku 文学 literature

bunkai 分解 detailed analysis of kata elements. In aikiken it means seeing all the defence possibilities and knowledge of secret interpretations of techniques with a bokken

bushi 武士 Japanese knight whose main task was to protect members of the clan. Warrior keeping the moral code

bushido 武士道 bushi code of honour, rules defining the warrior’s life path (even at the expense of losing his own life)

bushin 武神 the spirit of the warrior, also O`Sensei’s sentence in kanji

buyu 武友 martial friends

cha no yu 茶の湯 tea ceremony

chairo 茶色 brown

chi 地 earth, ground

chi 気 chinese pronunciation of ki

chi 血 blood

chiburi 血振るい the moment of contemplation, ceremonial flick of blood from the sword, among others in order to clean the blade, in aikiken chiburi it closes the forms of kata (symbolic form)

chikai 近い near (to close with an opponent)

chikama 近間 the closest distance between uke and tori allowing a direct attack without tai sabaki, distance without movement, most often used in suwari techniques. It is the very close distance where hand techniques have main priority

chikara o nuku 力を抜くlet go of strength, relax (lit. “more skill, less force”)

chin kon ki shin 鎮魂帰神 shintoist ritual of calming the spirit, introduced by O`Sensei to aikido practice, nowadays introducing contemplation in aikitaiso exercises

choku 直 directly (straight)

choku tsuki 直突き sword thrust

chokuritsu 直立 natural approach (e.g. shizentai)

chokusen 直線 a straight line, a line that defines the direction of suburi in aikiken and aikijo waza forms, practical expression of the central line control in the uke-tori arrangement, the equivalent of seichusen in karate, direct entry

chokuto 直刀 a simple sword manufactured up to about 900 A.D. (also the so-called jokoto ancient sword)

chu 中 center, middle, inside

chu 忠 loyalty

chudan mae geri 中段前蹴り Middle level front kick

chudan no kamae 中段の構え position with the sword’s guard to the torso

chudan tsuki 中段突き hit in the torso, most often in the abdominal region in the solar plexus

chudan uchi 中段打ち middle level strike

chudan 中段 middle body level measured from collar bones to hips

chugi 忠義 samurai virtue; loyalty, faithfulness and trust in law-abiding people

chushinsen 中心線 the body centerline

dachi 立ち stance (tachi)

dai 大 great, large

dai ichi 第一 first, foremost, number on (dai ni 第二 second, dai san 第三 third, dai yon 第四 fourth)

Dai Nippon Butokukai Budo Senmon Gakko 大日本武徳会武道専門学校 Imperial Japan Martial Association

Dai Nippon Butokukai 大日本武徳会 Imperial Japan Martial Association

daigaku 大学 university

daigakusei 大学生 university student

daimyo 大名 literally: “great name”, the description of feudal lords in Japan with their own hosts of samurai (Japanese nobility), usually wealthy and influential landlords who managed their own villages or towns, feudal lord

daisho 大小 common term for samurai swords: katana and wakizashi (daito – the great sword and shoto – the small sword)

daitai 大腿 body part; thigh

daito 大刀 long sword over 60 cm (length more than two shaku)

daito ryu aiki jujutsu 大東流合気柔術 method with centuries-old war traditions. Fighting style practised by master Sokaku Takeda (daito ryu inspired Morihei Ueshiba to develop aiki concept)

dame 駄目 wrong, no good

dan 段 master level in traditional Japanese martial arts, graded from 1 to 10 dan. In martial arts, it is symbolised by wearing a black belt. White belt ranks are called kyu ranks.

dan shinsa 段審査 black belt examination

dan-i 段位 japanese rank system of dan and kyu

den 傳 transmission (of knowledge)

densho 伝書 technique scroll, recorded teachings

dento 伝統 tradition

deshi 弟子 student, learner

do (michi) 道 way, path, method of gaining life experience, study with physical and spiritual implications, aikido – is the way of harmony

do 胴 part of the samurai armour protecting the front of the torso: abdomen and chest

dogu 道具 the armor used in kendo also bogu

dojo 道場 place (most often a room) of martial arts practice. Tradition goes back to Buddhist temples and Zen meditation. In literal translation it means “the way and strict rules”. The place where we practice aikido, training hall

dojo cho 道場長 leader of a dojo (director)

doka 道歌 poetry of the way

dokan 道環 “the ring of the way”, constant practice

dokkotsu 咽喉 body part; larynx

domo どうも many, much

domo arigato gozaimashita どうも有難う御座いました thank you for finished training. After each class, it is proper to bow and thank the instructor and those with whom you have trained

dori (tori) 取り take, catch, grab

doryoku 努力 effort

dosa 動作 exercise, movements

doshu 道主 head of the school, martial arts leader, founder or heir of the method, “master of the path” or „head of the way”. The highest official authority in mainstream aikido (michi mori)

douchi 胴討ち cut on the hip

dozo どうぞ please

embu gi 演武着 demonstration uniform

embu 演舞 show, public demonstration of martial arts

embusen 演舞線 diagram (line) of moving in kata forms

empi uchi 猿臂打ち elbow strike

empi uke 猿臂受 elbow block

en 円 circle

en undo 円運動 circular movement

eri 襟 collar, kimono flap

eri dori 襟取り grip of the kimono collar, grip by the neck

eri mochi 襟持ち grip of the kimono collar, grip by the neck

fuchi 縁 element of the katana construction, a hilt collar (ring) between the tsuka and the tsuba

fudo (no) kamae 不動構え motionless stance, position compared to a statue

fudo shin 不動心 still mind and heart, peace of mind, it is the calm and stability

fukkin undo 腹筋運動 abdominal exercises

fukko 伏虎 kneeling

fukko kamae 伏虎構え kneeling position on one knee used in sword and archery schools

fuku ra hagi 脹ら脛 body part; calf

fukura 脹 element of the katana construction, the kissaki cutting edge

fukushiki kokyu 腹式呼吸 abdominal breathing

funakogi undo 舟漕ぎ運動 rowing exercise, once a practice derived from Shintoism aimed at achieving contemplation in order to unite the body and mind, now funakogi undo is used to improve hip work, balance, stable posture and coordinate the breath in three different rhythms of work

furi 振 rocking, vibrating, swinging, swinging motion

furi kamuri 振りかむり raising the sword above the head

furi komi 振込む shifting to the inside (inward), the principle of reacting in technique, it depends on defence in the phase of mental preparation of the attack, the technique aimed at the decision to start an attack and aikijo technique of thrusting the stick into the jodan zone

furi tama 振り霊 aikitaiso exercise; concentration and breathing exercise, shaking hands for the introduction of vibration movements into the body, a kind of meditation in motion

futari dori 二人取り techniques for connecting two attackers. The situation in which two uke simultaneously grab tori

futari geiko 二人稽古 two person drill

futari taiso 二人体操 exercises for two people, gymnastics in tandem with body resistance of a co-practitioner

gaeshi (kaeshi) 返し reversely, counter

gaiwan 外腕 forearm

gaku 額 a painting of the precursor of the art often combined with kanji (kakemono) containing O’Sensei’s philosophical thought located in the main part of the dojo (in kamiza), calligraphy or motto hung on dojo walls

ganko 眼孔 eye socket

gankyu 眼球 eyeball

ganmen 顔面 body part, face

ganmen geri 顔面蹴り kick to the face

garami 絡み arm entanglement that triggers a joint lock

gassho 合掌 pressed-palm gesture, honour and respect for kamiza, form of meditation and greeting

gassho no kamae 合掌の構え prayer posture, with palms held together

gassho rei 合掌礼 hands held together

gasshuku 合宿 training camp

gatame 固め locking or holding, combination form

ge 下 direction down, low

gedan 下段 low body level (from waist to foot)

gedan barai 下段払い low sweeping block or leg sweep

gedan kekomi 下段蹴込み thrust kick to groin

gedan no kamae 下段の構え low sword guard

gedan tsuki 下段突き low strike

gendaito 現代刀 swords created in the years 1876-1945 (modern swords)

genki 元気 health

genkotsu 拳骨 fist

geri (keri) 蹴り kick, leg hit

getsu 刖 ancient punishment by cutting the leg in the knee

gi 義 the virtue of samurai; righteousness, morality, justice

gi 着 / 衣 do gi 道着 keiko gi 稽古着 training costume (garment), they should be white and cotton

giri 義理 samurai honour, a kind of moral obligation to repay the debt of gratitude. Traditional form of loyalty to the sovereign. Today giri has evolved, gaining a polite meaning. Still however, it carries the same message: courageous action in the idea of justice and the cult of simple and pure intentions, even for the price of sacrifice

go 五 five

go do shin 五道心 five ways of the spirit

go no keiko ごの稽古 hard training, exhausting exercises

godan 五段 5th degree black belt

gokyo 五教 aikido technique, the fifth principle of lock action on the joints of the arm (kuji osae), defense from knife attack

gomen nasai ごめんなさい I’m sorry in the situation of asking for help

gorei 号令 command to start loud counting

goshin 護身 self defense

goshin jutsu 護身術 art of self defense

gunto 軍刀 katana swords, which were created just before and during the Second World War. Blades were produced by the method of machine forging

gyaku 逆 on the contrary, inversely, the term used to determine the position (e.g., hands in relation to the feet) and impact variants, reverse

gyaku hanmi katate dori 逆半身片手取り uke and tori’s formation in opposite (side) positions with a single grip on the forearm near the wrist (usually the grip takes place in the reverse order; left – right or right – left)

gyaku hanmi 逆半身 uke and tori’s formation in opposite profiled positions (e.g. uke’s right foot and tori’s left foot to the front), opposite half-body

gyaku hasso no kamae 八相の構え position with a bokken kept high on the left side of the body

gyaku kesa giri 逆袈裟斬り cutting through the torso (carried diagonally from bottom to top)

gyaku te dori 逆手取り reverse hand grab

gyaku te 逆手 underhand, backhand or reverse grip

gyaku tsuki 逆突き sword thrust preceded by entry with the left foot

gyaku uchi 逆打ち reverse strike

gyaku yokomen uchi 逆横面打ち sword cut in the side of the head or neck, preceded by uke nagashi guard and entering with the left foot

ha 刃 sharp edge of the katana, hardened part (opposite to the mune), also the hasaki 刃先

habaki 鎺 element of the katana construction, metal collar around the blade above the tang (it protects the sword from falling out of the saya and supports the decorative fittings below)

hachi 八 eight

hachidan 八段 8th degree black belt

hachiji dachi 八字立 stance with feet set like the kanji for eight (八)

hada 肌 skin

hadashi 肌足 barefoot

hagane 刃金 steel for the production of swords

haguki 歯茎 body part; dental arch

hai はい literally: “yes”, attitude of motivated action

haidate 佩楯 armour protecting samurai’s thighs

haishin undo 背伸運動 aikitaiso exercise consisting in stretching the practitioner on the back, stretching the hips and torso

hajime 始め beginning, a command to start the exercise or technique, start

hakama 袴 traditional wide Japanese trousers, in aikido usually black or navy blue, nowadays worn by aikido masters (usually worn by black belt ranks)

hakama musubi obi 袴結び帯 tying straps after folding the hakama

hakama obi 袴帯 straps from hakama trousers to bind the hips

hamon 刃文 element of the katana construction, pattern (line) along the blade formed after grinding the hardened part

han 半 half

hana / bi 鼻 body part; nose

hanmi 半身 literally: “half body”, in aikido it means side position of the body (profiled), triangular stance

hanmi hantachi waza 半身半立ち技 positioninig of the practitioners in relation to each other: tori in low position (seiza), uke in high (tachi)

hanmi kamae 半身構え side position in aikido, semi-profile position, i.e. a stance in the lateral position of hips and shoulders, with a characteristic positioning of feet in a triangle, the stance refers to a pyramidal position, i.e. a position with a stable base

hansha undo 反射運動 / 反射作用 reflex action

hanshi 範士 the honorary title of the teacher, the master must be minimum 55 years and have a degree of 8th dan

hantai 反対 a command to change the side to the opposite, the other way round, reverse

happo 八方 a scheme of eight directions, to turn in any direction

happo giri (kiri) 八方切り bokken cuts performed in eight directions

happo no kuzushi 八方の崩し exercise of being off balance in eight directions

happo shikko 八方膝行 exercise of movements in a low position based on the scheme of eight directions

happo undo 八方運動 eight-direction exercise combines zengo-undo with ikkyo-undo

hara 腹 body part; belly and the centre of human balance and vitality, the abdomen, stomach

hara kiri 腹切り honorable death of suicide, seppuku 切腹

hara undo 腹運動 aikitaiso exercise for a sense of hip stability and finding a sense of seika tanden

harai / barai 払い sweeping, parrying, clearing away

hasami kamae 鋏構え position of legs set in scissors, consists of twisting the hips to obtain position of entwined legs

hasso 八相 movement performed along number eight pattern

hasso gaeshi 八相返 hitting with a stick performed along number eight pattern

hasso no kamae 八相の構え position with a bokken or a jo held high near the shoulder, a guard for jodan, figure-eight stance (the figure eight does not correspond to the arabic numeral “8”)

hatsu geiko 初稽古 first trainings, getting acquainted with the rules prevailing in the dojo (keiko hajime 稽古始め)

hayaku 早く command for more active and organised work in the dojo, literally: “faster, quickly, livelier “

hazumi 弾み momentum, spur of the moment

henka waza 変化技 technical variations having a common origin from one technique, change technique, change technique to another

hera 箆 toggle at the back of the upper part of the hakama

hi 樋 element of the katana construction, a groove running through the blade (its main purpose is reducing the weight of the sword)

hibuki 秘武器 hiding weapons in techniques, secret weapon

hida 襞 folds on the hakama trousers, vertical pleats along the legs

hidari 左 left, to the left, left side

hidari gedan no kamae 左下段の構え position with the left leg to the front (bokken kept low)

hidari hanmi 左半身 side torso positioning with the left leg forward

hidari jodan no kamae 左上段の構え position with the left leg to the front (bokken kept high)

higi 秘技 secret technique

hiji 肘 body part; elbow

hiji ate 肘当て elbow striking

hiji dori 肘取り a grab of elbow

hiji kime osae 肘決め抑え a lock on the elbow joint, previously determined by rokkyo

hiki 引き pull

himo ヒモ straps for binding hakama trousers

hineri 捻り turn, twisting

hiragana 平仮名 one of three Japanese writing systems

hiraji 平地 element of the katana construction, the surface of the blade between the hamon and the shinogi

hiraki 開き opening the guard (lowering the bokken), finding a weak spot or error in technique (in non-weapon techniques usually combined with an atemi hit)

hiroi 寛 budo philosophy; wide mind

hitai 額 body part; forehead

hito iki 一息 single breath, to perform waza in a single breath

hitoemi 一重身 single body, making the body small

hitori geiko 独り稽古 practice alone

hitori ryoho 独り療法 self-healing art

hitori waza 一人技 exercise performed without a partner, individual training allowing you to focus more on your body, a form of meditation in motion, single-person exercises to develop balance and coordination, and to pattern the basic movements of aikido techniques

hitsu 筆 brush, handwriting

hiza 膝 body part; knee

hiza geri 膝蹴りknee kick, knee strike

hiza kansetsu 膝関節 knee joint

hiza o mawasu undo 膝を回す運動 knee circle, a junbi undo ( warm-up exercise)

hizo uchi 脾臓打 spleen strike

hizo 脾臓 body part; spleen

ho 方 direction, side

ho 法 method

hombu dojo 本部道場 headquarters of the martial school

hone 骨 body part; bone

honshin 本心 true feelings

hyaku 百 one hundred

hyogen 表現 expression

hyoho niten ichi ryu 二天一流 a school of two swords founded by master Miyamoto Musashi. Also known under the names of niten ichi (二天一) “two skies in one” and nito ichi (二刀一) “two swords in one”

hyoshi 拍子 rhythm in music that most often reflects the natural phenomena of nature, in budo a reference to the naturalness of movements

hyoshigi 拍子木 wooden clappers, commonly used during breathing exercises

iai 居合 drawing of one’s weapon from its place of rest or bringing it to bear; also nukitsuke; lit “a place where you are”; sitting down

iai goshi 居合腰 “relationship hip,” posture with one knee on the ground and the other foot flat

iaido 居合道 the art of drawing a sword, wielding a katana

iaihiza 居合膝 lowered knee position on the left leg with the right knee raised (position convenient for drawing the sword quickly)

ibuki 息吹 method of increased breathing, usually a long inhale and expectorant exhalation

ichi 一 one

ichi mon ji 一門時 a straight line

ichiban 一番 first, best

Ichimonji suburi 一文字素振り the practice of cutting (air cutting)

Ichimonji 一文字 in a straight line

ido 移動 movement

iie いいえ literally: “no”, disapproval from the teacher for the student’s actions

ikebana 生け花 the art of creating a floral composition

ikkyo 一教 first technique (lesson) of aikido, first principle

ikkyo happo giri 一教八方切 movement in eight directions with the movement of lifting arms to ikkyo, concentration exercise on hara

ikkyo shiho giri 一教四方切 movement in four directions with the movement of lifting arms to ikkyo, concentration exercise on hara

ikkyo undo 一教運動 practising concentration on the hara, lifting the hands with the movement of the hips up as in ikkyo technique, usually without moving the body

in 咽 body part; throat

ippon 一本 one point

ippon geiko 一本稽古 a joint training, training in pairs for everyone regardless of the level of advancement, universal training (general)

ippon ken 一本拳 fist arranged to strike a point, hand clenched in a fist with a bit extended, bent index finger

irimi 入り身 decisive entry to the front, also mental attitude, mental entry in attack and reaction time (timing) to the uke attack

irimi nage 入り身投げ entry technique finished with a throw

irimi sokumen 入り身側面 lateral (profile) entering

irimi sudori 入り身巣鶏 entry technique with the accelerating body, the characteristic is the acceleration and sacrifice of the position (curling up of the body) to throw uke

irimi tenkan 入り身転换 tai sabaki, moving through the entry and 180 degrees turn

iro obi 色帯 colored belt

ishi 意思 intention

ishin denshin 以心伝心 transfer from heart to heart, from mind to mind. Non-verbal relationship between practitioners, full of acceptance and understanding. The state of harmony in which tori and uke have one heart and one mind

isshin itto 一心一刀 lit “one mind, one sword”

itame hada 板目肌 element of the katana construction (lines on the blade resembling wooden rings)

itami 痛み pain

ito maki 糸巻 element of the katana construction, tape for wrapping the sword’s hilt

itsuku 居付く the situation between uke and tori, the state of helplessness and surprise of the uke’s mind (triggered by encouraging the attack and performing unexpected defence)

Itto Ryu 一刀流 sword school from the Edo era. The essence of the style was victory above all. School used the experience of other sword schools

Iwama Ryu 岩間流 aikido style started by master Morihiro Saito (during Morihei Ueshiba’s stay in the town of Iwama)

jaku 寂 silent, quiet

ji 地 element of the katana construction, the area between the shinogi and the hamon

Jigeiko 稽古 training to overcome your weaknesses

jiku ashi 軸足 a foot or leg that defines the axis when rotating the entire body

jin 仁 samurai virtue; helpfulness, goodness, compassion

jintai 人体 human body, person

jiyu geiko 自由稽古 trial training, free practice

jiyu waza 自由技 free-style practice of techniques, attacker may attack in any way desired

jo 場 place, space

jo 杖 a stick about 130 cm long, used as a weapon in aikido

jo – ha – kyo 序破急 rhythm of work in technique, literally: “slowly – with acceleration – fast”, in aikido, it occurs in the form of three rhythms during rowing

jo dori (tori) 杖取り techniques of disarming uke who is attacking with a stick

jo nage 杖投げ techniques of disarming with a throw uke who is attacking with a stick

jo tai ken 杖対剣 confrontation of techniques using a stick against sword techniques

jo waza 杖技 techniques of using a stick

jodan 上段 the highest body zone, from collarbone to the top of the head, high level

jodan no kamae 上段の構え position with a raised sword, head guard

jodan tsuki 上段突き sword thrust into the neck area or straight blow to the head

jodan uke 上段受け upper level block

jodo 杖道 the way of the short stick

jojutsu 杖術 art of the short stick

jokoto 上古刀 ancient and simple sword from the Heian period

joseki 上関 (右側) higher side of the dojo, right side of the room, an honourable place for students strongly engaged in training

ju 十 ten

ju 柔 soft, gentle

ju jutsu 柔術 stretchy, flexible

judan 十段 10th degree black belt

judo 柔道 a flexible way

juji 十字 cross, crossed

juji ashi sabaki 十字足捌き moving sideways crossing legs

juji ashi 十足 stepping left or right across the other leg

juji garami 十字絡み aikido technique, control by crossing arms, arms crossed, elbows locked

juji gatame 十字固 holding with a tangled arm, cross holding

juji shiho 十字四方 shiho key with tangled arms

juku 塾 private school

jukuren 熟練 practiced skill

jun tsuki 順突き thrust with the positioning to the front of one hand and leg (e.g. left-left or right-right)

junan taiso 柔軟体操 flexibility exercises

junbi 準備 prepare (get ready)

junbi taiso 準備体操 warming exercises, aikitaiso, preparatory exercises

jutsu 術 art.

ka 家 someone who is an expert (aikido-ka)

ka 火 fire

kabuto 兜 (冑) / hachi 鉢 part of the Japanese armour protecting the head and neck, helmet made of iron, initially without decorative elements, with time taking on various artistic forms (incl. decorating in bronze and stainless steel)

kaeshi (gaeshi) 返し return, reversal

kaeshi tsuki 返し突き stabbing with a handle, hitting with an inverted bokken

kaeshi waza 返し技 contratechniques resulting from the greater experience of one of the practitioners, return technique

Kagami Biraki 鏡開き “Opening the mirror”, ritual first workout of the new year

kagami geiko 鏡稽古 “Mirror training”, training in which partners mirror each other’s actions

kagami 鏡 mirror

kagami 鑑 example, model

Kage Ryu 陰流 old kenjutsu school (koryu) founded by Aizu Ikosai Hisatada around the 15th century

kai 会 association, organisation

kaicho 会長 head of organization

kaiden 皆伝 knowledge of all secrets, high level of menkyo rank system

kaiken 懐剣 tanto (dagger) worn hidden in the kimono

kaiseki 懐石 a small and easily digestible meal (usually eaten before serving tea)

kaisetsu 解説 commentary

kaishaku 解釈 explanation; interpretation

kaisho 開手 open hand

kaiso 開祖 founder; originator, the founder of aikido Morihei Ueshiba

kaiten 回転 rotation, turn, rotation in place

kaiten nage 回転投げ “wheel throw” technique

kaiten shikko 回転膝行 movement on your knees with turns

kaiten zempo ukemi 回転前歩受け身 forward fall with rolling

kaji 鍛治 armoured man, Japanese blacksmith (armourer) engaged in forging of the katana blade (nihon kaji)

kakari keiko 掛り稽古 form of training consisting in attacking tori successively by several uke coming from one direction, group work and one side attack

kakato かかと body part; heel

kakemono 掛け物 Japanese calligraphy hung in the dojo next to the kamiza

kaku 角 corner

kaku obi 角帯 wide belt in aikido worn under the hakama

kamae 構え position, the basic posture in aikido, generally refers to a physical stance, there is an important parallel in aikido between one’s physical and one’s psychological bearing

kami 神 divinity

kami 紙 paper

kami 髪 hair

kami no ke 髪の毛 body part; hair

kamidana 神棚 household shrine (home shrine)

kamiza 神座 honorary place in the dojo, honourable place occupied by the teacher, place of remembrance and respect for O`Sensei, a place for the teacher (frontal part of the room)

kan 勘 the sixth sense, perception, intuition

kan 館 hall or building

kan geiko 寒稽古 winter training

kana 仮名 Japanese syllabary (hiragana, katakana)

kancho 館長 director (supervising the organisation) of a martial school

kanji 漢字 writing of Chinese origin, Japanese symbols

kansetsu 関節 body part; joint

kansetsu waza 関節技 dislocation techniques, techniques which are applied to the joints

kantei 鑑定 expert evaluation of the sword

kanzo 肝臓 body part; liver

kao 顔 body part; face

kao ate 顔当 face strike

kara 空 state of mind, the emptiness, zen

karada 体 body; also tai or tei

karui geiko 軽い稽古 easy practice, light

kasane 重ね element of construction of the katana, thickness of the blade measured on the back of the blade (mune)

kashi wade 柏手 aikitaiso; contemplative fourfold clapping, philosophically related to four elements: water, fire, air and earth

Kashima Ryu 鹿島神流 old Japanese martial arts school (koryu). Its origins date back to the fifteenth century. The name comes from the temple and the city of Kashima (Japan, Ibaraki province)

kashira 頭 element of the katana construction; metal pommel cap for the hilt of the sword

kasumi 霞 sword grip with folded arms, hiding intentions

kata 型 a form of improvement of budo elements and a form of self-improvement through execution of sequences of strictly defined elements of techniques, the most widely developed in aikiken and aikijo, fixed movement pattern

kata 肩 body part; arm

kata dori (tori) 肩取り kimono grip on arm or shoulder level

kata dori men uchi 肩取り面打ち arm or kimono grip on the shoulder, connected with shomen uchi strike with the other hand

kata gatame 肩固 immobilisation technique by joint lock on the elbow and shoulder, it occurs alone and in the final stages of nikyo, sankyo, kote gaeshi

kata hineri 肩捻る aikitaiso exercise consisting in turning the shoulders causing slight twists of the hips and the whole torso

kata no undo 肩の運動 aikitaiso exercises for the arms and shoulders

kata te mochi 片手持ち one-handed grasp with left on right or right on left

kata te 片手 one hand

katakana 片仮名 kind of alphabet, characters used in the Japanese writing system for transcription of foreign words, e.g. names, terms, names of animals or plants

katame 固 An immobilisation, to lock, to pin

katame ukemi waza 固め技受け身 the defensive, passive attitude; passivity, ukemi (the art of falling safely)

katame waza 固技 holding techniques (controlling the opponent), usually combined with a joint lock or strangling, e.g. techniques: ikkyo, nikyo, sankyo, yonkyo and gokyo

katame waza 固技 immobilisation techniques with joint lock on the arm and forearm, grappling techniques; consisting of osae waza and kensetsu waza

katana 刀 Japanese sword, its greatest flourish took place in the Muromachi era in the fourteenth century (samurai sword)

katana kake 刀掛け sword stand

katana mei 刀銘 signature on the katana sword

katana wa bushi no tamashi desu 刀は武士の魂です ” The katana is the soul of a samurai”

katate 片手 one hand

katate dori (tori) 片手取り wrist grip with one hand

katate ryote dori (tori) 片手両手取り grasping one hand with two hands, morote dori

katate uchi 片手打ち cutting with a sword held with one hand, most often with the use of wakizashi

katsu 活 techniques for restoring consciousness

katsu hayabi 勝速日 O`Sensei’s philosophy “Victory at the Speed of Light” (victory without physical fighting) and the principle of using time in technique that does not allow you to start an attack

katsu Jinken 活人拳 “The sword that saves life.” The concept found some explicit application in the development of techniques which would use non-cutting parts of the sword to strike or control one’s opponent, rather than to kill him

kaze 風 wind

kazu 数 numbers

kei kotsu 頸骨 body part; neck

keiko (geiko) 稽古 training, practice, lessons

keiko hajime 稽古始め first practice of the year

keiko soremade 稽古それ迄 “finish (lit “training that is all”)

keikogi 稽古着 training clothes, practice uniform

keiretsu 系列 line alignment, in a row

ken 剣 sword

ken 拳 body part; fist, clenched hand

ken no awase せの合わせ defence harmony training with kumi tachi attack, following the attack

ken o osaeru 剣を押える hold down or suppress (sword suppressing)

kendo 剣道 literally: “the way of the sword”, contemporary kenjutsu, also sports competition

kenjutsu 剣術 general name for styles of fighting with the use of swords: the katana and the wakizashi, old koryu

kenko 健康 health

kenkodo 健康道 way of health

kenkokotsu 肩甲骨 body part; shoulder blade

kenkotaiso 健康体操 health exercises, aikitaiso exercises in aikido (meditation, breathing exercises, gymnastics)

kensho 見性 seeing one’s nature (nature of mind)

kesa けさ袈裟 long sash (stole) worn by Buddhist monks (worn diagonally over the torso)

kesa giri (kiri) 袈裟切り diagonal sword cut through the torso (e.g. from the left shoulder to the right hip)

ki 気 psychophysical energy, life energy and the vital state of man

ki ken tai ichi 気剣体ー unity of spirit, sword and body

ki musubi no tachi 気結びの太刀 one of the aikiken rules, how to connect tori with uke attack

ki no musubi 気の結び concept of harmonious energy between defence and attack, binding your ki with your training partner’s ki

ki no nagare 気の流れ flow of ki energy

ki shin tai 気心体 energy, mind, body

kiai 気合 exclamation most often for reviving the fight spirit and weakening the intentions of the attacker, energy gathered in a hara and freed by a shout

kiai jutsu 気合術 the art of kiai

kiatsu 氣圧 a way of directing ki through touch (pressure) for healing

kihon sotai 素体 practising the basics of technique with a partner

kihon tandoku 基本単独 individual exercises of the basics of technique (improvement in stances with a bokken, movement, suburi, etc.) and independent study of aikido theory (e.g. vocabulary, philosophy of art, getting acquainted with historical knowledge, etc.)

kihon waza 基本技 exercises of basic technique, technical analysis, a basic form of practicing a technique (often at slow speed from a static start)

kikai 機会 “ocean of energy” of tanden

kikan 気管 body part; trachea

kime 決め blocking, pressure to reach the threshold of pain in the joint, maximum concentration (focus) of technique energy, increased muscle tension performed in parallel with the exhalation in the last phase of sword cutting

kimeru 決める control the opponent until the technique is completely completed, to carry out successfully, to be decided

kimo 肝 liver

kimono 着物 traditional Japanese outfit, colloquially martial arts outfit, literally: “worn thing”

kin 股 body part; crotch, groin

kingyo undo 金魚运 aikitaiso exercise; exercise called “Golden fish”

kinniku 筋肉 muscle

kiotsuke 往症つけ attention

kiri (giri) 切り sword cutting movement

kiri kaeshi 切り返し returning cuts in kumi tachi. It is also a training exercise in kendo and kenjutsu

kiri otoshi 切り落とし falling cut

kiri te 切り手 cut of the hand or forearm area

kiritsu 起立 get up, rise, command to take a high position

kisei 気勢 vigor

kissaki 切先 the tip of the katana sword

kiza 危座 kneeling, toes tucked up (as when getting up from the seiza), buttocks are resting on heels slightly higher than in seiza (sit on your knees)

ko 古 old

ko 喉 body part; nodo

ko 後 behind

ko ashi 小足 little step

ko kissaski 小鋒 element of the katana construction, small kissaki

ko maru 小丸 small circle

ko shinogi 小鎬 element of the katana construction, the shinogi passing through the kissaki

kobudo 古武道 practices related to traditional weapons, old and unchanged Japanese budo, literally: ko (古) “ancient”, bu (武) “war”, do (道) “method, way”

kodachi 小太刀 short or small sword

kogai 笄 hair pin, worn in a pocket of the katana or wakizashi scabbard

kogatana 小刀 a small dagger carried in the pocket of the katana or the wakizashi scabbard

kogusoku 小具足 elements of armour for arms and legs

kohai 後輩 junior student, relationship between aikido students (the person who started training later)

koho 後方 back, at the back, backwards, behind

koho kaiten ukemi 後方回転受け身 fall backwards by rolling

koho ukemi 後方受け身 fall backwards on the shoulder girdle, with the impact of the forearms on the ground

koho undo 後方運動 aikitaiso exercise; colloquially cradle

koiguchi 鯉口 element of the katana construction; a hole in the saya to put the blade in, often enclosed with a decorative ring (usually made of buffalo horn)

kojiri 鐺 element of the katana construction, end of the scabbard (ring made of metal or buffalo horn)

kokansetsu 股間節 body part; hip joint

kokoro (shin) 心 attitude of respect and honour, behaviour flowing from the heart, strength and courage changing failure into wisdom

kokoro gamae 心構え mental attitude

kokusai 国际 international

kokyu 呼吸 breathing, the rhythm of work in techniques reflecting the natural inhale-exhale

kokyu ho suwari waza 呼吸法座技 method combining breathing movement performed in the Japanese sit

kokyu ho 呼吸法 the method combining breathing and movement, breathing control, kokyu tanden ho

kokyu nage 呼吸投げ move that uses the breath power to throw, throwing techniques without resistance, breath throw

kokyu ryoku 呼吸力 strength of breath, support the techniques by breathing

kokyu undo 呼吸運動 set of exercises that do certain things to the body (relaxation)

komekami 米噛み body part; temple

komekami uchi 米噛み打ち temple strike

komi 込む to get closer, shorten the distance, command to position closer to each other

koryu 古琉 old style, old school

kosa 交差 crossing, intersection

kosa dori 交差取り cross wrist grab, grasping hand in hand in a way that the right hand is behind the right one or the left behind the left one, ai hanmi katate dori

kosa mochi 交差持ち cross-handed grasp with one on one

koshi 腰 body part; hips

koshi ita 腰板 a rigid board-like section on the back of the hakama, stiffening on the loins

koshi kaiten 腰回転 moving consisting in the rotation of the hips by 180 degrees

koshi nage 腰投げ throw technique over a hip, hip throw

koshi no undo 腰の運動 aikitaiso gymnastics for the hips

kote 小手 wrist, tekubi

kote 篭手 part of the armour protecting the forearms

kote gaeshi undo 小手返し運動 aikitaiso exercise, independent manual rotation of the hand and forearm like in kote gaeshi

kote gaeshi 小手返し technique of bent and twisted outward wrist

kote hineri 小手捻り twisted forearm technique, sankyo

kote mawashi 小手回し technique of bent and twisted inward wrist, nikyo

kote uchi 小手打ち hitting the wrist, usually in aikiken and aikijo techniques

koto 古刀 literally: “old sword”, the term used to describe swords from the years: 900-1596

kototama 言霊 the spirit of expression, the power of words and sounds (a practice of intoning various sounds)

kozuka 小柄 small knife, carried with the saya of the katana sword (next to the kogai)

ku 空 emptiness, vacuum, symbolically the interior of the circle (psychological non-attachment)

ku/kyu 九 nine

kubi 首 body part; neck

kubi nage 首投げ throw by grabbing the neck

kubi no undo 首の运 aikitaiso gymnastics for the neck

kubi shime 首締め strangling technique

kubi uchi 首打ち hitting the throat or neck

kuchi 口 mouth

kuchibiru 唇 body part; lips

kudan 九段 9th degree black belt

kukan 空間 space, room

kumi 組 department, group, set

kumi jo 組杖 section of techniques with using weapons, uke and tori are armed with a jo, confrontation with the use of sticks

kumi tachi 組立ち section of techniques with the use of swords, uke and tori have a bokken, confrontation with swords

kumi te 組手 sparring fight

kurigata 栗形 slotted lug to receive the sageo

kuro 黒 black

kuro obi 黒帯 black belt

kuruma 車 wheel

kuzushi 崩し technical rule of destroying uke’s balance, deprivation of hip strength and unbalancing

kyo 教 learning, methodology

kyokai 協会 association

kyoshi 教士 honorary master’s title (minimum 7th dan)

kyu 級 student’s degree in Japanese art (not only in budo), in aikido from 6th kyu to 1st kyu

kyudo 弓道 way of the bow (japanese archery)

kyusho 急所 vital points on the human body

kyuukei 休憩 command to take a short break e.g. for rest

ma 間 distance, space

maai 間合い correct distance, one of the basics of aikiken art, the distance between practitioners of kumi tachi

mae 前 front, at the front, in front

mae geri 前蹴り straight kick forward

mae kaiten ukemi 前回転受身 forward roll, fall with rolling

mae otoshi ukemi (nikyo ukemi) 前落とし受身 forward roll with moving backwards

mae ukemi 前受身 forward fall with cushioning of the forearms

mae yoko ukemi (kote gaeshi ukemi) 前横受身 dynamic and hard fall performed forward to the side with cushioning of the forearm and shoulder

maki mono 巻物 paper scroll

makiwara 巻藁 traditional device for improving impacts

makoto 誠 budo philosophy; good will, noble mind without falsehood and betrayal, truthfulness and honesty towards your moral principles, purity and certainty of action without the need to assure and promise

mamorite 守り手 hand covering applicable in atemi waza and tanto waza

maru 〇 circle

marui 丸い movement in a circle, the movement of the hips moved to the forearms and hands in the form of drawing a curve or a circle

masagatsu agatsu 正勝吾勝 philosophy of aikido; “True victory is victory over oneself”- O`Sensei’s sentence

mata 股 body part; thigh, groin, sokei

matadachi 股立ち split on the sides of the hakama

mate 待て literally: “wait”, signalling a well-done technique, usually combined with a hand pat on the mat or the body of a co-practitioner

matsu, ume, take 松, 梅, 竹 aikido philosophy and aikiken techniques symbolically referring to the exchange of energy in nature. Pine (principle of triangle and irimi), plum (principle of square and osae), bamboo (principle of circle and kokyu). Pine (it is long-lived and durable), plum (blooms in winter conditions, it is beautiful and strong, but fleeting), bamboo (flexible in the face of wind and durable under the force of snow)

mawari 回り rotation

mawashi 回し circular, rotation

mawashi geri 回し蹴り circular kick, in a curve

mawatte 回る turn around

me 目 body part; eye

medama 目玉 eyeball

meguri 巡り circular movement around the long axis of the forearms

mei 名 element of the katana construction, signature usually engraved on the nakago tang

meibutsu 名物 swords included in works of art

meirei 命令 commands and teacher’s directing

meiyo 名誉 samurai virtue; honour, self-judgment

mekugi 目釘 element of the katana construction, a bamboo or horn peg, holding the elements of the sword hilt (it goes through the mekugi ana)

mekugi ana 目釘孔 element of the katana construction; a hole in the tang (nakago)

men 面 surface of the head, face, atama

men uchi 面打ち bokken cut in the head carried from the direction of up – down, hand strike with a sword (tegatana), strike to head, attack to the face

menkyo kaiden 免許皆伝 certificate obtained through an exam, a written confirmation of skills

menuki 目貫 element of the katana construction; decorative mounts on the hilt used to adjust the grip

metsuke 目付 the art of expressing the state of mind with eyes, looking into the distance, expression in the eyes

mi 眉 eyebrow

mi 身 body

michi 道 aikido philosophy, the way, O`Sensei’s sentence “Walk Through Life”

midori 緑 green

migi 右 right, to the right, right direction

migi gedan no kamae 右下段の構え right position with the sword guard on the legs

migi hanmi 右半身 side stance with right leg forward

migi jodan no kamae 右上段の構え right position with the sword guard on the head

mimi 耳 body part; ear

miru 見る to look

misogi 禊 cleansing the spirit through the practice of cooling the body in an icy stream or under waterfall, misogi precedes furitama to raise warmth of the whole body and stimulate the spirit (ritual purification)

misogi no jo 禊の杖 ritual of purification, contemplation with the use of a stick (jo), applied by O`Sensei to achieve a state of harmony between the body and the mind (harmony with the universe)

mitori geiko 見取稽古 “eyes grab practice”; learning by observing, especially when injured

mizu 水 water

mochi 持ち / 持ち方 grip (grasping method)

mokushin 目心 one of two types of metsuke (lit. “eye of the mind”)

mokuso 黙想 meditation, the command to begin calming the mind, the aim of mokuso is finding inner peace, meditation before and after aikido classes (clearing one’s mind, developing mental equanimity, enhancing awareness, focusing on presence in the moment, and cultivating unity of mind and body)

mokuso yame 黙想止め command to stop meditation

momo 腿 body part, thigh

monjin 門人 beginner (lit “person at the gate”)

mono 物 thing

monouchi 物打 sharp blade (used for cutting)

morote 諸手 with both hands

morote (ryote) 諸手 with two hands

morote dori 諸手取り forearm grasp done with both hands, also called katate ryote dori

morote tsuki 諸手突き two-handed punch

morote uchi 諸手打ち two-handed strike

morote mochi 諸手持ち with both hands

mu 無 emptiness

mudansha 無段者 adepts of martial arts at the student level, having a kyu degree

mune 棟 back ridge of sword

mune 棟 element of the katana construction; the back of the sword blade

mune 胸 body part; chest

mune dori 胸取り grip at the height of the chest

mune saki 棟先 point of the mune (back ridge of sword) at the kissaki (sword tip)

mune tsuki 胸突き thrust or straight strike in the chest

mune uchi 棟内 hit with the back of the blade

musanso undo 無酸素運動 anaerobic exercise

musha 武者 warrior

mushin 無心 budo philosophy; mind without thinking reflecting reality like a mirror, philosophy and practice of introducing a state without emotions and imaginations, a concept referring to the philosophy of the mind like water (mizu no kokoro), “no-mind” reflective mental state

mushin no shin 無心の心 mind of no mind

muso 無想 no mind

musubi 結び budo philosophy; binding, connection, unification

nagare 流れ technique like a stream (free and smooth movement), connecting to uke activities, following the training partner

nagasa 長さ element of the katana construction, blade, sharp part of the sword (from the kissaki to the munemachi)

nagashi 流し flow

nagashi uke 流し受け flowing block, control of the central line in the jo or bokken guard

nagashi waza 流し技 proficiency in applying aikido techniques, smooth transition from one technique to another, spontaneous continuation through a different technical solution

nage 投げ a person performing a technique, one of the ways to determine a party that uses a technique

nage waza 投げ技 technique based on uke throw

naginata 薙刀 pole weapon with a range of more than two meters (wooden handle fastened with a metal blade reminiscent of a sword blade)

naiwan 内腕 inner arm

naka ni 中に to the center

naka 中 inside, in, center, middle

nakago 茎 element of the katana construction; metal tang, scaffolding for the sword’s hilt

nakayubi 中指 middle finger

nakazumi 中墨 centerline

nana/shichi 七 seven

nanakyo 七教 pressure on the wrist (yonkyo)

naname 斜め obliquely, diagonally, diagonal line

nidan 弐段 2nd degree black belt

Nihon/Nippon 日本 Japan

nihon go 日本語 japanese language

nihon teien 日本庭園 japanese garden

nikyo 二教 the second technical rule (lesson) of aikido, control of uke by twisting the wrist

nikyo – yonkyo undo 二教四教運動 aikitaiso exercise by raising your hand set in nikyo and lowering it with yonkyo pressure

nikyo undo 二教運動 aikitaiso exercise based on performing hand pressure positioned in nikyo

ninin dori / futari dori 二人取り simultaneous attack of two uke

no 脳 body part; brain

nobashi 伸ばし command for stretching

nodachi 野太刀 literally: “field” (no), “sword” (dachi). A very large sword used in time of battles in the open space (length over 1.5 m), also O`dachi 大太刀 “great sword”

nodo のど body part; throat

noto 納刀 putting the sword away into the saya, the moment of contemplation after the victorious fight

O 大 great, large

O`chiburi 血振 blood flicking from the katana blade, performed with drawing a large circle, a moment of contemplation

O`kami 大神 literally: “the great spirit”, the deity

O`kissaki 大鋒 element of the katana construction; big sword tip, literally: “big kissaki”

O`Sensei 翁先生 respect for the old master emphasised in the pronunciation, literally: “great teacher” born (living) earlier, honorary title for master Morihei Ueshiba and other outstanding budokas

obi 帯 sash wrapped around hips bound on a kimono, belt

obi musubi 帯結ぶ knot of a kimono sash

ohayo gozaimasu お早う御座います good morning

oi tsuki 追い突き a straight blow with a lunge, set in the direction of the retreating target

oku 奥 secret or deep

okuden 奥傳 inner or secret teachings

okugi 奥義 secret techniques

omote 表 palm surface, open hand, symbolical openness and evidence of actions

omote shikko 表膝行 moving on your knees forward

omote waza 表技 performing techniques in the forward direction or in the front side of the opponent, open techniques for those who train outside the school

Omoto Kyo 大本教 Japanese religious sect

onaka お腹 belly, stomach

onegai shimasu お願いします please (at the beginning of exercises with a partner, bowing to the instructor or to each other)

orenai te 折れない手 unbendable arm

oroshi 下ろし downward or descending

osae 押え keeping control (press, push)

osae waza 押さえ技 also katame waza, immobilisation techniques and joint lock techniques, techniques associated with a painful reaction in the joint, pinning techniques

osame to 納め刀 command to place sword in obi

osode 大袖 armor for upper arms and shoulders

otagai ni rei お互いに礼 mutual bow, teacher to students and vice versa, mutual greeting, bow to each other

otomo お供 escort to a sensei

otoshi 落とし lowering, falling, downward direction

otoshi tsuki 落とし突き dropping punch; downward punch

otoshi uchi 落とし打ち downward strike

otoshi uke 落とし受け dropping block

oyo 応用 analyze (lit “practical use”)

oya yubi 親指 body part; thumb

oyo waza 応用技 techniques focused on the effectiveness of the fight, used only for obtaining effectiveness in battle

ran 乱 chaos

randori 乱取り practising any techniques and tactics of aikido against a few attackers, movement tactics and performing techniques with a few uke, in a literal sense subdue chaos

rei 礼 samurai virtue; respect expressed in a bow, expressive gratitude, a form of courtesy and the expression of respect occurs in many moments, e.g. greeting, encouraging to exercise, appreciation, superiority of politeness over the desire to show your strength

reigi no renshu 礼儀の練習 learning to respect each other

reigi 礼儀 dojo etiquette, rules of behaviour and participation in aikido classes

reiho 礼法 methods of expressing respect and modesty

reishiki 礼式 occasional etiquette defining the rules of conduct, ceremonial respect for generations and traditions, once defining the rules of dealing with weapons, for example, how to pass tchem, manners

ren 錬 practice, training

renko 錬功 skills acquired through hard training; feats of practice

renshi 錬士 honorary title for a master in 4th, 5th or 6th dan degree

renshin 錬心 practice for strengthening the fighting spirit

renzoku 連続 continuation, successive, continuous performance of an activity. In weapons techniques, an attack on one side followed swiftly by an attack on the other side

renzoku uchikomi 連続打ち込み series of bokken hits, suburi

renzoku waza 連続技 drill techniques, the same consecutive techniques flowing one after the other, a continuation, a series of techniques

riai 理合 joining of principles (unity between the techniques of the sword, staff and empty hands)

ritsu rei 立礼 bow in a standing position

ritsu zen 立禅 standing meditation

rokkyo 六教 joint lock technique for the elbow, hiji kime osae, literally: “the sixth rule”

roku 六 six

rokudan 六段 6h degree black belt

ronin 浪人 literally “wave man”, samurai without a master

ryo 両 double, both

ryo hiji dori 両肘取り both elbows grip

ryo kata dori 両肩取り both arms grip

ryo kata ushiro dori 後ろ両肩取り both arms grip from the back

ryo katate dori 両片手取り both hands grip of one forearm

ryote dori 両手取り both hands grip of two forearms

ryote mochi 両手持ち two-handed with grasp two on two

ryu 流 method, system, style, school, path of martial arts with the message

ryu ha 流派 branch of the organisation, sections operating outside the main dojo

sabaki 捌き movement, body motion, decision (hand-movement – te-sabaki 手捌き, foot-movement – ashi-sabaki 足捌き or body-movement – tai-sabaki 休捌き)

sageo 下緒 element of the katana construction, cord for tying the sword to the kakuobi

saibu 細部 details

saki zori 先反 element of the katana construction; place of the greatest bend of the sword blade – closer to the kissaki

sakotsu 鎖骨 body part; collarbone

sakotsu uchi 锁骨打ち clavicle strike

samegawa 鮫皮 element of the katana construction, wrapping on the hilt of the sword made of shark or ray skin strap

samurai 侍 person serving his sovereign, warrior

san 三 three

sandan 参段 3rd degree black belt

sankaku no kamae 三角の構え stance with feet arranged in the shape of a triangle

sankaku tai 三角体 position reflecting the pyramid symbolising stability

sankaku 三角 triangle, literally: “three angles”

sankyo 三教 third rule (lesson), twisted forearm, kote hineri

sankyo undo 三教運動 aikitaiso exercise, self-twisting of the forearm in sankyo

sannin dori 三人取り / sannin gake 三人掛け method of control (usually throwing) of three uke grabbing at the same time

sanpo giri 三方切り kumi tachi techniques performed on three uke

sanpo 三方 three directions

satori 悟り enlightenment, full understanding

saya (saja) 鞘 element of the katana construction; the scabbard

saya no uchi 鞘の内 sword inside the scabbard / saya no uchi no kachi 鞘の内勝ち victory without drawing a sword, budo philosophy

sayo otoshi 左右落とし aikitaiso exercise, falling sideways to the right-left direction

sayonara 左様なら good bye

sayu 左右 the right-left direction

sayu uchi 左右打ち left and right strike

se 背 back of body

sebone 背骨 body part; spine

sei 正 natural, true

seigan 正眼 natural step

seigan no kamae 正眼の構え uke position before the attack, in kumi tachi uke’s bokken is directed to tori’s neck

seigi 正義 right, righteousness, correct meaning

seigyo 制御 control

seika no itten 臍下の一点 body focused at one point, the centre of the body, tanden, point below the navel

seika tanden 臍下丹田 the centre of gravity of the body, point located deep in the abdomen

seiki 生気 vitality and human energy expressed in calmness and peace

seikitsui 脊椎 spine

seiretsu 斉列 student line up, a command to form a line

seito 生徒 student

seiza 正座 kneeling sit with bent feet and toes, the so-called Japanese sit

seiza seiretsu 正座整列 line setting in seiza

sekkotsu 接骨 bone setting

seme 攻め the name of the person performing the technique (tori), also a person with more experience, taking over the initiative in technique

sempai 先輩 senior

sen 先 initiative, the decisive moment

sen 線 line

sen no sen 先の先 taking over the initiative before the attack, overtaking the attacker’s actions

senaka 背中 body part; back

senpai 先輩 older student

senryaku 戦略 strategy

sensei 先生 teacher, literally: “born before”, a title expressing respect for the teacher

sensei ni rei 先生に礼 teacher’s respect shown by the body, a bow to sensei

seoi 背負 upper back, back of shoulders

seppa 切羽 element of the katana construction; washers above and below tsuba

seppuku 切腹 formal term for ritual suicide by disembowelment (hara kiri)

sha 者 person

shaku 尺 traditional Japanese and Chinese unit of length. 1 shaku is approximately 30.3 cm (≈11.93 inch). Shaku has, among other things, use as a unit of measure for the length of the blade of Japanese swords

shi / yon 四 four

shi 士 expert, learned man

shiai 試合 literal “encounter”, in a combat situation (死合) meeting with death

shiatsu 指圧 point massage with finger pressure

shichi 七 seven

shichi dan 七段 7th degree black belt

shido 士道 “the way of the gentleman” ethical system of the bushi

shido geiko 指導稽古 learning by teaching (“way person practice”)

shihan 師範 official title of the oldest senior master in school (at least 6th dan), equivalent of a professor, teacher’s model

shiho 四方 four directions

shiho giri (kiri) 四方切り cutting in four directions, method of improving suburi and movement of the body

shiho nage 四方投げ throwing technique in four directions

shiho shikko 四方膝行 moving on the knees in four directions

shikaku 四角 literally: “blind spot”, “four angles” (square), „dead corner” in techniques denoting a safe field

shiken 試験 examination, test

shiki 式 ceremony

shikko 膝行 walking on your knees (samurai walk)

shime 締め strangling technique

shimoseki 下関 (左側) lower side of the mat, left side of the dojo

shimoza 下座 back side of the dojo, place for students

shin 信 honesty, trust

shin 神 soul, spirit

shin / kokoro 心 heart, mind

shin gi tai ichi 心技体一 warrior’s state, spirit, technique and body as one

shin gunto 新軍刀 presentation sword produced in the Japanese Army from 1930 to the end of II World War, i.e. until 1945

shinai 竹刀 bamboo sword

shinjutsu 鍼術 acupuncture (harijutsu)

shinkei 神経 body part; nerve

shinken 真剣 living sword, sword having a soul, practice with a sharp sword

shinken shobu keiko 真剣勝負稽古 budo philosophy, train as if you were fighting for your life

shinkokyu 深呼吸 aikitaiso; meditation on the move starting aikido classes

shinogi 鎬 element of the katana construction, the line closest to the back of the mune

shinogi ji 鎬地 element of the katana construction, the surface closest to the mune ridge

shinsa 審査 grading or examination

shintai 身体 budo philosophy, body and spirit being one, divine body

shinto 新刀 katanas created in the period of 1596-1780

shinto 神道 ancient religion of japan (lit. “the way of the gods”)

shinzo 心臓 body part; heart

shira saya 白鞘 literally: “white scabbard”, a type of binding for various types of Japanese weapons, made of raw wood, consisting of a scabbard and a hilt. They were devoid of any ornaments, unpainted, not lacqured. They were mainly used during the storage of the sword or during changing its elements

shiri 尻 body part; bottom

shita 下 under, below, inferior (ge)

shita 舌 body part; tongue

shite 仕手 person receiving the technique, assisting the teacher

shitei 師弟 relationship of teacher and student

shitsu kansetsu 膝関節 knee joint

shizen 自然 nature, natural, spontaneous

shizentai 自然体 kamae, natural posture with legs spread at a shoulder width

sho 初 / 暑 / 小 first, new; hot, little or small

sho 掌 palm

shochikubai no ken 松竹梅の剣 sword work of pine – bamboo – plum (the symbolic expression of auspicious matters)

shochu keiko 暑中稽古 mid-summer training

shodan 初段 master level in martial arts, 1st dan

shodo 書道 the way of the brush (calligraphy)

shogun 将軍 supreme commander in charge of the armed forces, chief commander of troops. Shogun has undergone a semantic evolution, from the military rank it has become a prestigious title of military rulers of Japan

shomen 正面 front of the head, also the front of the dojo, the place where the kamiza is located

shomen geri 正面蹴り front kick

shomen ni rei 正面に礼 literally: “bow to the front”, a bow to start and end the class towards kamiza

shomen uchi happo giri 正面打ち八方切 bokken cuts in eight directions

shomen uchi shiho giri 正面打ち四方切 bokken cuts in four directions

shomen uchi 正面打ち a simple tegatana hand strike, in aikiken vertical sword cut from top to down

shoshin 初心 budo philosophy defining the mind of a novice aikidoka (beginners mind)

shoshinsha 初心者 initial, beginner

shuchu 集中 concentration

shuchu ryoku 集中力 power of concentration

shuren 修練 training, discipline, drill (tanren)

shuto 手刀 hand like a sword

sode 袖 a kimono sleeve or part of the armour protecting your shoulders

sode dori 袖取り sleeve grip

soe te 添え手 putting one hand on the blade, literally: “helping hand”

soke 宗家 head of martial arts, heir of style

sokei 鼠蹊 body part; groin

soku 足 foot, ashi

sokudo 速道 speed

sokumen 側面 side, profile, sidelight, lateral

sokuso 足爪 body part; tips of toes

soremade それまで command announcing the completion of exercises

sori 反り element of the katana construction, curvature of the sword, degree of bending of the blade

soshu rei 双手礼 basic everyday bow in japan

sotei 想定 Solo practice with an imagined partner

soto 外 outside, away

soto deshi 外弟子 adept (student) who gets education from the master away from master’s home, away from his dojo

soto kaiten nage 外回転投げ roll throw technique, body rotation while staying outside of uke, round throw technique combined with blocking uke

soto kaiten 外回転 rotation or turn performed away from uke’s body (outside)

soto uke 外受け someone from outside the dojo

suburi 素振り exercise of impact and cutting techniques performed with a sword or stick in series, without breaks with a swinging weapon

suburito 素振り刀 heavy wooden sword, used to improve kihon aikiken waza

sudori 素通り momentum; passing through without stopping

sudori waza 巣鶏技 throwing technique with a dispersed and curled body (a passing through without stopping)

sugata 姿 element of the katana construction, general shape of the blade

suki 隙 weak point, uncovered part and lack of guard, chance for a counter attack

sukui 救い help, aid

sumi 隅 angle, corner

sumi otoshi nage 隅落し投げ throwing technique by entering the angle formed between the arm and the torso

sumo 相撲 traditional Japanese wrestling

sune 脛 body part; shin

sune ate 臑当 / ashimaki 足纏 armour protecting the shin

sune uchi 脛討ち cut on the knee

suriashi 摺足 the way of moving with the constant contact of the feet to the ground, moving to increase the stability of the hips

sutemi waza 捨て身技 techniques with exposure or dedication of your body for performing defence, currently with a loss of balance by tori (to throw-away the body)

suwari 座り sit

suwari taiso 座り体操 sitting exercises; seated stretching

suwari waza 座り技 techniques practised in low positions

tabi 足袋 white or black socks used during training, with two toes and with leather sole. A practical solution is the possibility of wearing them with sandals, called flip-flops

tachi 太刀 prototype for the katana. Long sword with a length of over 2 shaku (over 60 cm). Despite that it gave way to the katana sword it was used in parallel with it until the nineteenth century

tachi 立ち standing posturę (dachi)

tachi dori 太刀取り techniques for taking the sword by unarmed tori

tachi kaze 太刀風 sound (ping) of sword cutting

tachi rei 立ち礼 standing bow (ritsu rei)

tachi waza 立ち技 techniques performed in a standing position (standing technique)

tai 体 body, torso

tai atari 体当たり body contact, body hit

tai chikara 体力 external power (muscle), force, strength, might, energy, effort

tai no henko 体の変更 / tai no tenkan 体の転換 exercise to evade uke and the strength of his grip, body rotation by 180 degrees performed on the front leg

tai otoshi 体落 throwing technique by lowering the body

tai ryo 体量 body weight

tai ryoku 体力 physical strength

tai sabaki 体捌き body movement, rotations and body turns

taijutsu 体術 techniques using only the body, techniques without weapons

taiso 体操 gymnastics

takemusu aiki 武産合気 O`Sensei’s philosophy – bold search for aiki laws and creative life according to the laws of nature, the beginning (birth) of the principles of aiki

tamahagane 玉鋼 pig iron for the production of steel for swords

tameshi kiri (giri) 試し斬り sword cutting test

tanden 丹田 body centre, underbelly

tanden no ichi 丹田の一 centre (stomach and hips) felt as a single point

tandoku dosa 単独動作 / 単独練習 individual practice (tandoku renshu)

tanren uchi 鍛錬打ち suburi training consisting in hitting the bokken in branches stacked on the stand

tanren 鍛錬 hardening the body, shaping the fighting spirit through hard training

tanto 短刀 knife, traditionally a short sword with a length of the nagasa of up to 30 cm, also used by women. It has very good properties for pushing through the breastplate of the armour. Commonly used for a ritual suicide called seppuku

tanto dori 短刀取り defence against knife attack, knife retrieving techniques by unarmed tori

tatami 畳 mats lining the exercise room, traditionally a rice straw mat, in the Meiji era, the term tatami was used to describe the surface area of the floors of Japanese houses and spaces equal to 1.8 x 0.9 m rectangle

tate 縦 vertical

tate hiza 立て膝 / iaihiza 居合膝 vertical knee, kneeling position with one leg raised

tatte 立てる raise

te 手 part of the body; hand

te no hira 手の平 palm of the hand

te no yubi 手の指 finger

te sabaki 手捌き hand movement

te ura 手裏 inside of wrist

te waza 手技 hand techniques

tegatana 手刀 hand like a sword

tekubi 手首 body part; wrist

tekubi no undo 手首の運動 aikitaiso gymnastics for hand and forearm joints

tekubi osae 手首押さえ pressure on the wrist area, yonkyo

ten 天 heaven

ten chi ka sui 天地火水 budo philosophy; heaven, earth, fire, water, Shintoist elements reflected in the philosophy and symbolism of aikido

tenchi 天地 heaven and earth

tenchi nage 天地投げ throwing technique involving the lowering and lifting of two sides of the uke’s body in symbolic directions up (sky) – down (earth), finding a balance by supporting the sky and the earth

tenkan 転換 body rotation by 180 degrees preceded by leaving the attack line, movement of the body allowing you to intercept and change the direction of uke’s attack

tesaki 手先 body part; fingertips

to 刀 a katana sword

to rei 刀礼 respect for the sword, a bow to the katana

tobi 飛び flying

tobi ukemi 飛び受け身 group of falls with a long flight phase, falls with a jump

toma 遠間 far, the distance between uke and tori is greater than the distance of one step

tori 取り receiving attack, literally: “taking”

tori fune 取り船 aikitaiso exercise; Japanese rowing

tori sori 華表反り element of the katana construction; curvature of the blade (the centre of the curve lies approximately in the middle of the sword)

tsuba 鍔 element of the katana construction; metal plate with holes for nagasa, kozuka and kogai, guard for hands

tsugi ashi 次足 tai sabaki, side step in the hanmi position

tsuka ito 柄糸 elements of the katana construction; the material used to wrap the sword hilt, e.g. silk or leather

tsuka maki 巻柄 element of the katana construction; the method of wrapping the sword hilt, the braid pattern of the hilt

tsuka 柄 element of the katana construction; sword hilt

tsuki 突き straight thrust, straight blow

tsume 爪 body part; nail

uchi waza 打技 striking techniques

uchi 内 in the middle, inside

uchi 打ち cut, impact, striking methods

uchi deshi 内弟子 student living and training alongside the teacher, a strict everyday method of training and learning with the master, internal, closest student

uchi kaiten nage 内回転投げ “wheel throw”, preceded by an entry under uke’s arm with simultaneous rotation of the body by tori

uchi kaiten 内回転 rotation or turn done towards uke’s body (inwards)

uchi komi 打ち込み repeated cutting or punching usually used to improve the suburi with a bokken or a jo

uchi komi 打ち込み repeatedly hitting with the sword, technique and strength training

uchi uke 内受け bokken block performed from the centre line to the outside

uchigatana 打刀 sword from the Kamakura era, usually carried by lower-ranking samurai

ude 腕 body part; forearm

ude furi undo 腕振運動 arm waving triggered by the movement of the hips

ude kansetsu 腕関節 arm joint

ude kime nage 腕きめ投げ throw technique by pressure on the arm and elbow

ude nobashi 腕伸し technique consisting in stretching fingers and forearm

ude osae 腕押さえ ikkyo prototype, aikido technique, pressure on the elbow, literally: “nailed shoulder”

ue up

Ueshiba Morihei 植芝盛平 master, O`Sensei, creator of the art of aikido born 14/12/1883, d. 04/26/1969

uke 受 assistant in the technique (the person on whom the defence technique is performed)

uke kotai shimasu 受交代します please change uke, command to change the co-practicioner

uke nagashi 受け流し line control method and block in kumi tachi

ukemi 受け身 the art of receiving and accepting techniques, the art of exiting a technique with falling, literally: “accept, catch” with the body, the art of assisting the teacher

undo 運動 movement, exercise

ura 裏 back, backwards, reverse

ura waza 裏技 literally: “tricky art”, techniques that are the opposite of direct entry to attack, reverse side to omote waza, backward direction or on the back side of uke, usually combined with taking uke in a long distance

uraken 裏拳 back part of the sword

ushiro 後ろ direction backwards, behind

ushiro dori 後ろり grip from the back

ushiro eri dori 後ろ襟取りneck grab from the back

ushiro kaiten ukemi 後回転受身 round fall backwards, fall with a rolling element on the back

ushiro katate eri dori 後ろ片手衿取り one-handed grip of the collar with uke positioned behind tori

ushiro katate kubi shime 後ろ片手首絞め strangling with forearm grip control in postion – uke behind tori

ushiro muki 後ろ向き sight control of the back space, looking back combined with a head rotation

ushiro otoshi ukemi (yoko ukemi) 後ろ落とし受け身 fall performed from the back to the side, without a rolling element, a fall by lowering the body back to the side

ushiro ryo hiji dori 後ろ両肘取り both elbows grip from the back

ushiro ryo kata dori 後ろ両肩取り both arms grip (shoulders) from the back

ushiro ryotekubi dori 後ろ両手首取り both forearms grip (wrists) from the back, ushiro ryote dori

ushiro shikko 後ろ膝行 march on your knees according to the rules of withdrawal, backwards

ushiro tekubi dori 後ろ手首取り wrist grab from the back

ushiro ukemi 後ろ受け身 group of back falls, on the back

ushiro waza 後ろ技 a group of techniques that surprise tori with an attack from the back

uwa (kami, age) 上 direction up, upwards

uwagi 上着 kimono top, white training blouse in aikido

wa 和 peace, harmony

wa 輪 circle, wheel, ring

waka sensei 若先生 a young teacher, in aikido the title for doshu successor

wakai 若い young, inexperienced

wakarimasu 分かります I understood

waki 脇 side

waki aki 脇明き cut on the sides of the hakama

waki gamae 脇構え sword positioned low to the right hip, a position used to hide the sword, i.e. its length or blade damage

waki kage 脇影 body part; armpit

waki no shita 脇の下 body part; armpit

wakizashi 脇差 / kodachi 小太刀 short Japanese single-edged sword with the length of the nagasa between 30 and 60 cm

waraji 草鞋 straw sandals (footwear worn by ordinary people). Waraji were also worn by a class of samurai and foot soldiers in feudal Japan

waza 技 technique, skill

waza ari 技あり well-done technique

yagai geiko 野外稽古 practice outdoors in nature

Yagyu Shinkage Ryu 柳生新陰流 family of Japanese fencers dating back to the beginning of the sixteenth century, school of using the sword with a characteristic lateral position of the body, literally: “New Secret School”

yakuso 薬草 medicinal herbs and their usage

yakusoku keiko 約束稽古 prearranged training

yame 止め command: stop, hold the technique or exercise

yari 槍 spear

yasumi 休み command to rest or relax

yo ibuki 陽息吹 hard aggressive breathing

yodan 四段 (4h degree black belt)

yoi 用意 ready

yoko 横 side direction, side, horizontally, sideways

yoko barai 横払い a cutting movement with a bokken or hitting with a stick horizontally, side sweep

yoko geri 横蹴り side kick

yoko giri 横切り horizontal sword cutting

yoko irimi 横入り身 aikido technique involving entry sideways (with a profile)

yoko otoshi ukemi (ikkyo ura ukemi) 横落とし受身 fall with a twist of the body to the side

yoko ukemi 横受け身 fall performed backwards to the side of the body, ushiro otoshi ukemi

yokomen 横面 side area of the head (temple area)

yokomen uchi 横面打ち sword cutting executed from the side, hitting the side of the head with your hand positioned in tegatana

yokote 横手 element of the katana construction; the perpendicular line to the shinogi, it is the boarder for the kissaki plane

yonkyo 四教 the fourth rule of control, controlling uke by applying pressure on vital points on the forearm, the prototype of te kubi osae

yooi 用意 command; ready, get ready, arouse respect

yoroi 鎧 samurai armour

yoroi toshi 鎧通し dagger used to pierce armour

yu 勇 courage

yubi 指 body part; finger

yudansha 有段者 (黒帯) master level, black belt, persons with dan

yudansha geiko 有段者稽古 training only for black belts

yuki 勇気 courage, bravery

yukkuri ゆっくり slowly

yurui 緩い slower, calmer, quieter, and gentler

yusanso undo 有酸素運動 aerobic exercise

yuu 勇 samurai virtue; courage, acting with conviction and faith in your abilities, heroism

za 座 sit

zanshin 残心 staying alert, constant readiness of heart and spirit to take action, remaining spirit, remain in a balanced and aware state

zarei 座礼 a bow sitting

zazen 座禅 sitting meditation

zekken ゼッケン kimono sew-on badge with the dojo name, e.g. aiki juji (logo of the master Hirokazu Kobayashi’s method)

zen 禅 meditation practice, quiet meditation (peace of mind)

zengaku 前額 body part; forehead, hitai

zenpo 前方 in front, forward

zenpo kaiten ukemi 前方回転受け身 fall by rolling forward

zenpo ukemi 前受け身 fall forward on the forearms

zenwan 前腕 body part; forearm

zoori 草履 traditional Japanese sandals used outside of the dojo

zubon ズボン kimono trousers