GLOSSARY
Aiki
universal life energy; the creative principle of life; spiritual harmonization; the coming together of all elements in perfect unity
Aikido
the way of aiki
Aikidoka
one who practices Aikido
Aiki no kurai
the secret of aiki, the highest consciouness of aiki
Ai nuke
mutual preservation
Ai uchi
mutual destruction
Atemi
a strike to an opening
Atemiwaza
atemi techniques
Bokken
wooden practice sword
Bu
to stop weapons or war
Budo
way of Bu
Budoka
one who practices budo
Bujutsu
fighting techniques
Bushi
warrior
Bushido
the way of the warrior
Chi
wisdom; intelligence
Chu
loyalty
Chushin
one's center
Deshi
follower; student; disciple
Do
way
Dogi
practice uniform
Dojo
a place where one studies a Do
Do-no-tanden
middle-body training
Dori
take; grab; grasp
Doshu
the person who shows the way; head of Aikido
Gi
honor; justice
Giri
cut
Hakama
a traditional pleated pants worn by the samurai and by aikido students
Hanmi
the basic triangular stance in Aikido
Hara
one's center; the seat of one's life energy
Honbu Dojo
the international headquarters of Aikido
Ichi
one; first
Ikkyo
the first move; the first principle
Inazuma
lightning
Irimi
the act of entering directly into the attack
Iriminage
a throw whose main element is irimi
Jin
benevolence
Jiuwaza
freestyle practice
Jo
five-foot wooden staff
Ka
fire
Kaeshiwaza
reversal techniques
Kaitenage
spinning throw
Kami
gods
Kata
set forms
Katadori
shoulder grab
Katatedori
wrist grab
Katsu jin ken
the saving of your enemy's life
Keiko
practice
Ken
sword
Kendo
the modern art of Japanese fencing
Kenjutsu
sword techniques
Kesa giri
diagonal cut across the body
Ki
life energy
Kiai
shouts of perfectly controlled, concentrated energy that can shatter an opponent's defense
Kohai
junior student
Kokyu
breath; breathing as cyclic energy
Kosadori
cross-hand grab
Koshinage
hip throw
Kotegaeshi
wrist twist
Kote giri
wrist cut
Kotodama
spiritual sounds
Kurai
secret, consciouness, inner being
Kurai dori
to control another's consciousness
Kyu
grades preceding yudansha ranks
Makoto
oneness in word and deed; truly following the order of the universe
Michi
way
Misogi
spiritual cleansing
Mizu
water
Munetsuki
strike or thrust to the middle body
Musubi
harmonious connection, unity
Nage
a throw; one who throws
Nikyo
second technique; a technique that uses wrist torque to control the opponent's center
Omote
to the front
O Sensei
great teacher
Randori
multiple attack practice
Ryotemochi
two hand grab
Ryu
style; school
Samurai
"one who serves", warrior, Japanese knight
Sankyo
third technique, control of the opponent's center through the wrist and elbow
Satsu jin ken
the destruction or killing of one's enemy
Seiza
sitting with one's knees folded under one
Sempai
senior student
Shihan
master teacher
Shihan-dai
designated representative of the master teacher
Shihonage
a four corner throw
Shikko
knee-walking, samurai walk
Shomen
a cut or strike to the front of the head; the head
Shomenuchi
an empty hand strike to the front of the head with the blade of the hand
Shuto
a sharp strike with the blade of the hand
Suburi
repetitions of a motion done in order to perfect performance
Suki
openings; weak points
Suwariwaza
techniques performed in seiza or shikko
Tachi
sword
Tachidori
sword taking
Tenkan
turning movement used to dissipate force
Tori
one who executes the technique
Tsuki
a thrust or punch
Uchi deshi
personal student or disciple
Ode osai
control of the center through the arm
Uke
one who receives the force; the person who is thrown
Ukemi
the art of being uke
Ura
to the rear
Ushirowaza
techniques in which one is being attacked from behind
Waza
techniques
Yokomen
a strike or cut to the side of the head or neck
Yokomenuchi
an empty hand strike to the side of the head or neck with the blade of the hand
Yonkyo
fourth technique, control of the opponent's center through the wrist, elbow and shoulder
Yudansha
blackbelters, those who achieved Dan ranking
These are excerpts from the following references;
The Principles of Aikido, Mitsugi Saotome, Shambhala Publications Inc., 1989
BUDO, Teachings of the Founder of Aikido, John Stevens, Kodansha International, 1991
Martial Arts Dictionary, A. Saremi, Cyrus Publishing Inc., 1993
