Glossary of Terms

Additional Terminology sometimes found in advanced level tests

A

Ai
Harmony
Anza
Sitting Cross-Legged
Ashi
Foot/Leg
Ashi Barai
Foot Sweep
Ashi Waza
Leg Techniques
Atemi
Striking
Atemi Waza
Striking Techniques

B

Bo
Long Staff
Bojitsu
Staff Techniques
Bokken
Wooden Sword
Bunkai
Application of Form
Bushido
Samurai Code of Ethics

D

Do
Way or Path

E

Empi (hiji)
Elbow
Empi uchi
Elbow Strike

G

Gari
Reap
Gatame
Arm bar
Go No Sen
Tactic: Allow the opponent to attack first to open up targets for counterattack

H

Hadake Jime
Naked Choke/Strangle
Hakama
Wide-Skirted Pants Worn Over Gi
Hara
Center
Harai Goshi
Sweeping hip throw

I

Irimi
Entering directly into an attack
Irimi Waza
Entering techniques; front technique, entering, moving into & through the line of attack

J

Jo
Short Wooden Staff
Jo-Jitsu
Short Staff Techniques
Juji Gatame
Cross-body Arm Bar Using Legs & Across Hip

K

Kamae
Posture
Katana
Long Sword
Kesa Gatame
Scarf Hold
Kihon
Basics
Kime
Focus
Kohai
Junior Student
Ko Soto Gari
Minor Outer Reaping Throw
Ko Uchi Gari
Minor Inner Reaping Throw
Kubotan
Self-Defense Keyring

M

Ma-ai
Proper Distance with Respect to One’s Partner
Morote Uke
Augmented Forearm Block
Mushin
No Mind;  Mind Without Thought; to Do Automatically or Without Thinking

N

Nagashi Uke
Sweeping Block
Nage
“Thrower”, Defender, the Person Applying a Technique
Nage Waza
Throwing Techniques
Nunchaku
Okinawan Weapon Consisting of Two Sticks Connected by Rope or Chain. This was originally used by the Okinawans as a farm tool to thrash rice straw

O

O Uchi Gari
Major Inner Reaping Throw
Obi
Belt
Osae Uke
Pressing Block
Osae-waza
Pinning Techniques
Otagai Ni Rei
Bow to the Dojo and All Assembled
Otoshi
Drop

R

Randori
Free style practice with multiple attackers

S

Sai
Three-Pronged Metal Weapon
Sanchin Dachi
Hourglass stance; tension stance
Sempai
Senior Student
Sen No Sen
Attacking at the Exact Moment When the Opponent Attacks
Shikko
Kneeling walk
Shiko Dachi
Straddle Stance
Shomen
In the Dojo, the Upper Seat with the Shrine Housing the Picture of the Founders
Shugyo
Intensive training (spiritual, mental, physical, ascetic)
Shuto
Knife hand
Sode Tsuri Komi Goshi
Sleeve Lifting Pulling Hip Throw
Sukui Uke
Scooping block

T

Tai Otoshi
Body Drop
Tani Otoshi
Valley Drop
Tanto
Wooden Knife
Tanto-Dori
Attack with Knife, Knife Taking
Teisho Uchi
Palm Strike
Tenkan
Turning Movement Used to Dissipate Force
Te-Waza
Hand Techniques
Tonfa
Wooden Rod with Handle at Right Angle, Used in Pairs
Tsuki
Punch

U

Ude Garame
Arm Entanglement
Ude Gatame
Arm Bar
Uke
Person Providing the Attack and Receiving the Technique
Ukemi
Falling and Rolling exercises; Art of Receiving/Taking Actions as Uke/Falling
Uke Waza
Falling Techniques
Uki Goshi
Hip Throw

Z

Zanshin
Remaining Mind; to Be Alert and Prepared for the next Attack