Yongsan Aikikai  

GLOSSARY OF AIKIDO TERMS AND PHRASES

A command of the Japanese language is not essential to achieve a technical mastery of Aikido. However, a basic knowledge of technical terms – a convention of practice – is necessary. As such, beginning students should pay particular attention to words annotated with an asterisk (*). An advanced practitioner will benefit from an understanding of the broader context of the art through a study of the more philosophical/conceptual terms.

Pronunciation:

"a" as in  f-a-ther

"i" as in  f-ee-t

"u" as in m-oo-d

"e" as in m-e-t

"o" as in b-o-ne

 Annotations:

 *  - Basic terminology for beginning students. Additional technical terms are given on the essential points and basic weapons pages.

 Ref - Suggested text for additional study.

 (s) - When entry contains this mark, it was sourced in part or whole from: Stevens, John. The Shambala Guide to Aikido (1996). Shambala. Boston & London.

---- A ----

Abunai - dangerous

Agatsu - self victory. Self improvement is the implication.

*Ai - (s) Harmony, coming together, unification, integration.

*Ai - (s) (same pronunciation with a different character) Love.

*Ai Hanmi - assuming front stance with same side forward as opponent

Aiki - (s) the blending of two or more energies, harmonization, perfect integration.

Aikibudo - (s) name used to describe Morihei Ueshiba's art in the prewar period.

*Aikido - (s) "The Way of Harmony," the art founded by Morihei Ueshiba.

Aikidoka - (s) Aikido practitioner.

Aiki Jinja - (s) The aiki shrine Morihei Ueshiba had built in Iwama, Ibaraki Prefecture, Japan.

Aiki Otoshi - Ki drop technique.

Aiki Jo - (s) Staff techniques according to Aikido principles.

Aiki Jujitsu (or jiujutsu) - (s) Martial art systems based on aiki timing and control.

*Aikikai - (s) The largest Aikido organization, headed by the founder's grandson, Moriteru Ueshiba.

Aiki Ken - (s) Swordsmanship according to Aikido principles.

Aiki O'Kami - (s) Great spirit of Aiki, the all-inclusive spirit of Aikido, the supreme symbol of Aikido ideals.

Aiki Taiso - (s) Aikido warmup exercises.

Ai Nuki - (s) Simultaneous escape, mutual protection, the goal of Aikido.

Ai Uchi - (s) Simultaneous striking, mutual destruction, the negation of Aikido.

Ame No Murakumo Kuki Samuhara Ryu O - (s) Name of Morihei Ueshiba's guardian angel, the "Heavenly, Awesome, and Enlightened Dragon King"; Morihei himself as an idealized spirit.

*Arigato Gozaimashita - "Thank you," polite form. See also "Doomo arigato."

Ashi - Leg or foot.

Ashi Sabaki - Footwork.

Ashi Fumi Komi - Alternating hanmi from left to right moving forward or back. (Editor's note: I am looking for a more precise definition for this term and the following one.)

Ashi No Fumi Kae - Changing hanmi from left to right or vice versa and back in essentially the same location.

*Atemi - (s) A strike or blow directed toward an anatomical weak point; used defensively in Aikido (balance taking, distraction).

Atemi Waza - Striking methods.

Awase - Practice by moving in synchronization with a partner. Blending. Drawing out one's partner by initiating the technique.

Ayumi Ashi - Normal walking style of step where back foot slides up and becomes the front foot. See also "suri ashi."

---- B ----

*Bokken - wooden sword, see also bokto

Bokto - wooden sword, see also bokken

*Budo - Martial way. Modern Japanese martial arts. (Ref: Modern Bujutsu and Budo by Don Draeger)

Budoka - Martial art practitioner.

Bujutsu - Classical Japanese martial arts.

Bushi - Classical (feudal) Japanese warrior.

Bushido - Classical warrior code of Japan. (Ref: Hagakure by Yamamoto Tsunetomo).

Bushin - (s) "Martial spirit," the highest level of mastery in martial arts.

---- C ----

Chinkon Kishin - (s) "Calming the spirit and returning to the source," an Aikido meditation technique.

Chi No Kokyu - (s) "The breath of Earth," the second level of Aikido breathing techniques.

Chokusen No Irimi - (s) Direct entering completely behind an attack.

*Chudan - (s) Middle-level position (of hands, sword, etc...)

---- D ----

Daito Ryu - martial art system taught by Sokaku Takeda, one of Morihei Ueshiba's teachers.

*Dan - belt belt grade.

Deguchi, Onisaburo (1871-1947) - (s) Omoto Kyo leader and Shinto shaman who was Morihei Ueshiba's main guru.

Deshi - Student.

*Do - (s) A particular path of physical and spiritual refinement; a way of life.

Do Gi - Training uniform used by martial artists. See also "keiko gi" and "gi."

*Dojo - Training hall or "place of the way."

Doka - (s) "Songs of the Way," the didactic poems of Morihei Ueshiba.

Doomo - "Thanks," familiar form.

*Doomo Arigato - "Thank you," polite form. See also "arigato gozaimashita."

*Doomo Arigato Gozaimashita * - "Thank you very much," very polite form. Usually used toward sensei or one much more senior in rank.

Doozo - “go ahead” or “as it pleases you”

*Dori - Hold or grab. Alternate pronunciation "tori."

Dosa - (s) Basic movements; also "kihon dosa."

Doshu - Grandmaster; highest position in the Aikikai. Following Japanese custom, the position has been hereditary. In succession Morihei Ueshiba, Kisshomaru Ueshiba (son) followed by Moriteru Ueshiba (grandson, current doshu).

---- E ----

Embu - Demonstration, sometimes before the general public.

En No Irimi - (s) Circular entry; entering behind an attack and controlling it in a circular motion.

Eri Dori - Collar grab.

---- F ----

Fudo No Shisei - (s) "Steadfast spirit"; unassailable presence of mind.

Fukushidoin - First-level or assistant instructor.

*Funekogi Undo - Boat rowing exercise. Also called "kogi fune undo."

Furi Tama - (s) "Shaking down the spirit," a common Aikido meditation technique adopted from ancient Shinto ritual.

---- G ----

Gaku - (s) Horizontal sign board displayinng name of dojo or philosophical aphorism.

Gasshuku - special extended training session lasting over several days, long "seminar" or "camp."

*Gedan - Lower-level position. See also chudan and jodan.

*Gi - Training uniform.

Go - five

Godan - Fifth degree black belt

*Gokyo - Fifth principle or Aikido pinning technique number five.

Go No Sen - Strike at an opening before the opponent forms the intention to attack.

*Gyaku Hanmi - Front stance in which partners have the opposite side (mirror position) forward.

---- H ----

Hachi - eight

Hachi Dan - Eigth degree black belt.

Hai - yes. Contextually driven response which may mean “yes” or “I hear you”

*Hakama - Samurai split skirt worn by Aikido and Kendo practitioners (among others).

*Hanmi - Basic Aikido triangular front stance, derives from sword stance.

*Hanmi Handachi - Techniques performed while the nage sits and the uke stands

Hantai - (s) Reverse, opposite.

Happo Giri - Eight direction cut.

Happo Undo - Eight direction extension exercise.

Hara - a point 2 inches below the navel. Center of the body.

Henka Waza - Techniques involving variations usually flowing from one technique to another.

Hidari - Left side. See also "migi."

*Hiji - Elbow.

Hiji osae - Elbow pinning technique.

Hiza - Knee.

Hombu Dojo - Headquarters dojo. Usually refers to the headquarters of the Aikikai, located in Tokyo.

---- I ----

Iai Do - (s) The art of drawing and cutting with the sword.

Ichi - one

Iki - (s) Breath; the physical act of respiration.

*Ikkyo - First principle or Aikido pinning technique number one.

*Ikkyo undo - Extension exercise.

*Irimi - (s) "Entering," physically and spiritually, into an opposing force in order to defuse and neutralize it.

*Irimi Nage - Entering throw.

Irimi Tenkan - An entry (step or slide forward) followed by a turn. See also Kaiten

Iwama - Town in Ibaragi Prefecture, Japan, location of Morihei Ueshiba's Aiki Shrine, outdoor dojo and farm. Long-time home of Saito Sensei who ran the dojo after Morihei's death.

---- J ----

Jin No Kokyu - (s) The breath of a human being; the third stage in breath meditation.

Jiyu Waza - Free-style techniques.

*Jo - Short staff, approx. 42"

*Jodan - Upper-level position.

Jo Dori - (s) Techniques to disarm an opponent armed with a staff.

Jo Waza - Techniques employing the use of a staff in defense.

Jo Tai Ken - (s) Training with the jo paired against the sword.

Ju - The principle of flexibility characteristic of "blending" arts (Judo, Jujitsu, etc...). Common alternate spellings are jiyu, jiu.

Ju - Ten

Ju Dan - Tenth dan. Highest rank awarded in Aikido. Only one or two ever awarded.

Judo - Modern martial art founded by Jigoro Kano (1860-1938) as a sport based on jujitsu.

Jujitsu - Classical Japanese unarmed fighting system with many modern variants.

Juji Nage - Throw with partners arms crossed at right angles in form of “ju,” Japanese figure representing the number “ten.”

Junbitaiso - Warmups at beginning of class. Also referred to as "aiki taiso."

---- K ----

Kaeshi Waza - Counter or reversal techniques.

Kakari Geiko - Usually a group practice.

Kaiso - (s) Founder; used in reference to Morihei Ueshiba, founder of Aikido.

*Kaiten - Turning usually in the manner of an irimi followed by a tenkan. See also irimi tenkan.

*Kaiten Nage - Rotary arm throw.

Kakejiku - (s) Hanging scroll.

*Kamae - Sword stance, similar to hanmi.

Kami - (s) God, deity, divine spirit, holy inspiration, guardian angel, enlightened human being. Professor Stevens provides several nuances to the meaning of "kami" as used by O'Sensei in his own spiritual practice.

Kamidana - Spirit (kami) shelf (tana). Part of kamiza on shomen of dojo.

*Kamiza - Spirit container. (s) Front of dojo where scrolls, photographs of the Founder, and so on, are displayed.

Kana - A uniquely Japanese writing system whose characters, abstracted from Chinese characters, represent syllables (vice letters) used to spell words; Hiragana and katakana are the two forms of kana script.

Kangeiko - "Cold-time training." Winter training.

Kanji - Japanese characters borrowed and/or modified from the Chinese language.

Kansha - (s) Deep and heartfelt gratitude.

Karate - (s) Modern martial art originating in Okinawa, introduced to the world by Gichin Funakoshi (1868-1957).

*Kata - (s) "Fixed form," predetermined practice patterns used as a learning vehicle.

Kata - (same pronunciation, different character) Shoulder.

Kata Dori - Shoulder grab.

Kata Dori Menuchi - Shoulder (kata) grab (tori) with overhead strike to front of head (shomenuchi).

Katana - Japanese long sword (24" to 30") with a single hardened cutting edge and an inner core of softer low carbon steel. Normally worn as part of the daisho (two sword set); the other blade being the shorter wakizashi.

Kata Osae - Shoulder pin.

Katate Dori - (s) Held by one hand. See also "tekubitori."

Katate Ryotetori - Two hands grabbing one wrist/forearm. See also "morotetori."

Katsuhaiyahi - (s) "Victory right here, right now"; a principle tenet of Aikido paired with "masakatsu agatsu."

Keiko - (s) Practice or training; the meaning of "keiko" is, "Use accumulated wisdom to illuminate the present."

Keiko Gi - Martial arts training uniform.

Ken - Sword.

Kendo - Modern Japanese swordsmanship developed as a competitive sport.

Kenjitsu - Classical Japanese swordsmanship.

Kenshusei - Person studying to be a professional instructor.

Kesa Giri - A diagonal cut (with the sword) through the shoulder.

*Ki - Vital energy or life force.

Kiai - (s) Piercing shout; full-spirited approach to the technique being applied.

*Kihon Waza - Basic form of technique.

Kikai Tanden - (s) A human being's physical and spiritual center, located about two inches beneath the navel.

Kimusubi - (s) The linking of "ki," the blending of energies.

Kimusubi no tachi - (s) Paired sword form used to practtice the linking of "ki" or the blending of energies.

*Ki No Nagare - Performing a technique in a smooth, uninterrupted and free-flowing manner, lit. "flowing ki"

Kogeki - An attack.

Kohai - More junior student as opposed to "sempai."

Kojiki - (s) "Records of Ancient Matters," compiled in 712, relates the spiritual history of Japan. It was one of Morihei Ueshiba's favorite books and his lectures often referred to deities and events mentioned in the Kojiki.

*Kokyu - (s) Animating breath, life breath of the cosmos; technically, "good timing."

*Kokyu Dosa - Breath power exercise practiced sitting and standing. Also called "kokyu undo."

Kokyu Ho - (s) Special exercises to foster breath power.

Kokyu Nage - Breath power throw.

Kokyu Roku - (s) Breath power as opposed to raw physical power.

Kon - (s) The diamond aspect of Aikido techniques and philosophy.

Koryu - A true classical school or "ryu" of Japanese martial arts such as the Tenshin Shoden Katori Shinto-ryu. Usually teaches a variety of systems within the curriculum such as kenjutsu, bojutsu, naginatajutsu, etc ...

As opposed to a modern martial arts style or school such as karate-do, judo or aikido.

Koshi Nage - Hip throw.

*Kote Gaeshi - Wrist turning throw.

Kotodama - (s) "Word-spirits," the esoteric science of sacred sound and speech. Also pronounced "kototama."

Ku - (s) Emptiness; the void that is created by Aikido countermoves.

Ku - Nine. Alternate spelling "kyu."

Kuden - (s) "Secret teachings," imparted by word of mouth; implies direct, person-to-person, heart-to-heart transmission.

Kumano - (s) Ancient district in Wakayama Prefecture, considered the home of Japanese spirituality.

Kumijo - Paired practice with the jo. Taught in sets of kata or prearranged forms.

Kumitachi - Paired practice with the sword. Taught in sets of kata or prearranged forms.

*Kyu - Ranks below black belt.

Kyu Dan - Ninth degree black belt.

---- L ----

---- M ----

*Ma Ai - Combative distance. Proper distance between partners. Alternate pronunciation "mawai."

Makoto No Koyku - (s) "True breath," teh third stage of breath meditation (same as "jin no kokyu").

*Masakatsu Agatsu - "True victory is self victory."

Men - Face, head, helmet.

*Men Uchi - Strike to the head or face. See also "shomen uchi."

Migaki Geiko - training (keiko) meant to hone skill and polish (migaku) the character

Migi - Right side. See "hidari."

Misogi - Ritualized purification of body and mind. O'Sensei considered all Aikido technique to be a form of misogi.

Morote Dori - Two hands grabbing one wrist/forearm, same as "katateryotetori."

Mudansha - An un-ranked person, i.e. a kyu.

Mune - Chest.

*Mune Dori - Lapel grab.

Musubi - Connection. (Ref: "Go Rin No Sho" or The Book of Five Rings, Miyamoto Musashi).

---- N ----

Nafuda Kake - Rank, or name, board hung on wall of dojo.

Nagare - Flow. See "ki no nagare."

*Nage - Person who performs the throw (or technique). See "uke."

Nage Waza - Throwing methods.

Nana Dan - Seventh degree black belt. Also "shichi dan."

Nen - Concentration, thought-moment, one-pointedness.

Newaza - Grappling techniques common in judo.

Ni - Two.

Ni Dan - Second degree black belt.

*Nikkyo - Second principle or Aikido pinning technique number two.

Ni Nin Gake - Techniques performed with two persons attacking one.

---- O ----

Obi - Belt for training uniform.

Omote - The front area. (s) The forward moving aspect of a technique.

*Onegae Shimasu - "I ask you please." Indicates "let's help each other train;" used between partners at the initiation of an exchange during training.

Osae Waza - Pinning methods.

*O'Sensei - "Great Teacher;" the founder of Aikido, Morihei Ueshiba.

Oyo Waza - (s) Techniques with practical application as self defense. Adaptation or application of the principle.

---- P ----

---- Q ----

---- R ----

Randori - Free-style techniques against multiple attackers. Similar to "jiyu waza," but more combative emphasis.

*Rei - Command initiating a bow or the bow itself.

*Reigi - Etiquette.

Roku - Six.

Roku Dan - Sixth degree black belt.

Ryo Munedori - Two hands grabbing lapel.

Ryote Dori - Two hands grabbing two hands.

Ryu - (s) The flowing aspect of Aikdo techniques and philosophy.

Ryu - (s) School or tradition as in Daito Ryu or Katori Shinto Ryu.

---- S ----

San - Three.

San Dan - Third degree black belt.

Sankaku Irimi - (s) Triangular entering (also known as "issoku irimi" or "one-step irimi").

*Sankyo - Third principle or Aikido pinning technique number three.

*Seiza - Traditional Japanese seated posture w/ legs tucked under body and torso upright

Sen - Initiative.

Sen No Sen - Strike as opponent commits to an attack, but before he moves. See "go no sen."

Sempai - More senior student, lit. born before.

*Sensei - Teacher.

Shi - Four, also “yon.”

Shiai - Contest.

Shiai - (s) (Different characters, same pronunciation). "Encounter with death, " a concept symbolizing the necessity of full concentration and absolute attention when practicing Aikido.

Shichi - Seven, also “nana.”

Shidoin - Instructor.

*Shihan - Master instructor. A title separate from the ranking structure that nonetheless is reserved for the most senior of instructors.

Shiho - Four directions.

Shiho Giri - (s) "Four-directions cut," the initiating move of "aiki ken."

Shiho Undo - "Four-directions" extension exercise.

*Shiho Nage - (s) "Four-directions throw," one of the pillars of technical Aikido.

Shikaku - Dead corner. Angle along which balance is weak and can be disrupted.

*Shikko - Method of walking on knees with feet folded under body.

Shinken Shobu - True (shin) sword (ken) encounter (shobu) or "dead-earnest encounter."

Shinto - (s) "Way of the Gods," the traditional religion of Japan; a combination of nature worship, animism, Taoism, and shamanism.

Shisei - Position, posture, attitude; both physical and mental.

Shita - Underneath.

Shitachi - Finishing sword, see uchitachi

Shodan - First degree black belt.

Shomen - Front wall. Place of honor in dojo. Also, front of helmet (or head).

*Shomen Uchi - Overhead strike (uchi) to front (shomen) of head with blade of hand.

Shugyo - Ascetic type of training or life-long discipline.

Soto - Outside. See "uchi."

Soto Deshi - Outside student, see also uchideshi

Suburi - (s) Sword or jo movements practiced individually; also repetitive cuts of the sword or jo.

Suburi To - Large bokken used for suburi training.

Suki - An opening, chance or unguarded moment. Lapse in mindfulness or a physical opening that could be exploited by an enemy.

Sumiotoshi - Corner drop; a particular throwing technique stealing the opponent's balance by extending diagonally to uke's rear.

Sutemi - Sacrificing throw common in judo.

Suri Ashi - Sliding or shuffling footwork used to maintain close connection to the ground.

*Suwari Waza - Techniques from a seated position.

---- T ----

Tachi - Sword.

Tachi Dori - Sword taking. Techniques used to counter a sword attack.

Tachi Waza - Techniques done from a standing position. See also "hanmi handachi" and "suwari waza." Also techniques done while holding a bokken in the case where the uke is attempting to take the weapon.

Tai - Body.

Tai Jutsu - Unarmed method of defense.

Tai No Henko - (s) "Pivoting the body," a basic Aikido movement.

Tai Sabaki - Body movement principles.

Takeda, Sokaku - Daito Ryu Jujutsu headmaster and Morihei Ueshiba's most influential martial arts teacher.

Takemusu Aiki - (s) "Courageous and creative living," the motto of Aikido.

Tanden - (s) Center of the body just below the navel; the place of "one point."

Taninsu Gake - (s) Free-style techniques against multiple attackers.

Tanren - Forging the mind, body and spirit.

*Tanto - Knife.

Tanto Dori - Knife taking; defenses against the knife meant to disarm the attacker.

Tatami - Rice straw mat common to dojos in Japan.

*Te - Hand. This is the same "te" as in kara-te.

Tegatana - Hand sword. The knife edge of the hand.

Tekubi - Wrist.

Tekubi Dori - Wrist grab, see also katatetori.

Tekubi Undo - Wrist warmup exercises.

Tenbinage - Extension throw in which nage applies pressure under uke's arm. Same as "udekiminage."

Tenchi - Heaven and earth.

*Tenchi Nage - Heaven and earth throw.

*Tenkan - Turning body by pivoting on one foot while sweeping the other around. Ends facing 180 degrees from original position in hanmi.

Ten No Kokyu - (s) "Breath of heaven," the first stage of breath meditation.

*Tenshin - Literally to change one's course. In Aikido it is to "step back" off of the "line of attack" and instantly drive forward at a different angle.

Tobu Ukemi - (s) "Flying break fall," in which one turns over in the air before (softly) landing on the mat.

Tokonoma - Wall alcove.

Tori - (s) "The one who takes" the technique; alternate term for "nage," the defender.

*Tsuki - Thrust or punch.

---- U ----

Uchi - Inside. Opposite of "soto."

Uchi - (s) (same pronunciation, different character) Strike to the head or body.

Uchideshi - (s) Live-in student, who trains full-time under a senior instructor's direction. See also sotodeshi.

Uchi Gatame - (s) "Pounding the body with the fists," a warm-up exercise used to stimulate the skin and muscles.

Uchi Jo - The role of the attacking or initiating staff in paired practice. Converse of "uke jo."

Uchi Tachi - The role of the attacking or initiating sword in paired practice. Converse of "shitachi" and "uke tachi."

Ude - Arm.

Udekime Nage - Same as tenbinage. A type of kokyunage.

Ue - Above.

Uke - Person who receives the technique. The attacker.

*Ukemi - The art of receiving the technique. More specifically a breakfall; "mae ukemi" is a forward fall and "ushiro ukemi" is a back fall.

Uke Tachi - The role of the receiving sword in paired practice. Same as shitachi. See also "uchi tachi."

*Ura - (s) Back, reverse; the converse of "omote."

*Ushiro - area behind something. Used to describe variant of techniques.

Ushiro Dori - (s) Held from behind.

Ushiro Waza - Techniques where the defender is attacked from behind.

Ushiro Ryotetori - Two hands grabbing two hands from behind.

---- V ----

---- W ----

Wakizashi - Japanese short sword (~18") with a single hardened cutting edge and an inner core of softer low carbon steel. Normally worn as part of the daisho (two sword set); the other blade being the longer katana.

*Waza - Techniques.

---- X ----

---- Y ----

Yondan - Fourth degree black belt. Alternate pronunciation "yodan."

Yokomen Uchi - A diagonal strike to the side of the head or neck with the blade of the hand.

*Yonkyo - Fourth principle or Aikido pinning technique number four, which attacks the radial nerve.

Yudansha - A ranked person, i.e. possessing a black belt

---- Z ----

Zagi - Chinese reading of characters for shikko.

*Zanshin - Unbroken concentration; remaining alert and on guard even after the throw or pin is completed.

Zenponage - A particular throw using a hold around the neck.

Zengo undo - A variation of ikkyo undo extending first to the front, pivoting then to the rear.