Aikido Words and Glossary

Aikido words are Japanese words and terms unique to the dojo (school and place to train). Although you can use them in the dojo, these terms may or may not be used in everyday Japanese conversation.

For example, we use the term ‘Keiko (稽古) to describe a class. In everyday Japanese conversation, Keiko is specifically used to describe ‘martial art training or practice’. So one cannot really say “I am going to Art Keiko” when what you meant was “I am going to Art Class”.

Having said this, these Aikido Words are part of everyday Aikido training. We believe that Language, in general, is the gateway to culture, hence if one knows these Japanese Aikido Words, one will enter and experience the Japanese culture too, even if you are in Australia.

Oh by the way. If you are reading this post on a mobile, it is best to read the glossary on a landscape position.

Aikido Words, Terms, and Glossary

TERM	JAPANESE	MEANING
Aiki	合氣	The character 合 ai means “join” or “to come into conformity with.” 氣 Ki is energy, especially the universal, primordial energy that moves all of nature and is the basis of human vitality. Ki is the life force energy that flows through every living thing. Ki is also known in cultures as Chi, Prana, Mana, and Judeo Christian terms we call Ki the Holy Spirit. The term Aiki has a long history and is used in different arts and by different teachers to mean different things, but the Morihei Ueshiba (Osensei)’s use implies not just a way of practice but a way of living that is in alignment and conformity with universal principles. Osensei said, “Aiki is the primordial movement echoing from the universal fabric of creation and taught by the gods. To enact Aiki is to invoke that universal echo and its infinite power. The universe is our teacher; everything there is to learn, we learn from it, and we must ever return to it and act in unity with it. And we must evolve as the universe evolves. By living in this way, we cultivate the growth and development of the universal fabric of creation within our own bodies”.
Arigatō-gozaimasu	有難う御座います	Thank you very much. In its literal or etymological meaning, arigatō means “too good to be true.” So, when you thank someone, you are telling them that their kindness, too good to be true, is like a miracle. We say these words a lot in Keiko. You can also say these words when you are in a Japanese restaurant when buying sushi, or maybe when you go to Japan.
Ashi	足	Foot or leg. Often used to indicate the leg as a target for a sword cut.
Ashikubi	足首	Ankle.
Atama	頭	Head.
Atemi	当身	Preemptive strike, usually delivered by Nage to control uke or cause him to react. The Aikido Atemi is unique, that is delivered to a spot where it is more effective. This is what separates Atemi from an ordinary punch or kick.
Bō	棒	Long staff.
Bokken	木剣	Wooden practice sword (also called bokutō).
Bokutō	木刀	Wooden practice sword (also called Bokken).
Bu	武	Also read as ‘take’, as in ‘take-musu’ (see below). Seldom used alone, the character means military or martial. Etymologically, it derives from the combination of two characters, one meaning spear and the other meaning to walk; thus, “advancing with the spear.” However, in the way that it is written, “to walk” has morphed into “to stop,” thus implying that the true purpose of martial or military discipline is to stop aggression or to keep the peace.
Budō	武道	Literally, the martial way. Budō is the study of martial arts as a way of life, implying moral and spiritual aspects as well as physical aspects of martial discipline. Osensei said “Displaying physical strength or brandishing dangerous weapons to bring down other human beings is not representative of budō, any more than is the advocacy of weapons of mass destruction that can only lead the world toward ruin. True budō is the way of bringing forth order, preserving world peace, and protecting and cultivating growth and development in the natural world.”.
Bukiwaza	武器技	“Weapons technique.” Generic term for weapons practice.
Bushi	武士	Warrior (often used synonymously with samurai).
Bushidō	武士道	The way of the warrior, or chivalry (see budō).
Chūdan-no-kamae (chūdan-gamae)	中段の構え	A sword stance. Chūdan means mid-level. In chūdan-gamae, the tip of the sword is pointed toward the base of the opponent’s throat.
Dan	段	A black belt rank or degree. Literally means ‘Level’.
Deai	出会い	The moment of meeting (of people or forces). Used in training to signify the first moment of contact (intentional contact before physical), the moment of truth.
Deshi	弟子	Student
Dō	胴	Trunk or torso. Often used to indicate the torso as a target for a sword cut.
Dō	道	Path or way (also read Michi). Dō is a variation of the word ‘Tao”.
Dōgi	道着	Training uniform (also called keikogi). In class, we just call them “Gi”.
Dōjō	道場	A place of practice where the way is revealed. A place for the strengthening and refinement of spirit, mind and body.
Dōjō-chō	道場長	Head of the dojo.
Funakogi-undō	舟漕ぎ運動	A misogi or purification exercise that imitates rowing or the drawing of oars. See also torifune-no-gyō.
Furitama	振り玉	A misogi or purification exercise often practised right after funakogi-undō.
Gedan-hassō-no-kamae	下段八双の構え	A sword stance. Gedan means lower-level. Same as waki-gamae [hyperlink].
Gedan-no-kamae (gedan-gamae)	下段の構え	A sword stance. Gedan means lower level. The tip of the sword is lowered so that it points toward the ground.
Go	五	Five.
Gō-no-sen	後の先	To respond to an attack after it is initiated. (See sen-no-sen and sen-sen-no-sen).
Godan	五段	5th-degree black belt.
Gokyō	五教	“Fifth teaching.” The fifth technique in the osaewaza curriculum.
Gokyū	五級	5th Grade.
Hachi	八	Eight.
Hachidan	八段	8th-degree black belt.
Hakama	袴	Wide, pleated pants worn over the dōgi (usually black or dark blue).
Hanmi	半身	“Half-body” stance. The basic triangular stance of Aikido where one foot is forward and the other, back but pointed diagonally.
Hanmi-handachi	半身半立ち	“Half-body, half-standing.” A training configuration where Nage is seated and executes techniques against a standing uke.
Hara	腹	Lower abdomen, the centre of body mass, source of physical power and breath. More formally called Seika-tanden.
Henkawaza	変化技	A non-standard technique.
Hiji	肘	Elbow.
Hijinage	肘投げ	“Elbow throw.” Part of the nagewaza curriculum.
Hijiosae	肘抑え	“Elbow pin.” Part of the osaewaza curriculum; sometimes called rokkyō.
Hiza	膝	Knee.
Hombudōjō	本部道場	The Aikikai Foundation dōjō in Tokyo (Hombu means headquarters).
Hyaku	百	Hundred.
Ichi	一	One.
Ichi-go Ichi-e	一期一会	“Each moment, always the first.” Expression of the reality that each moment comes only once; there are no second chances.
Ikkyō	一教	“First teaching.” The first technique in the osaewaza curriculum.
Ikkyū	一級	1st Grade, Brown belt (kyu ranks begin at six and work up to one).
Irimi	入り身	The aikido principle of entering inside of and moving through an attack.
Iriminage	入身投げ	A throw executed from irimi. Enter and Throw. Part of the nagewaza curriculum.
Jiyūwaza	自由技	A practice where Nage responds freely, with any technique and without prior agreement, to uke’s attacks. In jiyūwaza, the attack is usually prescribed (for example, shōmen-uchi or yokomen-uchi), as opposed to randori, where attacks are random.
Jō	杖	Wooden staff (typically 50” to 56” long).
Jōdan-gamae	上段構え	A sword stance. Jōdan is upper-level. In jōdan-gamae, the sword is raised so that the hilt is held in front of the forehead and the tip points obliquely behind toward the sky.
Jōdan-hassō-no-kamae	上段八双の構え	A sword stance. Jōdan is upper-level. Hassō is eight aspects, meaning the sword is ready to cut in any of the eight directions. In jōdan-hassō, the hilt of the sword is held in front of the right shoulder with the tip of the sword pointing directly overhead.
Jōdantsuki	上段突き	Upper-level thrust or strike. Can refer to a thrust with sword or jō toward the head or neck or to a fist strike to the face.
Jōdori	杖取り	Jō takeaway techniques.
Jōnage	杖投げ	Throwing techniques executed with the jō.
Jū	十	Ten.
Jūjinage	十字投げ	Jūji means the character for ten, written as a cross. In jūjinage, uke’s arms are crossed, like the character for ten. Part of the basic nagewaza curriculum.
Kaitennage	回転投げ	Kaiten means to turn or spin. A throwing technique that is part of the nagewaza curriculum.
Kamae	構え	Stance, state of readiness.
Kami	神	A god; a spiritual being or essence.
Kamidana	神棚	A shelf or small platform carrying a small Shinto shrine. Inside the dojo, this refers to the shōmen.
Kamiza	上座	The seat of honour. If seated inside the dojo, the kamiza would be directly in front of the shomen.
Kannagara-no-michi	随神の道	“The way of the gods.” An archaic name for Shintō.
Kasumi-no-ken	かすみの剣	Method of camouflaging or concealing the movement of the sword so that the trajectory of the strike is different from what it appears to be. (Kasumi means mist or haze).
Kata	肩	Shoulder.
Kata	型	A form; the formal aspect of a waza.
Katadori	肩取り	Shoulder grab or hold.
Katageiko	型稽古	The practice of kata. Practice involving adherence to form.
Katatedori	片手取り	One hand grab or hold.
Katatedori ryōtemochi	片手取り両手持ち	Grab or hold Nage’s hand (wrist or forearm) with both hands.
Katsu-hayabi	勝速日	Quick win. Instant Victory.
Keiko	稽古	Practice or training.
Keikogi	稽古着	Training uniform (see dōgi).
Ken	剣	Sword.
Kiai	気合い	A martial shout (used to affect an opponent’s mind and to gain an advantage). Also, to be animated and energetic (literally, “to meet with ki”). Note: Kiai is generic; there are different kinds of Kiai and different applications depending upon the circumstances and desired effect.
Kihonwaza	基本技	“Foundational techniques.” The basic technical curriculum of aikido.
Kōhai	後輩	Training junior (someone who started his or her training after you did yours).
Kokyū	呼吸	Breathing; the breath.
Kokyū tandenhō	呼吸丹田法	“Way of developing the tanden or hara through the breath.” A practice (as opposed to a technique) usually performed seated and at the end of class.
Kokyūnage	呼吸投げ	“Breath throw.” Part of the nagewaza curriculum. Kokyūnage is practised both forward (uke is thrown forward, taking a forward roll) and backward (uke falls backward, taking a backward roll), each with an om0te and an ura aspect.
Kōsadori	交差取り	Cross-hand grab or hold (for example, uke grabs Nage’s right wrist with his right hand).
Koshi	腰	Hip; hips.
Koshinage	腰投げ	“Hip throw.” Koshinage is not one but a set of techniques where uke is thrown over nage’s hip. Part of the nagewaza curriculum.
Kote	小手	Forearm.
Kotegaeshi	小手返し	Kote Gaeshi “Turning of the forearm” throw.
Kotodama	言霊	“Soul or spirit of the word.” Kotodama is the traditional teaching of Shintō, wherein it is maintained that the word sounds of the Japanese language are expressions of the primordial, spiritual essence of creation.
Kubi	首	Neck.
Kubijime	首締め	Choke hold.
Kumijō	組杖	Paired stick (Jo) practice of pre-established kata forms.
Kumitachi	組太刀	Paired sword practice of pre-established kata or forms.
Kuzushi	崩し	The act of destabilising an opponent by disrupting his structure.
Kyū	九	Nine.
Kyū	級	A preliminary rank or degree (pre-black belt).
Kyūdan	九段	9th-degree black belt.
Ma-ai	間合	The spacing and timing of an encounter. “Ma” means space or interval; “ai” means meeting.
Mae-ukemi	前受け身	Forward fall or roll.
Makoto	誠	The quality of integrity, truthfulness, and sincerity of character.
Man	万	Ten thousand.
Mannen Shohō	万年初歩	“Ten thousand years, first step;” always train as if you are taking your first step (similar to the concept of beginner’s mind).
Marubashi	丸橋	“Log bridge” (from 丸木 maruki, “log,” and 橋 hashi “bridge”). Used by Saotome Sensei as a metaphor for a situational encounter with an opponent where there is no escape and where the only way out is directly into and through the opponent’s attack.
Masagatsu agatsu, katsuhayabi	正勝吾勝、勝速日	“True victory is victory over self, victory in the moment.” The phrase appears in the Kojiki, Japan’s most ancient chronicle of the age of the gods, as the name of a deity.
Men	面	Face.
Mentsuki	面突き	Fist strike or thrust (with a weapon) to the face.
Metsuke	目付け	Gaze, expression of the eyes. During practice, the eyes should be alert and perceptive. Likewise, the readiness and alertness of an opponent can be gauged by the expression of his/her eyes.
Misogi	禊	Rite of purification, as practised in Shintō.
Mudansha	無段者	Practitioner without black belt rank.
Mune	胸	Chest.
Munedori	胸取り	Chest grab or hold (uke grabs the chest of Nage’s dōgi).
Munetsuki	胸突き	Fist strike or thrust (with a weapon) to the midsection or solar plexus.
Mushin	無心	“No mind.” The state where the mind is alert but empty of thoughts.
Musubi	結び	Connection. The physical, mental, and spiritual connection between Nage and uke.
Nage	投げ	“Thrower;” in partner practice, the role of the person executing the technique. This word is interchangeable with the word ‘Tori’ in Keiko, to simply differentiate from the word ‘nage’ which means ‘throw’.
Nagewaza	投げ技	“Throwing technique.” The generic term for any technique where uke is thrown, as distinguished from osaewaza, where uke is pinned.
Nanadan (also Shichidan)	七段	7th-degree black belt.
Ni	二	Two.
Nidan	二段	2nd-degree black belt.
Nikyō	二教	“Second teaching.” The second technique in the osaewaza curriculum.
Nikyū	二級	2nd Grade.
O-Sensei	大先生	“Great Teacher.” An honorific title reserved for Ueshiba Morihei, the founder of aikido.
Obi	帯	Belt or sash tied over dōgi.
Oku	億	Hundred million.
Omote	表	Front. Omote-waza is a technique executed by entering the opponent’s front side.
Omotewaza	表技	The frontal aspect of a technique (opposite of urawaza), generally involves an entry to Uke’s front side. Where urawaza tends to be circular, omotewaza tends to be linear.
Onegaishimasu	お願いします	Please. Uttered at the beginning of the class, it means “please teach me;” uttered to a training partner, it means “please train with me”. This word is probably the most used word in Japanese. It can even replace the word Arigato (Thank You) or it can even simply mean ‘Please’.
Osaewaza	抑え技	Osae Waza “Pinning technique.” The generic term for any technique where uke is rendered immobile with a pin, as distinguished from nagewaza, where uke is thrown.
Ōyōwaza	応用技	“Applied technique(s).” The application (including modification) of technique to particular circumstances and a particular attack.
Randori	乱取り	“Ran” means riotous or disorderly; “tori” means attack. In randori practice, uke may use any attack (as distinguished from jiyūwaza, where the attack is prescribed) and nage responds accordingly. Also, randori is usually practised against multiple opponents.
Rei	礼	Bow.
Rokkyō	六教	“Sixth teaching.” Part of the osaewaza curriculum also called hijiosae.
Rokkyū	六級	6th Grade.
Roku	六	Six.
Rokudan	六段	6th-degree black belt.
Ryōkatadori	両肩取り	Hold, both shoulders.
Ryōtedori	両手取り	Hold, both hands.
San	三	Three.
Sandan	三段	3rd-degree black belt.
Sankyō	三教	“Third teaching.” The third technique in the osaewaza curriculum.
Sankyū	三級	3rd Grade.
Seigan-no-kamae	正眼の構え	A sword stance. Seigan means in front of the eyes; in seigan-no-kamae, the tip of the sword points slightly upwards towards the opponent’s eyes in such a way that, ideally, the opponent is unable to accurately judge how long the sword is or how far away its tip.
Seika-tanden	臍下丹田	Lower abdomen, the centre of body mass, and source of physical power and breath (see hara).
Seiza	正座	Sitting position, legs folded and butt resting on the heels. Normally in seiza, the left big toe rests on top of the right.
Sempai	先輩	Training senior (someone who started his or her training before you did yours).
Sen	千	Thousand.
Sen-no-sen	先の先	To anticipate an attack and to take the initiative. (See go-no-sen and sen-sen-no-sen).
Sen-sen-no-sen	先先の先	To anticipate and take the initiative against sen-no-sen. (See sen-no-sen and go-no-sen).
Sensei	先生	Teacher.
Senshin	洗心	Cleansing or purification of the mind.
Sente	先手	First move; (to take the) initiative.
Shi	四	Four.
Shichi	七	Seven.
Shihan	師範	Master instructor; usually the head of a lineage or school of affiliated dojos.
Shihōnage	四方投げ	“Four directions throw.” Part of the nagewaza curriculum.
Shikkō	膝行	Movement on the knees from kneeling position.
Shinai	竹刀	Practice sword made from split bamboo.
Shisei	姿勢	Posture.
Shizentai	自然体	Natural stance (as opposed to an assumed stance, such as hanmi).
Shodan	初段	1st-degree black belt.
Shōmen	正面	Frontal alcove or panel, typically carrying a picture of O-Sensei; also called kamidana.
Shōmen-uchi	正面打ち	Open-handed, vertical strike to the forehead.
Shoshin	初心	Beginner’s mind.
Shugyō	修行	Sincere, concentrated, deep focus, and an intense level of study of training.
Sode	袖	Sleeve.
Sodedori	袖取り	Sleeve grab.
Sotodeshi	外弟子	A committed and dedicated student who commutes to the dojo for training (as opposed to “uchideshi,” live-in student).
Sotomawari	外回り	Outside turn (a turn to the outside, away from an opponent’s attack).
Sumiotoshi	隅落とし	“Corner throw.” Part of the nagewaza curriculum.
Suwariwaza	座り技	“Seated technique.” The generic term for waza executed from a seated position against an also seated attacker (as opposed to hanmi-handachi, where Nage is seated but uke is standing).
Tachi	太刀	A curved sword. A Tachi is a slasher sword. It has a deeper arc than the Katana. The Tachi also predated the Katana. Our Bokken or Bokuto are shaped like a Katana, but we describe a slashing technique as ‘tachi’ when we do Aikiken.
Tachidori	太刀取り	Sword take-away technique (generic).
Tachiware	太刀割れ	The act of “splitting the sword.” Describes a sword strike that displaces an opponent’s sword to take the centre line.
Tai-no-henkō	体の変更	This is the first exercise we do in each taijutsu, Keiko. It is a basic entering and turning exercise conducted against a one-hand wrist grab.
Taijutsu	体術	“Physical arts;” empty-handed training (as opposed to bukiwaza).
Takemusu-Aiki	武産合気	Literally “Martial competence born of Aiki“. Osensei’s described Takemusu is the ideal state of the martial arts, wherein one responds spontaneously, without thought, and in complete harmony with the natural order to any situation or any set of circumstances. In western terms, this is when an Aikidoka gets into the ‘Zone’, as a Jazz Musician gets into the ‘Pocket’. “Aiki has a form and does not have a form. Aiki is a life that has a form and still flows with the change; it expresses itself by changing itself. A form without a form is a word in a poem which expresses the universe limitlessly.”.
Tanden	丹田	Same as seika-tanden or hara.
Tantō	短刀	Dagger or knife (practice tantō is made from wood).
Tantōdori	短刀取り	Knife take-way technique (generic).
Te	手	Hand.
Tegatana	手刀	Hand blade (hand open, fingers extended, as in shōmen-uchi or yokomen-uchi strikes).
Tekubi	手首	Wrist.
Tenchinage	天地投げ	“Heaven and earth throw.” Part of the nagewaza curriculum.
Tenkan	転換	A pivot or turn. In aikido training, tenkan also refers to an entering turn against a one-hand wrist grab (see also tai-no-henkō).
Torifune-no-gyō	鳥舟の行	See funakogi-undō. Originally an ascetic, Shinto-based, purification practice, torifune-no-gyō was adopted into aikido training by the founder.
Tsuki	突き	Thrust or fist strike.
Uchideshi	内弟子	Live-in student; a disciple living in the dojo or with the master and dedicating him or herself full-time to the study of the art.
Uchimawari	内回り	Inside turn (a turn into or toward an opponent, usually with atemi). An uchimawari entry usually takes you inside and under your opponent’s attacking arm.
Ude	腕	Arm.
Uke	受け	“Receiver;” in partner practice, the role of the person executing the attack and receiving the technique.
Ukemi	受け身	Fall, roll, or submission. Ukemi is, literally, the receptive or receiving body. (Outside of the martial arts, ukemi can also mean passive or passivity).
Ura	裏	Back (opposite of front). Ura-waza are techniques executed by entering to the opponent’s blindside or rear.
Urawaza	裏技	The rear aspect of a technique (opposite of omotewaza), generally involving an entry to Uke’s rear or blindside.
Ushiro	後ろ	Backside, behind.
Ushiro-ukemi	後受け身	Backward fall, roll, or submission.
Ushirodori	後ろ取り	Generic name for holds from behind.
Waki	脇	Flank or side.
Wakigamae	脇構え	A sword stance. In wakigamae, the left leg is forward, the right leg is back, and the sword is held to the side pointing toward the rear so that the sword blade is partially or fully concealed by the right leg.
Waza	技	“Technique.” Any of the formal methods of throwing or pinning uke performed in aikido.
Yokomen-uchi	横面打ち	Open-handed, diagonal strike to the temple, side of the face, or side of the neck.
Yondan	四段	4th-degree black belt.
Yonkyō	四教	“Fourth teaching.” The fourth technique in the osaewaza curriculum.
Yonkyū	四級	4th degree.
Yubi	指	Finger.
Yūdansha	有段者	Practitioner possessing black belt rank.
Zanshin	残心	“Remaining mind or attention;” exercise of mental alertness or readiness, especially following the completion of a technique.