ago

顎

chin, jaw

agura

胡坐

to sit cross-legged (Indian-style)

ai

合い

(before a noun: expression of interrelation) mutual, reciprocal, each other, together (ref. verb “au”)

[Not to be confused with “ai” 愛 “love”!]

ai-hanmi

相半身

“mutual half body”: practice partners stand in mutual half-body position (right-right or left-left leg forward)

aiki

合気

posture and attitude, where breathing, senses and intention (of two or more persons) complement each other; “synergy”.

(ref. “au” 合う and “ki” 気)

aikidō

合気道

“way of synergy”, “way, where breathing, senses and intention complement each other”

aikidōka

合気道家

aikidō practitioner (usually used for professional or semi-professional practitioners)

Aikikai

合気会

„Aiki Association“: name of the world association of the Aikikai foundation

aite

相手

(practice) partner, companion; opponent, enemy

Ame no torifune

(also “funakogi”)

天の鳥船

(舟漕ぎ）

“Heavenly Birdboat”: rowing movement with arms and hips, to transfer body and mind into a heavenly state; (warmup exercise and ritual purification)

antei

(also “baransu”)

安定

(バランス)

balance, stability, equilibrium

“Arigatō gozaimasu.”

(“-gozaimashita”)

｢ありがとうございます。」

｢…ございました。｣

“Thank you very much!”

ashi

足

foot, leg

ashi-kubi

足首

ankle

ashi-sabaki

足捌き

movement of the legs, footwork

atemi

当身

“hit the body”: strike, blow to vital body points

au

合う

a) to meet, to come together, to find one another, to build a unit

b) to match, to be in agreement, to correspond

c) to fit to one another, to be in harmony, to go together, to complete one another

awaseru

合わせる

a) to bring together, to unite, to connect

b) to adjust, to fit, to coordinate, to tune

ayumi-ashi

歩み足

“walking foot”: step forward like walking naturally

baransu

(also “antei”)

バランス

(安定)

balance, stability, equilibrium

bokken

木剣

wooden sword

bokutō

木刀

wooden sword

bōryoku

暴力

brutal, criminal violence (negative)

bu

武

a) warlike, martial;

b) courage, bravery;

c) military (affairs)

budō

武道

“warlike way”, “military way”: martial arts

bujutsu

武術

“warlike technique”: martial fighting system

buki

武器

weapon

buki-tori

武器取り

“take weapon away”: techniques to disarm an opponent

buki-waza

武器技

weapon techniques

chikara

力

power, strength

chikara no kōshi

力の行使

use, exercise of (legitimate) power (e.g. by the police)

chinkon kishin

鎮魂帰神

“Appeasement of the soul, return to the divine”: purification ritual in order to reach a blessed state

chūdan

中段

middle height (between shoulders and belt line), midlevel

chūshin

中心

center

dai ikkyō (ude-osae)

第一教 (腕抑え)

“first teaching” (arm suppression, arm control): submission of an attacker on the floor by pinning his arm

dai nikyō (kote-mawashi)

第二教 (小手回し)

“second teaching” (hand rotation): submission of an attacker by rotating his hand

dai sankyō (kote-hineri)

第三教 (小手捻り)

“third teaching” (hand twisting): submission of an attacker by twisting his hand and forearm

dai yonkyō (tekubi-osae)

第四教 (手首抑え)

“fourth teaching” (wrist suppression, wrist control): submission of an attacker through a controlling grip on his wrist

dai gokyō (ude-hishigi)

第五教 (腕ひしぎ)

“fifth teaching” (arm crush): submission of an attacker by crushing his wrist between elbow and floor until his hand opens (to disarm him)

dan

段

stage, grade, (master-) rank

deshi

弟子

pupil, disciple, student

dō

(also michi)

道

a) path, way (of life)

b) morality, justice, moral principle

(Chin. “tao”)

dōgi

(also keiko-gi)

道着

(稽古着）

(martial arts) uniform

dōjō

道場

a) religious practice hall

b) martial arts school, martial arts practice hall

dōsa

動作

movement, action

Dōshu

道主

“Head” or “master of the way”: honorific for Ueshiba Moriteru as official successor of Aikidō's founder Ueshiba Morihei.

eri

襟

collar, lapel

enbu (-kai)

演武 (会)

(martial arts) demonstration

funakogi

(also “Ame no tori­fune”)

舟漕ぎ

(天の鳥船)

“boat rowing”: rowing movement with arms and hips, to transfer body and mind into a heavenly state; (warmup exercise and ritual purification)

furitama

振魂

“soul shaking”: shaking movement with clasped hands in front of your belly in order to set body and soul vibrating (warmup exercise and ritual purifi­cation)

futari-gake

二人掛け

“to set two people on someone”: defence practice against two opponents

gasshuku

合宿

“lodging together”: training camp, (two or more days) practice seminar

gedan

下段

lower level (under beltline), lower tier, lower step

gi

着

(martial arts) uniform, clothing

(dai) gokyō

(ude-hishigi)

(第) 五教

(腕ひしぎ)

“fifth teaching” (arm crush): submission of an attacker by crushing his wrist between elbow and floor until his hand opens (to disarm him)

gō no keiko

剛の稽古

“hard, strong practice”: static practice of movements and technique sequences emphasizing power and strength

goshinjutsu

護身術

self defense (techniques)

gyaku

逆

contrary, opposite, reverse

gyaku-hanmi

逆半身

“contrary half body”: practice partners stand in contrary half-body position (right-left leg forward)

haishin-undō

背伸運動

back stretching exercise

hakama

袴

Japanese divided skirt

handachi

半立ち

“half standing”: one practice partner is kneeling, one is standing

hanmi

半身

“half body”: position half turned to the side, half position

hantai

反対

opposite, contrary

happō-giri

八方切り

“eight direction cutting”

henka

変化

change, alteration, variation

henka-waza

変化技

change of technique, alteration from basic form

hidari

左

left

hidari-hanmi

左半身

“left half position”

hiji

肘

elbow

hiza

膝

knee

hō

法

method, rule, law

honbu

本部

head office, headquarters

(Aikikai) Honbu-Dōjō

(合気会)本部道場

Headquarters and central school of Aikikai foundation

(dai) ikkyō

(ude-osae)

(第) 一教

(腕抑え)

“first teaching” (arm suppression, arm control): submission of an attacker on the floor by pinning his arm

irimi

入り身

“entering body”: entering into the attacker by stepping forward

irimi-nage

入り身投げ

“entering body throw”: attacker is thrown by stepping forwards and thus entering his position

jiko-bōei

自己防衛

self defense

jiyū

自由

freedom, free

jiyū-geiko

(also “jiyū-renshū”)

自由稽古

(自由練習)

“free practice” without instruction

jiyū-waza

自由技

“free techniques”: free sequence of techniques

jō

杖

(walking) stick, staff

jōdan

上段

higher level (over shoulders), higher tier, higher step

jō-dori

杖取り

“take staff away”: techniques to disarm an opponent attacking with a staff

jūji

十字

“character ten”: ideograph for the number ten, upright cross

jūji-nage

十字投げ

“character ten throw”: throwing technique, where an attacker's arm are levered crosswise

jūjutsu

柔術

“supple technique”: traditional name for Japanese close combat systems

jūnan

柔軟

supple, flexible, elastic

jūnan-taisō

柔軟体操

calisthenics, stretching exercises

jū no keiko

柔の稽古

“elastic, supple practice”: practice of the supple transitions from one position to the other in technical sequences

jūshin

重心

(physical) center of gravity

jutsu

術

technique, skill

kaeshi-waza

返し技

counter (-technique)

Kaiso

開祖

Founder, Originator: Honorific for Ueshiba Morihei, Aikidō's founder

kaiten

回転

rotation, revolution

kaiten-nage

回転投げ

“rotation throw”: an attacker is thrown by rotating his arm forward over his back and shoulder

kamae

構え

(fighting-) posture, position, guard

kanchū-geiko

寒中稽古

“practice in the cold”: intensive training period in midwinter

kansetsu

関節

(bone-) joint

karada

(also “tai”)

体

body

karada-zukuri

体作り

“body building”, building up of muscles, etc.

kata

肩

shoulder

kata

(also “katachi”)

型

model, pattern, form

katana

刀

sword

katate

片手

“single hand”, one-handedly

katate-dori

片手取り

one-handed grip on a single wrist

katate-ryōte-dori

(also “morote-dori”)

片手両手取り

(諸手取り）

“both hands grip one hand”, two-handed grip on a single wrist

kehai

気配

sign, indication (e.g. of an opponent's intention to attack)

keiko

稽古

practice, training, lesson (in traditional arts)

keiko-gi

(also “dōgi”)

稽古着

(道着)

practice uniform, clothing

ken

剣

sword

kengaku

(also “mitori-geiko”)

見学

(見取り稽古)

“study by observation”, to observe (a practice session)

keri

蹴り

kick

ki

気　・　氣

a) breath, air

b) feeling, emotion, sense

c) will, intention, strength of will

d) mental power, life energy, spiritual energy

kiai

気合

focus or concentration of breathing, mind and intention, (fighting) yell; determination, resolution

kihon

基本

basis, foundation, fundamentals

kihon-waza

基本技

basic, elementary techniques

kiryoku

気力

will power, mental strength

kiza

跪座

“kneeling seat”, kneeling with upright feet (ref. “seiza”)

kōgeki

攻撃

attack

kōhai

後輩

someone's junior, less experienced colleague or student

kokoro

心

heart, feeling, mind

kokyū

呼吸

breathing, respiration

kokyū-hō

呼吸法

“breathing method”

kokyū-ryoku

呼吸力

“breathing power”, power, energy, which develops through correct breathing

komekami

こめかみ

temple (to the sides of your forehead)

kōsa-dori

交差取り

“crossing grip” (also “ai-hanmi katate-dori”)

koshi

腰

lower back, small of the back, waist, hips

koshi-nage

腰投げ

“hip throw”, an attacker is thrown by loading him on the small of your back

kote

小手

hand

kote-gaeshi

小手返し

“hand twist”, an attacker is thrown by twisting his hand back towards his forearm

kotodama

言霊

“word spirit”, “word soul”, spiritual energy, which oscillates within the vibrations of words' sounds (based on the theory that the word and the thing it signifies are identical)

kubi

首

neck, head

kubi-shime

首絞め

strangling hold on the neck

kumi

組

pair, group, union

kuroobi

黒帯

black belt

kuzushi

崩し

tear down, demolish, destroy, break your opponent's balance

kyū

級

(student) grade, rank

maai

間合い

distance, interval

mae

前

in front, forward

meisō

瞑想

contemplation, meditation

michi

(also “dō”)

道

a) path, way (of life)

b) morality, justice, moral principle

(Chin. “tao”)

migi

右

right

migi-hanmi

右半身

right half position

misogi

禊

ablutions, ritual purification (in Shintō)

mitori-geiko

(also “kengaku”)

見取り稽古

(見学)

“study by observation”, to observe (a practice session)

mizo'ochi

鳩尾

pit of the stomach (above the diaphragm)

mokusō

黙想

meditation, contemplation

morote

諸手

(also 両手)

“both hands” (together)

morote-dori

(also “katate-ryōte-dori”)

諸手取り

(片手両手取り）

“both hands grip together”, to grip one wrist/forearm with both hands

mune

胸

chest

musubi

結び

tie, knot; connection, link; (in a transferred sense also) create, generate

nagare

流れ

stream, current

nage (-waza)

投げ （-技）

throw, throwing technique

(dai) nikyō

(kote-mawashi)

(第) 二教

(小手回し)

“second teaching” (hand rotation): levering an opponent by twisting/rotating his hand

obi

帯

belt

okuri-ashi

送り足

“send foot ahead”: way of walking in hanmi, where first the front foot is moved forward and then the back foot (ref. “tsugi-ashi”)

omote

表

face, front

„Onegai shimasu!“

｢お願いします。｣

“May I ask for this (favor, honor)?”

osae (-waza)

抑え（-技）

Suppression, submission, pinning (technique)

Ōsensei

大先生

“Great Teacher”, honorific for Ueshiba Morihei, founder of Aikidō

„Otsukaresama deshita!“

｢お疲れ様でした。｣

“Thank you for your exhausting efforts!” (common greeting after work or practice)

ōyō

応用

(practical) application

ōyō-waza

応用技

practical application of a technique

randori

乱取

“disordered attack”, free practice fight

rasen

螺旋

spiral, screw

rei

礼

Etiquette, courtesy, respect, gratitude; bow, curtsy

reigi

礼儀

courtesy, (good) manners, etiquette

reigi-sahō

礼儀作法

etiquette, courteous manners

renzoku

連続

continuation, succession, sequence; continuous

renzoku-waza

連続技

continuous succession of techniques

ritsugi

(also “tachi-waza”)

立技

execution of techniques while standing

ryōkata

両肩

both shoulders

ryōkata-dori

両肩取り

gripping both shoulders

ryōte

両手

both hands

ryōte-dori

(also “ryōtekubi-dori”)

両手取り

(両手首取り)

gripping both wrists

-ryū

流

style, school; way (to do things)

ryūha

流派

style, school (in traditional arts)

ryū no keiko

流の稽古

“flowing practice”, practice of flowing movements

sabaki

捌き

handle, deal with, manage

(dai) sankyō

(kote-hineri)

(第) 三教

(小手捻り)

“third teaching” (screwing rotation of the hand): levering an opponent through a screwing rotation of his hand

sannin-gake

三人掛け

“to set three people on someone”: defence practice against three opponents

sayū

左右

left and right

seishin

精神

mind, spirit, will, attention, attitude

seishin-ryoku

精神力

emotional strength, will power, mental endurance

seiza

正座

“correct seat”, “erect seat”: kneeling on your stretched out feet (ref. “kiza”)

senpai

先輩

someone's senior, more experienced colleague or student

sensei

先生

“earlier born”: teacher (honorific for teachers, instructors, doctors and politicians)

shidōin

指導員

coach, instructor

shihan

師範

(master-) teacher

shihō

四方

“four directions”

shihō-nage

四方投げ

“four direction throw”: throwing technique, where an opponent's arm is folded back over his shoulder, and with which you can throw your opponent in all directions

shikkō

膝行

“knee walk”, to walk on your knees

shiroobi

白帯

white belt

shisei

姿勢

(body-) posture

shite

(also “tori”)

仕手

(取り)

somebody, who does something, the throwing one, protagonist

„Shitsurei shimasu!“

｢失礼します。｣

“I'm being impolite!”: “Excuse me!” “I beg your pardon” (idiomatic expression when you take your leave or also when entering or leaving the office of a superior)

„Shitsurei shimashita!“

｢失礼しました。｣

“I've been impolite!”: “Excuse me!” “I beg your pardon!” (idiomatic expression to apologize for a mistake)

shizentai

自然体

“natural body”: natural body posture

shochū-geiko

暑中稽古

“practice in the heat”: intensive training period in midsummer

shodan

初段

“beginning rank”, first black belt rank

shōmen

正面

front, facade; head-on

shōmen-uchi

正面打ち

vertical strike or cut to an opponent's forehead

shūchū

集中

concentration

shugyō

修行

ascetic practices, spiritual training

shutō

(also “tegatana”)

手刀

“hand-sword”, i.e. the flat hand, the edge of which is used for strikes or cuts

sode

袖

sleeve

soto

外

outside, outward

suburi

素振り

practice swinging with a sword or a staff without a partner

suki

隙

weakness, opening (in your guard)

sumi

隅

(the inside of a) corner, nook

„Sumimasen!“

｢すみません。｣

“I'm sorry!” “I beg your pardon!” (Used to apologize or when addressing someone; often also used as “Thank you!”)

sumi-otoshi

隅落し

“let something drop into the corner”: throwing technique, where you lead an opponent's center of gravity back and down between his feet

suwari-waza

(also “zagi”)

座り技

execution of techniques while kneeling

tachi

立ち

standing, stance

tachi

太刀

longsword

tachi-dori

太刀取り

“take sword away”: techniques to disarm an opponent attacking with a sword

tachi-waza

(also “ritsugi”)

立技

execution of techniques while standing

tai

(also “karada”)

体

body

tai no henkō

体の変更

“alteration of body”: i.e. reversal of your body alignment or orientation through turning on your front leg

tai-sabaki

体捌き

“body handling”: to deal with or to manage your own body as well as your opponent's; evasive movement

taisō

体操

gymnastics, callisthenics, warm up exercises

tanden

丹田

mental-spiritual focus point below the navel, center of gravity

taninzū-gake

多人数掛け

“to set multiple people on someone”: defence practice against multiple opponents

tanren

鍛錬

forge, harden, training, discipline

tantō

短刀

“short sword”, dagger, knife

tantō-dori

短刀取り

“take dagger away”: techniques to disarm an opponent attacking with a dagger

tatami

畳

Japanese straw mats

tegatana

(also “shutō”)

手刀

“hand-sword”, i.e. the flat hand, the edge of which is used for strikes or cuts

tekubi

手首

wrist

tenchi

天地

heaven and earth

tenchi-nage

天地投げ

“heaven and earth throw”: throwing technique, where one hand is moved upwards (towards heaven) and the other hand downwards (towards earth)

tenkan

転換

conversion, an about-face, an about-turn

tori

(also “shite”)

取り

(仕手)

“hold on to”: somebody, who does something, the throwing one, protagonist

tsugi-ashi

継ぎ足

“following foot”: way of walking in hanmi, where first the back foot is moved forward and then the front foot (ref. “okuri-ashi”)

tsuki

突き

stab, thrust, punch

uchi

打ち

strike, hit, slap, knock

uchi

内

inside, on the inside

ude

腕

arm

ude-kime-nage

腕決め投げ

“fixed arm throw”: an attacker is thrown by stretching and levering his elbow over your arm

Ueshiba Kisshōmaru

植芝吉祥丸

1921-1999, son and successor of Aikidō's founder

Ueshiba Mitsuteru

植芝充央

b. 1981, great-grandson of Aikidō's founder, named as successor of his father Moriteru

Ueshiba Morihei

植芝盛平

1883-1969, founder of Aikidō

Ueshiba Moriteru

植芝守央

b. 1951, grandson of Aikidō's founder, at present Dōshu of Aikikai foundation

uke

受け

Attacker, who “receives” the technique

ukemi

受身

“receiving body”, i.e. a practice partner's correct body posture and movement, which enables him to let a technique wash over him without damage; breakfalls

undō

運動

movement, sports

ura

裏

back, backside

ura-waza

裏技

execution of a technique towards an opponent's back

ushiro

後ろ

back, rear

waza

技

technique

yokomen

横面

side of the face

yokomen-uchi

横面打ち

diagonal strike or cut towards an opponent's temple

(dai-) yonkyō

(tekubi-osae)

(第) 四教

（手首抑え）

“fourth teaching” (wrist pinning): pinning an opponent through a controlling grip at his wrist

“Yoroshiku onegai shimasu!“

｢宜しくお願いします。｣

“I would like to ask for your favour!” (towards myself or concerning a certain matter)

“I would like to commend myself!”

yūdansha

有段者

holder of black belt rank

zagi

(also “suwari-waza”)

座技

execution of techniques while kneeling

zanshin

残身

“remaining body”, i.e. after executing a technique your body should remain in balance and directed towards the opponent

zanshin

残心

“remaining mind”, i.e. after executing a technique your attention should remain on and be directed towards your opponent

zengo

前後

front and rear, before and after