Ai-Dori - Cross hand grab.Ai - Harmony. First character of Aikido.
Ai-Dori - Cross hand grab.
Aihanmi - Both partners having same foot (right or left) forward
Aiki - Harmonizing of Ki
Aikido - Ai means harmony or coming together. Ki is spirit or energy. Do means a way or path
Aikidoka - Practitioners of Aikido
Aiki jutsu - Standing techniques
Aikikai - The names of organizations affiliated with Hombu Dojo
Aiki Taiso - Aikido exercises
Ai-uchi - Mutual kill
Aite - One training partner. (literally, reciprocal or together. Ai means together and te means hands)
Ame no tori bune - The rowing movement, meditation
Atemi - Punches and other sorts of strikes to your partner's unguarded areas, designed to distract and to weaken the defenses and/or balance. (Literally, ate is strike and mi is body). Atemi should be used not so much as a devastating blow but more as a neutralizing force, making it easier to guide the attack.
Awase - To blend or move together. For example, partner practice with weapons may be done "stop-start" or awase.
Bo - Staff or long jo
Bokken - A wooden practice sword. There are many different styles of bokken. (Literally, bokku means wood and ken means sword). O Sensei said training with the bokken develops good resolution, knowing how to apply and complete the technique.
Bu - Martial spirit
Budo - The path or way of martial arts. Literally, do means way and bu
means neutralizing aggression.
"A
mind to serve for the peace of all human beings in the world is needed in Aikido, and not
the mind of one who wishes to be strong and practices only to fell an opponent. There are
neither opponents nor enemies for true budo. Therefore, to compete in techniques, winning
and losing, it is not true budo. True budo knows no defeat. 'Never defeated' means never
fighting."
Bujutsu - Warrior's arts
Bushido - Warrior's code. The way of the warrior.
Dame- Bad, wrong or mistake
Dan - A black belt ranking such as shodan, nidan, etc. (Literally, dan means level).
Deshi - Student
Do - Way or path. Third character in Aikido.
Dojo - A training hall for traditional Japanese arts, including Aikido and other martial arts. Literally, do means way and jo means place. Formerly a term used by Buddhist priests in reference to the place of worship.
Dojo Cho - The head of the dojo.
Domo Arigato Gozai Mashita - Thank you very much. Literally, Somehow a difficulty has been honorably overcome, and I appreciate it.
Dori - Grab, take
Doshu - The official curator of the art of Aikido. Literally, do means way and shu means the master or owner. The present doshu is Kisshomaru Ueshiba, the son of the Founder, Morihei Ueshiba. He will be succeeded by his son, Moriteru.
Eri-dori - An attack in which the collar is grabbed from behind
Furutama - The shake up, to stir, with a sense of polish, the soul itself
Gaeshi - Reverse
Gedan - Low hand or weapon position
Gedan Gaeshi - A circular movement with the jo aimed at the lower part of the opponent's body
Gi - Traditional uniform, usually white, worn during the practice of Japanese or Okinawan martial arts. Also known as a dogi.
Giri - Cut
Gokyo - Literally, fifth technique
Gyaku-hanmi - Partners stand with opposite feet forward, for example, one with right foot forward and the other with left forward
Gyaku-yokomen - A slightly angled opposite strike to the side of the head
Hachi-no-ji - A movement based on the shape of the Japanese character for eight
Hai - Yes. A convenient answer to use when Sensei gives you a correction or asks you to perform some task.
Hajime - Command to begin
Hakama - A traditional Japanese outer garment worn over the gi pants. Black or blue in color, they are more formal, provide protection in rolling and falling and help conceal foot movement. Traditionally, they are worn by men holding the rank of shodan and women of any rank.
Hanmi - A way of standing in Aikido so that the feet form a T stance and the body is turned at an angle. (See separate heading).
Hanmi Handachi - Techniques executed from a kneeling position against an attacker who is standing. Literally, hanmi means half body and handachi means half standing.
Hantai - In reverse order
Hara - An Aikidoist moves with the hara. It is not only your center of gravity, but also your source of reflex and power. (See separate heading).
Happo Giri - An exercise with the sword in which you practice turning the hips and cutting in at least eight directions. Literally, hachi means eight, po means direction and giri means cutting.
Hasso - A posture where the jo or sword is held vertically at the right shoulder
Hasso-gaeshi - A movement from the basic stance to the hasso posture, using a figure-eight motion to block a thrust and concluding with the jo held in a vertical position at the right shoulder.
Henka - Variation. Literally, hen means unusual and ka means change. For example, henka waza are variations on the way a standard technique is completed.
Hidari - Left. For example, hidari hanmi is hanmi with the left foot forward.
Hiji - Elbow
Hiji-dori - Elbow grab
Hito-e-mi - Same as ura sankaku. It literally means making the body small.
Ho - Method.
Ikkyo - Literally, first technique, where the arm is contained under one's center, with the nage controlling the wrist and elbow
Inyoentai - In and out at the same time (Yin and Yang together)
Irimi - Entering. Moving into and through the line of attack with no thought of escape. A technique of entering and choosing death. The motion of entering is Yang. The motion of turning, or Tenkan, is Yin.
Irimi Nage - An entering technique in which the nage ends up behind the attacker and throws him or her to the mat
Iwama - A small town northeast of Tokyo. Also refers to the dojo where Saito Sensei teaches "Iwama-style" Aikido. O Sensei lived and taught in Iwama during much of the later part of his life.
Jiyu - Free, unstructured. For example, jiyu keiko means unstructured training and jiyu waza means free techniques.
Jiyu Waza - Free style techniques or practice
Jo - A short staff, being about as long as the distance from the floor to just under the arm, or approximately 50 inches. It is about an inch thick and is usually made of white oak. O Sensei said training with the jo develops good intuition, knowing when to enter.
Jodan - High hand or weapon position
Jodan-Gaeshi - A circular movement with the jo aimed at the upper part of the opponent's body. An up block of a thrust to the midsection or throat.
Jo Dori - Jo means staff and dori means taking.
Juji nage - Throw in which the nage uses the pressure of crossing the uke's arms against each other - "Ten Crossed Hands"
Kaeshi Waza - Counter techniques. Literally, kaeshi means to turn back or return and waza means techniques.
Kaiten - To revolve or rotate - round or wheel
Kaitenage - Throw in which nage employs a spinning motion to throw uke forward. Pressure is exerted by holding uke's hand down and holding one arm vertically.
Kamae - The ready position or posture, as in tsuki kamae or shomen kamai, the ready positions for the jo and bokken,
respectively
Kami - O Sensei said that Aikido was a function of kami, the divine alchemy of fire (ka) and water (mi). Fire and water are the two prime elements of outer and inner alchemy, in the East and in the West, and are associated with the polarities of heaven and earth, the sun and moon, yang and yin, logos and eros, hidden and manifest, positive and negative, heart and womb, man and woman.
Kancho - Supervisor, director of a school
Kata - Prearranged sets of movements, either with or without weapons, designed to teach form and basic movement. In Aikido two jo kata are commonly taught. They are called the 31 jo kata, or sanju ichi no jo, and the 13 jo kata, or the ju san no jo.
Katana - Japanese sword
Kata dori - Shoulder grab
Katate-tori - Wrist grab
Keiko - Training in traditional Japanese arts such as Aikido, flower arranging or tea ceremony. Literally, kei means contemplation or exploration and ko means old or traditional.
Ken - A Japanese sword, usually curved. A wooden sword used in practice. (See also bokken).
Ki - The vital force of the body. Through Aikido training, the ki of a person can be drawn in increasing amounts from the universe. (See separate heading).
Kiai - A loud shout accompanying the execution of martial arts techniques. Literally, ki means energy or spirit and ai means meeting. O Sensei's forceful shouts completely unbalanced his opponents and on occasion extinguished the lights of the dojo. Sometimes his Kiais were like a fearful banshee yell, other times like the roar of a hurricane. Used with the principle of Yamabiko, responding to an attack immediately and resoundingly like a mountain echo.
Kihon - Basic techniques, as opposed to flowing techniques or variations. (See separate heading).
Ki-musubi - The uniting of one's own ki with that of the opponent. It assures that you are on the exact line of attack and, ironically, have established the connection that can lead to a harmonious solution.
Ki No Musubi - O Sensei called the bokken partner practices Ki No Musubi. That is, you first connect yourself through Ki to your partner's striking sword and then you must bind it with your Ki and put a stop to the attack. It is
said that at least 10 years of training in such exercises is required to develop good Ki timing.
Ki No Nagare - Techniques done in motion, as opposed to those done from a static position. Literally, ki means energy and nagare means flowing.
Kohai - A student with relatively less experience or rank. See also, sempai.
Kogeki - Attack.
Kokyu - Breath power. The coordination of ki flow with breathing. Literally, breath or respiration.
Kokyu Dosa - One of the three exercises practiced at nearly every Aikido class. It usually involves sitting in front of your partner as he/she grabs you and upsetting his/her balance through the power and technique of kokyu.
Kokyu Ho - One of the three exercises practiced at nearly every Aikido class. It involves moving through - rather than around as in tai no henko - the forces of your partners grab. Literally, kokyu means breath and ho means method.
Kokyu nage - Extension or throw without using joint techniques
Koshi - Hips, waist
Koshi nage - A throw in which uke is thrown over nage's hips
Kote - Wrist
Kote-gaeshi - A throw made by an outward turn of an opponent's wrist
Kotodama - From the Kotodama religion. The spiritual function of sound. Every one-syllable sound has its own spiritual vibration. Su (located at the center), oh (located in the stomach), ah (the chest), ai (the throat), ee (the top of the head). Starting from the center and moving up to the top of the head. For O Sensei Kotodama was the substance and sustenance of Aikido. The point, Su, of creation, is our own spiritual and physical center located in the area around the navel. The Founder said this is the "gold cauldron" where the "blood boils" and where Kotodama spirals forth. One should always be centered there during the practice of Aikido.
Kubi - Neck
Kuden - An oral teaching, usually of a more secret nature. For example, "The foot takes the hand." Literally, ku means oral and den means transmission.
Kumi Jo - Partner practice with the jo (staff). Literally, kumi means to cross, entwine and jo is the staff.
Kumi Tachi - Partner practice with swords. Literally, kumi means cross or entwine and tachi means swords.
Kyu - A system of ranking before one attains black belt level
Ma-ai - The time and space relationship between uke and nage. Literally, ma means interval and ai means relationship.
Mae - Forward, front
Matte - Command to wait
Mawatte - Command to turn
Men - face or head
Men-uchi - Also called shomen-uchi. A straight strike to the head from the front with the hand or ken.
Migi - Right. For example, migi hanmi means right hanmi.
Misogi - Purification of mind, body and spirit. O Sensei said, "Misogi wa keiko desu." Training is purification. Sweating is purification. Cleaning is misogi and fasting is misogi. Misogi is the intention of our training and the refining of our skills.
Mo ghi - To hold
Morote-dori - A grasp of the wrist by both hands of an opponent, as if the opponent were holding a sword.
Mushin - No mind, operating from the hara or center, rather than the ego
Musubi - The blending of kokyu between partners. It is the tying together of Ki. Musubi is the process of unification. (See separate heading).
Nagare-gaeshi - To make a strike to the front and then a strike or thrust to the rear in one flowing movement.
Nage - The partner who executes the technique. Literally, throw or thrower.
Nikkyo - Literally, second technique in which extra control is placed on the wrist and hand
Obi - Belt
Omote - The attacker's front. Moving in front of your partner.
Onigai Shimasu - A phrase used to ask a favor of someone, in this case, "Will you please train with me?" Literally, I humbly request. Or, "If you please."
O-Sensei - Literally, O means great and sensei means teacher. Used to refer to the Founder of Aikido, Morihei Ueshiba (1883-1969).
Randori - A movement exercise used to develop calm and efficient blending with the power and movement of
multiple attacks. Literally, ri means principle, ran means confused, and do means melee or fight.
Rei - Bow. The command to bow
Reigi - Rei also translates as the Holy Spirit, the Big Force. Gi as manifestation. Combined, it means proper etiquette, to respect the creative force and spirit which is the same in all of us. Our bodies are different, but the universal fundamentals are the same for all of us. Reigi means to respect the fact that we are part of the same universal force.
Renzoku - Continuous
Riai - The relationship between methods of using the ken, jo and taijutsu. (See separate article by Morihiro Saito).
Saito Sensei - One of the longest practicing direct students of O Sensei. He is a ninth-degree black belt and teaches in Iwama, Japan. (See separate biographical note).
Sankyo - Literally, third technique
Sasou - To draw out your partners. For example, to make them raise their arms or move forward. Literally, to invite, call forth, lure. The art of drawing out and leading is difficult to master, though, requiring years of solid practice. For a beginning student in any discipline, training is 90 percent technique and 10 percent intuition. For a master, the percentages are the opposite: 90 percent intuition and 10 percent technique.
Satori - Enlightenment
Seiza - A formal kneeling position. Sitting cross-legged is called Agura and is considered more informal. Literally, sei means correct and za means sitting. Also, the command to sit in seiza.
Sempai and Kohai - A pair of terms describing the relationship between people with more and less experience, respectively. Sempai means senior, and kohai means junior. In Japan, how one behaves toward others is dictated largely by one's status in terms of seniority, from martial arts dojos to schools and workplaces.
Sensei - In Japan, a title used to address or refer to a teacher. Literally, sei means born and sen means before.
Shiho - Four directions
Shiho nage - Literally, four directions throw
Shikaku - Blind angle
Shikko - Knee walking
Shime - To squeeze or choke
Shinbukan - School of the martial spirit
Shin Shin Toitsu - Unification of mind and body
Shizentai - Upright posture
Shodan - First degree black belt
Shomen - The alcove at the front of the dojo, considered a sacred space, to which we pay respect in Aikido practice. Literally, sho means correct and men means side.
Shomen-uchi - Also called men-uchi. A straight strike to the head from the front with the hand or ken.
Shugyo - Training - spiritual, mental, physical, ascetic. The day-to-day struggle. Educating oneself to refine and purify one's quality of life. O Sensei said, "In your training, do not be in a hurry, for it takes a minimum of ten years to master the basics and advance to the first rung. Never think of yourself as an all knowing, perfected master. You must continue to train daily with your friends and students and progress together on the Way of Harmony."
Shuto - A strike with the tegatana, side of the hand (hand blade)
Soto - Term used in techniques such as kaitenage referring to the outside version (soto maware) rather than the inside version (uchi maware)
Soto Deshi - Students who do not live at the dojo. Soto means outside and deshi means apprentice. See also, Uchi Deshi.
Soto kaiten - Outside turning motion
Suburi - A single movement of the ken or jo done as a solo practice. Running suburi, a common practice of the Bryan Park Dojo, is the same practice done while running cross country, stopping to do each of the seven suburi at separate locations.
Sutemi - A high fall. Literally, to throw away or sacrifice the body
Suki - An opening, vulnerability, a moment of carelessness or inattention
Suwari Waza - Sitting techniques. Suwari means sitting and waza means techniques.
Suwatte - The command to sit down
Tachi - The Japanese sword
Tachi Dori - Techniques of taking an opponent's sword and throwing him. Tachi means sword and dori means taking.
Tachi Waza - Sword techniques
Tai - Body
Taiso - Basic exercises
Taijutsu - Body techniques. The techniques of Aikido done without weapons. Tai means body and jutsu means technique.
Tai No Henko - The basic blending practice. The attacker grabs your wrist, and you turn, curving your arm and wrist, and blend with the attacker's ki. You blend with the force of the attack and move off to the side. One of the three
exercises practiced at nearly every Aikido class. Henko means changing of direction and tai means body. O Sensei advised that you concentrate your Spirit in the fingertips, pivot on your front foot, making a large half turn and position yourself to your opponent's side, remaining aware of possible attacks from the rear. When executing body turns, keep your feet open as a sixty degree angle, the most stable posture.
Takemusu - The "valorous procreative force of harmony, fully integrated, life generating, totally free and capable of unlimited transformation.." The martial technique that emerges spontaneously after many years of repetitive training with thorough grounding in the basics. (See separate heading).
Tanden - The center. Your center of being.
Tanren uchi - A practice for developing the hips. Usually done by hitting a bundle of branches with a bokken.
Tanto - Wooden knife
Tanto Dori - Knife-taking. Tanto means knife and dori means taking techniques.
Tatami - Traditional straw mat on which Aikido is practiced
Tatte - The command to stand up
Te - Hand
Tegatana - Sword hand, edge of the hand
Tekubi - Wrist
Tengu - Inhabitants of the spirit world who can teach weapons to a mortal. Projections of the imagination that we can use as training partners when we practice alone.
Tenkan - Turning to dissipate force. The motion of turning is Yin. The motion of entering, or irimi, is Yang.
Tenshi nage - Heaven and Earth throw, extending one hand down and the other hand up
Toma - A great distance
Tsuki - A thrust
Uchi - A strike
Uchi Deshi - Students who live at the dojo and train intensively. Uchi means inside and deshi means apprentice. See also, Soto Deshi.
Uchi kaiten - Inside turning technique
Uchikomi - To take a step forward and strike
Udekime nage - Throw applying pressure to the under side of the elbow
Uke - The partner who is thrown or receives the technique. (See also, Nage).
Ukemi - The art and skill of rolling and falling as a means of protecting the body from injury during the execution of Aikido techniques. Uke means to receive and mi means through the body.
Ura - The attacker's back. Moving around or behind your partner. Opposite of Omote.
Ura Sankaku - The back triangle stance
Ura waza - Turning techniques, moving toward the back, as in tenkan
Ushiro ryo kata tori - Double shoulder grab from behind
Ushiro waza - Attacks from the rear
Waza - Technique, or skill
Yamabichinomichi - The mountain echo
Yamabiko - Responding to an attack immediately and resoundingly with a forceful Kiai, just like a mountain echo
Yamato Damashii - The Spirit of Ancient Japan. Currently interpreted as the best that is good and true in human nature.
Yame - The command to stop
Yoko - Side, to the side
Yokomen - Side of the head, strike to the side of the head
Yokomenuchi - Strike to the side of the head or neck with an open hand
Yonkyo - Literally, fourth technique, in which the uke's fore arm and elbow are contained and extended
Yoroshiku Onegai Shimasu - A more formal version of onegai shimasu. Used as the equivalent of "Welcome to the dojo."
Yudansha - Persons holding rank of black belt. Yu means have, dan means rank and sha means person.
Zanshin - Maintaining concentration before, after and during a technique. Continuity, remaining aware and prepared for the next attack.
Send questions or comments to Tim Sheldon