Glossary | Brooklyn Aikikai

Etiquette

Proper etiquette is as much a part of your training as learning the techniques. Awareness is the most important thing. Be conscious, not only in your training on the mat, but also in the way you walk into the dojo, the way in which you align your shoes, and the way in which you speak: all these are training in Budo as well.

The etiquette at the dojo may seem confusing at times, but if you carefully observe and follow the examples of the chief instructor and the senior students, you will soon pick it up.

For a chart of common Japanese terms encountered in the dojo, please review further down this page.

Bowing

Bowing is a practice of humility. It is a matter of respect for the founder of aikido, your teacher, the dojo and your fellow students, and to countless others who studied and suffered before you to help develop the techniques we now practice. The spirit of your bow gives it meaning.

As you enter and leave through the front door, make a standing bow (bow your head toward the kamiza). Remove your shoes and place them neatly on the rack. Then, do a seated bow at the edge of the mat. This seated bow should be done when entering the dojo for the first time and when leaving (before putting on your shoes).

Once you cross the mat (near the dressing rooms) you should do a standing bow to the kamiza every time you step on or off the mat. When you have dressed in your gi and are coming onto the mat to train for the first time, do two seated bows – one toward the kamiza, one toward the center of the dojo.

Training

Students should be lined up in seiza and ready to practice several minutes before class begins. Before practice, the instructor and students will bow together to the kamiza and each other, saying "o-negai-shimas(u)" (please) and also after practice, saying "domo arigato gozaimashita" (thank you).

During demonstrations and when receiving instruction from the teacher, sit in seiza and bow after instruction is received.

Do not sit with your back against the wall (feet out) or with your back to the kamiza. Do not lean against the wall.

Keep talking to a minimum. Learning the art is done primarily through observation. Ask questions after class.

Lateness

Please be on time. This is a matter of respect for your teacher and your fellow students. The door is open 30 minutes before class starts. You should arrive at least 10 minutes before class begins. If you know ahead of time that you are going to be late you should call the dojo to let Sensei know.

If lateness cannot be avoided then you must ask permission to be allowed on the mat. This means that if class has begun when you arrive, you should enter, do your seated bow, and sit in seiza at the edge of the mat and wait until you have made eye contact with the instructor. He or she will signal that you can come onto the mat. Get dressed quickly and, when ready, kneel at the side of the mat (near dressing rooms) and again make eye contact with the instructor and wait for him/her to signal you on to the mat. Do your two seated bows and then go immediately to join in (usually at the back so you do not get in anyone else's way).

Cleanliness

Keep your body and gi clean. Trim your nails, and remove any jewelry before practice. Refrain from wearing strong perfume or cologne during class.

Please do not leave your gi in the dressing room unless you are coming back within 24 hours to train. Towels may be left to dry and then should be folded and put under the benches. Hakama should be folded and stored neatly.

In General

It is the student's responsibility to keep in contact with Sensei (not vice versa!). This means letting him know when you will be out of town or if you have been injured or are sick and will not be in class as usual.

Bring a courageous and bold spirit to the dojo. The nature of this training is difficult, and one must persist.

Push forward!

Aikido Glossary

A

harmony, union

Ai hanmi

equal or mutual stance; partners stand facing one another with the same foot forward.

Ai uchi

equal strike or equal kill

Atemi

strike to distract or unbalance uke so a technique can be effectively applied.

B

Bokken

wooden sword used in practice

Budo

martial way

Bushido

warrior way

C

Chudan

middle position

D

Dan

system of ranking; black belt rank

Deshi

student, pupil, disciple

Dojo

training hall

Dori

grab

Domo arigato gozaimashita

thank you very much

E

Eridori

collar or lapel grab

F

Fukushidoin

first instructors rank, 2nd or 3rd dan

G

Gedan

low position

training uniform

five

Gokkyo

fifth pinning technique

Gyaku hanmi

opposite stance; partners stand with the opposite foot forward (like a mirror image)

H

Hachi

eight

Hakama

divided, skirt-like pant; formal wear, normally worn by yudansha and advanced aikido students

Hanmi

triangular stance with either left or right foot forward

Hanmi handachi

attack where nage is kneeling and uke approaches from a standing position

Hara

the center of existence; lower abdomen; physical and spiritual center; center of gravity of a person; area below the navel; the reservoir of ki

Hidari

left (direction)

Hiji

elbow

Hijidori

elbow grab

I

Iaido

the art of drawing the sword

Ikkyo

first technique, elbow technique

Irimi

to enter

Iriminage

throwing technique using an entering motion

Ichi

one

J

Jyo

wooden staff

Jodan

high position

Jodori

disarming jyo attack

ten

Jujinage

crossed arm throw

K

Kaeshi waza

counter techniques

Kaiten

to revolve or rotate

Kaitenage

rotary throw

Kamae

posture

Kamiza

altar, seat of gods

Kata

pre-arranged exercise

Katatedori

one hand grab to wrist

Katadori

one hand grab to the shoulder

Keiko

practice, training

Ken

sword

Spirit

Ki Musubi

ki blending

Kohai

junior or subordinate student

Kokyu

breath; ki and the motions of the body unified by control of the breath

Kokyunage

breath throw

Koshi

hips, waist

Koshinage

hip throw

Kotegaeshi

wrist turn out throw; wrist turning technique

nine

Kubishime

choke

Kyu

aikido ranks below dan

M

Maai

distance between uke and nage, meaning harmony of space

Menuchi

strike to the head

Misogi

purification

Mokuso

meditate

Morotedori

attack grabbing one wrist/forearm with both hands

Munedori

lapel grab

Musubi

blending

N

Nage

throw; person who is attacked and performs the technique

two

Nikkyo

second technique, wrist bending technique

O

O Sensei

great teacher, founder of aikido, Morihei Ueshiba 1883-1969

Obi

belt

Omote

moving in front/forward

Onegai shimasu

polite way to make a request (spoken when one wishes to practice with a fellow student or teacher and at the beginning of each class)

R

Randori

multiple person attack

Rei

bow, salutation

Roku

six

Ryokatadori

two-shoulder grab

Ryote

both hands

Ryotedori

attack in which both wrists are held from the front

S

San

three

Sankyo

third technique, wrist twisting/pinning technique

Seiza

formal kneeling position with back straight

Senpai

senior student

Sensei

teacher, the person who has walked ahead on this path

Shi

four

Shichi

seven

Shidoin

certified instructor rank

Shihan

master instructor rank

Shihonage

four directions throw

Shikko

technique of walking on the knees

Shodan

first degree black belt

Shomenuchi

strike to forehead

Shugyo

rigorous purification training

Sode

sleeve

Soto

outside

Soto Kaiten

outside turning motion

Suburi

single movement using the ken or

jyo; done as a solo practice

Sumiotoshi

corner drop throw

Suwariwaza

sitting techniques

T

Tachiwaza

techniques done with both uke and nage standing

Taijutsu

techniques done without weapons

Tai-no-henka

basic blending practice, tenkan exercise

Taisabaki

body movements

Tanden

point just below the navel

Tanto

knife

hand

Tegatana

hand blade; sword edge of the hand

Tenchinage

heaven and earth throw

Tenkan

turning movement

Tsuba

sword handguard

Tsuka

sword handle

Tsuki

thrust, punch

U

Uchi

inside, also means to strike

Uchideshi

live-in student, apprentice; form of apprenticeship in martial and other arts or disciplines where the student lives alongside the master to study the way

Uchi kaiten

inside turning movement

Uke

person who gives the attack and receives the technique

Ukemi

the art of receiving the technique/falling

Ura

moving behind

Ushiro

back, behind, rear

Ushiro eridori

collar grab from behind

Ushiro hijidori

elbows grabbed from behind

Ushiro kubishime

choke from behind with free hand grabbing wrist

Ushiro ryokatadori

both shoulders grabbed from behind

Ushiro ryotedori

both wrists grabbed from behind

Ushirowaza

techniques applied from the rear

W - Y - Z

Waza

techniques

Yokomenuchi

strike to the side of head/temple

Yonkyo

fourth technique where pressure is applied against uke's forearm

Yudansha

black belt grade holders

Zabuton

rectangular, base cushion for zazen

Zafu

round cushion for zazen

Zanshin

unbroken awareness and concentration

Zazen

sitting meditation

W - Y - Z