Glossary

This is a list of Japanese terms, which you will hear used in the dojo. By studying these definitions you will discover many different facets of Aikido philosophy. It is important to your practice of Aikido that you have a basic understanding of them. Quotation marks indicate the words of the Founder.

Ai

Harmony, unity, to join or become one with. The word carries the feeling of the strength and power of natural forces.

Ki

Spirit; life force or vital energy; the essence of universal creative energy

Do

The Way or Path. "The Way means to be one with the Will of the Universe and embody its function. If you are even slightly apart from it, it is no longer the Way."

Atemi waza

Techniques of striking.

Bokken

Wooden practice sword.

Budo

Literally the Way of the Warrior arts; but the deeper meaning is the Way of the protection of society, of strength and honor in peace. "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, is not true Budo. True Budo knows no defeat. "Never defeated" means, "never fighting."

Bushido

The Way of the Warrior. The Way of Chivalry.

Dan

Black belt rank.

Deai

The moment of truth. The moment of the joining of two forces. Now is now.

Deshi

Student.

Dojo

The place where the Way is revealed. A place for the strengthening and refinement of body, mind and spirit.

Gi

White training uniform.

Hakama

Wide skirted pants worn over the gi. Symbol of the Samurai culture and an important part of the Aikido training uniform. You will be expected to wear hakama (dk. blue or black) after receiving 6th kyu rank.

Hanmi

The relaxed triangular stance of Aikido, stable yet flexible enough to move quickly in any direction. All technique begins, moves through and ends with this stance.

Hanmi-handachi

Techniques practiced with nage sitting and uke standing.

Hara

The lower abdomen. The center of life energy, physical and spiritual. Often used as a synonym for "guts", courage. All movement must originate from this point.

Irimi

Moving into and through the line of attack with no thought of escape. Technique of entering and choosing death.

Jiyu Waza

Free technique. In testing usually against one opponent.

Jo

Wooden training staff - 50" long and 3/4" to 1 1/4" in diameter.

Jo dori

Techniques of staff taking.

Kamae

A posture or stance of readiness. There are many different stances and within each stance there are different positions for the hands or weapon. Jodan - high position; Chudan, middle position; Gedan - lower position.

Kannagara

The stream of God. The flow of creative energy which reaches from the past into the future.

Kata dori

Shoulder grab.

Katana

Japanese sword.

Katate dori

Wrist grab.

Katate dori ryote mochi

Grabbing your partner's wrist with both hands.

Keiko

Study or practice. The deeper meaning is reflection and refinement; to return to the origin and discover reality. Only through the study of the past and an appreciation for its experience can we understand the present and refine our spirit.

Kenkyo

Confidence modesty.

Kiai

The release of spiritual and physical power in the form of a piercing scream originating in the Hara. Literally - a meeting of the spirits.

Koehi

Junior student. Anyone who begins the study of Aikido after you. You owe them your help and support.

Kokyu

Breathing; the power of breath and life force. Renewal.

Kosa dori

Cross hand grab.

Kotodama

The spiritual function of sound. Every one syllable sound has its own spiritual vibration.

Kubi shime

A choke hold.

Kumi Jo

Paired jo practice.

Kumi Tachi

Paired sword practice.

Kyu

White belt grade.

Maai

The distance of time and space between two forces. The movement of mind, the stream of spirit and their direction, as well as physical distance determines the balance and proper use of space.

Misogi

Purification of mind, body and spirit. Sweating is misogi; cleaning is misogi; fasting is misogi; keiko is misogi.

Munetsuki

A straight punch to the chest or solar plexus.

Mushin

No mind; a mind without ego. A mind like a mirror which reflects and does not judge.

Musubi

Opposites are but different images of the same reality. Musubi is the process of their unification. It is the movement of the spiral.

Nage

A throw; one who throws.

Nai kan gyo

Silence and action are training which teaches us to still the mind and see inside.

Omoiyari

A mind of concern for others' feelings, safety and situation.

Omote

To the front.

O Sensei

Great Teacher - the title used for the Founder of Aikido.

Randori

Freestyle against multiple attack.

Rei

To bow.

Reigi

Rei also translates as Holy Spirit; Gi as manifestation. Combined it means proper etiquette, to respect the same creative force and spirit, which is the same in all of us. In essence - we are different, but one in origin; our bodies are different, but out spirits the same; our functions are different, yet we share the same responsibility to God.

Ryote dori

Grabbing both wrists.

Ryokata Dori

Grabbing both shoulders.

Samurai

Originally come from the verb meaning to serve. Noble and honorable, one who has the duty and responsibility of protecting society.

Sempai

Senior student. Anyone who began their study of Aikido before you. You owe them your respect for their experience.

Seiza

Formal sitting position, the only proper way to sit on the mat.

Sensei

Teacher; one who gives guidance along the Way. Literally "born before".

Senshin

A purified and cleansed heart and spirit; enlightened attitude.

Shikko

Knee walking; the only proper way to move from the knees.

Shomen

The upper seat, the shrine which houses the picture of the Founder and the spirit of Aikido. Not a religious symbol, but a spiritual one.

Shomenuchi

Strike or cut to the top of the head.

Shomentsuki

Thrust between the eyes.

Shinai

A split bamboo practice sword.

Shugyo

The day to day struggle; the work of education to refine and purify the quality of life.

Suburi

Striking practice with sword or bokken. The same cut is repeated again and again. An excellent purification/meditation.

Suwariwaza

Techniques beginning with both attacker and defender in formal sitting position executed from the knees.

Tachi

Japanese long sword.

Tachi dori:

Techniques of sword taking.

Taijutsu

Empty handed techniques.

Takemusu Aiki

Enlightened Aikido. "Aiki has a form, and does not have a form. Aiki is a life, which has a form and still flows with change; it expresses itself by changing itself. A form without a form is a word and a poem which expresses the universe limitlessly."

Tanden

The Hara.

Tanren

Training. Suburi is training; kumi tachi is study (keiko).

Tanto

Wooden practice knife.

Tanto dori

Techniques of knife taking.

Tenkan

Turning to dissipate force.

Uke

One who receives. The person being thrown.

Ukemi

Techniques of falling. The art of protecting oneself from injury. The first and most important step to developing good Aikido technique is learning to take ukemi well.

Ura

To the rear.

Ushiro

from behind.

Waza

Technique.

Yokomenuchi

Strike or cut to the side of the head or neck.

Yudansha

Black belt rank holders.

Zanshin

Continuity; remaining aware and prepared for the next attack.

Parts of the Body

Techniques - The names of the techniques will have meaning only through study.