Nomenclature                Glossary                Counting

Technique Nomenclature:

Relative Position Stance Attack Technique Kaiten Omote/Ura
      = always present in every technique name
      = sometimes present in technique name
Position:
The relative positions of uke and nage. Suwari waza means that both are sitting seiza. Hanmi-handachi means that uke attacks from a standing position at a sitting nage. If no position term is present, assume both are standing (Tachi waza).

Stance:
The relative stances of uke and nage, usually used for wrist grabbing attacks. Ai-hanmi refers to right-on-right and left-on-left attacks, across the center line. (Think handshake.) Gyaku-hanmi refers to right-on-left and left-on-right attacks, on the same side of the center line. If there is no stance term, the technique probably isn't a wrist grab.

Attack:
The attack performed by uke. This can be a strike or grab. Strikes tend to end in -uchi, whereas grabs tend to end in -tori.
Striking Attacks
  • Shomenuchi :: vertical strike to head
  • Yokomenuchi :: circular strike to head
  • Tsuki :: straight punch to stomach (chudan), head/upper chest (jodan), or groin (gedan)
  • Keri :: kick
Grab & Strike Attacks
  • Katatori menuchi :: shoulder grab and strike to head
  • Katatori tsuki :: sholder grab and tsuki punch
  • Munadori menuchi :: 1-handed
    chest/shirt grab and strike to head
  • Munadori tsuki :: 1-handed
    chest/shirt grab and tsuki punch
Grabbing Attacks
  • Katatetori :: 1-handed wrist grab
  • Morotetori :: 2-handed arm grab
  • Ryotetori :: double wrist grab
  • Katatori :: 1-handed shoulder grab
  • Ryokatatori :: double shoulder grab
  • Munadori :: 1-handed chest(/shirt) grab
  • Ushiro tekubitori :: double wrist grab behind the back
  • Ushiro kubishime :: wrist grab and choke behind the back
  • Ushiro ryokatatori :: double shoulder grab behind the back
  • Ushiro eridori :: 1-handed collar grab from behind the back
  • Ushiro katatetori to eridori :: wrist and collar grab from behind the back
Other Attacks
  • Taninzu gakari :: everyone attacks, using attack(s) of choice -- look out

Technique:
Nage's defense to uke's attack. These are the things we "learn" in Aikido.

Kansetsu Waza
(Joint Locks)
Nage Waza
(Throws)
  • Ikkyo :: 1st technique
  • Nikyo :: 2nd technique
  • Sankyo :: 3rd technique
  • Yonkyo :: 4th technique
  • Gokyo :: 5th technique
  • Rokkyo :: 6th technique
  • Hijigime :: arm bar
  • Udegarame :: arm intertwining technique
  • etc.
  • Iriminage :: Chest-to-chest throw
  • Kotegaeshi :: back-of-the-hand turn
  • Shihounage :: 4-direction throw
  • Kaitenage :: wheel throw
  • Tenchinage :: Heaven & Earth throw
  • Hijiate :: elbow strike
  • Sumiotoshi :: corner drop
  • Jujinage :: cross throw
  • Koshinage :: hip throw
  • Kokyuho :: breathing technique
  • Kokyunage :: breath throw
  • Atamanage :: head throw
  • Shomenate :: face strike
  • Kataguruma :: Over-the-shoulder throw
  • etc.
Kaiten:
Uchi or soto mawari. Inside or outside technique. Very few techniques have both variants, so this term rarely occurs.

Omote/Ura:
Omote means towards the attacker's front side. Ura means towards the attacker's back side. Most techniques have both variants.

Examples:
      Technique name with maximum number of terms:

Hanmi-handachi gyaku-hanmi katatetori kaitenage soto-mawari omote

      Technique name with minimum number of terms:
Shomenuchi iriminage

Big thanks to our honyaku no tatsujin, Shiho for
translating the attacks and techniques from Japanese.


Nomenclature                Glossary                Counting

Aikido Glossary:

A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z

TERMLITERAL TRANSLATIONDEFINITION / DESCRIPTION

A A    B    C    D    E    F    G    H    I    J    K    L    M    N    O    P    Q    R    S    T    U    V    W    X    Y    Z

Ai Harmony, Peace The first kanji in Aikido. Also related to the kanji for to meet.
Ai-hanmi same stance, meeting stance Uke and nage have same side forward, like shaking hands.
Aikido The way of harmonizing energy A Japanese martial art focusing on re-directing an aggressor's energy and momentum to the defender's advantage.
Aikidoka One who practices Aikido One who practices Aikido
Aikikai Aiki Foundation The most traditional form of Aikido. This is the style practiced in the Swathmore Aikido Club.
Atama head head
Atamanage head throw Standing beside and a bit in front of uke, nage reaches around uke's head from the far side and drops to one knee, throwing uke.
Ate strike Part of many technique names.
Atemi fake punch A light strike with the purpose of distracting uke while a technique is executed.

B A    B    C    D    E    F    G    H    I    J    K    L    M    N    O    P    Q    R    S    T    U    V    W    X    Y    Z

Bokken wooden practice katana Wooden practice katana (samurai sword). We practice with wooden swords so that mistakes in training do not result in severed body parts.

C A    B    C    D    E    F    G    H    I    J    K    L    M    N    O    P    Q    R    S    T    U    V    W    X    Y    Z

Chudan middle height Middle height, as opposed to jodan or gedan.

D A    B    C    D    E    F    G    H    I    J    K    L    M    N    O    P    Q    R    S    T    U    V    W    X    Y    Z

Dan master, expert Grade of black belt, as in 1st dan, 2nd dan, etc.
Do the way of The third kanji in Aikido.
Domo arigatou
   gozaimashita
   (/Sensei)
Thank you very much for what has come to pass
(/Sensei)
Traditional way of thanking practice partners and teacher after practice.
Dori see tori

E A    B    C    D    E    F    G    H    I    J    K    L    M    N    O    P    Q    R    S    T    U    V    W    X    Y    Z

Eridori collar grab collar grabbing attack, not practiced much

G A    B    C    D    E    F    G    H    I    J    K    L    M    N    O    P    Q    R    S    T    U    V    W    X    Y    Z

Gedan low height Low height, as opposed to chudan or jodan.
Geri see keri Misspelling of "keri."
Gokyo 5th technique The fifth technique, sort of an upsidedown ikkyo.
Gyaku-hanmi opposite stance Uke and Nage have opposite sides of their bodies forward, on the same side of an imaginary center line

H A    B    C    D    E    F    G    H    I    J    K    L    M    N    O    P    Q    R    S    T    U    V    W    X    Y    Z

Hanmi stance Proper martial way of standing
Hanmi-
   handachi
half-standing stance Uke standing, nage sitting seiza.
Henkan change Turning 180 degrees by rotating on the balls of the feet. Also called "Kaiten."
Henkawaza changing techniques, reversals As nage applies a technique to uke, uke redirects it into a technique applied to nage.
Hiji elbow Elbow, a frequent component in technique names.
Hijiate elbow strike Nage draws uke's arm across their body and raises their arm under uke's elbow or upper arm, near the elbow. Can be a break or a throw.
Hijigime arm bar Another name for rokkyo.

I A    B    C    D    E    F    G    H    I    J    K    L    M    N    O    P    Q    R    S    T    U    V    W    X    Y    Z

Ikkyo 1st technique The first technique. Nage controls uke's hand/wrist while driving uke's elbow up and back, then cutting down, straightening and turning the arm.
Irimi entering Nage steps forward into uke's space.
Irimi henkan entering change A forward step followed immediately by a henkan. Also called "irimi kaiten."
Irimi kaiten entering turn see irimi henkan
Iriminage entering throw, chest-to-chest throw Called the "20-year technique" because of the infinitude of nuances in proper execution. Nage secures uke's head against their shoulder, then raises and lowers their arm in a grand arcing motion, taking uke's head with it.
Irimi tenkan entering turn A forward step immediately followed by a tenkan.

J A    B    C    D    E    F    G    H    I    J    K    L    M    N    O    P    Q    R    S    T    U    V    W    X    Y    Z

Jo (Staff) stick A staff sometimes used in Aikido practice.
Jodan high height High height, as opposed to chudan or gedan.
Jujinage cross throw Uke's arms are crossed at the elbows as nage applies torque against this stoppage.

K A    B    C    D    E    F    G    H    I    J    K    L    M    N    O    P    Q    R    S    T    U    V    W    X    Y    Z

Kaiten turn Turning 180 degrees by rotating on the balls of the feet. Also known as "henkan." Also used as a general term for methods of turning (uchi mawari, etc.).
Kaitenage wheel throw After bring uke's head low, nage keeps their head down while spinning nage by rotating their arm above them (omote) or their hindquarters around (ura).
Kanji Japanese characters Characters of Chinese origin, the complex looking ones. Used to signify nouns, verbs, and other conceptually important words.
Kata shoulder/form Two homophones. The one meaning "shoulder" is part of many technique names. The one meaning "form" refers to long sets of exercises performed with a jo staff.
Kataguruma over-the-shoulder throw The classic over-the-shoulder throw. Rarely practiced in Aikido, seen more often in Judo.
Katatetori 1-handed grab 1-handed wrist grab
Katatori shoulder grab Shoulder grab
Keri kick Kick. Rarely used in Aikido. Sometimes misspelled as "geri."
Ki energy, spirit The second kanji in Aikido.
Kokikai light ki foundation The style of Aikido practiced in the PE class at Swarthmore College.
Kokyu breath/breathing Breath/breathing
Kokyudosa Breathing movement Breathing exercise done with both partners in seiza. Uke grabs ryotetori; nage extends her arms and pins uke, focusing on proper breathing.
Kokyuho Breathing technique Throws with a focus on proper breathing. The most common resembles an upsidedown iriminage.
Kokyunage Breath throw Collection of throws, called breath throws, focused on proper breathing. Often, when Sensei cannot remember the proper name for a technique, it's a kokyunage.
Koshinage hip throw Koshi! Nage gets their hips low and in front of uke, loads 'em up, and throws 'em.
Kotegaeshi back-of-the-hand turn Uke's hand is turned back and roated to the outside of the body simultaneously.
Kyu rank (White) Belt ranks, such as 5th kyu, 4th kyu, etc.

M A    B    C    D    E    F    G    H    I    J    K    L    M    N    O    P    Q    R    S    T    U    V    W    X    Y    Z

Mae kaiten front roll A forward roll, the most basic form of ukemi.
Mae yoko
   kaiten
front side roll A forward fall, often called "forward ukemi."
Menuchi hit in the face Punch in the face, common element in technique names.
Morotetori 2-hand grab 2 hands grabbing 1 arm.
Munadori chest grab 1-handed chest or lapel grab

N A    B    C    D    E    F    G    H    I    J    K    L    M    N    O    P    Q    R    S    T    U    V    W    X    Y    Z

Nage throw Throw. Also the defender in Aikido (the one doing the techniques).
Nikyo 2nd technique The second technique, uke's wrist and elbow are compressed into a Z-shape and torqued a bit.

O A    B    C    D    E    F    G    H    I    J    K    L    M    N    O    P    Q    R    S    T    U    V    W    X    Y    Z

Omote front side Term for techniques where nage applies the technique while moving or standing in front of uke. As opposed to ura.
Onegaishimasu please do me the honor... Traditional phrase used at the start of practice as well as the start of each paired exercise.
O'Sensei see Ueshiba, Morihei

R A    B    C    D    E    F    G    H    I    J    K    L    M    N    O    P    Q    R    S    T    U    V    W    X    Y    Z

Randori chaos throw One nage defends against several ukes. Attacks and techniques used may be limited beforehand or unrestricted.
Rokkyo 6th technique The sixth technique. Another name for hijigime.
Ryokatatori both shoulder grab Double shoulder grab.
Ryotetori both wrist grab Double wrist grab.

S A    B    C    D    E    F    G    H    I    J    K    L    M    N    O    P    Q    R    S    T    U    V    W    X    Y    Z

Sankyo 3rd technique The third technique. Uke's hand and forearm are held vertical and torqued.
Seiza proper sitting Sitting on top of one's feet with both knees in front, together.
Sensei teacher Whoever is teaching class. Also an honorific appended to the names of those who have achieved shodan or higher. Ex: Jim Walsh Sensei.
Shihonage 4-direction throw Uke's upper arm is pointed straight up in the air. The elbow is fully bent and the tricep is extended. Nage grasps uke's wrist and cuts down. Although the proper spelling is "shihounage," meaning "4-direction throw," it frequently appears as "shihonage."
Shikko knee walking Knee walking
Shodan 1st dan (see dan) The first level of black belt. Usually earned in American Aikikai Aikido after 7-10 years of training.
Shomen front The front of the head. Also the front of the dojo. Also, the various artifacts at the front of the dojo, sometimes the picture of O'Sensei in particular.
Shomenate front hit A rising strike to the face, sometimes used as a very abbreviated iriminage.
Shomenuchi face hit Vertical strike to the face. In practice this strike stands in for any vertical barehanded strike as well as attacks with baseball bats, knives, etc.
Soto outside Outside.
Soto mawari outside turn Describes a technique done by turning to uke's outside and catching their wrist against the handblade (pinky metacarpal bone).
Sumiotoshi corner drop With uke's wrist in hand and arm extended, nage bears down on the elbow.
Suwari waza sitting technique A technique done with both uke and nage sitting seiza.

T A    B    C    D    E    F    G    H    I    J    K    L    M    N    O    P    Q    R    S    T    U    V    W    X    Y    Z

Tachi standing Standing.
Tachi waza standing technique A technique done with both uke and nage standing.
Tai no henko body change An exercise. Uke grabs nage gyaku hanmi katatetori, nage does a tenkan and extends his arms.
Tai sabaki body movement The basic footwork for Aikido. Tenkan, kaiten/henkan, irimi tenkan, etc.
Tanto knife Term for both knives and wooden practice knives.
Tenchinage heaven and earth throw With both hands grabbed, nage directs one earthward and the other skyward.
Tenkan turn A 180 degree turn executed by turning the front foot pigeon-toed then withdrawing the rear foot straight backwards.
Tori grab From "toru," meaning "to take," a common element in technique names. Often seen as "dori," also.
Tsuki punch A straight-on punch.

U A    B    C    D    E    F    G    H    I    J    K    L    M    N    O    P    Q    R    S    T    U    V    W    X    Y    Z

Uchi hit, inside 2 totally different terms in Japanese (homophones). One word means "a hit." The other refers to techniques performed by turning "inside," which usually means under uke's outstretched arm.
Uchi mawari inside turn See uchi.
Udegarame arm intertwining A really cool technique. Nage positions herself beside and slightly ahead of uke. Grasping uke's outside arm with her outside arm, nage reaches over uke's outstretched arm with her free arm, bends at the elbow, and grabs her own wrist, underneath uke's arm, applying pressure to the elbow.
Ueshiba,
    Morihei
(a name) The founder of Aikido. Frequently referred to as O'Sensei. Click here to learn more.
Uke receive The partner receiving a technique in practice. The one playing the part of an attacker.
Ukemi what uke does What uke does, meaning how to take the techniques without harm. The art of falling.
Ura back side Denotes a technique performed while nage is behind or traveling behind uke. Usually involves a tenkan. As opposed to omote.
Ushiro back, backwards, behind When referring to an attack, it means that the attack ends up coming from behind. When referring to ukemi, it means that the ukemi is done backwards, ie backwards roll.
Ushiro eridori collar grab from behind the back Collar grab from behind the back.
Ushiro kaiten backwards roll A backwards roll, the second most basic form of ukemi.
Ushiro
   katatetori
    to eridori
wrist and collar grab from behind the back Wrist and collar grab from behind the back.
Ushiro
   kubishime
choke from behind the back Wrist grab and choke from behind the back.
Ushiro mae
   kaiten
backwards forwards roll A backwards-into-forwards roll. While falling backwards, uke turns in midair and performs a forward roll. An advanced ukemi.
Ushiro mae
   yoko kaiten
backwards forwards side roll A backwards-into-forwards fall, often called "backwards-into-forwards ukemi." While falling backwards, uke turns in midair and performs a mae yoko kaiten. An advanced ukemi.
Ushiro
   ryokatatori
both shoulder grab from behind the back Double shoulder grab from behind the back.
Ushiro
   ryotetori
both wrist grab from behind the back Double wrist grab from behind the back.
Ushiro toshi backwards through There are two versions of this ukemi, one advanced and one very advanced. In the basic version, when confronted with a horizontal, head-level attack, such as a clothesline, uke reaches underneath the attacker's arm and hangs on with the outside arm while spinning 90 degrees towards the attacker and bending fully in the knees, all the way down to the ground. Uke then touches down with an outstreched inside arm and rolls across it, both shoulders, and the other arm, away from the attacker, and stands up. (The bullet-dodging scene in The Matrix was a poorly executed basic ushiro toshi.) In the advanced, or "aerial," version, the attack is so hard and fast uke doesn't have time to bend at the knees. Instead uke kicks both legs above his head, leaving himself airborne, then touches down with the inside hand and rolls out as in the basic version. "Ushiro toshi" actually means "backwards age"; we suspect it's a misspelling of "ushiro toushi," meaning "backwards through" -- uke goes through the space under the arm.
Ushiro yoko
   kaiten
backwards side roll Often called, "backwards ukemi," the reverse of mae yoko kaiten.

W A    B    C    D    E    F    G    H    I    J    K    L    M    N    O    P    Q    R    S    T    U    V    W    X    Y    Z

Waza technique The things we learn in Aikido.

Y A    B    C    D    E    F    G    H    I    J    K    L    M    N    O    P    Q    R    S    T    U    V    W    X    Y    Z

Yoko side A common component in many terms used in Aikido.
Yokomenuchi side-of-the-head hit A circular strike to the forwardmost temple.
Yonkyo 4th technique The fourth technique. Nage grasps uke's wrist like a sword and cuts down.

More thanks to Shiho for the literal translations.
This section was really gruelling & couldn't
have been done without her extensive help.
Thanks also to Mat for finding all those typos.


Nomenclature                Glossary                Counting

Counting in Japanese:

ValueJapanese NumberRough Pronunciation
1Ichiee - chee
2Ninee
3Sansan ("an" like "Andre")
4Shishe
5Gogo
6Rokurow - coo
7Shichishe - chee
8Hachiha - chee ("ha" like "hot")
9Kucoo
10Jujoo ("joo" like "Jewish")

     Usually it is permissible to begin again at 1 after have reached 10, if you are counting in practice. If, for some reason you must continue, the numbers proceed:

ju-ichi = 11, ju-ni = 12,... ni-ju = 20, ni-ju-ichi = 21,...

There are some irregularities, most notably, "shi" often becomes "yon," "shichi" often becomes "nana," and "ku" often becomes "kyu." Often, in Aikido practices, "ichi" becomes an abbreviated, deep, gutteral "EECH" sound.