Glossary
Here are some native Japanese recordings of words and phrases we sometimes use in aikido and are more often than not mispronounced. A huge thank you goes out to our good friend Yoshiko Sidoli for her time in recording them for us;
AIKIDO GLOSSARY – Useful Japanese words and phrases
A
aihanmi basic relation between partners: both have same foot forward (left or right), katatedori- wrist grip, right on right or left on left, also called kosadori, compare gyakuhanmi
ai gamae ate – mutual posture strike, 2nd technique of randori no kata
aikibudo- budo based on the aiki principle, earlier name for aikido
aikido- the way of harmony of spirit
aikidoka- one who does aikido
aikijutsu- name on the Daito ryu Martial art, also called aikijujutsu
Aikikai- organization and “label” for Ueshiba’s aikido
arigato – thanks
arigato gozaimasu – thanks for something going on
arigato gozaimashita – thanks for something completed
ate – hit, strike
atemi – strike to the body
B
bokken – wooden training sword
bokuto – wooden training sword
budoka – one who does any budo
bushido – the way of the warrior
C
chudan – middle, compare jodan and gedan
D
Daito ryu – aikijutsu school
deshi student
dogi – training dress, also keikogi
dojo – training hall
domo – much
domo arigato gozaimasu – thank you so much, for something going on
domo arigato gozaimashita – thank you so much, for something completed
dosa – movement
dozo – please/by all means
G
gaeshi/kaeshi – returning, reversed
gamae/kamae – guard, basic position
gedan – low, compare jodan and chudan
gedan ate – low strike, 4th technique of randori no kata
geiko/keiko – training
genki desu – I’m fine.
genki desuka – How are you?
Genryukan Aikido – The name of our Club
gokyo – fifth teaching, pronating wrist lock
Goshin ho – Self defense kata compiled by Tetsuro Nariyama
gomen nasai – excuse me
Gowaryu Aikido – The name of our Sister club in Ashford.
gyaku – reverse, opposite
gyaku gamae ate – opposite posture strike – 3rd from randori no kata
gyakuhanmi – basic relation between partners: they have opposite foot forward, compare ai hanmi
H
Hagakure – Hiding the Leaves, classic samurai book from the 18th century
hai – yes
hajime – begin
hakama – traditional wide pants, used in aikido
hanmi handachiwaza – sitting versus standing
hara – stomach, centre
hidari – left (right: migi)
hiji – elbow
hiki – pull
hiki otoshi – pulling drop – 17th randori no kata technique
hiki taoshi – pull down – 8th randori no kata technique
hineri – twist
hombu – organisation head quarters
I
ikkajo – older term for ikkyo
ikkyo – first teaching, like oshi taoshi, 6th technique of Randori no kata
irimi – entering
iriminage – inward throw, throwing technique, entering throw
J
jiyuwaza free training
jo – wooden staff, 127.5 centimeters
jodan – high, compare chudanand gedan
jujigarame/jujinage – cross throw
Juji garame nage – cross arm entanglement throw
jujutsu – the soft art
K
kaeshiwaza – counter techniques
kaitennage – rotation throw, throwing technique
kakarigeiko – light freeplay randori
kata – form, pre-decided movements
katana – the Japanese sword, also ken, to and tachi
katate – one-hand technique
katatedori – wrist-grip
keikogi – training dress, also dogi
ken – sword, also katana, to and tachi
kendo – The way of the sword, Japanese fencing
kihon – basics
kime – focusing
kokyu – breathing
kokyuho – breathing exercise, throwing technique
kokyunage – breath throw
kokyu ryoku – breath power
konbanwa – Good evening!
konichiwa – Good day!
Koryu no kata – 6 Tomiki kata comprising many aikijujutsu techniques
koshinage – hip throw
kotegaeshi – reversed wrist, throwing technique
kotehineri – twisted wrist, sankyo
kotemawashi – turned wrist, nikkyo
kumijo – jo-staff exercises, jo against jo
kumitachi – sword exercises, sword against sword
kuzushi – break balance
M
ma-ai – harmonious, balanced distance between training partners
mae – front, forward, compare ushiro
mae otoshi – front drop, hiji-ate, 15th from randori no kata
mae ukemi – forward fall
mate – wait
migi – right (left: hidari)
mochi – hold/grip, also called dori
mokuso – meditation, also called zazen
morotedori – grip with both hands, also called katate ryotedori
mushin – empty mind
Mushin no shin Aikido – The name of our Sister club in Folkestone.
N
Nihon/Nippon - Japan
nikkajo – older name for nikkyo
nikkyo – “second teaching”, wrist lock also known as Kote mawashi
ninindori – two attackers, also called futaridori
O
obi – belt
ohayo gozaimasu – Good morning!
omote – front, surface, compare ura
onegae shimasu – please, asking for something
osae – press down, pinning
oshi taoshi – push down – 6th technique of randori no kata
otagai ni rei – bow to each other
otoshi – drop
oyowaza – applied techniques, modified for efficiency
randori – disorderly grabbing, free training
randori no kata – Tomiki kata comprising techniques deemed safe for competition
rei – bow
rokkyo – sixth teaching, also known as waki gatame
ryotedori – gripping both wrists
S
sabaki – Management (tai sabaki is “whole body movement”)
samurai – to serve, Japanese warrior class
sankajo – older term for sankyo
sankyo – “third teaching”, wrist lock also known as kote hineri
seiza – correct sitting, sit on knees
sempai – one’s senior, compare kohai
sensei – teacher
Schichi hon no kuzushi – First seven balance taking techniques from the koryu dai yon.
shihan – expert example, high title for aikido teacher
shihonage – four directions throw, throwing technique
shikko – knee walking
shime – choke
shizentai – natural body posture
Shodokan – Tomiki sensei’s aikido school
shomen – front of the head/face
shomen ni rei- bow to head place of the dojo
shomenuchi – cut or blow to head
sukui nage – scoop throw. overhead throw scooping the leg or legs
sumimasen – excuse me
sumi otoshi – corner drop – 16th technique of randori no kata
suwariwaza – seated training, also called suwate
T
tachidori – defense against sword
tachiwaza – training standing up
tai no henko – body turn, also called tai no tenkan
taisabaki – Whole body movement, evasive movement in aikido
tanden – body center, often referred to as Hara (abdomen/stomach)
tandoku undo – Individual practice
tatami – mat
tegatana – hand sword, hand ridge in swordlike movements
tenkai kotehineri – turning wrist twist, 13th technique of randori no kata
tekubi – wrist
tekubi osae – pinned wrist, yonkyo
tenchinage – heaven-earth throw, throwing technique
tenkan – turn
tsuba – sword guard
tsugiashi – following step, back foot following and not passing front foot
tsuka – sword hilt
tsuki – strike, with a weapon or empty hand
U
uchideshi – student living in the dojo, compare sotodeshi
ude – arm
Ude gaeshi – arm reverse
Ude garami – arm entanglement
udekimenage – arm lock throw
ukemi – falling
Unsoku – foot movements
Y
yame – stop
yokomen – side of the head
yokomenuchi – strike to the side of the head
yonkajo – older term for yonkyo
yonkyo – fourth teaching, lower arm lock with applied pressure on the radius
Yoshinkan – Shioda sensei’s aikido school
Z
zanshin – remaining spirit, continued concentration
Zen Eikoku Tomiki Aikido Renmei – Our club’s association
zori – sandals
Numbers
1 ichi
2 ni
3 san
4 shi/ yon
5 go
6 roku
7 shichi / nana
8 hachi
9 ku
10 ju
20 ni-ju
21 ni-ju-ichi
100 hyaku
1000 sen
