A
Age: up, rising
Ai Gamae: correct side, same side
Ashi: foot, lower leg
Ate (atemi): strike the body
Atemi Waza: technique striking the body
B
Bokken: wooden sword; see tachi (2)
Bu: war
Budo: a martial art;
Bushi: a samurai
Bushido: the way of the samurai
C
Chudan: middle
D
Dai: a method of counting, particularly things in order, so Koryu dai ichi would be the first Koryu form, etc.
Dan: black belt levels or ranks
Do: way, path, method
Dogi: a uniform for practicing martial arts
Dojo: a training space; martial arts school
Dori: catch, take, grip
E
Eri dori: gripping the collar at the neck
G
Goshin: self-defense
Goshin no Kata: a set of 16 forms used for grading for black belt; the first piece of Koryu Dai San no Kata
Gedan: Low
Gyaku: reverse stance
H
Hanmi
Hanza Handachi
Hidari: left
Hiji: elbow
Hiki: pull, drag
Hineri: twist, spin
Hiza: knee
I
Irimi: body entry
J
Jo: short stick, used to defend against a sword
Jodan: high
Juji: lock by crossing
Junte: natural, as in “junte dori” – natural grip
K
Kaeshi/Gaeshi: reversal, return
Kaeshi Waza: counter techniques
Kaiten: 180 degree turn
Kamae/Gamae: stance
Kansetsu: joint lock
Kata: (1) formal forms used in training for safety; (2) shoulders
Katate Dori: wrist grab
Kendo: a martial art that simulates sword-fighting; a lot of terminology is borrowed from kendo
Kihon: foundation; fundamental
Koryu: old school, pre-modern techniques
Kote: forearm
Kumitachi: techniques with two swords
Kuzushi: destabilize, break balance
Kuzushi Waza: the first 7 techniques of Nage Waza, breaking balance at 4 points off grabs
Kyū: non-black belt grade, literally “class.”
M
Mae: front
Mawashi: rotate, like a screwdriver
Migi: right
Morote dori: grasping both of your opponent’s wrists
Mudansha: non-black belt practitioner
Muni dori: gripping the collar at the chest
N
Nage: throw
Nage Waza: 14 techniques that demonstrate balance breaking throws off wrist grabs
Nigiri: soft grip; derives from sushi-making
O
Obi: belt
Omote: front side, obvious
Onegaishimasu: “Please”
Oshi: push
Otoshi: drop
R
Randori: practice of techniques with an attacker
Randori no Kata: the basic 17 techniques of Tomiki Aikido
Rei: bow
Reishiki: etiquette
Ryote dori: gripping one of your opponent’s wrists with both hands
S
Sage: down
Sempai: senior student
Sensei: instructor, teacher
Shihan: senior teacher, usually 6th dan
Shikko: knee-walking
Shomen: front, face
Sumi: corner
Suwari: kneeling
T
Tachi: (1) standing; (2) one term for a sword
Tai: body
Taisabaki: body movement
Tandoku Undo: solo practice to learn principles
Tanto: a practice knife, wood or foam
Te: hand
Tegatana: handblade
Tenshin: “heaven and earth”
Tekubi: wrist
Tenkai: revolve, turn around; usually forward
Tenkan: turning, usually backward
Tomiki, Kenji: founder of Tomiki (or Shodokan) aikido
Tori: the person performing a technique; also Nage
Tsugi ashi: following step; back foot never crossed front and remains in balance
Tsuki: stab, thrust
Tsukuri: structure and control of an opponent
U
Ude: arm, usually the upper arm
Uke (ukemi): receive, accept
Uki: float
Ura: hidden or backside
Ushiro: behind, back
W
Waza: a form, technique in a kata
Wakazashi: a small sword; “side weapon”
Waki: side, armpit
Y
Yoko: side, angle, diagonally
Yokomen Uchi: a strike to the side of the head
Yudansha: black belt practitioner
Chūshin Aikido 