Japanese
Japanese Terminology and Glossary
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Martial Arts Rank | Counting Number | Useful Expressions
Age tsuke |
rising punch |
Age uke gyaku ashi |
upper block (reverse foot) |
Age uke |
rising block |
| Ago | chin |
| Ai hanmi | same or matched stance |
| Aiki | unified energy |
| Aikido | way of aiki; a modern martial art derived from jujutsu |
| Aikijutsu | techniques of aiki |
| Aite | opponent |
Ashi |
foot |
Ashi waza |
foot techniques |
Ashibo kake uke |
leg hooking block |
Ashiguru |
foot soldiers; the lowest level of bushi |
| Ashikubi kake uke | ankle hooking block |
Atama |
head |
| Atarashii naginata | new naginata; modern martial art of naginata |
Ate waza |
smashing technique |
Atemi waza |
techniques of striking |
Atemi |
striking the vital points |
Awase tsuke |
u punch |
Bakufu |
military government of Japan |
Bassai |
breaking down the fortress |
Battojutsu |
techniques of sword drawing; sword-drawing art |
Bo |
staff |
Bojutsu |
techniques of the staff |
Bokken |
wooden sword |
Bokuto |
wooden sword |
Budo |
martial ways |
Bugei |
martial arts |
Bujutsu |
martial arts; martial techniques |
Bunkai |
analysis of techniques in kata |
Bushi |
Japanese warrior |
Bushido |
way of the bushi, or Japanese warrior |
Choku tsuke |
straight punch |
Chudan |
middle or chest area |
Chudan choku tsuke |
straight punch to body |
Chudan mae geri |
front kick to the middle area |
Chudan shuto uke |
middle knifehand block |
Chudan uchi uke |
block from inside out with top of wrist |
Chudan ude uke |
forearm block against body attack |
Dachi |
stance |
Dai Nippon Butokukai |
Greater Japan Martial Virtues Society |
Dan |
indicated a degree of black belt |
Dan tsuke |
consecutive punches |
De ashi harai |
advancing foot sweep |
Deai osae uke |
pressing block stepping in |
Densho |
transmission documents of classical ryu |
Deshi |
disciple; student |
Do |
way |
| Dogi | Uniform for practicing the "Way" |
| Dojo | Practice Hall, or literally ,"Place of Learning the Way" |
| Doshin | Tokugawa period law enforcement official |
Empi |
elbow |
Empi uchi |
elbow strike |
En sho |
round heel |
Eri |
collar or lapel |
| Fudo dachi | rooted stance |
| Fudoshin | imperturbable or immovable spirit |
| Fukuro shinai | training sword made of bamboo encased in leather |
Fumikomi |
stomping kick |
Fumikiri |
cutting kick |
Fumikomi age uke |
upper block, stepping in |
Fumikomi shuto uke |
knifehand block, stepping in |
Fumikomi ude uke |
forearm block, stepping in |
| Furibo | heavy training club used in Jikishinkage-ryu to develop proper technique and stamina |
| Furisode | long-sleeved kimono worn by young unmarried women |
| Furui | old |
Gai wan |
outer arm |
Gedan barai uke |
downward sweeping block |
| Gedan choku tsuke | straight punch to groin |
Gedan kake uke |
downward hooking block |
Gedan kekomi |
thrust kick to groin |
Gedan tsuke |
punch to groin |
Gedan uke |
downward block |
Gedan |
lower body area |
Gi |
uniform - (Note: this term is "common usage, but is not correct Japanese. Rather the word "gi" is more accurately used in conjunction with other words to define the type of uniform or uniform article, such as keikogi, dogi, judogi, karategi, uwagi, etc.). |
Go no sen (also machi no sen) |
responsive initiative |
Gokui |
hidden or secret; in yagyu shinkage-ryu,one of the okugi |
Goshi (or koshi) |
hip |
Goshi |
farmer warriors; bushi who held and worked land |
Goshin waza |
self defense techniques |
Gunbaisha |
practitioner of battlefield divination |
Gyaku |
reverse |
Gyaku ashi |
reverse foot |
Gyaku hanmi |
reverse or opposite stance |
Gyaku juji gatame |
palms up strangle |
Gyaku mawashi geri |
reverse round kick |
Gyaku tsuke |
reverse punch |
Habiki |
metal bladed sword; can be sharp or rebated |
Hachidan |
8th Degree black belt |
Hachiji dachi |
open leg stance |
Hachimaki |
headband |
Hachiwari |
helmet splitter |
Hadaka jime |
naked strangle |
Hai wan negashi uke |
back arm sweeping block |
Hai wan |
back arm |
Haishoku |
instep |
Haishu uchi |
backhand strike |
Haishu uke |
backhand block |
Haishu |
backhand |
Haito uchi |
ridgehand strike |
Haito |
ridgehand |
Hajime |
begin |
Hakama |
pleated divided skirt |
Hakuda |
unarmed close-combat techniques |
Hamon |
formal expulsion from a ryu |
Hanbo |
Short staff |
Hanbojutsu |
techniques of the short staff |
Hangetsu dachi |
half-moon stance |
Hangetsu kata |
half-moon formal exercise |
Hankawaza |
technique variation |
Hanmi |
half front facing |
Hanshi |
master level instructor |
Hara |
stomach |
Harai |
sweeping |
Hariken |
fore-knuckle fist |
Hasami tsuke |
scissors punch |
Heian |
peaceful mind |
Heiho |
martial principles or military strategy |
Heiko dachi |
parallel stance |
Heiko tsuke |
parallel punch |
Heisoku dachi |
closed feet stance (attention) |
Henka |
change; variation |
Hidari shizen tai |
left natural position |
Hidari teiji dachi |
left t-stance |
Hidari |
left |
Hiji ate |
elbow strike |
Hiji suri uke |
elbow sliding block |
Hiji uchi |
elbow strike |
Hikitate geiko |
training to improve someone’s technical skill or level |
Hiraken tsuke |
fore knuckle-fist straight punch |
Hiraken |
fore knuckle fist |
Hiriki no yosei |
elbow power |
Hiza geri |
knee kick |
Hiza |
knee |
Hizagashira |
kneecap |
Hojo |
binding and securing |
Hojojutsu |
binding techniques using a tying cord to restrain prisoners |
Hyoho |
see heiho |
Iaido |
way of sword drawing; a modern martial art |
Iaijutsu |
techniques of sword-drawing; sword-drawing art |
Ichitaita |
one against many |
Ikkajo (also Ude Osae) |
first control; armlock |
Inkajo |
rank of the seal; authority to pass on the tradition |
Ippon ken tsuke |
one knuckle-fist straight punch |
Ippon ken |
one knuckle fist |
Ippon kumite |
one step exercise |
Ippon seoi nage |
one arm shoulder throw |
Irimi nage |
entering throw |
Irimi |
entering |
Jigeiko |
free practice or sparring in kendo; atarashii naginata, jukendo |
Jita kyoei |
mutual benefit and welfare |
Jo sokutei |
raised sole |
Jo |
stick, usually about four feet in length |
Jodan age uke |
upper block against head attack |
Jodan choku tsuke |
upper straight punch |
Jodan kekomi geri |
thrust kick to head |
Jodan mae geri |
front kick to head |
Jodan uke |
high block |
Jodan |
head level |
Jojutsu |
techniques of the stick; stick art |
Judo |
way of flexibility; modern martial art |
Judogi |
jacket and trousers worn while doing judo |
Juji kumite |
free exercise |
Juji nage |
crossed arm throw |
Juji uke |
cross block |
Ju-jitsu (also jujutsu) |
techniques of flexibility; art of flexibility |
Jukendo |
way of the bayonet; modern martial art |
Jukenjutsu |
techniques of the bayonet; bayonet art |
Jumbi undo |
warming up exercises |
| Jutte | single-tined truncheon |
Kaeshiwaza |
techniques to reverse or escape techniques being applied to oneself |
Kage geri |
hooking kick |
Kage tsuke |
hook punch |
Kaisho |
open hand |
Kaiten nage |
open and turn throw |
Kaiten |
turning |
Kakato geri |
heel kick |
Kakato |
heel |
Kake geri |
hooking kick |
Kake shuto uke |
hooking knifehand block |
Kake tsuke |
hooking punch |
Kake uke |
hooking block |
Kakiwaki uke |
reverse wedge block |
Kakuto uke |
bent wrist block |
Kakuto |
bent-wrist block |
Kamae |
engagement posture |
Kami |
shinto diety or dieties |
Kanku |
viewing the sky |
Kansetsu waza |
joint manipulation techniques |
Kappo |
resuscitation methods or techniques |
Karate |
empty hand |
Karatedo |
way of the empty hand; modern martial art |
| Karategi | Uniform for practicing Karate |
Kata |
formal exercise |
Kata |
shoulder |
Katadori |
shoulder grab |
Katana |
Japanese sword; worn cutting edge up |
Katchu bujutsu |
martial techniques done while wearing armor |
Katsu |
resuscitation techniques |
Katsujinken |
life-giving sword |
| Kazunuki | drawing and cutting 3,000, 10,000, or 30,000 times, special practice of tatsumi-ryu |
Keage |
snap (kick) |
Kebanashi |
kick off (snap kick) |
| keikogi | practice uniform |
Keiko shokon |
reflect on the old to understand the new |
Keito uke |
chicken head wrist block |
Keito |
chicken head wrist |
Kekomi |
thrust (kick) |
Kempo |
fist method; unarmed sparring methods or systems |
Ken |
attack; fall upon |
Ken |
sword |
Kendo |
way of the sword; modern martial art of Japanese fencing |
Kenjutsu |
techniques of the sword; swordsmanship |
Kentsui uchi |
fist hammer strike |
Kentsui |
fist hammer |
Keppan |
blood seal made with vow upon entering a ryu |
| Keri | kick |
Keri waza |
kicking techniques |
Kesa geri |
diagonal kick |
Kesa giri |
diagonal cut |
Ki |
vital energy |
Kiai |
yell or shout |
Kiaijutsu |
techniques of kiai; methods of exerting ones will on others |
Kiba dachi |
horse (straddle leg) stance |
Kihon dosa |
basic movements |
Kihon kumite |
basic sparring |
Kihon waza |
fundamental techniques |
Kihon |
basics or fundamentals |
Kime |
focus |
Kin geri |
groin kick |
Kiostuke |
attention (command) |
Kirigami menjo |
classical license on a simple piece of folded Japanese paper |
Kishomon |
vow on entering a classical tradition |
Kizami tsuke |
jab |
Ko soto gari |
minor outside reaping throw |
Ko uchi gari |
minor inside reaping throw |
Kobo itchi |
attack and defense as a continuum of response in combat |
Kobudo |
classical martial ways |
Kobujutsu |
classical martial arts |
Kobutowari |
helmet splitter |
| Koda yari | spear with a sleeve |
Kodachi |
short sword |
Kogusoku |
grappling; usually in armor |
Kohai |
junior |
Koken uke |
wrist block |
Kokoro (also shin) |
spirit, heart, or mind |
Koku |
traditional Japanese weight measurement; used to specify income |
Kokutsu dachi |
back stance |
Kokyu nage |
breath throw |
Kokyu |
breath. Breathing |
Kokyuho |
breathing way or method |
Konoe gaeshi |
leaf turning wristbend |
Koppo |
unarmed grappling |
Koryu budo |
classical or old tradition martial ways |
Koryu bujutsu |
classical or old tradition martial arts |
Koryu |
classical or old tradition |
Kosa dachi |
crossed leg stance |
Kosadori |
cross-hand grab |
Koshi no mawari |
grappling, usually in light armor |
Ko-shi |
ball of the foot |
Kote gaeshi |
outward turning wristbend |
| Kote hineri (also sankajo) | inward turning wristbend |
| Kote mawashi (also nikajo) | turning wristbend; second control |
| Kowami | unarmed grappling |
Kubi nage |
neck throw |
Kubi |
neck |
Kuden |
oral teachings |
Kuji |
nine signs; mudra used in esoteric Buddhism |
Kumade |
bear hand |
Kumite |
free exercise |
Kumiuchi |
grappling |
Kuzushi |
balance breaking |
Kyuba no michi |
way of mounted archery, bow and horse; old name for the warrior arts |
Kyudo |
way of the bow; modern martial art of Japanese archery |
Kyusho |
vital point |
Ma ai |
distancing |
Mae ashi geri |
front leg kick |
Mae empi uchi |
forward elbow strike |
Mae geri keage |
front "snap" kick |
Mae geri kekomi |
front thrusting kick |
Mae geri |
front kick |
Mae hiji ate |
forward elbow smash |
Mae tobi geri |
jumping front kick |
Maeude deai uke |
forearm pressing block |
Maeude hineri uke |
forearm twist block |
Majutsu |
techniques of invisibility |
Makimono |
scroll |
Makiwara |
striking board |
Manrikigusari |
ten thousand power chain; weighted chain |
Marishiten |
Buddhist warrior goddess |
Masubi dachi |
informal attention stance |
Matte |
stop |
Mawashi geri |
round kick |
Mawashi tsuke |
round punch |
Meijin |
sage; master; expert |
Menkyo kaiden |
license of complete transmission |
Menkyo |
license |
Migi |
right |
Mikazuki geri |
crescent kick |
Mikkyo |
rituals of esoteric Buddhism |
Mokuroku |
catalog of techniques; transmission scroll or license |
Momo |
thigh |
Monomi |
scouting techniques of the tatsumi-ryu |
Morote sukui uke |
two-handed twist block |
Morote tsukami uke |
two-handed grasping block |
Morote tsuke |
double fist punch |
| Morote uke | augmented forearm block |
Morotedori |
two-hand grab (two hands on one) |
Mudansha |
non-graded; below black belt level |
Muga |
egolessness or selflessness |
Mukei bunkazai |
intangible cultural assets |
Mune |
chest |
Munedori |
chest grab |
Munen muso |
no desires, no thoughts |
Musha shugo |
itinerant training in martial arts |
Mushin |
freedom from discriminate thinking |
Muso shinden |
transmission of the dream-vision of the deity |
Muso |
dream-vision |
Musubi dachi |
open feet stance, heel together |
Nagamaki |
Japanese glaive with a particularly large or heavy blade |
Nagareru |
to flow |
Nagashi tsuke |
flowing punch |
Nage waza |
throwing techniques |
Naginata |
Japanese glaive |
Naginatajutsu |
techniques of the glaive; glaive art |
Nai wan |
inner arm |
Naihanchi |
iron horse |
Nakadaka ippon ken |
middle finger one knuckle fist |
Nami juji gatame |
half cross strangle |
Nanadan (also shichidan) |
rank of 7th degree black belt |
Negashi uke |
sweeping block |
Nekoashi dachi |
cat stance |
Nidan geri |
double kick |
Nihon kobudo kyokai |
Japanese classical martial arts association |
Nihon kobudo shinkokai |
society for the promotion of the Japanese classical martial arts |
Nihon nukite |
two finger spearhand |
Nikaijo |
second control |
Ninja |
mercenary specialist in espionage |
Nitto |
two swords |
Nukite |
spearhand |
O soto gari |
major outside reaping throw |
O uchi gari |
major inside reaping throw |
Obi |
belt or sash |
Odachi |
long sword |
Oi tsuke |
stepping or lunge punch |
Okuden |
inner or hidden transmissions of a ryu |
Okugi (also ogi) |
secret teachings or principles |
Okuri ashi harai |
sliding (or gathering) foot sweep |
Okuri eri jime |
sliding collar throw |
Omote |
front, obvious, overt’ opposite of ura; refers to entering movements |
Ongyoho |
invisibility |
Osae uke |
pressing block |
Otome-ryu |
official, sometimes secret, martial tradition of a clan or domain |
Otoshi empi uchi |
downward elbow block |
Otoshi hiji ate |
downward elbow strike |
Otoshi uke |
dropping block |
Oyo |
application of techniques in kata |
| Oyowaza | applied technique |
Randori |
freestyle or sparring in judo |
Randori-ho |
methods of freestyle practice or sparring in judo |
Rei |
bow |
Reinoji dachi |
"l" stance |
Ren tsuke |
alternate punching |
Renzoku geri |
combination kick |
Ritsu rei |
standing bow |
Ronin |
wave man; warrior unattached to a domain |
Ryotedori |
two-hand grab (one hand on one) |
Ryu |
formalized martial tradition or school; used almost synonymously with ryugi, ryuha |
Ryugi |
formalized martial tradition or school; used almost synonymously with ryu, ryuha |
Ryuha daihyo |
representative of the tradition |
Ryuha |
formalized martial tradition or school; used almost synonymously with ryugi, ryugi |
Samurai (see bushi) |
Japanese warrior |
Sanchin dachi |
pigeon-toed (or hour-glass) stance |
Sankaijo |
third control |
Sanren tsuke |
three consecutive punches |
Sansenjin |
three war kami; fudo myoo, aizen myoo and marishiten |
Saya |
Japanese sword scabbard |
Seiken choku tsuke |
forefist straight punch |
Seiken tsuke |
forefist strike |
Seiken |
forefist |
Seiryoku zenyo |
maximum efficient use of energy |
Seiryuto uke |
ox-jaw block |
Seiryuto |
ox-jaw hand |
Seiza |
formal seated position |
Sempai |
senior |
Sen no sen (also tai no tai) |
taking the initiative |
Sensei |
one who was born before; teacher or instructor |
Sensen no sen |
pre-active, preemptive initiative; kakari no sen |
Shiai |
match, competition |
Shihan |
master or senior instructor |
Shihanke |
master teacher |
Shiho nage |
four-corner directional throw |
Shiho wari |
breaking boards on four side to test power |
Shikko ho |
knee walking |
Shiko dachi |
square stance |
Shime waza |
strangulation techniques |
Shinken |
true or real sword; live blade |
Shinobi |
used to refer to agents of espionage |
Shintai |
body movement |
Shitage |
uniform pants |
Shitsuke |
breeding or training |
Shittsui |
knee-hammer |
Shizen dachi |
natural stance |
Shizen tai |
natural body posture |
Shomen tsuke |
front punch |
Shomen uchi |
frontal head strike |
Shotei uchi |
palmheel strike |
Shotei uke |
palmheel block |
Shu wan |
palm arm |
Shubaku |
term for jujutsu |
Shubo |
arm stick |
Shugyo |
ascetic training |
Shumatsu undo |
cool down exercises |
Shuriken | |

