Glossary Of Aikido Terms
ai-hanmi -
mutal stance; both partners have the same foot forward
agatsu -
victory over self; O-Sensei's second principle of aikido
atemi -
strike; defensive blow used to neutralize the ki of your partner, i.e., put him/her off balance so a technique can be effectively applied. It is not meant to inflict injury.
bokken -
wooden sword with two edges, or generically, any sword
bukuto -
wooden sword with one edge
bu -
martial ardor; in Aikido, Bu signifies valor and indomintale spirit, not contention and strife. Aikido is the ultimate expression of Bu, which originally meant to prevent two weapons from coming together
budo -
martial ways; ways originating in the martial arts
budoka -
martial arts practitioner
dan -
level, black belt rank
deshi -
student or disciple
do-gi -
training uniform
dojo -
training hall; Buddist temples and any training hall where a Way is practiced
Doshu -
grand master; following traditional Japanese custom, the position of Doshu has been hereditary
gokyo -
number five pinning technique
gyaku-hanmi -
reverse stance; opposite feet advanced; mirror image
hai -
yes
hakama -
a divided, skirt like pant. In most USAF dojos, it is black or dark blue and is worn by men of yudansha rank and women of all ranks
henkawaza -
switching from one technique to another
hanmi -
half open body; the basic triangular stance of aikido
hanmi-handachi -
techniques done when nage is kneeling (seiza) and uke attacks from a standing position
hantai -
opposite or reverse
hara -
center or "one point" in the lower abdomen. This is also, repeatedly, the physical center of the body
hidari -
left
hiji -
elbow
hiza -
knee
hombu dojo -
headquarter training hall; the headquarters of both the Japanese and International Aikido Federations. It is located in Tokyo
ikkyo -
number one pinning technique
irimi -
to enter; entering
jo -
wooden staff about shoulder high in length
jo-tori -
jo take away; techniques for disarming an opponent armed with a jo
juji-nage -
crossed arms throw; throw executed when uke's arms are crossed at right angles
jyuwaza -
free style throwing
kaeshi-waza -
counter techiques. Uke applies the initial technique to nage
kaiten -
open and turn; to revolve or turn
kakari-geiko -
hard practice; repetition of the same technique with many uke
kanji -
Japanese or Chinese written characters
kata -
fixed form; predetermined sequences of movements used as a learning techniqein martial arts. Also, shoulder
katsu haya hi -
victory faster than light; O'Sensei's third principle of Aikido
keiko -
practice session or training
kiai -
full of ki; on the physical plane, kiai is manifest as a piercing shout emanating from the depths of one's being. On the spiritual plane, it is manifest as a steady outpouring of vital energy
kohai -
junior student
kokyu -
animating breath; when one's kokyu is full and deep, one is in tune with the workings of the universe
kokyu dosa -
an exercise to develop your ki/breathing without using strength
kokyu-ho -
breath-meditation; special set of meditation and development techniques aimed at calming the spirit and establishing true kokyu
koshi-nage -
hip throw; techniques throwing uke over your hips
kubi -
neck
ma-ai -
distance; the proper space between two partners; varies with the height of the partners and whether or not they are holding weapons
masa-katsu -
correct style of victory; O'Sensei's first principle of Aikido
men -
face or head
migi -
right
misogi -
purification; rites of breathing or water used to purify body and mind; to remove various impurities and restore our true image. O'Sensei considered all aikido techniques to be forms of misogi
mune -
chest
nage -
throw or the person who throws
omote -
forward; techniques done moving forward or in front of uke
onegai shimasu -
"I make a request; please do me this favor."
O'Sensei -
freat teacher; common way of referring to the founder, Ueshiba Morihei
rei -
respect; the formal gesture of respect and gratitude used by aikido practitioners
reigi -
etiquette or courtesy
ryo -
both
seiza -
correct or calm sitting; most formal and classic sitting style in Japan; sitting on knees with feet flat; back straight
sempai -
senior student
sensei -
teacher; title used for instructor
shihan -
teacher of teachers; honorary title awarded to some of the highest ranking teachers
shiho -
four directions
shikaku -
dead corner
shikko -
knee walking
shisei -
position, posture, attitude; both physical and mental
shomen -
front or top of head; also the front of a dojo
soto -
out/outside; movement outside of uke's arm
yudansha -
person holding black belt rank
zanshin -
unbroken concentration; the "follow through" of a technique. One is connected to uke even after the throw in an unbroken flow of ki, simultaneously ready to receive any new attack. A moment of settling and stillness at the completion of a technique
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