Brighton Aikikai

A B C D E F G H I J K M N O R S T U W Y Z

A

AI	harmony, union, also the implication of universal love
AIKIKEN	the study of sword technique within the AIKIDO curriculum, usually practiced using BOKKEN
AIKIJO	the study of JO technique within the AIKIDO curriculum
AIKI-JUTSU	an ancient martial art developed from OSHIKI-UCHI techniques which were handed down within the Takeda clan, based on the principle of co-ordination between attack and defence. This art formed the basis of Aikido which O-SENSEI learned from Takeda Sokaku 1860-1943. (Also called DAITO RYU)
ASHI	legs, feet
ASHI-BARAI	leg sweep
ATEMI	strike to the vital human points
AWASE	blend, combine
AYUMI-ASHI	normal forward motion, one foot passing the other

B

BATTO JUTSU	“techniques of sword drawing and striking”, (ancient form of IAIDO)
BO	6 SHAKU staff
BOJUTSU	“techniques of the staff”
BOKKEN	wooden sword
BUDO	Japanese schools described in English as martial arts (war-like arts). DO = path or way, BU = the spear. Thus ‘the way of the spear’ – but BU also = to stop. Also therefore ‘the way to stop the spear’
BUGEI	in general, the Military arts
BUSHI	warrior, samurai
BUSHIDO	the samurai’s moral code and system of ethics

C

CHI	ground or earth
CHUDAN	middle level, hence CHUDAN TSUKI : punch to the abdomen / solar plexus

D

DAN	degrees, awarded after KYU grades
DESHI	disciple or trainee, hence UCHIDESHI, “live-in disciple”
DO	way, path
DOJO	“place of the way”, martial art training hall
DOMO ARIGATO GOZAI MASHTA	thank you very much indeed
DOZO	please try
DOSHU	literally, “the master of the way”, supreme representative (technically and spiritually) of the art

E

EMPI	elbow strike
ERI DORI	collar grab
ETSUNEN GEIKO	special New Year’s Eve practice

F

FUCHI	metal sleeve at the base of the handle of a katana
FURITAMA	the exercise of clasped hands/tanden shaking following torifune
FUTARIDORI	held by two opponents

G

GASSHO	palms together, as if praying
GAESHI	outward turning movement
GEDAN	lower level
GERI	kick
GI	type of KIMONO worn in practice, hence JUDOGI : clothing for JUDO
GO NO GEIKO	hard training
GYAKU	reverse

H

HA	the cutting edge of the sword
HABAKI	collar around the blade of a katana
HADA	visible grain of the steel used to make the sword blade, formed as a result of the folding method used during forging
HAI	yes
HAISHIN UNDO	back stretch exercise
HAJIME	begin
HAKAMA	traditional culottes worn in all classical forms of BUDO
HAMON	temper line on the sword blade
HANMI	half turned posture, the rear foot crossing the front foot
HANMI HANDACHI	tori sitting, uke standing
HAPPO GIRI	eight directional cutting
HARA	a region of the abdomen, a human being’s spiritual centre
HARAGEI	“art of HARA,” art of breathing
HARAKIRI	the ritual suicide method of the SAMURAI class in Japan – generally accepted as one of the most painful methods of killing oneself. It involved slitting the belly open from one side to the other (twice) before the head was removed, by a second (for men); or stabbing oneself in the throat, again before the head was removed (for women)
HASSO NO KAMAE	posture with ken or jo vertical at the right shoulder
HENKA	variation of technique
HIDARI	left, LH side
HIJI	elbow
HIJIKIME-OSAE	arm lock, the technique of Rokyo also known as UDEHISHIGI
HIZA	knees

I

IAIDO	art of drawing the sword, “the way of the sword”
IAITO	practice sword (the blade is unsharpened) used for IAI
IN-YO	Japanese expression of YING-YANG
IRIMI	the second pillar of AIKIDO, it is the movement of entering straight into an adversary, without deflection. All AIKIDO movements utilize IRIMI, and paradoxically, from IRIMI comes TENKAN
IRIMI NAGE	entering throw

J

JIYU WAZA	free or flexible techique, usually practiced from pre determined attack
JO	4 SHAKU staff
JOBA JUTSU	“techniques of military horse riding” [horsemanship]
JODAN	upper level
JO DORI	defence against Jo attack, taking the Jo
JOSEKI	upper side, wall of honour in the DOJO, opposite SHIMOSEKI
JU	suppleness, softness, flexibility
JUDO	“way of suppleness”, a martial art developed from ancient JUJUTSU techniques by Jigoro Kano 1860-1938
JUJI GARAMI NAGE	cross-entangling throw, also known as JUJUNAGE
JU JUTSU, JIU JUTSU	“techniques of suppleness”, an ancient method of combat & the origin of certain modern martial arts
JUKEN JUTSU	“techniques of the bayonet”
JU NO GEIKO	suppleness training
JU-SAN NO JO	the 13 count Kata

K

KAESHI WAZA	counter techniques
KAI	organization, school
KAITEN	rotation, turning movement of the hips where the feet do not change position
KAITEN NAGE	rotary throw
KAKAE	“bearhug” attack
KAKARI GEIKO	form of practice in which the partner attacks without stopping
KAMAE	posture
KAMIZA	spiritual centre of the DOJO, normally containing a photograph of OSENSEI, a SHINTO temple or AIKIDO calligraphy. Opposite the SHIMOSA
KANSETSU WAZA	techniques against the joints
KARATE DO	“way of the empty hand”, developed in Okinawa and introduced into Japan by Funakoshi Gishin 1869-1957
KASHIMA SHIN RYU	Kashima Shin Ryu: ancient school of martial arts originally based at the Kashima shrine, particularly known for its swordsmanship. This school has influenced several noted Aikido masters, particulalrly Seigo Yamaguchi Sensei and Christian Tissier Sensei.
KASHIMA SHINTO RYU	also an ancient school of martial arts noted for its sword techniques, said to be a major influence in Aikiken as taught by Osensei and Morihiro Saito sensei.
KATA	set forms or sequences of stylized movements which are utilized in most BUDO to ingrain particular movements, postures and attitudes. Also the shoulder.
KATA DORI	shoulder grab
KATAME WAZA	immobilisations
KATANA	Japanese sword
KATATE DORI	one-hand grab
KATATE RYOTE DORI	two hands take one wrist also called MOROTE DORI
KEIKO HO	forms, methods of training
KEMPO	Chinese Boxing
KEN	generic term for the Japanese sword, also meaning strength
KENDO	Japanese fencing, practiced with imitation swords called SHINAI
KEN JUTSU	generally understood to be the older form of fencing practiced with BOKKEN or live blades
KESA	the collar of the Gi where it lies across the chest
KESA GIRI	the action of making a diagonal cut, shoulder to hip following the line of the KESA
KI	internal energy, universal energy, the spark of life
KIAI	cry used in martial arts to focus the attention into an instant of concentration (not necessarily loud)
KIHON WAZA	basic techniques
KIRIOTOSHI	cutting down
KIRITSU	to stand up
KISSAKI	the point of the sword
KIZA	sitting on the heels supported by the toes, as opposed to SEIZA, where the toes are flat on the mat
KOBUDO	ancient martial arts, i.e. YAWARA, TORITE, KEMPO, et cetera
KOHAI	junior student
KOKORO	state of mind, heart or spirit
KOKYU	breathing, respiration, hence KOKYU NAGE, “breath power throw”
KOKYU HO	exercise to practice centralisation and breath power
KORYU	collectively the various schools of the traditional martial arts, eg KASHIMA SHIN RYU
KOSHI	hip
KOTE	wrist
KOTEGAESHI	wrist out-turn
KOTEHINERI	wrist in turn (Sankyo)
KOTEMAWASHI	wrist twist (Nikyo)
KUBI	neck
KUBISHIMI	choke
KUDEN	oral teaching
KUMI	group, two or more
KUMI JO	paired JO practice
KUMI TACHI	paired sword practice
KYOJU DAIRI	the grade of assistant instructor in the traditional ranking structure of the Koryu
KYU	grades awarded before DAN grades, also the number nine
KYUDO	“way of the bow”

M

MA-AI : martial or combat distance
MAE : front
MAE GERI: front kick
MAKIWARA : object used for striking practice
MAWASHI GERI : circular kick
MEN : head
MENKYO KAIDEN : certificate of advanced proficiency in the traditional ranking structure of the KORYU
MENUCHI : blow to the head
METSUKE : eye-to-eye contact without focusing on a single point
MICHI : the way, DO
MIGI : right (as in … hand side)
MISOGI : purification practice. Dowsing oneself with a bucket of ice cold water first thing in the morning, (SHINTO.) Also a form of Aikido practice where one technique is practiced continuously
MONOUCHI : main cutting portion of the sword blade (roughly six inches from the KISSAKI)
MOROTEDORI : two hands take single wrist also known as KATATE RYOTE DORI
MUNADORI : chest hold
MUNE : chest, also the soft back of the sword, opposite the cutting edge
MUSHIN : empty or open mind
MUSUBI : literally a knot or tie, in the context of Aikido it means uniting, joining

N

NAGARE : flowing
NAGE : “thrower,” the person who is attacked and does the technique, also TORI
NAGE WAZA : techniques of projection
NAGINIATA : Japanese halberd, the traditional weapon of Samurai womenfolk
NAKAGO : tang of the sword

O

OBI : belt
OMOTE : front or form of technique utilizing IRIMI, the positive form
OMOTO-KYO : a SHINTO spirit cult founded by Nao Deguchi 22nd January 1837 – 6th November 1918. Co-founded by Kisaburo Ueda who married her daughter, Sumiko, and changed his name to Onisaburo Deguchi
O-NEGAI-SHIMAS : phrase used formally at the beginning of the practice, meaning please help me / please show me
ORENAI TE : unbendable arm
OSAE-WAZA : techniques of pinning
O-SENSEI : literally “honourable teacher”, this term is universally applied to Morehei Ueshiba 1883-1969, the founder of Aikido
OSHIKI UCHI : an unarmed defence system for use within the palace or indoors (where long swords were not permitted) said to be handed down within the Takeda clan, which resided in the Aizu region of Japan, the last area to accept the Meiji restoration of 1868
OTOSHI : drop, hence SUMI OTOSHI = corner drop
OYO WAZA : applied techniques of use in self defence

R

RANDORI : free practice, any attack – any defence, can be with one attacker or many
REI : to bow
RENZOKU : continuous practice
RITSU REI : standing bow
RYO KATA DORI : two hands take two shoulders
RYOTE DORI : to take both
RYOTEMOCHI : using both hands to grasp
RYU : school (of martial art) or style

S

SAMURAI : warrior, member of the military class during feudal times. The word SAMURAI means ‘one who serves’ and indicates the true nature of their position – that of absolute servitude – to the degree that they would, on the say-so of their Lord, kill themselves. See HARAKIRI
SAN-JU-ICHI NO JO : 31 count Jo kata
SANKAKUTAI : triangular stance
SATE : sit down
SAYA : scabbard of the sword, usually lacquered wood for a KATANA
SEISHIN : spirit, a difficult term to translate as the English word implies non-secular, which is inaccurate. In fact closer to attitude, approach, psychology, but not intellect. The idea of the real person.
SEIZA : kneeling posture, strictly a meditation but also used as a position of rest and observation
SEMPAI : senior student
SENSEI : teacher, instructor, literally “meaning one who has gone before. Note, this term doesn’t imply an absolute level but relative level, as opposed to Master which implies absolute
SHAKU : unit of measure, equal to 2.93 feet
SHIAI : competition
SHIDOIN : instructor
SHIHAN : Master teacher, usually 6th Dan and up, but awarded separately from the grade
SHIHO GIRI : exercise of cutting in four directions, (SHI = 4)
SHIHONAGE : four-direction throw
SHIKKO : knee walking
SHIME WAZA : choking techniques
SHINAI : practice sword composed of 4 lengths of bamboo
SHINTO : indigenous religion of the Japanese people, “the way of the gods”, based on respect for ancestors and the past.
SHISEI : attitude, good posture
SHITE : person who does the technique, NAGE
SHIZENTAI : natural stance
SHODAN : first DAN, the beginner’s DAN grade
SHOMEN : in front, straight strike with swordhand
SODE : sleeve
SOKE KYOJU DAIRI : full instructor in the traditional ranking structure of the Koryu
SOKUMEN : side
SOTO : outside, exterior.
SUBURI : exercise of repeated striking with the KEN or the JO
SUMIOTOSHI : corner drop throw
SUTEMI: all-out or sacrifice, literally “to throw away the body”
SUWARI WAZA : sitting techniques

T

TACHI: standing or the long sword
TACHI DORI : sword taking
TAI : body
TAI JUTSU : techniques of unarmed combat
TAI NO HENKO : body change or shift, see TENKAN
TAI SABAKI : body movement, eg IRIMI_TENKAN
TAISO : warming up and loosening exercises which begin the AIKIDO practice
TANDEN : energy centre in the lower abdomen
TANREN UCHI : makiwara practice with a bokken
TANTO : knife
TANTO DORI : knife taking, techniques against knife attack
TATAMI : rectangular mats which floor Japanese homes and thus DOJOs
TATE : stand up
TE : hand
TEGATANA : hand blade, the cutting edge of the hand, swordhand
TEKUBI : wrist
TEKUBI-OSAE : wrist pin, the technique of Yonkyo
TENCHI NAGE : heaven and earth throw
TENKAN : turning and stepping back, method of joining with the force of an attack without stopping it also known as TAI NO HENKO
TORI : person who is attacked and makes the technique, NAGE
TORIFUNE : “rowing” exercise
TSUBA : hand guard on the sword
TSUGI ASHI : forward sliding movement, without changing HANMI
TSUKA : sword handle
TSUKI : straight punch, hence JODAN TSUKI : straight punch to (as in through) the head or throat area

U

UCHI : inside, interior, also a blow
UCHIKOMI : stepping inside and striking
UCHIMAWARI : to step inside partner’s attack
UDE : arm
UDEGARAME : arm wrapping or entangling
UDEHISHIGI : arm lock, the technique of Rokyo also known as HIJIKIMEOSAE
UDEKIMENAGE : “Arm focus throw”
UDE-NOBASHI : arm stretch, the technique of Gokyo
UDE-OSAE : Ikkyo, the first technique
UKE : person who attacks, becomes the recipient of the opponent’s strategy of Aikido defence, and takes UKEMI
UKEMI : rolls, the role of attacker
URA : form of technique utilizing TENKAN, the negative form
USHIRO : behind, from behind

W

WA : an ancient term for harmony, accord and co-ordination
WA JUTSU : “techniques of coordination”
WAKIZASHI : short sword (blade between 12 and 24 inches)
WAZA : techniques

Y

YAME : stop
YARI JUTSU : “techniques of the spear”.
YOI : ready
YOKOMEN : diagonal strike with swordhand
YOSEIHO : standing KOKYU-HO
YUDANSHA : graded practitioner
YUMI : Japanese bow, (as in bow and arrow).

Z

ZANSHIN : position and awareness at the end of a technique, literally “lingering spirit”
ZAREI : kneeling bow
ZORI : straw sandals

Numbers and counting

ICHI One
NI Two
SAN Three
SHI OR YON Four
GO Five
ROKU Six
SHICHI OR NANA Seven
HACHI Eight
KU Nine
JU Ten
JU-ICHI Eleven
JU-NI Twelve
NI-JU Twenty
NI-JU-ICHI Twenty one
NI-JU-NI Twenty two
SAN-JU Thirty
SAN-JU-ICHI Thirty one
YON-JU Forty
GO-JU Fifty
ROKU-JU Sixty
SHI-JU Seventy
HACHI-JU Eighty
KYU-JU Ninety
HYAKU One Hundred