Aikido Glossary

Ai
Harmony. The first character of Aikido.
Ai Hanmi
Both partners having same foot (right or left) forward
Aikido
Ai is harmony.
Ki is spirit or energy.
Do is a way or path
Aikido can be interpreted in various ways. A common meaning is "the way to harmony with ki." Another interpretation could be "the way to harmonize with the spirit of the universe."
Aikidoka
Practitioners of Aikido

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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.
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."

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Chudan
Middle hand or weapon position

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Dan
A black belt ranking such as shodan, nidan, etc. Literally, dan means level.
Deshi
Student
Do
Way or path. The third character of 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.
Domo Arigato Gozai Mashita
Thank you very much. Literally, Somehow a difficulty has been honorably overcome, and I appreciate it.
Dori
Grab, take

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Gedan
Low hand or weapon position
Gi
Traditional uniform, usually white, worn during the practice of Japanese or Okinawan martial arts. Also known as a dogi.
Gyaku Hanmi
Partners stand with opposite feet forward, for example, one with right foot forward and the other with left forward

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Hai
Yes. A convenient answer to use when Sensei gives you a correction or asks you to perform some task.
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
Half body. A way of standing in Aikido so that the feet form a "T" stance and the body is turned at an angle.
Hanmi Handachi
Techniques executed from a kneeling position against an attacker who is standing. Literally, hanmi means half body and handachi means half standing.
Hara
An Aikidoist moves with the hara. It is not only your center of gravity, but also your source of reflex and power.
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 left hanmi.
Hiji
Elbow
Hiji Dori
Elbow grab

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Ikkyo
Literally, first technique, where the arm is contained under one's center, with nage controlling the wrist and elbow
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.

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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 one 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.
Jo Dori
Techniques in which nage takes the jo as uke strikes. Jo means staff and dori means taking.
Juji Nage
Throw in which the nage uses the pressure of crossing uke's arms against each other — "Ten Crossed Hands"

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Kaeshi Waza
Counter techniques. Literally, kaeshi means to turn back or return and waza means techniques.
Kaiten
To revolve or rotate - round or wheel
Kaiten Nage
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.
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
Spirit or energy. The second character of Aikido.
The vital force of the body. Through Aikido training, the ki of a person can be drawn in increasing amounts from the universe.
Ki Ai
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.
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.
The terms sempai and kohai describe 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.
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
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.
Kyu
A system of ranking before one attains black belt level

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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
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.
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.

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Nage
The partner who executes the technique. Literally, throw or thrower. See also, uke.
Nikkyo
Literally, second technique in which extra control is placed on the wrist and hand

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Obi
Belt
Omote
The attacker's front. Moving in front of your partner. See also, ura
Onegai 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).

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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

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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
A student with relatively more experience or rank. See also, kohai.
The terms sempai and kohai describe 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 direction throw
Shikaku
Blind angle
Shikko
Knee walking
Shime
To squeeze or choke
Shizentai
Upright posture
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."
Soto
Term used in techniques such as kaiten nage referring to the outside version (soto maware) rather than the inside version (uchi maware)
Soto Deshi
Students who live outside the dojo and commute. Literally, 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.
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

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Tachi
The Japanese sword
Tachi Dori
Techniques of taking an opponent's sword and throwing him/her. 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. Literally, 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.
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
Hand blade; i.e. the edge of the hand
Tekubi
Wrist
Tenkan
Turning to dissipate force. The motion of turning is Yin. The motion of entering, or irimi, is Yang.
Tenchi Nage
Heaven and Earth throw, extending one hand down and the other hand up
Tsuki
A thrust

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Uchi
A strike
Uchi Deshi
Students who live at the dojo and train intensively. Literally, uchi means inside and deshi means apprentice. See also, soto deshi.
Uchi Kaiten
Inside turning technique
Uchi Komi
To take a step forward and strike
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. See also, omote.
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

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Waza
Technique, or skill

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Yoko
Side, to the side
Yokomen
Side of the head, strike to the side of the head
Yokomen Uchi
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
Yudansha
Persons holding rank of black belt. Yu means have, dan means rank and sha means person.

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Zanshin
Maintaining concentration before, during and after a technique.

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