Aiki Budo Fraternity

TERMINOLOGY

On the right are a small selectionof the terms used in Japanese martail arts. These are only a few of the many terms and names used, more can be found on the techniques page.

Methods of Attack by Opponent

Katate-dori      -     Uke to attack nage's wrists 
 Kata-tori      -     Uke to take nage's shoulder 
 Shomen-uchi      -     Uke to attack centre of nage's head (e.g. with a club) 
 Yokomen-uchi      -     Uke to attack side of nage's head 
 Mune-tsuki      -     Punch (as knife thrust) to the stomach 
 Ushiro      -     Uke attacks nage from the rear 
 Mune-tori      -     Uke attacks front of nage's jacket 
 Ryote-tori      -     Uke attacks both of nage's wrists 
 Ryote-muchi     -      Uke to attack one of nage's wrists with both hands 
 
Techniques to be Applied

Shiho-nage      -     Four directional throw 
 Kote-gaishi      -     Outward wrist turn 
 Irimi-nage     -      Entering throw 
 Kaiten-nage     -     Rotary throw 
 Taiten-nage     -     Heaven and earth throw 
 Ikkyo     -     First principle application 
 Nikkyo     -     Second principle application (WRIST LOCK)
 Sankyo     -     Third principle application 
 Yonkyo     -     Fourth principle application

Terms most frequently used in Aikido

Aiki-taiso     -     Aiki exercise  
 Chudan     -     Hand-sword middle position 
 Eri     -     Lapel 
 Gedan     -     Hand-sword low position 
 Hanmi     -     This is the position one adopts when facing one's opponent. Never stand with one's feet together, as this makes one weak and slow in moving when attacked. Left foot leading is called Hidari Hanmi and right foot leading is Migi Hanmi. 
 Happo Undo     -     Eight direction exercise 
 Hasso     -     Hand-sword, right or left above position 
 Handachi     -     Kneeling 
 Hidari     -     Left 
 Hiji     -     Elbow 
 Irimi (or Omote)     -     This is the method of advancing towards one's opponent to meet an attack and then, by use of Ki to lead his power and turn it against him. 
 Irimi     -     To oppose Ki 
 Ikkyo     -     Armlock 
 Jodan     -     Hand-sword overhead position 
 Kata     -     Shoulder 
 Katate     -     Single hand (one hand) 
 Kaiten-nage     -     Rotary throw 
 Kaiten Irimi-nage     -     Rotary entering throw 
 Ki     -     The most important term and also the most difficult to explain. In Aikido it is essential the student gains mental, more than physical, strength from the movements he practices – complete co-ordination of mind and body. 
Mind over matter is the most descriptive translation of Ki. For example, if one were to hold out one's arm and concentrate, imagining water is pouring through; then, like a hosepipe when the tap is turned on, one's arm will become stiff and almost impossible to bend. 
Only constant practice of Aikido movements, together with concentration of the mind, can bring this about. 
 
 Koho Ukemi     -     Back breakfall 
 Kokyu     -     Breath Power. This is the practical application of Ki. Kokyo-ho is the art of throwing others by the use of Ki and by leading them so their power is absorbed within one's own. Their strength is then used against them. 
 Kokyu-ho     -     To load Ki 
 Kokyu-dosa     -     Throwing practise exercise 
 Kokyu-nage     -     To throw 
 Kote-gaeshi     -     Outward forearm twist 
 Kubi-shime     -     Strangle hold 
 Kyogeki-no-kata     -     The kata of attack from both sides 
 Ma-ai     -     When waiting for an opponent to attack, distance is very important. If one moves too close, one cannot manoeuvre to avoid an attack. If one is too far away it makes practicing Aikido techniques more difficult. 
Finding the correct distance is called Ma-ai 
 
 Migi     -     Right 
 Mune     -     Chest 
 Nage (or Tori)     -     Defender or the one who throws 
 Nikkyo     -     Wrist lock 
 Ryokata-tori Irimi-nage     -     Grasped shoulders entering throw 
 Saika-no-itten     -     The one point of the stomach 
 Saika Tanden     -     Lower stomach 
 Sankyo     -     Inward forearm twist 
 Shomen     -     Forehead 
 Shiho-nage     -     Reverse throw 
 Soto Kaiten-nage     -     Outward rotary throw 
 Sokumen Irimi-nage     -     Side entry throw 
 Sumi Otoshi     -     Corner drop 
 Shikko     -     Knee walking 
 Tanden     -     Stomach 
 Tenkan (or Ura)     -     This is the method of turning one's body when the attack is met leading his power, without stopping it, and using his own power against him. 
 Teki     -     Enemy or foe 
 Tekuba     -     Wrist 
 Tegatana     -     Hand-sword 
 Tenkan     -     To combine Ki 
 Tori     -     Grip or hold 
 Tsuki     -     Thrust, punch or stab 
 Tsukuri-no-kata      -     The kata of breaking balance 
Tyote-muchi     -     Double hand (two handed) 
 Uke     -     Is the person making the attack or one who gets thrown. 
 Ucki Kaiten-nage     -      Inward rotary throw 
 Uchi     -     Strike or cut 
 Ukemi     -     Breakfall 
 Ushiro     -     Rear 
 Waki     -     Hand-sword side position 
 Yari     -     Spear 
 Yokomen     -     Side face 
 Yobu     -     Waist 
 Zenpo Ukemi     -     Rolling breakfall