Aikido Terms

Ai-hanmi: when the partners are facing each other in Katatetori: an attack in which Uke grabs one of a mutual triangular stance. Nage’s hands in one of his or her hands. Aikikai: the name of any aikido school recognized Katatori: an attack in which Uke grabs at Nage’s by Aikido World Headquarters. lapel or shoulder. Atemi: the use of striking techniques. Ki: inner energy based on calmness. Kokyu-ho, kokyu-ryoku: kokyu-ryoku is breath Bokken: see Tachi, bokken. power emanating from the abdomen; Budo: any Japanese martial art. kokyu-ho is a method of coordinating breath power and body movement to increase one’s ki Dojo: a place where martial arts training takes power. place. Kokyu nage: a type of throw employing no joint Doshu: the title of the present leader of Aikido. technique. Kokyu-ryoku: see kokyu-ho, kokyu-ryoku. Eritori: an attack in which the collar is grabbed Koshinage: a throw in which Uke is thrown over from behind. Nage’s hips. Kotegaeshi: one of the wrist techniques in which Gaeshi: returning, reverse pressure is applied on the wrist away from Gedan: lower. Uke’s body. Gi: practice uniform. Gokkyo: one of the wrist techniques in which the Morotetori: an attack in which Uke grabs Nage’s wrist is held palm up; usually employed forearm with both hands. against a knife attack. Maai: the proper distance beween Uke and Nage. Gyaku-hanmi: the partners stand in opposite Nage: the partner executing the technique. triangular stances. Nikkyo: one of the wrist techniques in which pressure is applied on the wrist toward Uke’s Hanmi: a triangular stance, the basic on-guard body. position. Hanmi handachi: Nage is in a sitting posture and Omote, ura: the description of Nage’s position in Uke attacks from a standing posture. executing the techniques. Omote is based on irimi movements and is done going toward Ikkyo: a wrist technique where the arm is held Uke; ura is based on tenkan movements without applying pressure to the joints. making Uke move around Nage. Irimi, tenkan: basic opening movements in Aikido Osae: a pin, a method of holding down. techniques. Irimi is a motion in which one O Sensei: Morihei Ueshiba, the founder of Aikido. charges directly towards the opponent; tenkan is a motion in which one turns or pivots away Rei, ojigi: proper bowing. from the opponent. Reigi: etiquette. Irimi nage: a throwing technique employing an Ryotetori: an attack in which Uke grabs both of “entering” motion. Nage’s wrists in both of his or her hands.

Jo: wooden staff. Sankyo: one of the wrist techniques in which Jo tori: technique applied against attack with a jo. pressure is applied against the wrist in a Juji nage: a type of throw in which Nage uses the twisting motion toward Uke. pressure of crossing Uke’s arms against each Seiza: proper sitting. other. Shihonage: a technique in which pressure is applied against Uke’s wrist and elbow using a Kaeshi: returning, reverse sword-swinging motion to throw Uke down. Kaitenage: a throw in which Nage employs a Shikko: a technique of walking on the knees. spinning motion to throw Uke forward; Shomenuchi: an attack in which Uke strikes at pressure is exerted by holding Uke’s head Nage’s forehead with an open hand. down and pushing the arm on a diagonal. Soto kaiten: an outside turning motion. Kamae: guard position Suwari waza: techniques, done from a sitting Uke: the partner initiating the “attack”. position, in which Uke and Nage employ Ukemi: protective falling. shikko. Ura: see Omote, ura. Ushiro kubishime: an attack in which Uke grabs Tachi, bokken: a wooden sword. one of Nage’s wrists from behind and chokes Tachi tori: techniques applied against attacks with Nage with the other arm. a boken. Ushiro ryokatatori: an attack in which Uke grabs Tachi waza: techniques done with Uke and Nage Nage’s shoulders from behind. standing. Ushiro tekubitori: an attack in which Uke grabs Tanto: a wooden knife. both of Nage’s wrists from behind. Tanto tori: techniques applied against knife Waza: technique. attacks. Tenchi nage: a type of irimi nage in which Nage Yokomenuchi: an attack in which Uke strikes at breaks Uke’s balance by extending one hand the side of Nage’s neck or head with an open up and the other down while moving toward hand. Uke. Yonkyo: a technique in which pressure is applied Tenkan: see Irimi, tenkan. against Uke’s forearm.

Uchi kaiten: an inside turning motion. Zen: a form of meditation based on a Japanese Udekime nage: a type of throw applying pressure to philosophy. the underside of the elbow.

These terms are from Yoshimitsu Yamada’s book, The New Aikido Complete.

NOTES: 1. dori and tori are used interchangeably (katatedori vs katatetori, ryotedori vs ryotetori, etc) with the CAF using dori. 2. Ushiro tekubitori, ushiro ryotekubidori, ushiro ryotedori are used interchangeably with the CAF using ushiro ryotekubidori