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Aikido Terms Used at Our Dojo |
| Ai Hanmi |
Mutual stance where UKE and NAGE each have the same foot forward (right-right, left-left). |
| Atemi |
(lit. Striking the Body) Strike directed at the attacker for purposes of
unbalancing or distraction. Atemi is often vital for bypassing or
"short-circuiting" an attacker's natural responses to Aikido
techniques. The first thing most people will do when they feel their body
being manipulated in an unfamiliar way is to retract their limbs and drop
their center of mass down and away from the person performing the technique.
By judicious application of atemi, it is possible to create a "window of
opportunity" in the attacker's natural defenses, facilitating the
application of an Aikido technique. |
Domo Arigato
Gozaimashita |
Japanese for "thank you very much." At the end of each class, it is proper
to bow and thank the instructor and those with whom you've trained. |
| Gyaku Hanmi |
Opposing stance (if UKE has the right foot forward, NAGE has the left foot forward, if
UKE has the left foot forward, NAGE has the right foot forward). |
| Hajime |
Begin |
| Hakama |
Divided skirt usually worn by black belt ranks. In some DOJO, the HAKAMA is also worn by women of all ranks, and in some DOJO by all practitioners. |
| Hanmi |
Triangular stance. Most often Aikido techniques are practiced with UKE and NAGE in
predetermined stances. This is to facilitate learning the techniques and certain principles
of positioning with respect to an attack. At higher levels, specific HANMI cease to
be of much importance. |
| Hanmi Handachi |
Position with NAGE sitting, UKE standing. Training in HANMI HANDACHI WAZA is a good way of
practicing techniques as though with a significantly larger/taller opponent.
This type of training also emphasizes movement from one's center of mass (HARA). |
| Happo |
8 directions; as in HAPPO-UNDO (8 direction exercise) or HAPPO-GIRI (8 direction cutting with the sword). The connotation here is really movement in all directions. In Aikido, one must be prepared to turn in any direction in an instant. |
| Hara |
One's center of mass, located about 2" below the navel. Traditionally this was thought to be the location of the spirit/mind. Aikido techniques should be executed as much as possible from or through one's HARA. |
| Hidari |
Left |
| Irimi |
(lit. "Entering the Body") Entering movement. Many aikidoka think that the IRIMI movement
expresses the very essence of Aikido. The idea behind IRIMI is to place oneself in
relation to an attacker in such a way that the attacker is unable to continue to attack
effectively, and in such a way that one is able to control effectively the attacker's
balance. |
| Jiyu Waza |
Freestyle practice of techniques. This usually involves more than one attacker who may attack NAGE in any way desired. |
| Jo |
Wooden staff about 4'-5' in length. The JO originated as a walking stick. It is unclear how it became incorporated into Aikido. Many JO movements come from traditional Japanese spear-fighting, others may have come from jo-jutsu, but many seem to have been innovated by the founder. The JO is usually used in advanced practice. |
| Jodan |
Upper position. JODAN NO KAMAE is thus a stance with the hands or a weapon held in a high position. |
| Kata |
A "form" or prescribed pattern of movement, especially with the JO in Aikido. (But also "shoulder.") |
| Ki |
Mind. Spirit. Energy. Vital-force. Intention. (Chinese = chi) For many Aikidoka, the primary goal of training in Aikido is to learn how to "extend" KI, or to learn how to control or redirect the KI of others. There are both "realist" and anti-realist interpretations of KI. The KI-realist takes KI to be, literally, a kind of "stuff," "energy," or life-force which flows within the body. Developing or increasing one's own KI, according to the KI- realist, thus confers upon the aikidoka greater power and control over his/her own body, and may also have the added benefits of improved health and longevity. According to the KI-anti-realist, KI is a concept which covers a wide range of psycho-physical phenomena, but which does not denote any objectively existing "energy" or "stuff." The KI-anti-realist believes, for example, that to "extend KI" is just to adopt a certain kind of positive psychological disposition and to correlate that psychological dispositon with just the right combination of balance, relaxation, and judicious application of physical force. Since the description "extend KI" is somewhat more manageable, the concept of KI has a class of well-defined uses for the KI-anti-realist, but does not carry with it any ontological commitments beyond the scope of mainstream scientific theories. |
| Kokyu |
Breath. Part of Aikido is the development of "KOKYU RYOKU", or "breath power." This is the coordination of breath with movement. A prosaic example: When lifting a heavy object, it is generally easier when breathing out. Also breath control may facilitate greater concentration and the elimination of stress. In many traditional forms of meditation, focus on the breath is used as a method for developing heightened concentration or mental equanimity. This is also the case in Aikido. A number of exercises in Aikido are called "KOKYU HO," or "breath exercises." These exercises are meant to help one develop KOKYU RYOKU. |
| Kombanwa |
Good Evening |
| Konnichiwa |
Hello - mid day / afternoon - during daylight |
| Kyu |
White belt rank. (Or any rank below SHODAN) |
| Mate |
Wait |
| Mune |
Chest |
| Nage |
The thrower. |
| Obi |
A belt. |
| Ohayogozaimasu |
Good morning |
| Onegai shimasu |
"I welcome you to train with me," or literally, "I make a request." This is said to one's partner when initiating practice. |
| Randori |
Free-style "all-out" training. Sometimes used as a synonym for JIYU WAZA. Although Aikido techniques are usually practiced with a single partner, it is important to keep in mind the possibility that one may be attacked by multiple aggressors. Many of the body movements of Aikido (TAI SABAKI) are meant to facilitate defense against multiple attackers. |
| Seiza |
Sitting on one's knees. Sitting this way requires acclimatization, but provides both a stable base and greater ease of movement than sitting cross-legged. |
| Shodan |
First degree black belt. |
| Shomen |
Front or top of head. Also the designated front of a DOJO. |
| Suwari Waza |
Techniques executed with both UKE and NAGE in a seated position. These techniques have their historical origin (in part) in the practice of requiring all samurai to sit and move about on their knees while in the presence of a DAIMYO (feudal lord). In theory, this made it more difficult for anyone to attack the DAIMYO. But this was also a position in which one received guests (not all of whom were always trustworthy). In contemporary Aikido, SUWARI WAZA is important for learning to use one's hips and legs. |
| Tachi Waza |
Standing techniques. |
| Tai Sabaki |
Body movement. |
| Tenkan |
Turning movement, esp. turning the body 180 degrees. (see TAI NO TENKAN) |
| Tsuki |
A punch or thrust (esp. an attack to the midsection). |
| Uke |
Person being thrown (receiving the technique). At high levels of practice, the distinction between UKE and NAGE becomes blurred. In part, this is because it becomes unclear who initiates the technique, and also because, from a certain perspective, UKE and NAGE are thoroughly interdependent. |
| Ukemi |
Literally "receiving [with/through] the body," thus, the art of falling in response to a technique. MAE UKEMI are front roll-falls, USHIRO UKEMI are back roll-falls. Ideally, one should be able to execute UKEMI from any position and in any direction. The development of proper ukemi skills is just as important as the development of throwing skills and is no less deserving of attention and effort. In the course of practicing UKEMI, one has the opportunity to monitor the way one is being moved so as to gain a clearer understanding of the principles of Aikido techniques. Just as standard Aikido techniques provide strategies for defending against physical attacks, so does UKEMI practice provide strategies for defending against falling (or even against the application of an Aikido or Aikido-like technique!). |
| Ushiro |
Backwards or behind, as in USHIRO UKEMI or falling backwards. |
| Yoko |
Side. |
| Yokomen |
Side of the head. |
| Yudansha |
Black belt holder (any rank). |
| Zanshin |
Lit. "remaining mind/heart." Even after an Aikido technique has been completed, one should remain in a balanced and aware state. ZANSHIN thus connotes "following through" in a technique, as well as preservation of one's awareness so that one is prepared to respond to additional attacks. |
|
Attacks
(top) |
| Hanmi Handachi |
Uke standing nage sitting |
| Jotori |
Jo taking techniques |
| Kaotsuki |
Punch to the face |
| Katatori |
Being grabbed at the shoulder by one hand |
| Katatetori |
Being grabbed by one hand at your wrist |
| Ketetsuki |
Kick to the gut |
| Mai Kubi Shime |
Being choked from the front |
| Morotetori |
Two hands on one |
| Munetori |
One lapel grab from the front |
| Munetsuki |
Thrust of punch to the gut |
| Ryokatatori |
Front two shoulder grab |
| Ryotetori |
Being grabbed by two hands at both or your wrists |
| Shomenuchi |
Overhand blow to the center of the skull |
| Suwariwaza |
Techniques from sitting |
| Tachitori |
Sword taking techniques |
| Tantotori |
Knife taking techniques |
| Tsuki |
Stab or blow to the chest or stomach area |
| Yokomenuchi |
Blow the the side of the skull |
| Ushirokatatori |
Attacker wraps his arms around you from behind |
| Ushirohijitori |
Attacker grabs both of your elbows form behind |
| Ushirokatatetori |
Attacker grabs one of your wrists from behind |
| Ushirotekubitori |
Attacker grabs both of your wrists from behind |
| Ushiroryokatatori |
Attacker grabs nage's shoulders from behind |
| Ushirokubishime |
Attacker chokes from behind |
| Ushirokatatetorikubishime |
Attacker chokes and grabs a wrist from behind |
| Ushiroudetori |
Attacker controls both of your arms with both of his from behind |
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Common Dojo Phrases
(top) |
| Arigato Gozaimasita |
Thank you |
| Do Itasimasite |
You're welcome |
| Dozo |
Please |
| Hajime |
Begin |
| Kombanwa |
Good evening |
| Konnichiwa |
Good afternoon |
| Mokuso |
Please come to attention; make yourself ready; meditate |
| Ohayogozaimasu |
Good morning |
| Onegai shimasu |
I make a request (to practice) |
| Seishuku Seiza |
Please line up for the beginning/ending of class. Sit in silent respect. |
| Nasumiashi |
Secret or stealthy feet |
| Ojigi |
To respectfully bow |
|
Defense Techniques
(top) |
| Ikkyo |
Immobilization number 1 |
| Nikkyo |
Immobilization number 2 |
| Sankyo |
Immobilization number 3 |
| Yonkyo |
Immobilization number 4 (using nerve points) |
| Gokyo |
Immobilization number 5 |
| Kokyunage |
Breath throw |
| Tenchinage |
Heaven and Earth throw |
| Kaitennage |
"Wheel/Round" throw |
| Shihonage |
Four corner throw |
| Sumiotoshi |
Corner throw to front |
| Kotegaeshi |
Wrist reversal |
| Koshinage |
Basic hip throw |
| Jujinage |
Crossed arm throw |
| Udekimenage |
Nage has one hand on uke's wrist while the other arm extends under the elbow |
