Common Aikido Terminology

Aikido is a Japanese martial art that uses a lot of terms that will be new to most students. Here’s a compiled list of frequent terms used in AIkido training.

Musubi
A quality of growing connectedness, often referring to the connection between partners in practice.

Ki
The primal causal force, often described as life energy or spirit.

Keiko
Training or practice.

Waza
Technique.

Budo
Traditional Japanese martial arts; “the way of the warrior.”

Misogi
Purification, often through spiritual or physical practices.

Kokyu
Breath; also refers to techniques that emphasize timing and breath power.

Movement & Interaction

Irimi
To enter; a movement of entering into the opponent’s space.

Tenkon
Turn or change.

Kaiten
Rotation or circular movement; often refers to changing direction.

Atemi
Strike or attack, used to create an opening or disrupt an opponent’s focus.

Roles & Philosophical Concepts

Aite
The other person or opponent. For example, one should not turn their back to aite.

Nage
The person performing the technique being studied.

Uke
The person receiving the technique being studied.

Mina-san
Everyone.

Phrases

Yoroshiku Onegaishimasu
A common greeting often said when meeting someone, or when bowing to Sensei or a training partner. It expresses a request for mutual respect and cooperation.

Arigatou
Thank you.
Formal: Doumo Arigatou Gozaimasu.

Taihen Desu
That’s too bad / What a shame. (Note: “Taihen” also means “difficult” or “troublesome” depending on context.)

Tachi Mashou
Let’s stand up.

Sumimasen
Oops. I didn’t mean to do that. Please don’t take offense. (Note: “Sumimasen” can also mean “excuse me” or “thank you” in various contexts.)

Gomen Nasai
Sorry. (Used to express a more heartfelt or formal apology.)

Techniques

Ikkyo
First control technique involving an arm pin.

Nikkyo
Second control, a wrist lock causing an inward rotation.

Sankyo
Third control, an upward spiraling wristlock.

Yonkyo
Fourth control, focuses on a nerve point on the forearm.

Gokyo
Fifth control, similar to Ikkyo but used against a knife attack.

Rokkyo
Sixth control; not commonly listed in traditional Aikido, but some styles include it.

Nanakyo
Seventh control; this is less standard and might vary by style.

Ikkyo-Nanakyo
Collective term for the first seven techniques.

Kote Gaeshi
“Wrist turn”; a throwing technique involving a wrist twist.

Irimi Nage
“Entering throw”; blending with the opponent and throwing them backward.

Zenpo Nage
A throw from entering through Ikkyo.

Soto Kaiten
“Outside rotation”; an external turning technique.

Uchi Kaiten
“Inside rotation”; an internal turning technique.

Kokyu Ho / Kokyu Nage
“Breath power”; techniques emphasizing timing and breath.

Anatomy

Hara
The lower abdomen; considered the center of energy.

Te
Hand.

Kote
Wrist.

Kubi
Neck.

Tekubi
“Hand neck”; another term for wrist.

Men
Face or head.

Exercises

Koho Tento
An ukemi exercise, usually practiced as warmup involving rolling back and forth.

Irimi Tenkan
Entering and turning movement. With one foot forward, clear, then enter, then tenkan all while keeping even contact with the ground and level hips.

Furi Tama
“Spirit shaking”; an exercise to center oneself.

Tori Fune no Gyo
“Rowing exercise”; promotes coordination and rhythm.

Ibuki
Breathing Excercises

Ibuki Nagayo
Breathing meditation

Attacks

Katate Tori
Wrist taking

Koto Giri
“Wrist cut”; could refer to a sword technique targeting the wrist.

Tsuki
A thrusting attack or punch.

Shomen Uchi
“Front strike”; overhead strike to the head.

Otoshi Tsuki
“Dropping thrust”; a downward thrusting attack.

Stances / Postures / Poses

Neko-dachi
“Cat stance”; weight mostly on the back foot.

Sankaku-tai
“Triangle stance”; feet positioned in a triangular formation.

Migi-dachi
Right-foot-forward stance.

Hidari-dachi
Left-foot-forward stance.

Tachi
Standing position.

Sonkyo
A stance with feet parallel to one another about shoulder width apart. (Not to confuse with Sankyo)

Hanmi
“Half body”; basic Aikido stance with the body turned at an angle.

Ai Hanmi
Harmonious stance. Their left foot is out – your left foot is out.

Gyaku Hanmi
Mirror stance. Their left foot is out – your left foot is out.

Seiza
Sitting with knees underneath you.

Kikkyo
Sitting with knees underneath you and weight upon toes.

Hanza
Sitting with soles of feet pressed together in front of you.

Agura
Sitting cross legged.

Aiki Age
“Aiki raise”; an upward extension movement.

Aiki Sage
“Aiki lower”; a downward extension movement.

Te-suji
Hand orientation; often refers to the path of the hand.

Ha-suji
Sword orientation; blade angle.

Training Implements in Aikido and Kenjutsu

Bokken / Bokuto
Wooden sword

Ken
Sword

Jo
Typical staff used in Aikiwaza

Bo
A large staff

Fukuro
Bag

Shinai
A bamboo training sword

Fukuro Shinai
“Bag blade”; a leather-wrapped shinai for contact practice

Tsuba
Hilt or cross-guard

Saiya
The sheath

Mune
The back of the blade

Ha
The sharp edge of the blade

Kisaki
The sharp curve at the end of the blade.

Mono-Uchi
Last 6 inches of the blade and Kisaki.

Shinogi
The flat surfaces adjacent to the mune on a bokken

Himo
Strings attached to the saiya

Uniform / Clothing

Gi
Keiko uniform

Hakama
Traditional Japanese pants, originally for horse-riding

Kimono
Top portion of a gi

Obi
Belt

Kakuobi
Wide belt

Himo
Strings

Fundoshi
Traditional loincloth

Hachimaki
Headband

Harae do no okami

Harae do no okami

Harae do no okami

– Frequently chanted

O Inari no O Kami

O Inari no O Kami

O Inari no O Kami

– Frequently chanted

Hi Fu Mi Yo I Mu Na Ya Ko To

– Frequently chanted (Literally 1-10)

Takama No Hara Ni Kamuzumarimasu*

Komurogi kamuromi no mikoto mochite

Sume mi oya kamu Izanagi no Mikoto

Tsukushi no himuka no tachibana no o do no o aha gi hara ni.

Misogi harae tamaishi toki ni hare maseru.

Moro moro no magakoto tsumi kegare o

Harae tamae kyome tamae to maosu koto no yoshi o

Amatsu Kami

Kunitsu Kami

Yaorozu no Kamitachi tomo ni

Kashikomi Kashikomi mo maosu.

– Misogi Prayer, sometimes at end of class.

Inari Norito

Kakemakumo kashikoki
Inari no Ōkami no ō mae ni
Kashikomi kashikomi mo maosaku

Ashita ni yūbe ni isoshimi tsutomuru
Ie no nariwai wo
Yurumu koto naku
Okotaru koto naku

Iya susume ni susume tamai
Iya tasuke ni tasuke tamaite

Iekado takaku
Fuki oko sashime tamai
Kakiwa ni tokiwa ni inochi nagaku

Uminoko no yasotsuzuki ni itaru made
Ikashi yaguwae no gotoku
Tachi sakaeshime tamai

Ie ni mo mi ni mo
Magakami no magakoto ara shime zu
Ayamachi okasu koto no aramu o ba
Kamunaohi ōnaohi ni minaoshi kikinaoshi mashite

Yo no mamori
Hi no mamori ni mamori
Sakiwae tamae to
Kashikomi kashikomi mo maosu.

– Inari Norito Prayer, sometimes at end of class.