Redlands Aikikai

Glossary
For a more in-depth rendering of some of the terms below, please refer to the Student Handbook of the Aikido Schools of Ueshiba
In general, each syllable in a Japanese word is pronounced with equal emphasis. Some syllables, though, are hardly pronounced
at all (eg. Tsuki is pronounced as “tski”)

Techniques

The name of each technique is made up of- (1) the attack, (2) the defense, and, if applicable, (3) the direction.
There are four sets of directional references used in Aikido techniques (Some techniques do not have a specific “direction”):
1. Irimi (ee-ree-mee) refers to Yo (Chinese: Yang ) movement which enters through or behind the attacker and
Tenkan (tehn-kahn) refers to In (Chinese: Yin ) movement which turns with the attacker’s energy.
2. Omote (oh-moe-teh) refer to movements in which nage’s action is mostly in front of the attacker (also "above"), while Ura (oo-rah) movements
take place mostly behind the attacker (also "below"). Omote and Ura also have the meanings of “exoteric” and “esoteric” (secret), respectively.
3. Uchi Mawari (oo-chee-mah-wah-ree) is a turn “inside” the attacker, i.e., within the compass of his arms, while
Soto Mawari (soh-toe--mah-wah-ree) is a turn “outside” the attacker, i.e., beyond the compass of his arms.
Hence also Uchi Deshi : inside student, living in the dojo; and Soto Deshi : outside student.
4. Zenshin (zen-shin), towards the front; Kotai (koh-tie), towards the rear.

Attacks:
Japanese Word Approximate Pronunciation Approximate Meaning
Eri Dori Eh-ree Doe-ree Collar Grab
Gyakute Dori;
Ai Hanmi Katate Dori Gyah-koo-teh Doe-ree Kosa Dori (see below)
Hiji Dori He-jee Doe-ree Elbow Grab
Kata Dori Kah-tah Doe-ree Shoulder Grab
Katate Dori; Katate Mochi;
Gyaku Hanmi Katate Dori Kah-tah-teh Doe-ree Single Wrist Grab, Same-side Hand
Kosa Dori; Gyakute Dori;
Ai Hanmi Katate Dori Koh-sah Doe-ree Single Wrist Grab, Opposite-side Hand
Kubi Shime Kooh-be Shee-mey Neck Choke
Morote Dori, Katate Ryote Dori,
Katate Ryuote Mochi Moe-roe-toe Doe-ree Two Hands on One Forearm Grab
Muna Dori Moo-nah Doe-ree Lapel Grab
Mune Tsuki Moo-net-skee Chest/Stomach Punch or thrust
Ryo Ree-oh Both (eg., Ryote Dori: each wrist grabbed)
Shomen Uchi Show-mehn Oo-chhi Top of the Head Strike
Sode Dori Soe-day Doe-ree Sleeve Grab
Ushiro Oo-she-roe From the Rear
Ushiro Dori Oo-she-roe Doe-ree Bear Hug From Behind
Ushiro Tekubi Dori Oo-she-roe Tay-koo-be Doe-ree Wrist held from behind (opposite hand)
Yokomen Uchi Yo-co-mehn Oo-chhi Side of the Head Strike
Defenses:
Japanese Word Approximate Pronunciation Approximate Meaning
Ago tsuki Age Ah-goh-skee-ah-gay Chin twist strike
Aiki Nage Eye-key Nah-gee Hip Throw Holding Both of Uke’s Legs
Gokyo Go-kyoh Fifth Form
Hiji Nage Hee-gee Nah-gee Elbow Throw
Ikkyo Ee-kyoh First form; “putting the weight on”. Also Ikkajo
Irimi Nage Ee-ree-mee Nah-gee Entering Throw
Juji Garame Joo-gee-guh-rah-mey "Cross-twine" throw
Kaiten Nage Kigh-ten Nah-gee Rotary Throw
“Breath method”: the fundamental teaching
Kokyu Ho Co-kew Ho of Aikido technique
Kokyu Nage Co-kew Nah-gee Literally: Breath throw; not one of the other throws
Koshi Nage Co-she Nah-gee Hip Throw
Kote Gaeshi Co-teh Gah-eh-she Wrist Twist/Return
Nikkyo Knee-kyoh Second form. Also Nikkajo
Rokyo Roe-kyoh Sixth Form
Sankyo Sahn-kyoh Third form. Also Sankajo
Shiho Nage Shee-ho Nah-gee Four Direction Throw
Sumi Otoshi Sue-mee Oh-toe-she Corner Throw
Tenchi Nage Tehn-chee Nah-gee Heaven and Earth
Ude Osai Oo-day Oh-sah-ay Arm Pin
Yonkyo Yohn-kyoh Fourth form. Also Yonkajo

1
 Weapons Terms
Japanese Word Approximate Pronunciation Approximate Meaning
Paired Partner Practice: Harmonious
Awase Ah-wah-say Movement Without Contact
Bokken Bow-ken Wooden Practice Sword
Buki Boo-kee Weapons, arms
Ha Hah Blade Edge
Jo Joe Wooden Staff, Approximately 50 in
Kashira Kah-she-rah Butt Cap of sword
Katana Kah-tah-nah Sword
Ken Ken Sword
Kesa Giri Kay-sah Gi-ree Diagonal Cut Across Body
Kissaki Kiss-sah-key Tip of sword
Kobudo Koh-boo-doe Traditional Weapons Arts
Kumi Jo Koo-me-joe Paired Partner Staff Practice with Contact
Kumi Tachi Koo-me Tah-chee Paired Partner Sword Practice with Contact
Muna, Mune Moo-nah, Moo-nay Chest
Saya Sah-yah Scabbard
Shinai She-nie Bamboo Sword; if Covered: Yagyu Shinai
Shoto Show-toe Short Sword
Suburi Sue-boo-ree Solo Practice Movement Using the Ken or Jo
Tachi Tah-chee Sword
Tanto Tahn-toe Wooden Knife
Tsuba Tsue-bah Guard
Tsuka Tsue-kah Hilt

Sword Stances & Cuts

Japanese Word Approximate Pronunciation Approximate Meaning
Chudan-no-kamae Choo-dhahn-no-kuh-mah-ey Middle stance
Gedan-no-kamae gay-daan-noh-kuh-mah-ey Low forward stance on right
Gyaku gedan-no-kamae gyah-kooh- " Low forward stance on left
Gedan-hasso-no-kamae gay-daan-hah-soh--noh-kuh-mah-ey Low rear stance on right
Gyaku-gedan-hasso-no-kamae gyah-kooh- " Low rear stance on left
Hasso-no-kamae hah-soh-noh-kuh.mah-ey "Figure 8" stance near right shoulder
Gyaku Hasso-no-kamae gyah-kooh- " "Figure 8" stance near left shoulder
Jodan-no-kamae Joe-dahn€-no-kuh-mah-ey High Stance; sword hilt over head
Jodan-hasso-no-kamae Same as Hasso-no-kamae
Kesa Giri Kay-sah Gi-ree Diagonal Cut top to bottom
Kiri Age Key-ree-ah-gay Diagonal Cut bottom to top
Makuri Mah-koo-ree Continuous swinging cuts
Nagashi Nah-gah-shee Looped cuts - transitioning from one to another cut
Seigan-no-kamae Say-gahn-noh-kuh-mah-ey Middle Stance
Waki-no-kamae Waah-keeh-noh-kuh-mah-ey Side stance with sword to the rear
Yoko Giri Yoh-koh-ghi-ree horizontal cut
Yoko kamae Yoh-koh-kuh-mah-ey side stance with sword to the front

Common Words Used in Aikido

Japanese Word Approximate Pronunciation Approximate Meaning
Aikido Eye-key-doe Ai=harmony, Ki=spirit, Do=The Way or Path
Aikidoka Eye-key-doe-kah Aikido Practitioner
Aiki Taiso Eye-key Tie-so Aikido Solo Warm-Up Exercises
Aiki Sotai Eye-key So-tie Aikido Partner Warm-Up Exercises
Atemi Waza Ah-teh-mee Wah-zah Striking Techniques
Bushido; Budo; Budoka Boo-she-doe Warrior's Code; The Way of the Warrior; Warrior
Chuden Chew-then Inner, or Middle-level Teachings
Dan Dahn Black Belt Rank
Deai Day-eye Timing in Action
Deshi Day-she Student, Pupil, Disciple
Way, Path, Truth. Also torso (attack point in kendo;
Do Doh often to the exclamation “Do!”)
Dogi Doh-ghee Training Costume
Dojo Doe-joe “Place of the Way”; Training Hall
Doshi Doe-she Comrade, Friend (Used Among Fellow Aikidoka)
En En Circle (as in En-no-irimi: Circular Entering)
Gaeshi; Kaeshi Guy-eh-she Reversed; To Reverse
Gi Ghee Training Costume (Dogi)
Hakama Hah-kah-ma A Divided, Pant-skirt that goes over the gi
Hanmi Hahn-me Triangular stance
Hanmi Handachi Hahn-me Hahn-dah-chee Nage (thrower) Kneeling; Uke (the attacker) Standing
Hantai Hahn-tie Opposite
Common Words Used in Aikido (Continued):
Japanese Word Approximate Pronunciation Approximate Meaning
Hara Ha-rah Lower abdomen, physical and spiritual center
Henka Waza Hen-kah Wah-za Multiple techniques off one attack
Hidari He-dah-ree Left (direction)
Hiji He-jee Elbow
Aikikai shihan, second chief instructor of Aikido Schools
Ikeda Sensei Ih-kay-dhah of Ueshiba (note the soft “d” sound)
Irimi Ee-ree-me Entering movement
Jiyu Waza Jee-you Wah-zah Free style techniques/practice
Kaeshi; Gaeshi Kah-eh-she To reverse
Kaeshi Waza Kah-eh-she wah-zah Reversal technique
Kaiten Kai-ten To revolve or rotate
Kamae Kuh-mah-ay Stance, posture
Shoulder. Also means "form practice of
Kata Kah-tah pre-arranged exercise(s)"
Katate Kah-tah-tay Wrist
Keiko Kay-ko Practice session; training
Kohai Koh-hi Junior student
Kote Koh-tay Wrist (attack point in kendo; often to the exclamation ”K’te!”)
The spiritual function of sound. Each
Kotodama Coe-thoe-dha-mah syllable sound has its own spiritual vibration.
Spirit, the vital force of the body; Universal Energy;
Ki Key A flow of positive energy
Energy emerging from hara and focused to a point;
Kiai Key-eye may be accompanied by a piercing yell.
Ki No Nagare Key-no-nah-gah-ray Flowing movement
Kihon Waza Key-hone-wah-zah Basic technique
Kokoro Co-co-roe Heart, spirit ("keiko, kokoro, keiko, kokoro…")
Breath power, the coordination of ki flow with
Kokyu Co-kyuh breathing, rhythm of technique
Co-kyuh Doe-sah;
Kokyu Dosa; Kokyu Tanden Ho Co-kyuh than-den ho The foundational centering and connection practice in Aikido
Koshi Koh-she Hips, waist
Kubi Coo-bee Neck
Kyu Cue Aikido rank before black belt.
Maai Mah-eye Distance between uke and nage, meaning "harmony of space"
Face, head (also, an attack point in kendo;
Men Men often to the exclamation “Men!”)
Migi Mee-ghee Right (direction)
Misogi Mee-so-ghee Cleansing, inner and outer
Mudansha Moo-dahn-sha White belt grade holder(s)
Mushin Moo-shin No mind, a mind without ego.
Connection (literally: the steam that connects
Musubi Moo-sue-bee the grains of cooked rice)
Nage Nah-gay Throw, or the person who throws
Obi Oh-bee Belt
Okuden Oh-koo-then Higher, or secret teachings
O Sensei Oh-sen-say Great teacher: Morehei Ueshiba
Randori Ran-doh-ri Multiple attack
Rei Ray Salutation, bow
Reigi Saho Ray-gi Sah-hoe Etiquette
Ryote Ryou-tay Both hands
Aikikai shihan, founder of Aikido Schools of Ueshiba
Saotome Sensei Sah-oh-thoe-may (note the soft “t” sound)
Samurai Sa-moo-rye Military retainer (feudal period)
Sankaku Sahn-kah-koo Three cornered (as in Sankaku-no-irimi: triangular entering)
Sempai Sem-pie Senior student
Sensei Sen-say Teacher (literally: “born before”). At 4th Dan or above
Seiza Say-zah Formal sitting posture
Shiho She-ho Four directions
Shihan She-hahn Master teacher. At 6th Dan or above
Shikko She-coe Knee-foot walking
Shime She-may To choke
Shizen Tai Shi-zen-tie Natural posture
Shodan Show-dahn Holder of the first grade black belt; first step; low sword stance
Shoden Show-then Outer, or beginning teachings
Shomen Show-men Front or top of the head
Common Words Used in Aikido (Continued):
Japanese Word Approximate Pronunciation Approximate Meaning
Shugyo Shuh- ghyoh Daily practice aiming to refine and purify the quality of life
Sutemi Sue-teh-me Sacrifice throw
Suwari Waza Sue-wah-ree Wah-zah Sitting techniques
Tachi Tah-chee Japanese sword, or "standing"
Tachi-Dori Ta-chee Doe-ree Techniques of taking an opponents sword
Tachi Waza Ta-chee-wah-zah Standing techniques
Taijutsu Tie-ju-tsoo Body arts: aikido techniques done without weapons
Tai No Henko Tie-no-hen-ko Basic blending practice; Kokyu Ho Tenkan
Tai Sabaki Tie-sa-bah-kee Whole body movement (as against merely moving the hands)
Takemusu Aiki Tah-kay-moo-sue Eye-key Infinite creativity of Aikido
Taninsugake Tuh-nin-sue-gah-kay Techniques with multiple people attacking simultaneously
Te Tay Hand
Tegatana Tay-gah-tah-nah Hand blade. Sword edge of the hand
Te Kubi Tay-koo-bee Wrist (literally, "neck of the hand")
Ten=heaven, Chi=earth. A position of the hands,
Tenchi Ten-chee one high (up) and one low (down)
Tori Taw-ree Grab; in some schools: Nage
Tsuki Tsu-kee Thrust
Uchi Oo-chee To strike
Uke Oo-kay A person who receives a technique; the person being thrown
The art of receiving technique while staying connected;
Ukemi Oo-ke-me flowing away from harm
Ushiro Oo-she-row Back, behind, rear
Waza Wah-zah Techniques
Yokomen Yoh-ko-men Side of the head
Yudansha You-dahn-sha Black belt grade holder(s)
Za Zah Sitting
Zanshin Zahn-sheen Continuous awareness
Numbers:
Japanese Word Approximate Pronunciation Approximate Meaning
Ichi Ee-chee One
Ni Knee Two
San Sahn Three
Shi/Yon She/Yawn Four
Go Goh Five
Roku Roh-ku Six
Shichi/Nana She-chee/Nah-nah Seven
Hachi Hah-chee Eight
Ku Coo Nine
Ju Jyu Ten
Ju-ichi, Ju-ni etc. Eleven, Twelve etc.
Ni-ju, Ni-ju-ichi etc. Twenty, Twenty one etc.
Hundred, Thousand, Ten thousand,
Hyaku, Sen, Man, Oku, Tyu One hundred million, Billion

Helpful Phrases:
Japanese Word Approximate Pronunciation Approximate Meaning
Ohayo Gozaimasu Ohio Go-zah-ee-mahs Good morning (before 10am)
Konnichi Wa Kone-knee-chee Wah Hello! Good day (after 10:00 am)
Komban Wa Comb-bahn Wah Good evening
Oyasumi Nasai Oh-yah-sue-me Nah-sigh Good night (before bedtime)
Sayonara Sah-yoh-nah-rah Good-bye
Arigato Gozaimasu Ah-ree-gah-toe Go-zah-ee-mahss Thank you
Sensei, Domo Arigato Sen-say, Doe-moe Ah-ree gah-toe Sensei, thank you very much for what you have done
Gozaimashita Go-zah-ee-mah-she-tah (spoken by students at the end of aikido class)
I make a request. (spoken when one wishes to practice
Onegai Shimasu Oh-nigh-guy She-mahss with another, or by the instructor asking class to practice)
Gomen Nasai Go-men Nah-sigh I'm sorry, excuse me
Do Itashimashite Doe Ee-tah-she-mah-she-tay Don't mention it. You're welcome
Ogenki Desu Ka Oh-ghen-key Des-kah How are you?
Okagesama De Oh-kah-ghe-sama Day Fine, thank you
Hajimemashite Haji-may-mah-she-tay Nice to meet you

Acknowledgement: This Glossary is based on the one in use by Tamalpais Aikido. Thanks to them for starting this work and to Jim Alvarez Sensei

for help on the sword terms. Errors are our responsibility – please let us know if you find any

Revised
4 27-Dec-07