This list should be used as a reference while one is training.  It is not something to be memorized.

 

General

 

Ai – blending

Ki – energy, spirit, breath

Do – path, way

Hanmi – stance

Hara – center

Kokyu – breath power

Ma ai – spacing; distance

Nage – one engaging a technique (defender)

Uke – one receiving a technique (attacker)

Ukemi – to receive; falling; following

Onegaishimasu – please; if you will

Domo arrigato gozaimashita – thank you very much for what we have done

Dojo – school

Kamiza – front focal point in dojo; “place of the kami”

Sensei - teacher

Shihan – master teacher

Shidoin – certified second-level instructor

Fukushidoin – certified first-level instructor

Dan – black belt rank

Kyu – white belt rank

Deshi – apprentice

Senpai – senior student

Kohai – junior student

Waza – technique

Suwari waza – kneeling techniques

Tachi waza – standing techniques

Hanmi handachi – nage sitting, uke standing

Seiza – traditional sitting position on knees

Shikko – knee walking

Atemi – opening/deflecting strike

Kata – form

Jo – wooden staff

Bokken – wooden sword

Tanto – wooden knife

Gi – uniform

Hakama – traditional wide-legged pants worn over gi pants

Musubi – connectedness; continuous contact between uke and nage

 

 

Numbers

 

ichi – 1, ni – 2, san – 3, shi / yon – 4, go – 5,

roku – 6, shichi / nana – 7, hachi – 8, ku – 9, ju – 10

 

 

Body Movements & Footwork

 

Irimi – entering

Tenkan – turning

Tenchin – stepping back off the line and reversing stance

Omote – to uke’s front

Ura – to uke’s back

Soto – outside

Uchi – inside

Hanmi — stance; "half body"

Ai hanmi – mutual stance; nage and uke have same foot forward

Gyaku hanmi – reverse stance; nage and uke have opposite foot forward

 

 

Attacks

 

Katatetori – one hand grasping wrist

Ryotetori – two hands grasping each wrist

Morotetori – two hands grasping one arm

Katatori – one hand grasping shoulder/lapel

Yokomenuchi – diagonal strike to neck/head

Shomenuchi – overhead strike to head

Tsuki – straight punch

Ushiro tekubitori – both hands grasped from behind

Ushiro ryokatatori – both shoulders grasped from behind

Ushiro kubishime – one hand grasped from behind plus neck hold

 

 

Techniques

 

Ikkyo – first immobilization technique

Nikkyo – second immobilization technique

Sankyo – third immobilization technique

Yonkyo – fourth immobilization technique

Gokyo – fifth immobilization technique

Iriminagi – entering throw

Tenchinage – heaven & earth throw

Shihonage – four directions throw

Kotegaeshi – wrist turn throw

Kokyunage – breath power throw

Sumiotoshi – corner drop

Koshinage – hip throw

Kaitenage – rotary throw

Jujinage – underarm throw; #10 throw

Aikiotoishi – body drop

Kokyuho / Kokyu dosa – ki/breath exercise

Henka waza – changing technique

Kaeshi waza – reversing technique