Glossary.
The Japanese words you will hear in an aikido dojo, with their characters, readings and meanings.
The name.
- Aikidō
- The way of harmonizing with energy: a Japanese martial art founded by Morihei Ueshiba that blends with an attack instead of opposing it.
- Ai
- To join or harmonize.
- Ki
- Energy, breath and intention, trained through posture, breathing and relaxed extension from the centre.
- Dō
- The way: a path of practice and of life.
- Aiki
- Blending with a partner’s energy and intention, then leading it to resolution.
- Aikidōka
- Aikido students: anyone who practices aikido.
Movement.
- Irimi
- Entering: stepping into and past the line of attack rather than retreating.
- Tenkan
- Turning: a pivot that joins the partner’s direction and leads the force around your centre.
- Sankaku, maru, shikaku
- Triangle, circle, square: the stable stance, the turning blend and the settled control of practice.
- Musubi
- Tying: the living connection between partners in timing, intention and movement.
- Ukemi
- The art of receiving technique safely through rolls and breakfalls.
- Zanshin
- A state of remaining awareness. Zanshin refers to sustained presence before, during, and after a technique, embodying calm attentiveness without fixation, and reflecting readiness without aggression.
- Kuzushi
- Breaking the partner’s balance, the moment before a technique resolves.
The way.
- Budō
- A Japanese term referring to the martial way. Budo aims at refining spirit and character through disciplined practice, transforming combat into harmony, and seeking inner mastery over outer conflict.
- Bushidō
- “The way of the warrior”: the samurai ideal of constant striving for self-perfection in all things.
- Shugyō
- A process of intense, spiritual forging.
- Misogi
- Purification: an austere breathing practice rooted in Shinto, used to clear body and mind.
- Masakatsu agatsu
- The founder’s motto: “True victory is victory over oneself.”
- Soku kon moku zen
- Taking care of what is right before your eyes. Existing in the present moment.
- Sesshin
- An intensive Zen retreat.
- Rōshi
- “Old teacher”: the title of a Zen master.
In the dojo.
- Keiko
- Practice; training in the dojo.
- Dōjō
- The place of the way: the training hall.
- Kamiza
- The front of the dojo, where the founder’s portrait or calligraphy hangs.
- Rei
- The bow: respect and gratitude at the start and end of practice.
- Seiza
- The formal kneeling posture.
- Uke and nage
- The partner who receives the technique and the partner who performs it.
- Keikogi
- The training uniform of jacket and trousers, often called a gi.
- Hakama
- The pleated trousers worn over the training uniform; its seven pleats are traditionally said to represent seven virtues of budo.
- Bokken
- A wooden sword for training. A heavier suburi bokken is used for solo cutting practice.
- Jō
- A wooden staff, a little over four feet long, used in weapons practice.
- Tantō
- A wooden knife, used to practice defenses against a knife attack.
Teachers.
- Sensei
- Teacher.
- Shihan
- “Teacher of teachers”: a master instructor.
- Shihandai
- Assistant shihan: a senior instructor who may teach in a shihan’s place.
- Shidōin
- Instructor (an AAA/AAI instructor level).
- Fukushidōin
- Assistant instructor.
- Joshu
- Assistant, also written jyoshu: the first of the AAA/AAI instructor levels.
- Dōjō-chō
- The head of a dojo: its director and usually its chief instructor.
- Shibuchō
- The head of a regional branch. In the AAA, the area’s shibucho also heads its test committee.
Students and ranks.
- Uchideshi
- A full-time, live-in trainee.
- Kenshūsei
- A student in an intensive training program who cannot train full time.
- Kyū and dan
- Student grades and black-belt grades.
- Shodan
- First-degree black belt. Higher grades count on: nidan (second), sandan (third), yondan (fourth), godan (fifth), rokudan (sixth).
- Yūdansha
- A black-belt holder; the yudansha booklet records a member’s tests and seminars.
- Shinsa iin kai
- The local test committee: instructors ranked sandan or above, elected from the black belts present at a promotion test.
Lineage.
- Kaiso
- The founder: Morihei Ueshiba, O-Sensei.
- Ō-Sensei
- “Great teacher” or “venerable teacher”: the name by which aikido students refer to the founder, Morihei Ueshiba.
- Dōshu
- “Master of the Way”: the hereditary head of the Aikikai.
- Hombu dōjō
- Headquarters dojo, also written honbu. In aikido it usually means the Aikikai’s world headquarters dojo in Tokyo.
- Mon
- Family crest. The association’s emblem is a mon of hanging wisteria.
Gatherings.
- Ichigo ichie
- One time, one meeting: every encounter happens once.
- Nyūmon
- Entering the gate: becoming a student.
- Kagami biraki
- The New Year opening, celebrated with a seminar at headquarters in January.
- Kangeiko
- Winter training, held at headquarters in February.
These words make the most sense on the mat.