Aikido dictionary

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Yet another Aikido dictionary, as they say. If you spot an error or wish to help with compiling the dictionary, please drop me a line at ; see the TODO list for more info.

The dictionary is available in Finnish; the kanjis are also available as an XML External Entity file entities.ent. If you'd like to reuse the dictionary e.g. in your own site, please contact for the orinal XML source.

Dictionary

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Table 1. Aikido related terms and expressions.
RomajiKanjiDescription
a
abara
The ribs
agatsu
ago
Jaw
ai
aihanmi相半身
aiki合気
aiki bujutsu合気武術
aikido合気道
The way of harmony with ki
aikidoka合気道家
aikido practitioner
aikikai合気会See zaidan hojin aikikai
aikiotoshi合気落し
entering more deeply and picking up uke's off-side leg
aiki seishin
aite
amaterasu o mi kami
arigato有難う
Thank you (informal)
arigato gozaimashita有難う​ございました
Thank you [for something that has just ended]
arigato gozaimasu有難う​ご座います
Thank you [for something that is happening]
ashi
Leg
ashikubi
Ankle
asoko
Over there
atama
Head
atemi当て身
Strike to a vital point of the body
atemiwaza当て身技
Techniques to strike a vital point
ato
Move back
aum
awase ho
ayumi ashi
b
bokken木剣
Wooden sword
bokuto木刀
Wooden sword
bu
Martial
budo武道
Martial way
bujutsu武術
buki no waza
bushi武士
bushido武士道
way of the warrior
c
chi
chikara
chokkaku
Right angles
chokusen
A straight line
chototsu
Atemi point between the eyes
chudan中段
Middle; Middle kamae, sword in middle, seigan is a chudan gamae.
chudan tsuki中段突き
A punch to the abdominal region
d
dai
daitai
The thigh
dan
More advanced grades, from 1 to 10: shodan , nidan , sandan , yondan , godan , rokudan , nanadan , hachidan , kudan , judan
de ai
DEGUCHI Wanisaburo
den
denko
Atemi point at the floating ribs
do
dojo道場
Lit. "way place"
dojocho
"Leader" of a dojo
dokko
Pressure point behind the ear
domoどうも
thanks (informal)
domo arigatoどうも有難う
Thank you (formal)
domo arigato gozaimashitaどうも​有難う​ございました
Thank you very much [for something that has just ended] (very formal)
domo arigato gozaimasuどうも​有難う​ご座います
Thank you very much [for something that is happening] (very formal)
dori取り
hold
doshu道主
Head of the way (currently UESHIBA Moriteru, grandson of O Sensei)
dozoどうぞ
Please go ahead
e
edo
embu
demonstration
embu gi
Demonstration uniform.
empi
elbow
entenjizui
Moving and turning freely
eri
Lapel; collar
eridori襟取り
hold from the collar
f
fudoshin不動心
immovable mind
fukushidoin
fukushiki kokyu
Abdominal breathing
fukuto
Atemi point just above inside of knee
funakogi undo舟漕ぎ運動
rowing exercise
furi kaburi
futaridori
futomani
g
gamae
ganmen顔面
The face
ganseki otoshi
Arm bar with elbow braced over shoulder
gassho
gasshuku
gedan下段
low; lower level, sword pointed down.
gedantsuki
downward punch
gekon
pressure point below lower lip
genshin
intuition
gi
uniform
giri義理
duty
go
Five
godan五段
gokoku
pressure point in fleshy area between thumb and forefinger
gokyo五教
5. principle = kuji-osae
gokyu五級
gomen nasai
Excuse me, I'm sorry
gyaku
Reverse, opposite, inverted
gyakuhanmi逆半身
gyaku te
gyakutedori
To grasp with one's hand reversed; to grasp and opponents right wrist with your left hand
gyakuuchi
Any reverse strike
gyakuyokomenuchi逆横面打ち
gyakuzuki
Punching with the rear hand
garami
An entanglement
h
hachi
Eight
hachidan八段
hachi no ji
haiはい
yes
haishin undo
haishu
Back of the hand
haito
Ridgehand
haiwan
Back of forearm
hajime始め
start
hakama
split skirt, wide legged pants.
haku ryoku
hakyo
8. principle = kote-ori-kakae-kimi, kujidori = Nikyo in which his elbow is in your armpit and his hand is pulled forward; Pinning their hand with your foot
hanashiwaza
Techniques from escaping from holds; also known as hazushi-waza
handachi半身半立ち
hanmi半道
half forward stance
hanmihandachi
one person standing, one person sitting
handachiwaza半身半立ち技
one person standing, one person sitting techniques
hanshi
Highest title from ZNKR, must be 55 or older and 8 dan.
hantai
The other way around
hantaini
In the opposite direction
happo八方
The eight sides; in all directions
happobaraki
To be totally aware of ones surroundings
hara
the abdomen, stomach
hara de kangaeru
hasso八相
Figure 8 stance, sword by side of head. Usually hassohidari, sword on right, left foot forward.
hayaku
quickly
heiko
Parallel
henka waza
Varied technique. Especially beginning one technique and changing to another in mid-execution
hera
Peg in back of hakama.
hidari
left
hidarihanmi左半身
hanmi stance with left foot in the front
hiji
Elbow
hijidori肘取り
Elbow grab
hijizume
Atemi point on inside of elbow
hikari
hiki
pull; tug
hineri
A twist
hishigi
hitai
Forehead
hito
hitoemi
Equal stance, feet parallel forward
Blending with motion of attack
hitori waza
"invisible partner practice"
hiza
ho
hoko
hombu dojo本部道場
i
iaido居合道
The Japanese art of drawing the sword. The sword is drawn directly into an attacking movement then returned to the scabbard.
iai goshi
Hips lowered, stable position.
iai hiza, tate hiza
Kneeling on one calf.
iaito居合刀
A dull sword used in practicing iaido.
ibuki
A breathing method featuring a long exhalation, followed by a short cough to clear lungs
ichi
One
ichimonji
A straight line
ido
Movement
idori
Techniques practiced from seiza
iie
No
ikkini
In one breath; instantly
ikkyo一教
1. principle = oshi taoshi, ude osae
ikkyu一級
ima
Now
in
inibuki
Internal (quiet) breathing
ippangeiko一半芸子
ipponken
An one-knuckle fist
irimi入り身
Entering
irimi issoku
iriminage入り身投げ
Entering throw ("20 year technique")
izanagi no kami
izanami no kami
j
jinchu
Pressure point on upper lip below nose
jinja
jinkaikyusho
Vital points on the human body
jintai
The body
jiyuwaza自由技
Free-style practice of techniques, usually a set of attacks or techniques. It is different from Randori where everything is allowed.
jo
Short staff
jodan上段
High; Upper level, sword above head. Usually hidari jodan, left foot forward.
jodantsuki
Upper strike
jodori
joseki上関
joseki ni rei
Bow to the high section of the dojo
jo waza
ju
Ten
judan十段
judo柔道
juizo
The kidney area
jujigarami十字柄み
Arm entwining throw ("No. 10 throw", since the arms form the japanese sign for 10 "+". arms crossed, elbows locked)
jujinage十字投げSee jujigarami
jujutsu柔術
junchu
Atemi point on the upper lip
k
kaeshitsuki返し突き
Counter thrust
kaeshiwaza返し技
Counter techniques
kagami
kaiso開祖
"Owner" of school (organization) eg. Sei Do Kai
kaiten
Rotation
kaitenjuki
The axis of rotation of a technique
kaitennage回転投げ
Rotary throw. uchikaitennage and sotokaitennage (inside and outside)
kakaedori
kakarigeiko係り芸子
kakato
The heel of the foot
kakuto
Back of the wrist (for a strike)
kamae構え
Posture, stance.
kami
kamiwaza
kamiza上座
kamiza ni rei
Bow to kamiza (gods)
kan
Intuition
kancho
"Owner" of school (building, hall) eg. Yugen Kan
kannagara no michi
kansetsu waza関節技
Dislocation techniques
kappo
resuscitation
karame
To tie up; to arrest
karate空手
karuigeiko
Light, easy practice
karuma
like waki gamae, blade horizontal.
kashakiuchi
Continuous attack
kashi
Legs
kashima shinto ryu
kasumi
Arms crossed over to hide technique (mountain mist).
kata
katadori肩取り
Shoulder hold
katagatame
A variation of Kaiten nage where you lock your opponents shoulder and bring him directly to the ground in a lock
katamewaza
Grappling techniques; consisting of osae waza, kensetsu waza, and shime waza
katana
Japanese long sword
katate片手
One hand
katatedori片手取
One hand holding one hand.
katateryotedori片手両手取
two hands holding one hand.
katateuchi
One-handed strike
Katori Shinto ryu香取神道流
katsu hayabi
katsujin ken
keichu
Atemi point on back of neck
keiko
keiko gi
Practice uniform.
ken
sword
kenjutsu剣術
fencing
"the art of the sword"
kenkokotsu
Shoulder blades
kesa
Lapel / part of monk's costume hanging from left shoulder.
kesa giri
diagonal cut with a sword
ki
kiai気合
A shout delivered for the purpose of focussing all of one's energy
kichon基本
kihon
Fundamental
kihonwaza
Fundamental techniques
kikan
Trachea
kiku
Lower
kime決め
kimono着物
ki musubi
kiri
cut
kiriotoshi切り落し
kiyotsukete
Be careful
kiza
Kneeling, but up on the toes.
kobayashi hiroaki小林弘明
kobayashi morio小林保雄
kobudo古武道
kohai後輩
Junior student
kojiki
koko
Area between thumb and forefinger
kokoro
Spirit, will, heart, intuition, mood
kokorogamae心構え
Mental attitude
kokutsu
Backward leaning
kokyu呼吸
breath
kokyudosa呼吸動作
Breath-power movement (from seiza)
kokyu ho呼吸法
morotetori kokyu nage or ryotemochi kokynage ude-oroshi irimi
kokyu nage呼吸投げ
Breath throw (There are a zillion of these in Aikido. Most of them just variations of the basic techniques)
kokyu ryoku
komi
Coming close or drawing near.
kongo
Blade vertical in front of face.
koryu
Old style
kosadori交差取り
hand grab (katatedori ai-hanmi)
koshi
koshinage腰投げ
Hip throw
koshita
back plate on hakama.
kotai
kote
Wrist
kotegaeshi小手返し
Wrist turn-out
kotehineri小手ひねり
kotemawashi小手回しSee nikyo
kototama
koutai
Change
ku
kubi
Neck
kubinaka
Atemi point at base of skull
kudan九段
kuden
kujiki
Strain
kukyo
9. principle = Inverted nanakyo
kumijo組杖
Staff partnership practices
kumitachi組太刀
Sword partnership practice
kushin
Springing in to attack
kusshinuke
To dodge an attack
kyoshi
Middle title from ZNKR, must be 7th dan.
kyu
Student grade; Nine
kyudan九段
kyudo弓道
kyusho
Vital point on body
m
ma ai間合い
Combat engagement distance
mae
Forward
mae geri
maenosen
Taking the initiative; Attacking the instant your opponent thinks about it
mae ukemi前受身
ukemi Forward
magatama
maki
Wrapped around
maki otoshi
nage ends up down on one knee, having thrown uke over nage's shoulder
masagatsu
masakatsu agatsu正勝吾勝
massugu
Straight ahead
masurawo
mata
The thigh; the groin
matadachi
Split in side of hakama.
mate
Wait
mawashi
A turn; a rotation
mawatte
Turn around
me
mei to
men
head, face guard
mentsuki面突き
michi
migi
Right
migihammi右半身
mikazuki
Atemi at corner of jaw
mimi
Ears
misogi
purification ceremony
mochi
moku roku
A catalog of techniques
mokuso
Close the eyes, meditation
Meditation
mon
Family crests on uniform
montsuki
Wide sleaved top with mon on chest, sleeve and back.
moroha zukuri
morote
Both hands
morotedori諸手取りSee katateryotedori
mu
mudansha
Members with kyu grades
mukozune
Atemi point in middle of shin
munamoto dori
mune
Chest
mune dori
One or two hand lapel hold.
munen mushin
Striking without conscience
munen muso無念無想
The goal of zazen
munetsuki胸突き
Thrust toward knot on obi
murasame
Pressure points on each side of neck behind collar bone
mushin, mujushin
musubi
Ending, conclusion, union
n
nagare
nagashi
Flow
nagashi waza
Flowing from one technique to next
nage
Doer of the technique (defender)
naike
Pressure point on inside of ankle
naka
Center
nakaima
naka ni
To the center
nanadan七段
nanakyo
7. principle = Yonkyo applied to back of wrist
naname
Diagonal
ne waza
Grappling techniques
ni
Two
nidan二段
nigen
nikkyu二級
nikyo二教
2. principle = kote mawashi, kotemaki
ninindori
ninjo
What you have to do
no
Possessive particle of speech
nobashi
Stretched out
nogare
Breathing method featuring long exhalation with sharp gasp
nuki
Pull
nukite
Ends of stiffened fingers
o
obi
Belt (White belt , Black belt
oitsuki
A step-punch
oji
A response
oji waza
To block and then counterattack
okugi
omote
Front
omote waza
Techniques that are revealed to the public
omoto kyo
onegaishimasuお願いします
Please (when asking for something, usually as in Please lets practice together)
osae
Press; push; to immobolize
osae waza
Pinning techniques.
o sensei大先生
Great Teacher, UESHIBA Morihei
otagai ni rei
Bow to each other
otoshi
Dropping
oyowaza
r
randori乱取り
Free style
rei
Bow
reigan
reigi
Etiquette; also reishiki
reishikiSee reigi
reigi saho
renshi
Title bestowed from ZNKR in addition to Dan ranks.
renshu
Hard work on basics
renzoku
ritsurei
A standing bow
ritsuzen
Standing meditiation
rokkyo
6. principle = hijikimeosae or wakikatame or udehishigi
rokkyu六級
roku
Six
rokudan六段
rokyu六級
ryokata dori両肩取り
Grabbing both shoulders.
ryote dori両手取り
Two hands holding two hands.
ryu, ryugi, ryuha
s
sabaki
Body motion
saho
The left direction
san
Three
sandan参段;三段
sangen
sankaku
Triangle
sankyo三教
3. principle = kote hineri, shibori-kime
sankyu三級
sannindori
sarutahiko o kami
satori
Enlightenment
satsujin ken
sayu
seigan
Natural step, fundamental kamae.
seikatanden
Lower abdomen
seiken
Front of fist
seikichu
The spine
seiza正座
Kneeling on both calves.
semete
Attacker
sempai先輩
Senior student
sen
The initiative; also 1000
senaka
The back of the body
senjutsu
Tactics
sennosen
Seizing initiative just as opponents initiates attack
sensei先生
Instructor
sensei ni rei
Bow to sensei
sente
The person who takes the initiative
shichidan七段
shichikyu七級
shichi; nana
Seven
shidoin
shihan
A senior teacher, properly used within the school only, when outside, use sensei
shiho
shiho nage四方投げ
Four direction throw
shikaku
shiki
Ceremony, style, form
shikko膝行
On one's knees
shime
shimoseki下関
shimoza下座
shin
shinai
Bamboo sword
shinden
shingon mikkyo
shinken
shinken shobu
shinshin
Mind and body
shinshin shugyo
Mind and body training
shinshin toitsu
Mind and body unified
shintai
The body
shinto
shinzen ni rei
Bow to shrine
shita
Down
shita hara
Lower abdomen
shitano
Of the lower part
shi waza
A counter technique
shi; yon
A (samurai) person; Four
shizoku
Safe spot
sho
Small
shodan初段
shomen正面
Face
Straight ahead
shomen kiri正面斬
shomenuchi正面打ち
Overhead strike to the head.
shoshin
Beginners mind
shuchu
Concentration
shugeki
Attack
shugyo
Training, pursuit of knowledge
shuhai
Back of the hand
shumatsu dosa
shuto
Edge of hand
sode
Sleeve
Sleeve, on practice top.
sode dori
Sleeve grab
sojutsu
soke
Head of style (actually head of family, unifier of gods and lineage)
sokei
Groin
soko
There, that position
sokuso
Tips of toes (for kicking)
sokutei
Bottom of heel
sokuto
Edge of foot
sotai
soto
outside
suburi素振り
sudori
Momentum
sukashiwaza
Techniques performed without allowing the attacker to complete a grab or to initiate a strike.
suki
An opening for an attack
sukui
Scooping
sumigaeshi
corner throw
sumimasen済みません
excuse me (to attract attention)
sumiotoshi角落し
Corner drop
susa no wo no mikoto
sutemi waza
a technique accomplished by sacrificing your body
suwari座り
suwari waza座技
techniques executed with both uke and nage in a seated position
suwatte
sit down
t
tabi
Japanese sock-slippers used in dojo
tachi
Standing
a Japanese long sword
tachi dori太刀取り
Sword takeaways
tachi waza立技
Standing techniques
taiatari
Body contact
taiatariuchiotoshi
from yokomenuchi, entering and blocking, uke gets thrown backwards
taibuki waza
taichikara
External power (muscle)
taijutsu
Body art
taino henko体の変更
Reversing the body's position
tai no tenkan ho
taisabaki
Body motion
taiso
taka ama hara
takeda, sokaku
takemusubi
takemusubi aiki
tama
tamashii
tanden
Abdomen
tanden no ichi
tandoku keiko
taningeiko
Practicing with multiple attackers
taninzudori
tanomo
Large sleeves on formal tops
tanren
tanto短刀
tantodori短刀取り
Knife takeaways
taoshi
To tip over
tatami
Mat
tateki
Multiple attackers
tatekigeiko
Practicing with multiple attackers
tatekiuchi
Fighting with multiple attackers
tatsu jin
tatte
Raise
te
hand
tekatana手刀
The arm as sword
teisho
Heel of the hand
tekubi
Wrist
tekubiosae手首抑えSee yon.kyo
ten
tenchi nage天地投げ
Heaven and earth throw
tenkan転換
Pivot
tenohira
Palm of hand
Tenshin Shoden Katori Shinto ryuSee Katori Shinto ryu
tento
Atemi point on top of head
tenugui手拭い
Small hand cloth to wipe face. Also worn under the helmet in kendo.
tettsui
Hammer fist
teura
Inside of wrist
tewaza手技
Hand techniques (as opposed to weapons)
tobikoshiukemi
tori
tsugiashi
tsukami
To seize (and immobilize)
tsuki突き
Straight thrust (punch), usually a Chudan Oi-zuki
tsurugi
u
uchi打ち
strike
uchi
inside
uchideshi内弟子
A live-in student
uchima
Distance where you can strike by taking a single step
uchimata
The inside of the throw
uchi tachi
uchite
The attacker
uchiwaza
Striking techniques
ude
The arm
ude osae腕抑えSee ikkyo
ue
Up
ueshiba kisshomaru植芝吉祥丸
ueshiba morihei植芝盛平
ueshiba moriteru植芝守央
uke受け
Receiver of the technique (attacker)
ukemi受身
Lit. "receiving with the body"
uke tachi
ukewaza
Blocking techniques
uki
Floating
undo運動
exercise
ura
Back
uraken
Back of fist
ushiro
Rearward, behind
ushiro dori後ろ取り
ushiro eri dori
Neck grab from the back
ushiro kubi jime後ろ首占め
rear choke
ushiro oroshi
ushiro ryokata dori
As above from the back
ushiro ryote dori
As above from the back
ushiro tekubi dori後ろ手首取り
Wrist grab from the back
ushiro udoroshi
pull down from behind
ushiro ukemi後ろ受け身
ukemi rearwards
ushiro waza
Techniques from rear attacks
uwa gi
Practice top
w
waka
wakarimasen
I don't understand
wakarimasu
I understand
waki
side, armpit
waki gamae
Sword pointed down and back, for a sutemi (sacrifice) waza. Usually sword on right side (migi waki gamae), left foot forward. Other purpose - hiding length of sword, especially in case of a broken one.
wakikage
Atemi point in armpit
waza
technique
y
yagyu shinkage ryu
yame止め
Stop
yang
yawara kai
yin
yinyang
yo
Positive principle of nature
yoi
Ready
yoinbuki
External (power) breathing
yoko
Horizontal, to the side
yokofurumi
Sideward motion
yokomen横面
Side of the head
yokomenuchi横面打
Diagonal strike to the side of the head.
yoko uchi
A sideward strike
yoko ukemi横受け身
Sideways ukemi
yondan四段
yonin dori
yonkyo四教
4. principle = tekubi osae
yonkyu四級
yubi
Finger
yudansha
Members with dan grades
yukuri
Slow
yumi
A bow (archery)
yuru yaka ni
Smooth
z
zaidan hojin aikikai財団法人合気会
zanshin
lit. "remaining spirit", balanced and aware state
zarei
zekken
Chest patch embroidered with own name and dojo name.
zengaku
Forehead
zengo
zenpo
Front
zenshin
The entire body
zentai
Total
zenwan
Forearm
zori
Japanese sandals for use outside dojo.
zukiSee tsu.ki

Todo