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Aiki Budo of Denver

Terminology

In our training we use the circular techniques of Aikido. This is a Japanese art, and therefore we use the Japanese language in our practice. Although this may be confusing to beginners, it is the best way to deal with the terminology as there are not always convenient or appropriate English translations. The use of foreign language also adds to tradition and is a respectful gesture to those countries from which the martial arts originated.

Here are a few examples to help clarify terminology to new students. This list is not necessarily meant for use as a pronunciation guide, but as a guick introduction to the language of Japan. Note: use of a macron (ˆ) over a vowel indicates an elongated vowel, pronounced for twice as long as an ordinary vowel.

English Japanese
training hall dôjô
instructor sensei
bow rei
degree dan
grade kyû
black belt yûdansha
1st degree black belt shodan
2nd degree black belt nidan
shout kiai
open-closed (stance) gyaku-hanmi
open-open (stance) ai-hanmi
empty hand karate
uniform gi
move behind ura
move in front omote
breath kokyû
breathe kokyû-shiro
face the front, bow shomen-ni, rei
face the instructor, bow sensei-ni, rei
to all assembled, bow otagai-ni, rei
high (above shoulders) jôdan
middle (torso) chûdan
low (below waist) gedan
front mae
side yoko
back ushiro
punch tsuki
block (receive) uke
start hajime
stop yame
inward uchi
outward soto
one ichi
two ni
three san
four shi or yon
five go
six roku
seven shichi or nana
eight hachi
nine kyû
ten
hand te
one of a pair kata
one hand katate
grab tori
one hand grab (same side) katate-tori
shoulder kata
shoulder grab kata-tori
cross (reverse) one hand grab katate-tori
rear one hand grab ushiro katate-tori
with both hands morote
grab with both hands morote-tori