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Aikido Terminology

Ago
Chin (or jaw).
Ago Tsuki Age
A strike (or thrust) to the chin (or jaw).
Ai
Harmony, unity to join or become one with. The word carries the feeling of the strength and power of natural forces.
Ai-Hanmi
Both partners facing each other in the same position.
Aiki Otoshi
Whole person drop.
Aiki Taiso(s)
Aikido warm-up exercises.
Aikidoka
One who practices Aikido.
Aikikai
An Aikido organization.
Anza
Sitting in a cross-legged position.
Atemi
A strike (or striking).
Bokken
Wooden sword used in practice.
Budo
Literally, the Way of the Warrior Arts; but the deeper meaning is the Way of the Protection of Society, of strength and honor and peace. "A mind to serve for the peace of all human beings in the world is needed in Aikido, and not the mind of one who wishes to be strong and practices only to fell an opponent. There are neither opponents nor enemies for true Budo. Therefore, to compete in techniques, winning and losing, it is not true Budo. True Budo knows no defeat. 'Never defeated' means never fighting".
Bushido
Warrior's Code; Way of the Warrior.
Chokusen No Irimi
Direct entering movement, ending up behind the attacker.
Choyaku
To step back and turn.
Dan
Aikido black belt rank.
Deshi
Student, pupil, or disciple.
Do
The Way or Path. The Way means to be one with the will of the universe and embody its function.
Dojo
A place where the Way is revealed; the School.
Doshu
Honorary title for the Master of the Art. Present Doshu is Kisshomaru Ueshiba, son of the late O'Sensei.
En No Irimi
Circular, spinning entering movement.
Fune Kogi
Rowing (or rowboat).
Furi
To shake (or swing).
Gaeshi
To reverse.
Genki
Vigor (or healthy).
Gi
White training uniform.
Gokyo
Fifth classification or pinning technique.
Gyaku
Opposite (or reverse).
Gyaku-Hanmi
Reverse stance; Uke and Nage facing each other in reverse posture.
Gyaku-Yokomen
A strike to the opposite side of the head.
Hakama
Wide skirted pants worn over the Gi. Typically worn by Yudansha, though some Dojo may require other levels of students to wear a Hakama as well.
Hanmi
The relaxed triangular stance of Aikido.
Hanmi Handachi
Nage is kneeling while Uke attacks from a standing position.
Hantai
In reverse order; opposite side.
Happo
Eight directions.
Hara
The lower abdomen; the center of life energy, physical and spiritual.
Henka
Continuous freestyle Rondori, one on one (Henka Waza).
Hiji
Elbow.
Hombu Dojo
Headquarters Training Hall of Aikido in Japan.
Iaido
The Way of Perfection with the Sword.
Ikkyo
First classification or pinning technique.
Irimi
Moving into and through the line of attack with no thought of escape. Technique of entering and choosing to "die in order to live".
Iwama
Place where the Aiki Shrine and O'Sensei's country home and dojo are located (in Ibaraki prefecture).
Juyi Waza
Free technique. In testing usually against one opponent.
Jo
Wooden training staff about fifty inches long and three-quarters to one inch in diameter.
Jo Tori
Techniques of staff taking.
Joho
High (as in the cross-arm Aiki Taiso).
Juji
Crossed arms.
Kaishi
Reverse (or counter).
Kaiten
To revolve or rotate.
Kamae
A posture or stance of readieness. In each kamae there are different positions for the hands or weapon. Jodan - high position; Chudan - middle position; Gedan - lower position.
Kata
Shoulder. (Also represents formalized movements, such as in Jo Kata and Bokken Kata).
Kata Tori
Shoulder grab.
Katate
One hand.
Katate Tori
Wrist grab.
Katate Tori Ryote Mochi
Grabbing your partner's wrist with both hands.
Keiko
Study or practice. The deeper meaning is reflection and refinement; to return to the origin and discover reality.
Ken
Japanese sword.
Ki
Spirit; life force or vital energy; the essence of universal creative energy.
Kiai
release of spiritual and physical power in the form of a piercing scream originating in the hara. Literally, a meeting of the spirits.
Kohai
Junior student. Those who begin their study of Aikido after you. You owe them your help and support.
Koho Tento
Rear falling (rolling) method.
Kokyu
Power of breath and life force; the coordination of Ki flow and breathing.
Kokyu Dosa
Exercise from a formal sitting position; pinning with Ki.
Kokyu Ho
Breathing method; Breath throw.
Kosa
Crossed.
Kosa Tori
Cross hand grab.
Koshi
With the hips (or lower back).
Kotai
A movement to the rear; to change.
Kote Gaeshi
Outward wrist turn.
Kotodama
The spiritual function of sound. Every one syllable sound has its own spiritual vibration.
Kubi
Neck (or throat).
Kubi Shime
A choke hold.
Kumi Jo
Paired Jo practice.
Kumi Tachi
Paired sword practice.
Kyu
Aikido rank before black belt (Dan). White belt grade.
Maai
The distance of time and space between Uke and Nage; the movement of mind, the stream of spirit, and the direction in which mind and spirit move, along with physical distance determines the balance and proper use of space.
Men
Face (or forehead).
Misogi
Purification of mind, body and spirit.
Mochi
To grab or grasp.
Mune
Chest; abdominal area.
Mune Tsuki
A straight punch to the chest or solar plexus.
Mushin
No mind, a mind without ego. A mind like a mirror which reflects and does not judge.
Musubi
Opposites are but different images of the same reality. Musubi is the process of their unification. It is the movement of the spiral.
Nage
To throw, the person who throws; the defender.
Nikyo
Second classification or pinning technique.
Omote
To the front.
O'Sensei
Great Teacher. The title used for the founder of Aikido.
Osai
A pin; method of holding down.
Otoshi
A drop (to drop).
Rei
To bow, or salutation.
Rondori
Free style against multiple attack.
Ryohiji Tori
Grabbing both elbows (one in each hand) from the front.
Ryokata Tori
Grabbing both shoulders (one in each hand) from the front.
Ryokatate Tori
Grabbing both wrists (one in each hand) from the front.
Ryote
Both hands.
Ryote Mochi
Grabbing with both hands (such as grabbing one of Nage's wrists with both of Uke's hands).
Ryote Tori
Grabbing both wrists (one in each hand) from the front.
Samurai
of Originally came from the verb "to serve". Noble and honorable, one who has the duty and responsibility of protecting society.
Sankaku No Irimi
Triangular entering movement.
Sankaku No Tenkan
Triangular retreating movement.
Sankyo
Third classification or pinning technique.
Sayu
Left and right (or to the side).
Seiza
Formal sitting position.
Sempai
Senior student; sometime assistant to the instructor. Anyone who began the study of Aikido before you. You should respect this person's experience.
Sensei
Teacher; the one who gives guidance along the Way. Literally means "born before".
Shihan
Title for a Master Teacher who has been ranked at least to the grade of Sixth Dan.
Shiho
Four ways (or method).
Shiko
Walking on the knees; Samurai walk.
Shime
Choke.
Shinai
Split bamboo practice sword.
Shindo
Shaking.
Shomen
Upper seat, the shrine which houses the picture of the founder and spirit of Aikido. Not a religious symbol but a spiritual one.
Shomen Uchi
Strike to the forehead; a vertical circular strike to the head.
Shomen Tsuki
Thrust between the eyes.
Soto Mawari
Turning out movement, over Uke's arm.
Suburi
Training. Suburi is training as opposed to Kumi Tachi which is study. Suburi are single or individual movements with the Bokken or Jo, as in a Kata.
Sumi Otoshi
Corner drop.
Swari
Sitting.
Swari Waza
Techniques beginning with both Uke and Nage in formal sitting position, executed from the knees.
Tachi
Japanese long sword.
Tachi Tori
Techniques of sword taking.
Taijutsu
Empty handed techniques.
Tai No Tenkan
Body turning movement.
Tanto
Knife.
Te
Hand.
Tekubi
Wrist.
Tenchi
Heaven and Earth.
Tenkan
Turning to dissipate force.
Tori
To take; grab.
Tsuki
A strike (or thrust); punch.
Uchi Deshi
Live-in student; personal student or disciple.
Uchi Mawari
Turning in movement, under Uke's arm.
Ude
Arm.
Ueshiba
Morihei Ueshiba, the founder of Aikido; O'Sensei.
Uke
One who receives; the person being thrown; the attacker.
Ukemi
Techniques of rolling and falling. The art of protecting ones self from injury. The first and most important step to developing good Aikido technique is learning to take Ukemi well.
Undo
Practice (or exercise).
Ura
To the rear.
Ushiro
From behind.
Ushiro Tori
Wrapping the arms around Nage from behind.
Waza
Technique. Way of ....
Yoko
Side.
Yokomen Uchi
A diagonal strike to the side of the head (or neck).
Yon
Four (as in fourth).
Yonkyo
Fourth classification or pinning technique.
Yudansha
Black belt rank holders.
Zempo Kaiten
Falling to the front; continuous rolling.
Zen
Philosophy of Buddhism; a form of meditation.
Zengo
Forwards and backwards.
Zenshin
A movement forward.
Link to: Prairie Aikikai Home Page, Student Guide Table of Contents

Warm-up Exercises

Students should take several minutes to perform some stretching and mild calisthenics before beginning each practice of Aikido. Stretching and calisthenics also help to build stamina and strengthen the body, reducing the chance of injury.

  1. Neck Stretches
  2. Rolling Shoulders Back and Forth
  3. Trunk Twists
  4. Side Stretches
  5. Touch the Floor - Touch the Ceiling
  6. Splits
  7. Leg Stretches
  8. Situps
  9. Side & Leg Raises
  10. "Swans"
  11. Pushups
  12. Back Stretches
Link to: Prairie Aikikai Home Page, Student Guide Table of Contents

Aiki Taisos

Aiki Taisos are exercises traditionally done at the beginning of every class. These are a great way of loosening up and reviewing the basic arts at the same time!
  1. Kote Gaeshi Undo
  2. Nikyo Undo
  3. Sankyo Undo
  4. Tekubi Shindo Undo
  5. Tekubi Kosa Undo
  6. Tekubi Joho Kosa Undo
  7. Sayu Undo
  8. Sayu Choyaku Undo
  9. Ude Furi Undo
  10. Ude Furi Choyaku Undo
  11. Shomen Uchi Undo
  12. Zengo Undo
  13. Happo Undo
  14. Fune Kogi Undo
  15. Kokyu Ho Undo
  16. Ushiro Tekubi Tori Zenshin Undo
  17. Ushiro Tekubi Tori Kotai Undo
  18. Ushiro Tori Undo
  19. Koho Tento Undo
  20. Zempo Kaiten Undo
Link to: Prairie Aikikai Home Page, Student Guide Table of Contents

Phrases Heard in the Dojo

Abunai
Watch out! Be Careful!
Arigato Gozaimashita
Thank you for what you did. (Spoken at the end of practice.)
Dozo
Please. (As in "go ahead". This may be an instruction from your teacher when he wants you to begin practice after demonstrating a technique.)
Hai Yame
Please stop. (This will be said by your instructor during Keiko when he wants you to stop.)
Hajime
Please start. (This will be said by your teacher when he wants you to begin.)
Konnichi Wa
Good afternoon.
Ogenki Desuka
How are you?
Ohayu Gozaimasu
Good morning.
Onegaisimasu
Thank you for what we are about to do. (Spoken at the beginning of practice.)
Oyasumi Nasai
Good night. (As in "I'm leaving".)
Link to: Prairie Aikikai Home Page, Student Guide Table of Contents

Counting in Japanese

Ichi
One
Ni
Two
San
Three
Shi
Four
Go
Five
Roku
Six
Sitchi
Seven
Hatchi
Eight
Ku
Nine
Ju
Ten
Link to: Prairie Aikikai Home Page, Student Guide Table of Contents

Parts of the Body

Hara
Stomach
Hiji
Elbow
Hiza
Knee
Kata
Shoulder
Koshi
Hip
Kubi
Neck
Men
Head
Mune
Chest
Te
Hand
Tekubi
Wrist