Terms

The terms used for techniques and dojo etiquette in Aikido are in Japanese. Below are a list of terms that practitioners should become familiar with.

It is not necessary to “cram” all of these terms at once, gradual exposure to these words in class will make them regular addition to your vocabulary. This list is provided as a review to aid the beginner and as a refresher for the more experienced student.

Etiquette Terms

Dojo	Training hall.
Gi	Practice uniform
O-Sensei	Morihei Ueshiba, Founder of Aikido
Onegaishimasu	“Please do me this favor.” Said to sensei after a technique is demonstrated, and to your partner before training.
Nage	The person executing the technique.
Rei	Bow. There are seated and standing bows.
Seiza	Formal seated position. Back is straight, legs folded underneath, knees apart, big toes are next to each other.
Sensei	Instructor
Uke	The person receiving the technique (person who initiates an “attack”).

Technique Position/Type Terms

Ai-hanmi	When Nage and Uke face each other in the same stance.
Gyaku-hanmi	When Nage and Uke face each other in opposite or mirror stance.
Hanmi	The standard stance of Aikido.
Hanmi handachi	Nage in sitting posture and Uke attacks while standing.
Jo tori	Techniques against jo attack.
Maai	Proper distance between Nage and Uke.
Seiza	Sitting position
Shikko	Method of walking on knees
Suwari waza	Technique with Nage and Uke sitting.
Tachi tori	Technique against attack with boken.
Tachi waza	Technique with Nage and Uke standing.
Tanto tori	Technique against attack with tanto.
Ushiro kubishime	Uke grabs one of Nage’s wrists from behind and chokes Nage with the other arm.
Ushiro ryokatatori	Uke grabs Nage’s shoulders from behind.
Ushiro tekubitori	Uke grabs both of Nage’s wrists from behind.

Attack Terms

Katatetori	Uke grabs one of Nage’s wrists with one hand.
Katatori	Uke grabs at Nage’s lapel or shoulder.
Morotetori	Uke grabs Nage’s forearm with both hands.
Ryotetori	Uke uses both hands to each of Nage’s wrists
Shomenuchi	Uke strikes down at Nage’s head.
Tsuki	Uke punches at Nage in a lunging motion.
Yokomenuchi	Uke strikes at Nage’s head from the side.

Gokkyo	Wrist technique in which wrist is held palm up
Ikkyo	Technique where arm is held without pressure to the joints
Irimi	“Entering” used to describe techniques with direct entry or as in Irimi Nage throw
Juji Nage	Throw in which uke’s arms are crossed
Kaitenage	Throw where Uke is bent forward, Uke’s head is held down and arm is pushed diagonally across the back
Kokyu Nage	“Breath power throw” techniques which throw by body movement with no joint technique
Koshinage	Throw where Uke is thrown over Nage’s hip
Kotegaeshi	Wrist technique with the hand twisted
Omote	Variation of a technique where Nage has direct entry (irimi) across the front of Uke
Osae	A pin
Sankyo	Wrist technique where uke’s hand is turned to twist uke’s forearm
Shihonage	“Four direction throw” Nage raises and twists Uke’s arm and turns 180° and brings Uke’s arm down in a cutting motion
Soto Kaiten	An outside turning motion
Tenchi Nage	“Heaven and earth throw” throw where Uke’s balance is lost by Nage entering while raising one hand up and the other down
Tenkan	Motion of Nage to turn or pivot away from Uke
Uchi Kaiten	An inside turning motion
Ura	Variation of a technique where Nage turns around Uke (tenkan style of movement)
Yonkyo	Technique with pressure applied to Uke’s forearm