
Aikido Glossary (alphabetically sorted)

(© 1996/97 Hans-Peter Dommel -- any mistakes in this glossary are solely due
to the author and do not reflect the opinion of other North Bay Aikido members.)
Note:
This glossary of Aikido terms and techniques is intended to serve
as a brief reference to the art, not as a thorough account for
the inherent complexity of certain concepts. The glossary is sorted
alphabetically across all concepts. Although comprehensive,
it is far from complete.
Please feel free to
submit further terms
to be included.
- AI (different writing/pronunciation) love
- AI harmony; coming together; integration; unification; unity
- AI (GYAKUTE)-DORI cross hand grab
- AIKI O-KAMI Great spirit of Aiki; supreme symbol of AIKIDO ideals
- AITE partner
- AIUCHI "mutual strike"; position in which both partners can strike
- AMATERASU sun
- AME NO FURITAMA standing squarely, left hand resting (palmdown) on top of right hand (palmup); hands are gently shaken to relieve all tension in the body
- AME NO TORI-FUNE "rowing movements" in hanmi position; shinto practice to cleanse the mind and spirit; in a metaphorical sense, row your boat through the spiritual levels of heaven towards purification
- AME-NO-MURAKUMO-KUKI-SAMUHARA-RYO-O guardian angel of O'Sensei ("Heavenly, Awesome, Enlightened Dragon King")
- AME-NO-UKIHASHI "Floating bridge of heaven", symbolizing connection between
earthly and spiritual realms of existence
- ASHI foot, leg
- ATEMI diverting, defensive strike or blow
- ATEMI-WAZA striking techniques
- AWASE blending
- BO long wooden staff
- BO-DORI long staff taking
- BOKKEN wooden sword
- BUDO the way of the warrior arts; the way of protection, of society, strength and honor in peace
- BUJUTSU technical fighting
- BUSHIDO warrior's code, "the way of the warrior"
- BUSHIN highest level of spiritual communion
- CHI Wisdom
- CHINKON(-KISHIN) settle down and calm the spirit
- TEN-NO-KOKYU "breath of heaven" posture in chinkon-kishin
- CHI-NO-KOKYU "breath of earth" posture in chinkon-kishin
- CHOKUSEN-NO-IRIMI direct entering behind attack
- CHUDAN middle position
- CHUDAN middle-level position (of hands, sword etc.)
- DAN black belt rank; graduate/yudansha rank (1st dan to 10th dan)
- DESHI student, pupil, disciple
- DO the Way or Path
- DOJO place where the Way is revealed; a place for strengthening and refinement body, mind and spirit
- DOJO-CHO head of the dojo
- DOKA "Songs of the Way", didactic poems of O'Sensei
- DOMO ARRIGATO (GOZAIMASHITA) thank you (very much)
- DOSHU honorary title for the master of the art; the current Aikido doshu
is Moriteru Ueshiba, grandson of O'Sensei
- FUDO-NO-SHISEI immovable (firm and steady) posture
- FUDO-SHIN "steadfast spirit", unassailable presence of mind
- FUKU-SHIDOIN assistant instructor; usually 2nd dan and below
- FURI-TAMA to shake up, cleanse, polish the soul itself
- GAESHI to reverse
- GAMBATTE "hang in there!"
- GASSHUKU seminar, workshop
- GEDAN low position
- GI Justice
- GI white training uniform
- GO 5
- GOKYO Fifth teaching (reverse grip of ikkyo, esp. for knife attacks)
- HAJIME begin!
- HAJIRU repentance
- HAKAMA wide-skirted pants worn over gi; symbol of the samurai culture and typically worn by Aikido yudansha
- HANMI relaxed triangular (T-)stance , "half-body" (sankakutai)
- HANMI-HANDACHI nage is kneeling and uke attacks from standing
- HANTAI reverse, opposite
- HAPPO GIRI (UNDO) eight corner cutting/extension movement
- HARA stomach
- HARAGEI the art of developing the hara
- HATI [HACHI] 8
- HENKO-WAZA switching from one technique to another
- HIDARI left
- HIJI elbow
- HIJI-DORI elbow grab
- HIZA knee
- IAI release of physical and spiritual power in form of a piercing scream originating in the hara; literally "the meeting of spirits"
- ICHI 1
- IKI breath; physical act of respiration
- IKKYO First teaching
- IRIMI entering (2nd pillar of Aikido)
- IRIMI front technique, entering, moving into and through the line of attack
- IRIMI-NAGE entering throw ("20-year throw")
- JIN Benevolence
- JIN-NO-KOKYU the breath of human beings; third stage in breath meditation
- JIYU-WAZA free-style techniques with one uke (specific or any attacks)
- JO short wooden staff (48" - 55" long and 3/4" - 1" thick)
- JO-DORI short staff taking
- JO-DORI techniques for disarming opponent armed with JO
- JO-TAI-KEN training with JO paired against KEN
- JODAN high position
- JOSEKI upper side of mat, opposite the shimoseki
- JU [JUU] 10
- JU principle of flexibility; the willow aspect of Aikido techniques and philosophy
- JUJI-NAGE (JUJI-GARAMI) crossed arm (X, ten) throw
- JUKEN bayonet
- KAESHI to return, come back (trans. of kaeru, from kaesu)
- KAESHI-WAZA reverse (counter) techniques
- KAIRIMIRU reflection
- KAISO founder (of Aikido)
- KAITEN opening and turning (3rd pillar of Aikido)
- KAITEN to revolve, rotate; wheel, round; "open and turn"
- KAITEN-NAGE rotary throw
- KAMAE posture or stance of readiness; there are different stances, each with different positions for the hands or weapon
- KAMI fire and water; deity (natural gods and goddesses); spirit of the universe; the divine
- KAMIZA upper seat on the mat, opposite the shimoza
- KANCHO supervisor, director of school
- KANGEIKO "cold training"; intensified winter training
- KANSHA deep and heartfelt gratitude
- KATA "fixed form"; predetermined practice patterns used as learning vehicle
- KATA a prescribed set of movements (often in solo practice)
- KATA shoulder
- KATA-DORI shoulder grab
- KATANA (medium length japanese) sword, blade
- KATATE-DORI single-wrist grab
- KATSUHAYABI "victory right here, right now"; principal tenet of AIKIDO
- KEI respect
- KEIKO study or practice; reflection and refinement, returning to the origin and discovering reality
- KEN sword
- KOSHI-ZORI deepest curvature of ken towards handle
- TORII-ZORI curvature of ken greater in middle of blade
- SAKI-ZORI greatest curvature towards end of blade
- KI spirit; life force; vital energy; strength; sensitivity
- KI-NO-NAGARE free-flowing techniques
- KIAI focusing of spirit through sound; sharp shout created from the hara to unbalance opponent; projection of ki
- KIHON-DOSA basic movements
- KIKAI TANDEN physical and spiritual center of human being
- KIMUSUBI linking of ki; blending of energies
- KOGI-FUNE-UNDO "rowing the boat"; warmup exercise adopted from Misogi-ritual
- KOHAI junior student; anyone who begins the study of Aikido. Advanced students should help and support them
- KOKYU breath power; concentrated power; good timing (4th pillar of Aikido)
- KOKYU power of breath and life force; coordination of ki flow and breathing
- KOKYU-HO (KOKYO DOSA) seated technique using ki to throw and pin partner
- KOKYU-NAGE "breath throw", using timing of body and spirit without applying pressure to partner's joints
- KOKYU-UNDO breath (air) movement exercises
- KOSHI hip, lateral pelvis, waist
- KOSHI-NAGE hip throw
- KOTE-GAESHI apply wrist reversal to throw partner
- KOTODAMA the spiritual function of sound; every one-syllable sound has its own spiritual vibration
- KU [KYUU] 9
- KU emptiness; the void created by Aikido countermoves
- KUBI neck
- KUBISHIME choke
- KUCHI mouth
- KUDEN secret teachings, imparted by word of mouth
- KUIRU feeling of shame
- KUMANO ancient district in Wakayama prefecture, considered as the home of Japanese spirituality
- KURO-OBI "black belt"
- KYU white belt grade; undergraduate/mudansha rank (usually 6th kyu to 1st kyu)
- MA-AI distance of time and space between uke and nage; the direction and movement of mind and spirit, along with physical distance, determine the balance of power and proper usage of space
- MAKOTO sincerity, truth
- MAKOTO-NO-KOKYU "true breath"; third stage of breath meditation
- MASAKATSU AGATSU "truth is victorious; therefore, I am victorious"; Aiki victory; principal tenet of AIKIDO
- ME eye
- MEN head
- MIGI right
- MISOGI purification of mind, body and spirit, realized by keiko, cleaning, fasting or other exercises
- MOROTE-DORI (RYOTE MOCHI) both hands grabbing one wrist
- MUDANSHA holder of white/colored belt degree
- MUNADORI chest grab
- MUNE chest
- MUNE-TSUKI strike to chest or stomach
- MUSHIN no mind; a mind without ego; a mind that reflects and does not judge; state of absolute clarity and absence of thoughts
- MUSUBI process of unification of opposites as different images of the same reality; movement of the spiral
- NAGARE flow; unbroken flow of KI during execution of technique
- NAGE "thrower"; defender; the person applying a technique
- NAGINATA spear with knife at end
- NAI KAN GYO silence and action; training teaching us to still the mind and look inside
- NI 2
- NIKYO Second teaching (using wrist pressure)
- O'SENSEI great teacher; the founder of Aikido, Morihei Ueshiba (Dec 14, 1883 - Apr 26, 1969)
- OBI belt (part of gi)
- OMOIYARI a mind of concern for other's feelings and safety
- OMOTE to the front
- ONEGAISHIMASU please (train with me); I ask a favor
- OSAE-WAZA pinning techniques (5th pillar of aikido)
- OSORU feeling of fear
- OSU warrior greeting
- OYO-WAZA techniques with practical applications in self-defense
- PILARS OF AIKIDO:
- IRIMI-NAGE entering throws
- KAITEN open-and-turn movements
- KOKYU-HO breath-power techniques
- OSAE-WAZA pinning techniques
- SHIHO-NAGE four direction throws
- USHIRO-WAZA rear techniques
- RANDORI free-style practice with multiple attackers
- REI (command) to bow; salutation
- REI Courtesy, Manners, Respect
- REIGI proper etiquette, respecting the creative force and spirit in all of us; literally "holy spirit"
- REPPAKU NO KIAI "ei"; the shout that cuts away barriers or impurities, thereby uniting opposites; symbolizing the sword of life which cuts things together, as opposed to the sword of death which further divides and separates
- RIAI integrated principles of aiki-ken, aiki-jo, and taijutsu
- RITSUREI standing salutation
- ROKKUTSU rib
- ROKU 6
- RYOTE both hands
- RYOTE-DORI both hands grabbing one wrist each
- SAHO etiquette used in performing bows, handling JO and KEN etc.
- SAN 3
- SANGEN triangle (pyramid), circle (sphere), square (cube) - the three most perfect proportions in geometry
- triangle - body, mind, spirit; past, present, future;
heaven, earth, humankind; signifies ki flow,
creation of energy and initiative
- circle - unity, serenity, perfection; signifies liquid dimension,
source of unlimited techniques
- square - earth, water, fire, air; signifies solid dimension,
applied control based on form and solidity
- SANKAKU-IRIMI triangular entering (ISSOKU-IRIMI, one-step irimi)
- SANKYO Third teaching (using wrist pressure)
- SATORI enlightenment
- SEIZA formal sitting position; the only proper sitting on the mat
- SEMPAI anyone who began the study of Aikido before you; you should respect this person's experience
- SENAKA back
- SENSEI teacher; anyone who gives guidance along the way; literally "born before"
- SENSHIN purified and cleansed heart and spirit; enlightened attitude
- SHI (YON) 4
- SHIDOIN teacher typically with sandan rank
- SHIHAN master teacher with rank of 6th dan or above
- SHIHO GIRI (UNDO) four corner cutting/extension movement
- SHIHO four directions
- SHIHO-NAGE four-direction throw (applied at wrist) (1st pillar of Aikido)
- SHIKKO knee-walking
- SHIME to squeeze/choke
- SHIME to squeeze/choke
- SHIMOSEKI lower side of the mat
- SHIMOZA lower seat on the mat
- SHIN Faithfulness, Trustfulness
- SHIN KOKYU divine or spirit breath
- AMATERASU NO OMIKAMI sun goddess, representing the divine,
impartial love;
- O'HARAIDO NO OMIKAMI spirit of purification and cleansing
- AME NO MINAKANUSHI NO OMIKAMI spirit of the universal center
- SHIN SHIN TOITSU unification of mind and body
- SHINAI split bamboo practice sword
- SHINBU FUSATSU "divine techniques do not kill"; principal tenet in AIKIDO philosophy
- SHINTO "way of the gods"; traditional religion of Japan
- SHIZENTAI basic, natural posture
- SHODAN 1st degree black belt
- SHOMEN in the dojo the upper seat with the shrine housing the picture of the founder and the spirit of Aikido (not a religious, but rather a spiritual symbol); also: front or top of head
- SHOMEN-TSUKI strike (thrust) to the face
- (SHO)MEN-UCHI strike to (top of) head
- SHUGYO intensive training (spiritual, mental, physical, ascetic); the "day-to-day struggle"; lifelong discipline; the work of education to refine and purify the quality of life
- SITI [SHICHI] (NANA) 7
- SUBURI single movement using sword or staff (bo/jo) in solo practice; suburi
is training as opposed to kumi tachi, which is study (keiko)
- SUBURITO heavy wooden training bokken to refine sword practice
- SUKI opening gap; vulnerability; moment of carelessness or inattention
- SUMI-OTOSHI four direction throw (applied at upper arm)
- SUTEMI hard (high) fall; literally "to throw away or sacrifice the body"
- SUWARI-WAZA techniques practiced on knees
- TACHI (japanese long) sword; can also mean "from standing position"
- TACHI-DORI attack with bokken, sword taking
- TACHI-WAZA standing techniques
- TAI NO HENKO "pivoting of the body"; basic blend (tenkan turn)
- TAI-JUTSU body techniques; empty-handed techniques (done without weapons)
- TAI-SABAKI body movements
- TAI-SABAKI two-step turn, body-turning
- TAKEMUSU AIKI "courageous and creative living"; motto of AIKIDO
- TANDEN center (of being)
- TANDEN place of "one-point"; center of body below navel
- TANINSU-GAKE free-style techniques against multiple attackers
- TANREN "forging the body and mind"; especially intensive training
- TANREN striking practice with sword or bokken; the same cut is practiced over and over again; can also be done with a wooden staff
- TANTO (wooden) knife
- TANTO DORI techniques to disarm attacker who is using a knife
- TANTO-DORI attack with knife, knife taking
- TE hand
- TEGATANA "hand-sword"; edge of hand
- TEKUBI wrist
- TEN-CHI heaven-earth dichotomy
- TEN-NO-KOKYU "breath of heaven"; first stage of breath meditation
- TENCHI-NAGE heaven-and-earth throw
- TENKAN/URA-WAZA "back" technique, turning
- TOBU-UKEMI "flying break-fall"
- TORI "the one who takes" (alternate term for NAGE)
- TSUKI thrusting strike
- UCHI inside
- UCHI to strike
- UCHI-DESHI devoted, personal student living in dojo with teacher
- UCHI-DESHI live-in disciple who trains full time under senior instructor
- UCHI-GATAME "pounding the body with the firsts"; warm-up exercise used to stimulate the skin and muscles
- UKE "receiver"; the person providing the attack and falling
- UKEMI the art of receiving/taking actions as uke/falling
- URA rear, back
- URA to the rear/back
- USHIRO-DORI rear "bear hug"
- USHIRO-KATATE-DORI-KUBI-SHIME rear choke with one wrist held
- USHIRO-RYO-HIJI-DORI both elbows grabbed from rear
- USHIRO-RYO-KATA-DORI both shoulders grabbed from the rear
- USHIRO-RYO-TEKUBI-DORI both wrists grabbed from the rear
- USHIRO-RYOTE-DORI both wrists grabbed from the rear
- USHIRO-WAZA rear techniques ("sixth sense") (6th pillar of Aikido)
- WAJUTSU the technique of coordination
- WAKIZASHI (short japanese) sword
- WAZA technique(s)
- YAME quit, give up, stop (from yameru)
- YARI spear
- YOBI-DASHI "calling out"; preemptive strike intended to neutralize an attack before it starts to develop
- YOKO (to the) side
- YOKOMEN-UCHI side of the head (diagonal) strike
- YONKYO Fourth teaching (using nerve pressure)
- YUBI fingers
- YUDANSHA holder of black belt degree
- ZANSHIN continuity; remaining aware and prepared for the next attack; calm awareness; retention of the mind; unbroken concentration
- ZAZEN meditation posture and exercise
