Term Japanese Meaning

The character 合 ai means “to meet” or “to come into conformity

with.” 氣 ki is energy, especially the universal, primordial energy
that moves all of nature and is the basis of human vitality. The
term aiki has a long history and is used in different arts and by
different teachers to mean different things, but the founder’s use
implies not just a way of practice but a way of living that is in
alignment and conformity with universal principles. The founder:
Aiki 合氣 “Aiki is the primordial movement echoing from the universal
fabric of creation and taught by the gods. To enact aiki is to
invoke that universal echo and its infinite power. The universe is
our teacher; everything there is to learn, we learn from it, and we
must ever return to it and to act in unity with it. And we must
evolve as the universe evolves. By living in this way, we cultivate
the growth and development of the universal fabric of creation
within our own bodies”.
Thank you very much. In its literal or etymological meaning,
有難う御 arigatō means “too good to be true.” So, when you thank
座います someone, you are telling them that their kindness, too good to be
Arigatō-gozaimasu
true, is like a miracle.
足
Foot or leg. Often used to indicate the leg as a target for a sword
Ashi
cut.
Ashikubi 足首 Ankle.
Atama 頭 Head.

当身
Preemptive strike, usually delivered by nage to control uke or
Atemi
cause him to react.
Bō 棒 Long staff.
Bokken 木剣 Wooden practice sword (also called bokutō).
Bokutō 木刀 See bokken.
Also read as 'take', as in 'take-musu' (see below). Seldom used
alone, the character means military or martial. Etymologically, it
derives from the combination of two characters, one meaning
武
spear and the other meaning to walk; thus, “advancing with the
Bu
spear.” However, in the way that it is written, “to walk” has
morphed into “to stop,” thus implying that the true purpose of
martial or military discipline is to stop aggression or to keep the
peace.
Budō 武道 Literally, the martial way. Budō is the study of the martial arts as a
way of life, implying moral and spiritual aspects as well as
physical aspects of martial discipline. The Founder: “Displaying
physical strength or brandishing dangerous weapons with the
intention of bringing down other human beings is not
representative of budō, any more than is the advocacy of weapons
of mass destruction that can only lead the world toward ruin. True
 budō is the way of bringing forth order, preserving world peace,
and protecting and cultivating growth and development in the
natural world.”.
Bukiwaza 武器技 "Weapons technique." Generic term for weapons practice.
Bushi 武士 Warrior (often used synonymously with samurai).
Bushidō 武士道 The way of the warrior, or chivalry (see budō).
中段の構
A sword stance. Chūdan means mid-level. In chūdan-gamae, the
Chūdan-no-kamae
え
tip of the sword is pointed toward the base of the opponent's
(chūdan-gamae)
throat.
Dan 段 A black belt rank or degree.
The moment of meeting (of people or forces). Used in training to
Deai 出会い signify the first moment of contact (intentional contact before
physical), the moment of truth.
Deshi 弟子 Disciple or follower; dedicated student of one teacher.

胴
Trunk or torso. Often used to indicate the torso as a target for a
Dō
sword cut.
Dō 道 Path or way (also read michi).
Dōgi 道着 Training uniform (also called keikogi).

道場
A place of practice where the way is revealed. A place for the
Dōjō
strengthening and refinement of spirit, mind and body.
Dōjō-chō 道場長 Head of the dojo.
舟漕ぎ運 A misogi or purification exercise that imitates rowing or the
動
Funakogi-undō
drawing of oars. See also torifune-no-gyō.

振り玉
A misogi or purification exercise often practiced right after
Furitama
funakogi-undō.
下段八双 A sword stance. Gedan means lower-level. Same as waki-gamae
の構え
Gedan-hassō-no-kamae
[hyperlink].
Gedan-no-kamae 下段の構 A sword stance. Gedan means lower level. The tip of the sword is
(gedan-gamae) え lowered so that it points toward the ground.
Go 五 Five.

後の先
To respond to an attack after it is initiated. (See sen-no-sen and
Gō-no-sen
sen-sen-no-sen).
Godan 五段 5th degree black belt.
Gokyō 五教 "Fifth teaching." The fifth technique in the osaewaza curriculum.
Gokyū 五級 5th degree.
Hachi 八 Eight.
Hachidan 八段 8th degree black belt.

袴
Wide, pleated pants worn over the dōgi (usually black or dark
Hakama
blue).
半身
“Half-body” stance. The basic triangular stance of Aikido where
Hanmi
one foot is forward and the other, back but pointed diagonally.
 半身半立 "Half-body, half-standing." A training configuration where nage is
ち
Hanmi-handachi
seated and executes techniques against a standing uke.

腹
Lower abdomen, center of body mass, source of physical power
Hara
and breath. More formally called seika-tanden.
Henkawaza 変化技 A non-standard technique.
Hiji 肘 Elbow.
Hijinage 肘投げ "Elbow throw." Part of the nagewaza curriculum.

肘抑え
"Elbow pin." Part of the osaewaza curriculum; sometimes called
Hijiosae
rokkyō.
Hiza 膝 Knee.

本部道場
The Aikikai Foundation dōjō in Tokyo (hombu means
Hombudōjō
headquarters).
Hyaku 百 Hundred.
Ichi 一 One.

一期一会
"Each moment, always the first." Expression of the reality that
Ichi-go Ichi-e
each moment comes only once; there are no second chances.
Ikkyō 一教 "First teaching." The first technique in the osaewaza curriculum.

一級
1st degree, prior to black belt (kyu ranks begin at six and work up
Ikkyū
to one).
入り身
The aikido principle of entering inside of and moving through an
Irimi
attack.
Iriminage 入身投げ A throw executed from irimi. Part of the nagewaza curriculum.
A practice were nage responds freely, with any technique and
自由技
without prior agreement, to uke's attacks. In jiyūwaza, the attack
Jiyūwaza
is usually prescribed (for example, shōmen-uchi or yokomen-
uchi), as opposed to randori, where attacks are random.
Jō 杖 Wooden staff (typically 50” to 56” long).
A sword stance. Jōdan is upper-level. In jōdan-gamae, the sword
Jōdan-gamae 上段構え is raised up so that the hilt is held in front of the forehead and the
tip points obliquely behind toward the sky.
A sword stance. Jōdan is upper-level. Hassō is eight aspects,
上段八双 meaning the sword is ready to cut in any of the eight directions. In
の構え
Jōdan-hassō-no-kamae
jōdan-hassō, the hilt of the sword is held in front of the right
shoulder with the tip of the sword pointing directly overhead.
上段突き
Upper level thrust or strike. Can refer to a thrust with sword or jō
Jōdantsuki
toward the head or neck or to a fist strike to the face.
Jōdori 杖取り Jō takeaway techniques.
Jōnage 杖投げ Throwing techniques executed with the jō.
Jū 十 Ten.
Jūji means the character for ten, written as a cross. In jūjinage,
Jūjinage 十字投げ uke's arms are crossed, like the character for ten. Part of the basic
nagewaza curriculum.
 回転投げ
Kaiten means to turn or spin. A throwing technique that is part of
Kaitennage
the nagewaza curriculum.
Kamae 構え Stance, state of readiness.
Kami 神 A god; a spiritual being or essence.

神棚
A shelf or small platform carrying a small Shinto shrine. Inside
Kamidana
the dojo, this refers to the shōmen.
上座
Seat of honor. If seated inside the dojo, the kamiza would be
Kamiza
directly in front of the shomen.
Kannagara-no-michi 随神の道 "The way of the gods." Archaic name for Shintō.

かすみの
Method of camouflaging or concealing the movement of the
剣
Kasumi-no-ken sword so that the trajectory of the strike is different from what it
appears to be. (Kasumi means mist or haze).
Kata 肩 Shoulder.
Kata 型 A form; the formal aspect of a waza.
Katadori 肩取り Shoulder grab or hold.
Katageiko 型稽古 The practice of kata. Practice involving adherence to form.
Katatedori 片手取り One hand grab or hold.
片手取り
両手持ち
Katatedori ryōtemochi Grab or hold of nage's hand (wrist or forearm) with both hands.

Katsu-hayabi 勝速日 Victory in the moment; instantaneous victory.

Keiko 稽古 Practice or training.
Keikogi 稽古着 Training uniform (see dōgi).
Ken 剣 Sword.
A martial shout (used to effect an opponent's mind and to gain an
advantage). Also, to be animated and energetic (literally, "to meet
Kiai 気合い with ki"). Note: Kiai is generic; there are different kinds of kiai
and different applications depending upon the circumstances and
desired effect.
基本技
"Foundational techniques." The basic technical curriculum of
Kihonwaza
aikido.
後輩
Training junior (someone who started his or her training after you
Kōhai
did yours).
Kokyū 呼吸 Breathing; the breath.
呼吸丹田
"Way of developing the tanden or hara through the breath." A
法
Kokyū tandenhō practice (as opposed to a technique) usually performed seated and
at the end of class.
"Breath throw." Part of the nagewaza curriculum. Kokyūnage is
呼吸投げ
practiced both forward (uke is thrown forward, taking a forward
Kokyūnage
roll) and backward (uke falls backward, taking a backward roll),
each with an omete and an ura aspect.
交差取り
Cross-hand grab or hold (for example, uke grabs nage's right wrist
Kōsadori
with his right hand).
Koshi 腰 Hip; hips.

腰投げ
"Hip throw." Koshinage is not one but a set of techniques where
Koshinage
uke is thrown over nage's hip. Part of the nagewaza curriculum.
Kote 小手 Forearm.
Kotegaeshi 小手返し "Turning of the forearm" throw. Part og the nagewaza curriculum.
"Soul or spirit of the word." Kotodama is a traditional teaching of
言霊
Shintō, wherein it is maintained that the word-sounds of the
Kotodama
Japanese language are expressions of the primordial, spiritual
essence of creation.
Kubi 首 Neck.
Kubijime 首締め Choke hold.
Kumijō 組杖 Paired stick (Jo) practice of pre-established kataor forms.
Kumitachi 組太刀 Paired sword practice of pre-established kata or forms.
Kuzushi 崩し The act of destabilizing an opponent by disrupting his structure.
Kyū 九 Nine.
Kyū 級 A preliminary rank or degree (pre-black belt).
Kyūdan 九段 9th degree black belt.

間合
The spacing and timing of an encounter. "Ma" means space or
Ma-ai
interval; "ai" means meeting. .
Mae-ukemi 前受け身 Forward fall or roll.
Makoto 誠 The quality of integrity, truthfulness, and sincerity of character.
Man 万 Ten thousand.

万年初歩
"Ten thousand years, first step;" always train as if you are taking
Mannen Shohō
your first step (similar to the concept of beginner's mind).
"Log bridge" (from 丸木 maruki, "log," and 橋 hashi "bridge").
丸橋
Used by Saotome Sensei as a metaphor for a situational encounter
Marubashi
with an opponent where there is no escape and where the only
way out is directly into and through the opponent's attack.
正勝吾勝、
"Truse victory is victory over self, victory in the moment." The
Masagatsu agatsu,
勝速日
phrase appears in the Kojiki, Japan's most ancient chronical of the
katsuhayabi
age of the gods, as the name of a diety.
Men 面 Face.
Mentsuki 面突き Fist strike or thrust (with a weapon) to the face.
Gaze, expression of the eyes. During practice, the eyes should be
Metsuke 目付け alert and perceptive. Likewise, the readiness and alertness of an
opponent can be gauged by the expression of his/her eyes.
Misogi 禊 Rite of purification, as practiced in Shintō.
Mudansha 無段者 Practitioner without black belt rank.
Mune 胸 Chest.
Munedori 胸取り Chest grab or hold (uke grabs the chest of nage's dōgi).
 胸突き
Fist strike or thrust (with a weapon) to the midsection or solar
Munetsuki
plexus.
無心
"No mind." The state where the mind is alert but empty of
Mushin
thoughts.
結び
Connection. The physical, mental, and spiritual connection
Musubi
between nage and uke.
投げ
"Thrower;" in partner practice, the role of the person executing
Nage
the technique.
"Throwing technique." The generic term for any technique where
Nagewaza 投げ技 uke is thrown, as distinguished from osaewaza, where uke is
pinned.
七段
Nanadan (also
7th degree black belt.
Shichidan)
Ni 二 Two.
Nidan 二段 2nd degree black belt.

二教
"Second teaching." The second technique in the osaewaza
Nikyō
curriculum.
Nikyū 二級 2nd degree.

大先生
"Great Teacher." An honorific title reserved for Ueshiba Morihei,
O-Sensei
the founder of aikido.
Obi 帯 Belt or sash tied over dōgi.
Oku 億 Hundred million.

表
Front. Omote-waza are techniques executed by entering to the
Omote
opponent's front-side.
The frontal aspect of a technique (opposite of urawaza), generally
Omotewaza 表技 involving an entry to uke's front side. Where urawaza tend to be
circular, omotewaza tend to be linear.
お願いし
Please. Uttered at the beginning of the class, it means "please
ます
Onegaishimasu teach me;" uttered to a training partner, it means "please train with
me".
"Pinning technique." The generic term for any technique where
Osaewaza 抑え技 uke is rendered imobile with a pin, as distinguished from
nagewaza, where uke is thrown.
応用技
"Applied technique(s)." The application (including modification)
Ōyōwaza
of technique to particular circumstances and a particular attack.
"Ran" means riotous or disorderly; "tori" means attack. In randori
乱取り
practice, uke may use any attack (as distinguished from jiyūwaza,
Randori
where the attack is prescribed) and nage responds accordingly.
Also, randori is usually practiced against multiple opponents.
Rei 礼 Bow.

六教
"Sixth teaching." Part of the osaewaza curriculum, also called
Rokkyō
hijiosae.
Rokkyū 六級 6th degree.
Roku 六 Six.
Rokudan 六段 6th degree black belt.
Ryōkatadori 両肩取り Hold, both shoulders.
Ryōtedori 両手取り Hold, both hands.
San 三 Three.
Sandan 三段 3rd degree black belt.
Sankyō 三教 "Third teaching." The third technique in the osaewaza curriculum.
Sankyū 三級 3rd degree.
A sword stance. Seigan means in front of the eyes; in seigan-no-
正眼の構 kamae, the tip of the sword points slightly upwards towards the
え
Seigan-no-kamae
opponent's eyes in such a way that, ideally, the opponent is unable
to accurately judge how long the sword is or how far away its tip.
臍下丹田
Lower abdomen, center of body mass, and source of physical
Seika-tanden
power and breath (see hara).
正座
Sitting position, legs folded and butt resting on the heels.
Seiza
Normally in seiza, the left big toe rests on top of the right.
先輩
Training senior (someone who started his or her training before
Sempai
you did yours).
Sen 千 Thousand.

先の先
To anticipate an attack and to take the initiative. (See go-no-sen
Sen-no-sen
and sen-sen-no-sen).
先先の先
To anticipate and take the initiative against sen-no-sen. (See sen-
Sen-sen-no-sen
no-sen and go-no-sen).
Sensei 先生 Teacher.
Senshin 洗心 Cleansing or purification of the mind.
Sente 先手 First move; (to take the) initiative.
Shi 四 Four.
Shichi 七 Seven.

師範
Master instructor; usually the head of a lineage or school of
Shihan
affiliated dojos.
Shihōnage 四方投げ "Four directions throw." Part of the nagewaza curriculum.

膝行
Movement (forewards, backwards, turning, and to oblique angles)
Shikkō
on the knees from kneeling position.
Shinai 竹刀 Practice sword made from split bamboo.
Shisei 姿勢 Posture.
Shizentai 自然体 Natural stance (as opposed to an assumed stance, such as hanmi).
Shodan 初段 1st degree black belt.

正面
Frontal alcove or panel, typically carrying a picture of O-Sensei;
Shōmen
also called kamidana.
Shōmen-uchi 正面打ち Open-handed, vertical strike to the forehead.
Shoshin 初心 Beginner's mind.
Shugyō 修行 Aesetic training.
Sode 袖 Sleeve.
Sodedori 袖取り Sleeve grab.

外弟子
A committed and dedicated student who commutes to the dojo for
Sotodeshi
training (as opposed to "uchideshi," live-in student).
外回り
Outside turn (a turn to the outside, away from an opponent's
Sotomawari
attack).
Sumiotoshi 隅落とし "Corner throw." Part of the nagewaza curriculum.
"Seated technique." The generic term for waza executed from a
Suwariwaza 座り技 seated position against an also seated attacker (as opposed to
hanmi-handachi, where nage is seated but uke is standing).
Tachi 太刀 Sword (antiquated term).
Tachidori 太刀取り Sword take-away technique (generic).

太刀割れ
The act of “splitting the sword.” Describes a sword strike that
Tachiware
displaces an opponent’s sword to take the center line.
体の変更
The name given by the founder to a basic entering and turning
Tai-no-henkō
exercise conducted against a one-hand wrist grab.
Taijutsu 体術 "Physical arts;" empty-handed training (as opposed to bukiwaza).
"Martial competance born of aiki," the founder's description of the
ideal state of the martial arts, wherein one responds spontaneously
and in complete harmony with the natural order to any situation or
武産合気
any set of circumstances. “Aiki has a form and does not have a
Takemusu-aiki
form. Aiki is a life which has a form and still flows with the
change; it expresses itself by changing itself. A form without a
form is a word in a poem which expresses the universe
limitlessly.”.
Tanden 丹田 Same as seika-tanden or hara.
Tantō 短刀 Dagger or knife (practice tantō is made from wood).
Tantōdori 短刀取り Knife take-way technique (generic).
Te 手 Hand.

手刀
Hand blade (hand open, fingers extended, as in shōmen-uchi or
Tegatana
yokomen-uchi strikes).
Tekubi 手首 Wrist.
Tenchinage 天地投げ "Heaven and earth throw." Part of the nagewaza curriculum.
A pivot or turn. In aikido training, tenkan also refers to an
Tenkan 転換 entering turn against a one-hand wrist grab (see also tai-no-
henkō).
See funakogi-undō. Originally an ascetic, Shinto-based,
Torifune-no-gyō 鳥舟の行 purification practice, torifune-no-gyō was adopted into aikido
training by the founder.
Tsuki 突き Thrust or fist strike.
 内弟子
Live-in student; a disciple living in the dojo or with the master
Uchideshi
and dedicating him or herself fulltime to the study of the art.
Inside turn (a turn into or toward an opponent, usually with
Uchimawari 内回り atemi). An uchimawari entry usually takes you inside and under
your opponent's attacking arm.
Ude 腕 Arm.

受け
"Receiver;" in partner practice, the role of the person executing
Uke
the attack and receiving the technique.
Fall, roll, or submission. Ukemi is, literally, the receptive or
Ukemi 受け身 receiving body. (Outside of the martial arts, ukemi can also mean
passive or passivity).
裏
Back (opposite of front). Ura-waza are techniques executed by
Ura
entering to the opponent's blind side or rear.
The rear aspect of a technique (opposite of omotewaza), generally
Urawaza 裏技 involving an entry to uke's rear or blind side. Where omotewaza
tend to be linear, urawaza tend to be circular.
Ushiro 後ろ Backside, behind.
Ushiro-ukemi 後受け身 Backward fall, roll, or submission.
Ushirodori 後ろ取り Generic name for holds from behind.
Waki 脇 Flank or side.
A sword stance. In wakigamae, left leg is forward, right leg is
Wakigamae 脇構え back, and the sword is held to the side pointing toward the rear so
that the sword blade is partially or fully concealed by the right leg.
技
"Technique." Any of the formal methods of throwing or pinning
Waza
uke performed in aikido.
横面打ち
Open-handed, diagonal strike to the temple, side of the face, or
Yokomen-uchi
side of the neck.
Yondan 四段 4th degree black belt.

四教
"Fourth teaching." The fourth technique in the osaewaza
Yonkyō
curriculum.
Yonkyū 四級 4th degree.
Yubi 指 Finger.
Yūdansha 有段者 Practitioner possessing black belt rank.

残心
"Remaining mind or attention;" exercise of mental alertness or
Zanshin
readiness, especially following the completion of a technique.