A

Age tsuke

rising punch

Age uke gyaku ashi

upper block (reverse foot)

Age uke

rising block

Ashi

foot

Ashi waza

foot techniques

Ashibo kake uke

leg hooking block

Ashiguru

foot soldiers; the lowest level of bushi

Atama

head

Ate waza

smashing technique

Atemi waza

techniques of striking

Atemi

striking the vital points

Awase tsuke

u punch

B

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

C

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

D

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

E

Empi

elbow

Empi uchi

elbow strike

En sho

round heel

Eri

collar or lapel

F

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

G

Gai wan

outer arm

Gedan barai uke

downward sweeping block

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

H

Habiki

metal bladed sword; can be sharp or rebated

Hachidan

8^th 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

I

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

J

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

K

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

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

Keage

snap (kick)

Kebanashi

kick off (snap kick)

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 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

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

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

M

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

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

N

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 7^th 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

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

R

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

S

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

throwing darts

Shurikenjutsu

techniques of throwing darts; throwing blade art

Shuto uchi

knifehand

Shuto uke

knifehand block

Sochin dachi

diagonal straddle-leg stance

Sode

sleeve

Sodedori

sleeve grab (at the elbow)

Sodegushidori

cuff grab

Sogo bujutsu

integrated, composite martial arts/systems

Sojutsu

techniques of the spear; spearsmanship

Soke

headmaster

Sokumen awase uke

side two-hand block

Sokutei mawashi uke

circular sole block

Sokutei osae uke

pressing block with sole

Sokuto keage geri

"snap" kick with edge of foot

Sokuto keage

snap kick with foot edge

Sokuto osae uke

pressing block with foot edge

Sokuto

foot edge

Soto uke

block from outside inward with bottom of wrist

Suhada bujutsu

martial techniques done in street clothes

Suki

opening

Sukui uke

scooping block

Sumai no sechie

ritual performances of sumo; Japanese wrestling

Sutemi waza

sacrifice technique

T

Tai no henko

body change or shift; exercise to develop ability to turn properly

Tai subaki no kihon

basics of body movement

Tai subaki

body movement; pivoting

Tai

static or quiescent waiting

Taijutsu

body technique; technique executed empty handed

Taikyoku

first cause

Tameshiai

mutual testing; competing against one’s own self

Tameshigeri

test cutting with the sword

Tameshiwari

power demonstration, breaking

Tanden

area below the navel and the center of ki

Tankendo

way of the short sword; modern adjunct art to jukendo

Tanto

knife; dagger; dirk

Tantra

Buddhist ritual text focused on the cult of a deity

Tatami

mat

Tate empi uchi

vertical elbow strike

Tate hiji ate

upward elbow strike

Tate shuto uke

vertical knifehand strike

Tate tsuke

vertical fist punch

Te nagashi uke

hand sweeping block

Te osae uke

hand pressing block

Tegatana

hand-blade

Teiji dachi

stance

Teisho awase uke

combined palm heel block

Teisho tsuke

palm heel punch

Teisho uchi

palm heel strike

Teisho uke

palm heel block

Teisho

palm heel

Teki

enemy

Tekki

iron horse

Tekubi kake uke

wrist hook block

Tem ben nage

elbow lock throw

Tenkan

turning

Tobi geri

jumping kick

Tobi yoko geri

jumping side kick

Tode

term for unarmed grappling and arrest techniques

Tojutsu

techniques of the sword; swordsmanship

Tokonoma

decorative alcove

Tori

taker; the one who executes technique

Torimi

term for the one who takes or executes technique in tenjin shinyo-ryu

Torite

term for jujutsu and arrest techniques

Tsukami uke

grasping block

Tsuke waza

punching techniques

Tsuke

punch

Tsumasaki

tips of toes

Tsuro ashi dachi

crane stance

U

Uchi hachiji dachi

inverted open leg stance

Uchi mawashi geri

inside crescent kick

Uchi uke

inside block

Uchi waza

striking techniques

Uchi

striking (also inner)

Ude garami

coiling armbar/figure four shoulder lock

Ude uke

forearm block

Uke

block

Uke

receiver; the one on whom techniques are executed

Ukemi

receiving; receiving techniques in Kata the one who receives a technique in Tenjin Shinyo-ryu

Ukemi

break-falling

Ura tsuke

close punch

Uraken uchi

back fist strike

Uraken

backfist

Ushiro ashi geri

rear leg kick

Ushiro empi geri

back elbow strike

Ushiro geri

back kick

Ushiro hiji ate

back elbow strike

Ushiro

back, rear

Uwagi

jacket worn for martial arts training

W

Wake gatami

elbow lock

Wakizashi

short sword

Wan

arm

Wanto

arm sword

Washide

eagle hand

Y

Yama tsuke

wide "u" punch

Yari

spear

Yawara

term for jujutsu

Yawaragi

term for jujutsu

Yoko empi uchi

side elbow strike

Yoko geri keage

side "snap" kick

Yoko geri kekomi

side thrust kick

Yoko geri

side kick

Yoko hiji ate

side elbow strike

Yoko kekomi

side thrust

Yoko mawashi empi uchi

side round elbow strike

Yoko mawashi hiji ate

side round elbow strike

Yoko tobi geri

jumping side kick

Yoko

side

Yokomen uchi

lateral strike to head

Yokomen uchi

side strike to head

Yonhon uchi

four finger spearhand

Yonkaijo

fourth control

Yoriki

Togugawa period law enforcement official

Yoroi kumiuchi

battlefield grappling in armor

Yoroidoshi

dagger-like thrusting blade for use against armor

Yubi

finger

Yudansha

those holding black belt rank

Yugamae

posture for shooting a bow

Yumi

bow; also refers to Japanese archery

Z

Zanshin

vigilance upon completion of technique

Za-rei

kneeing salutation (bow)

Zenkutsu dachi 

forward stance

Zubon

trousers

DAN/KYU RANK STRUCTURE

BLACK BELT RANKS

PRE-BLACK BELT RANKS

1st Dan

Shodan

10th Kyu

Jukyu

2nd Dan

Nidan

9th Kyu

Kukyu

3rd Dan

Sandan

8th Kyu

Hachikyu

4th Dan

Yondan

7th Kyu

Sichikyu

5th Dan

Godan

6th Kyu

Rokyu

6th Dan

Rokudan

5th Kyu

Gokyu

7th Dan

Sichidan

4th Kyu

Yonkyu

8th Dan

Hachidan

3rd Kyu

Sankyu

9th Dan

Kudan

2nd Kyu

Nikyu

10th Dan

Judan

1st Kyu

Ikkyu

COUNTING NUMBERS

1

Ichi

2

Ni

3

San

4

Shi

5

Go

6

Roku

7

Shichi

8

Hachi

Ohayo Gozaimasu

"Good Morning"

Ohayo

"Good Morning"

Konnichiwa

"Good afternoon", "hello"

Kondanwa

"Good Evening"

Oyasuminasai

"Good night"

Soyonara

"Goodbye"

Dewa Mata

"Well then…see you again"

Ja Mata

" "

Ja Ne

" "

Arigato

"Thank you"

Arigato Gozaimasta

"Thank you very much"

Domo

"Thank you very much"

Do Itashimashite

"You are welcome"

Gomennasai

"I am sorry", "Pardon me"

Sumimasen

"Excuse me"

Wakarimasen

"I don’t understand

Mo Ichido Onegaishimasu

"Once more please"

Yukkuri Onegaishimasu

"Slowly please"