Aikido Dictionary

Word	Description
Ai	Harmony, Union, Love
Ai Hanmi	Attacker and defender have the same foot forward. (See GYAKU HANMI)
Aiki	Blending physically and mentally with attacker.
Aikido	The Way of Harmony of the Spirit
Aikidoka	Student of Aikido
Aiki Budo	As O-Sensei called the art between late 1930's and early 1940's.
Aiki Jo	Staff used in Aikido (approx. 4ft long).
Aiki Jujutsu	A term used occasionally to refer to the jujutsu form taught by O-Sensei in the 1920’s and early 1930’s. Today it is understood as Aiki techniques performed in a hard jujutsu-like manner used in contrast to the softer, rounded techniques of Aikido.
Aikikai Foundation	The Aikikai Foundation is the parent organisation for the development and popularisation of Aikido throughout the world (公益財団法人合気会).
Aiki Ken	Sword used in Aikido, influenced by the sword of the Kashima Shinto Ryu (鹿島新当流) school.
Arigato	Thank you.
Atemi	Strike, blow. Used to distract or unbalance the attacker during execution of a technique.
Awase	Blending movement; from verb awaseru: to blend, harmonise. Frequently used in Aikido to evoke the notion of harmony with the movement of one’s partner.
Bokken	Wooden sword, usually made of oak wood. Used as a training sword.
Bu	Martial.
Budo	Martial Way; Martial Art. The way of life through the application of the principles of martial arts.
Budoka	Martial practitioner; Martial Artist; student of BUDO.
Buki Waza	Weapons techniques in Aikido referring to techniques executed with the AIKI JO and AIKI KEN.
Bushido	The Feudal-military Japanese code of behaviour; the way of the warrior, or of the samurai.
Chudan Kamae	Middle stance; refers to the position where the sword is held extended out from the centre and almost parallel to the ground.
Daito-Ryu-Jujutsu	An early martial art disseminated by Master Sokaku Takeda until 1943. Morihei Ueshiba received his teaching certificate in 1922.
Dame	Wrong, bad, incorrect.
Dan	Grade, rank. As from first black belt degree. First introduced by Jigoro Kano, Founder of modern JUDO.
Dankai Tekini	In Ken Awase, refers to the 'step-by-step' method of performing the awase
Do	The Way. In Japan, any art that is practised to develop both technique and spiritual maturity is considered a DO.
Dogi	Practice uniform. Also GI or KEIKOGI.
Dojo	Training Hall - ‘‘The place of enlightenment’’.
Dojo-Cho	Director of the DOJO.
Domo-Arigato-Gozaimasu	‘‘I thank you very much’’. (To be said at the end of every class when bowing to the SENSEI).
Doshu	Leader of The Way. A term designating the leader of a school or group. In Aikido the First DOSHU was O-Sensei. At present his grandson Moriteru Ueshiba is the Third DOSHU.
Dozo	Please (at the beginning of a sentence).
Eri	Collar, lapel.
Eri Dori	Collar or lapel grab.
Futarigake	Defence against two opponents.
Gedan	Lower - from the lower-held sword position (or GEDAN NO KAMAE).
Gi	Practice Uniform.
Godan	5th degree Black Belt.
Gokyo	5th pinning technique in basic Aikido.
Gokyu	5th Kyu grade.
Gyaku	Reverse, opposite.
Gyaku Hanmi	Reverse or opposite stance; the situation in which the attacker and defender form a mirror-image.
Hachidan	8th degree Black Belt.
Hai	Yes.
Hai Dozo	Yes, please do this technique.
Hakama	Pleated skirt; usually black or dark blue; worn by black belt holders and often women of any rank.
Hanmi	Half stance; ready position with one foot forward prior to execution of technique.
Hanmi Handachi	Half standing stance; when defender is seated (or kneeling) and the attacker is standing.
Hara	Stomach, abdomen; intended more as centre of concentration and energy. HENKA WAZA = Variation: 1) variation of a same technique; 2) an alternate technique executed to complete a throw when the initial technique was unsuccessful.
Henka	Variation
Hidari	Left.
Hidari Hanmi	Left foot forward.
Hito E Mi	Refers to a ready posture similar to HANMI, but where the rear leg is moved further left or right away from the centre line (used in AIKI JO technique).
Hombu Dojo	Headquarters training hall - General term used by any organisation. In Aikido it usually refers to AIKIKAI HOMBU DOJO located in the Shinjuku Ward of Tokyo, Japan.
Ikkyo	First teaching, or first principle. Refers in Aikido to a basic technique in which the attacker is unbalanced through the application of pressure on the elbow and shoulder of his outstretched arm, which is followed by a pinning movement which immobilises the opponent’s arm at a 45o angle to his body with pressure applied to both the elbow and the wrist.
Irimi	Entering movement. Direct inward movement by the defender in front or to the rear of the attacker prior to execution of a technique.
Irimi Nage	A technique where the defender enters primarily behind the attacker, gains the initiative and seizes him by the collar or neck with one hand while entering under the chin with the other open hand and then downward to execute the throw.
Iwama	A town of about 15,000 inhabitants situated about 63 miles to the NE of Tokyo. This is the site of the AIKI SHRINE built by the Founder as the Spiritual Centre of Aikido, ca. 1942. Due to the post-war ban on martial arts by the Allied Forces, the AIKIKAI HOMBU DOJO was moved to Iwama in 1948 through 1956, when it was returned to Tokyo. Ueshiba’s dojo is attached to his home and has been under the care and direction of Morihiro Saito since the Founder’s death in 1969.
Iwama Ryu Aikido	An informal term referring to Aikido as taught in Iwama by Morihiro Saito, one of the closest students of the Founder. Technically, it includes and emphasis on the relationship between AIKI KEN and AIKI JO movements. This style of Aikido reflects the art of Ueshiba as taught approximately between the years 1946-1955, and there are more techniques than are presently being practised at the AIKIKAI HOMBU DOJO.
Jo	Staff, stick, approximately 4 foot long. See AIKI JO.
Jodan	Upper position.
Jodan No Kamae	Upper stance. Refers to to a position where the sword is held above the head ready to strike.
Jo Dori	Staff taking. Refers to techniques designed to defend against Jo attacks.
Judan	Tenth degree black belt.
Juji Garami	Cross-entangling method. Refers to the technique where pressure is applied against the attacker’s elbows as they are brought to a crossed position.
Juji Nage	Juji Garami.
Kaiso	Founder.
Kaiten Nage	Rotary throw, or ‘Wheel Throw’ - technique where the attacker is thrown forward with pressure applied on the head or neck while his/her arm is raised over the head.
Kamae	Combative ready position; stance.
Kami	Deity; divine being. Can be translated as ''god'' but not in the Judeo-Christian sense.
Kampai	Cheers! ‘‘Bottoms up!’’
Kata	Form; series of prearranged movements performed individually or in a group; specially designed to teach basic movements.
Kata	Shoulder
Katadori	Shoulder grab; a basic attacking method in Aikido.
Katana	Steel sword
Katatedori	One hand grab.
Keiko	Practice; training.
Keikogi	Training uniform; usually made of cotton.
Ken	Wooden Sword (see BOKKEN).
Kenjutsu	Combative sword arts or technique.
Ken No Kamae	Ready stance for Aiki no Ken practice in Buki Waza. Ken no Kamae is a natural position in which the back leg is allowed to relax and bend slightly while the hips are turned 45 degrees.
Kimono	Japanese robe.
Kibishi	Strict. Iwama Ryu is known for its strict approach to teaching in order to ensure that basic technique is studied correctly with emphasis on every small aspect of a technique.
Ki	Spirit; mind; heart; energy.
Ki No Nagare	KI, or energy flow; refers to a more advanced application of techniques while in motion as contrasted to basic or KIHON WAZA.
Ki No Musubi	Joining, or tying together of KI; commonly used in Aikido to refer to blending one’s energy with that of UKE.
Kiai	Combative shout, or yell, designed to disturb the attacker. This powerful, forceful expulsion of air from the lungs by means of a shout helps tightening all the muscles of the body in countering an attack.
Kihon Waza	Basic technique.
Kohai	Younger person / student.
Kokyu	Breath. Often used in Aikido with a meaning similar to that of KI. To be understood as a deeper, more cosmological aspect of respiration.
Kokyu-Ho	Way or method of breathing. The term refers in Aikido to a seated exercise (SUWARI WAZA) performed at the end of class where one partner, whose wrists are being held, attempts to unbalance the other; designed to develop KOKYU and proper method of blending. Also developed with MOROTEDORI.
Kokyu Nage	Breath throw; A cover-all term used to refer to a series of blending techniques with no common mechanical similarities, or for unusual techniques not better defined.
Koshi	Hips.
Koshi Nage	Hip throw.
Kote	Wrist
Kote Gaeshi	Wrist throw or twist. In Aikido a pressure is applied outwardly against the back of the wrist.
Kubi	The neck.
Kubi Shime	Choke by attacking from behind.
Kuden	Oral teaching. Morihiro Saito uses to refer to particular points O-Sensei used to stress during his classes.
Kyu	Grade; all grades below SHODAN, or first degree black belt.
Kyudan	Ninth degree black belt.
Maai	Sparring distances; the proper spacing before opponents assume co-operative engagement.
Mae	In front of, before.
Men	Head, front.
Menuchi	Head strike.
Menkyo Kaiden	Certificate of advanced proficiency.
Migi	Right (Opposite of left).
Misogi	Purification, absolution; also a meditative practise.
Moku Roku	Catalogue or list; transmission scroll in Martial Arts.
Morotedori	Two-handed grab.
Mune	Chest, breast.
Munadori	Chest hold; the attacker seizes the lapel of the defender.
Musubi	Knot, tie; concept of a link between attacker and defender in order to execute a technique smoothly.
Nage	Throw, projection; it usually refers also to the person throwing (opposite of UKE).
Naka De Motsu	In suwari waza kokyu ho, a grab on the inside of the wrists.
Naname	Oblique, at an angle.
Ni	Two.
Ni-Ju	Twenty
Nidan	Second Degree Black Belt.
Nihon	Japan.
Nikyo	Second teaching; refers to several types of pressures applied against the wrist.
O	Big, Great
Obi	Belt.
Ohayo Gozaimas(U)	Good Morning.
Omote	Front (opposite of URA); normally refers to movements where the defender executes an entering movement when commencing a technique; synonymous with IRIMI.
O-Sensei	Great Teacher; a term of respect used in Aikido to refer to the Founder, Morihei Ueshiba.
Oyowaza	Applied techniques.
Randori	Rough grabbing or seizing; refers to free-style practice, often with multiple attackers.
Rei	Bow and thanks, executed before and after training sessions but also while working with your partners.
Renzoku	Continuous.
Rokkudan	Sixth Degree Black Belt.
Ryokatadori	Two-shoulder grab.
Ryokatatedori	Two wrists grab
Rokkyo	Sixth teaching; refers to an elbow arm-barring pressure technique.
Ryotedori	Two-hand grab.
Sandan	Third Degree Black Belt.
Sankyo	Third teaching; in which the opponent’s wrist and fingers are twisted in order to achieve the final pin.
Seika Tanden	Central point situated just below the navel. Physical and spiritual centre of human beings.
Seiza	Seated position from which Aikido techniques are also performed.
Sempai	Senior. The SEMPAI-KOHAI (Senior - Junior) relationship is important in all areas of Japanese life.
Sensei	Teacher.
Shichidan	Seventh Degree Black Belt
Shihan	Master Instructor of highest level.
Shiho Nage	Four-way throw. The defender passes under the attacker’s arm then lifts it overhead, pivots 180o and throws. One of the fundamental techniques in Aikido.
Shikko	Knee walking, improves balance and stability of the hips.
Shita De Motsu	In suwari waza kokyu ho, a grab from below the wrists.
Shizen	Natural.
Shodan	First Degree Black Belt.
Shomen Uchi	Strike to the front of the head. Same as MENUCHI.
Sokumen De Motsu	In suwari waza kokyu ho, a grab on the outside of the wrists.
Suwari Waza	Techniques performed while both Tori and Uke are seated in SEIZA.
Suburi	Basic exercise with the Ken or Jo but without a partner.
Tachi	Standing.
Tachi Dori	Sword Taking techniques developed to disarm sword-wielding opponent.
Tachi Waza	Standing techniques.
Takemusu Aiki	Refers to the highest levels of Aikido in which techniques are created spontaneously in any given situation.
Tai-No-Henko	“Turn of the Body”. Used at the beginning of every class to develop blending with opponent.
Tai	Body.
Taijutsu	Empty hand techniques.
Tai Sabaki	Body Movement - used to refer to movements such as IRIMI and TENKAN.
Tanken Dori	Knife taking techniques
Tanto	Knife
Tatami	Mats used in martial arts which involve falling techniques (approx. 6ft by 3ft).
Tegatana	‘Sword/Blade hand’.
Tenchinage	Heaven and Earth throw.
Tenkan	A pivoting or turning movement in order to avoid an attack (opposite of IRIMI).
Tori	One who executes the technique, or the defender (same as NAGE).
Tsuki	Thrust or punch
Uchi	Strike.
Uchitachi	"The attacking sword". Equivalent to UKE in TAIJUTSU practice.
Ue De Motsu	In suwari waza kokyu ho, a grab from above the wrists.
Uke	One who receives the technique, or attacker.
Ukemi	Break-fall.
Uketachi	"The receiving sword". Equivalent to NAGE in TAIJUTSU practice.
Ura	Back (opposite of OMOTE); normally refers to movements where the defender moves to the opponent’s outside when commencing a technique. KATATEDORI TAI NO HENKO forms the basis of all URA WAZA.
Ushiro	Rear, behind.
Ushiro Kiru Kimochi De	In SHIHO NAGE URA WAZA, refers to the feeling of turning and cutting to the rear.
Yokomen	Side of the head.
Yokomen Uchi	Strike to side of the head.
Yondan	Fourth Degree Black Belt.
Yonkyo	'4th Teaching' Pressure is applied to the lower forearm in order to pin the opponent.
Yudansha	Person holding 1st degree black belt or higher.
Zanshin	'Lingering Spirit' - awareness. Continuing to keep a spiritual connection with the attacker even after he/she is lying on the ground. Emphasised in all aspects of Aikido, and vital to the correct execution of technique. Awareness is not concentrated on one point or person, but the entire surrounding area. In Iwama Ryu Zanshin is maintained at all times to anticipate another attack.
Zazen	Seated Zen meditation.
Zen	Japanese school of Mahayana Buddhism that teaches self-discipline, deep meditation.
Zori	Flip-flops