Dojo Vocabulary

Basic Vocabulary Used in Aikido

Aikido uses a variety of Japanese words to describe basic movements, techniques, principles of philosophy and overarching concepts that expand into other Japanese martial arts. This page lists basic vocabulary with which aikido students should be familiar, if at least to understand the term when spoken by another.

Interpreting Terminology

Sensei announces a technique by saying the attack, the technique, and any particular request (such as a side on which to demonstrate the technique, or a pin to following the technique). Additionally, sensei may preface the technique with the position of uke and nage (tori). For example, sensei may announce students to perform ,"shomen uchi, ikkyo, omote waza;" students would interpret this to mean shomen uchi attack, ikkyo technique performed to the front side of uke. When they become confused, junior students may ask senior students for clarification on terminology.

Basic Vocabulary

General Terms

Ai Nuke Mutual escape
Ai Uchi Mutual strike/kill
Aikidoka Aikido student
Dai Sempai Senior students (of dojo)
Dan Black belt rank
Deai Proper timing
Fudoshin Imperturbable spirit
Hidari Left
Irrimi Entering principle
Kohai Junior student
Kyu White belt rank
Maai Proper distance
Migi Right
Mudansha White belt (student)
Musubi Connection/relationship
Nage Throw or student practicing technique
O’ Sensei Great Instructor (Morihei Ueshiba)
Omote Inside (of attack)
Reigi Etiquette
Sempai Senior student
Sensei Head instructor (of dojo)
Shihan Master Instructor (of association)

Shisei Posture
Shoshin “Beginner’s mind”, no preconception
Suki Opening, point of weakness
Sutemi The art of break-fall, sacrifice the body
Tenkan Turning principle
Uchi Deshi Live-in student (of dojo)
Uke Receive or student attacking
Ukemi The art of falling
Ura Outside (of attack)
Yadansha Black belt (student)
Zanshin Awareness of surrounding
Zeshin Focused concentration

Speech/Spoken Word

“Domo Arigato (Gozaimasu)” Formal thank you (polite)
“Domo” Thank you
“Dozo” Please
“Gomen (Nassai)” Excuse me/forgive me
“Hai” Yes
“Ie” No
“O Negai Shimasu” Please help me
“Rei” Salutation (bow)

Counting

Go Fifth
Go Five
Hachi Eight
Hasso Eighth
Ichi One
Jo Tenth
Ju Ten
Ku Nine
Ku Ninth
Nana Seventh
Ni Second
Ni Two
Roku Six
Roku Sixth
San Third
San Three
Shi Four
Shichi Seven
Sho First
Yon Fourth

Attacks

Hanmi Handachi Seated technique, standing attacker
Kata Dori Shoulder/gi grab
Katate Dori Same hand grab
Katate Dori Ryote Mochi Two hands grabbing one hand
Kosa Dori Cross hand grab
Kuchi Tsuki Punch to the mouth/chin
Men Uchi Strike to the head
Mune Tsuki Punch to the chest
Ryo Kata Dori Both shoulder/gi grab
Ryote Dori Both hand grab (katate dori)
Shime Choke
Shomen Uchi Vertical strike to head
Taninju Dori Free-style with multiple attackers
Taninsu Gake Static with multiple attackers
Ushiro Ryo Kata Dori Rear both shoulder/gi grab
Ushiro Ryote Dori Rear both hand grab (katate dori)
Ushiro Tekubi Shime Rear choke, same hand grab
Yokomen Uchi Oblique strike to the head

The Mat

Jo Seki Right side of mat (where sempai sit)
Kami Za Head of the mat (where Sensei sits)
Keiko Aikido practice on the mat
Shimo Seki Left side of mat (where Kohai sit)
Shimo Za Foot of the mat (where students sit)
Shugyo Aikido practice in life
Taijo Mat (the mat)
Za Sit where you are

Ashi Sabaki (Foot Movement)

Ai Hanmi Same stance as partner
Ashi Foot/step
Ayumi Ashi Alternating step
Gyaku Hanmi Opposite stance as partner
Gyaku Tenkai Reverse 180 degree pivot
Hidari Hanmi Left foot forward stance
Migi Hanmi Right foot forward stance
Tenkai 180 degree pivot (about face turn)
Tenkan 360 degree turning movement
Tsugi Ashi Sliding step

Tai Sabaki (Body Movement)

Chokusen No Irrimi Direct entering
En No Irrimi Circular Entering
Omote Entering to the front (irrimi)
Sankaku No Irrimi Triangular entering
Shikaku Dead angle
Soto Mawari Moving outside attacker
Uchi Mawari Moving inside attacker
Ura Entering to the rear (tenkan)

Te Sabaki (Hand Movement)

Atemi Strike
Chudan Kiri Hanashi Middle level cut off
Gedan Kiri Hanashi Lower level cut off
Jodan Kiri Hanashi Upper level cut off
Tegatana Outside edge of hand

Waza (Technique Versions)

Ara Waza Rigorous technique
Debana Waza Stalling technique (ikkyo principle)
Henka Waza Switching techniques
Jiyu Waza Free-style technique
Kaeshi Waza Technique reversal
Kihon Waza Basic/root technique
Nagare Waza Flowing technique
Nage Waza Throwing technique
Ne Waza Ground techniques
Oyo Waza Applied technique (street version)
Shime Waza Choking techniques
Suwari Waza Seated techniques

Techniques

Aiki Otoshi Blending drop
Gokyo 5th technique/principle (ude nobashi)
Gonzeki Otoshi Big drop
Hiji Jime Elbow lock/control
Juji Waza Crossed arm throw
Kaiten Nage Rotary/turning throw
Kokyu Nage Breath throw
Kokyu Tanden Ho Suwari Waza Breath exercise/technique - seated
Koshi Nage Hip throw
Kote Gaeshi Wrist twist
Nikyo 2nd technique/principle (Kote mawashi)
Sankyo 3rd technique/principle (kote hineri)
Shiho Nage Four directional throw
Sumi Otoshi Corner drop
Ten Chi Nage Heaven and earth throw
Yonkyo 4th technique/principle (tekubi osae)