Vocabulary

Aikido: Ai=harmony, ki=spirit, do=way.
Aiki Taiso: Aikido exercises.
Atemi Waza: Striking techniques.
Bokken: Wooden sword used in practice.
Bushido: The way of the warrior.
Dan: Black belt rank.
Deshi: Student, pupil disciple.
Dojo: Training hall (formally a term used by Buddhist priests for their place of worship).
Doshi: Camrade, friend.
Gaeshi: To reverse.
Gi: Training costume.
Hakama: A divided, pant-like skirt.
Hanmi: A posture in which one foot is advanced one step and the body weight is distributed equally on both feet. Triangular stance.
Hanmi Handachi: Nage is kneeling and opponent approaches standing.
Hantai: In reverse order.
Hara: The center of existence. Lower abdomen, physical and spiritual center.
Hidari: Left (direction).
Hiji: Elbow.
Irime: To enter; entering.
Jiyu: Free style.
Jiyu Waza: Free style techniques/practice.
Jo: Wooden staff.
Kaiten: To revolve or rotate.
Kata: Shoulder...also means "form." Practice of pre-arranged exercises.
Katate: One hand (left or right).
Keiko: Practice session; traning.
Ken: Japanese sword.
Ki: Spirt...the vital force of the body; universal energy; a stream or flow of positive energy.
Kiai: A piercing scream or cry with practical and psychological value. "Meeting of the spirits."
Kokyu: Breath power...the coordination of ki flow with breathing.
Kokyu Dosa: A method of off-balancing and pinning your partner with ki instead of with physical power.
Koshi: Hips, waist (also spelled goshi).
Kubi: Neck.
Kyu: Aikido rank, a mudansha or undergraduate.
Maai: Distance between uke and nage, meaning "harmony of space."
Men: Face, head.
Migi: Right (direction).
Nage: Throw...the person who throws.
Obi: Belt.
O'Sensei: The great teacher (Morehei Ueshiba).
Randori: Multiple attack.
Rei: Salutation, bow.
Ryote: Both hands.
Samurai: Military retainer.
Sempai: Senior student.
Sensei: Teacher, instructor.
Seiza: Formal sitting posture.
Shiho: Four directions.
Shimi: To choke.
Shodan: Holder of a first grade black belt.
Shomen: Front or top of the head.
Suburi: A single movement using the ken or jo, done as a solo practice.
Sutemi: A hard fall...literally meaning to throw or sacrifice the body.
Suwari: Waza Sitting techniques.
Tachi: Japanese sword.
Tachi-dori: Techniques of taking an opponent's sword.
Taijutsu: Body arts. The techniques of aikido done without weapons.
Tai No Henko: Basic blending practice.
Tanto: Wooden knife.
Te: Hand.
Tegatana: Hand blade. sword edge of the Hand.
Te Kubi: Wrist.
Tenchi: Ten=heaven, chi=earth. A position of the hands one high and one low.
Tsuki: Thrust.
Uchi: To strike.
Uke: A person who receives an attack. Generally speaking uke refers to the person being thrown.
Ukemi: Breakfall. The art of falling away from harm.
Ushiro: Back, behind, rear.
Waza: Techniques.
Yokomen: Side of the head.
Yudansha: Black belt holders.