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Terminology

Aikido

The word Aikido is composed of three Japanese character: 
Ai (harmony), Ki (spirit/ life energy), Do (path/way). 
The Eastern concept of Ki is the heart of Aikido. 
Literally, Aikido is translated as "The Way of Harmony with Ki".

Observe and train according to the etiquette of your Dojo or the dojo you are visiting

Counting in Japanese language 
1~ ichi
2 ~ ni
3 ~ san
4 ~ shi (yon)
5 ~ go
6 ~ roku
7~ shishi (nana)
8 ~ hachi
9 ~ ku (kyu)
10 ~ ju


Dojo
Place of the Way

Hombu Dojo
Aikido World Headquarters in Tokyo  

Kamiza/Shomen
Top seat with O-Sensei’s picture 
and an Aikido’s name calligraphy (gaku)


Shimoza
Bottom seat where the students line up

Joseki
Upper side

Shimoseki
Lower side

Nafuda Kake
Name board of dojo members, 
arranged according to rank     

Tatami
Practice mat



Clothing & Equipment 

Gi
Uniform

Hakama
Black or dark blue pleated pants

Obi
Belt

Zori
Sandals

Bokken
Wooden sword

Jo
Wooden stick

Tanto
Wooden knife


Promotion

Kyu
Rank below Dan

Dan
Black belt rank

Manners

Rei
Bowing, "Appreciation and Respect"

Ritsurei
Bowing in standing position

Zarei
Bowing in sitting position


Roles

O-Sensei
Term used only for the Founder, 
Morihei Ueshiba, 
“Great Teacher”

Kaiso
The Founder

Doshu
The family heir of the Founder of Aikido, 
and Head of the Aikikai Foundation 
and Hombu Dojo, “Master of the Way”


Shihan
Master Instructor

Shidoin
Instructor

Fukushidoin
Assistant Instructor

Sensei
The Instructor

Dojo-cho
Director of the Dojo

Sempai
Senior student

Kohai
Junior student

Yudansha
Black belt practitioner

Uchideshi
Living-in student

Nage/Tori
The person who executes the technique

Uke
The person who receives the technique




Kamae

Stance

Seiza
Seated position

Hanmi
Half-body stance

Hidari-Hanmi
Half-body stance with the left foot forward

Migi-hanmi
Half-body stance with the right foot forwards


Ai-hanmi
Both partners face each other
 with the same foot forward

Gyaku-hanmi
Partners face each other
 with the opposite foot forward

Maai
Proper distance

Ukemi
Falls

Koho Kaiten Ukemi
Full back roll

Ushiro Hanten Ukemi
Back breakfall


Zenpo Kaiten Ukemi (Mae Ukemi)
Forward roll

Yoko Ukemi
Side breakfall

Katame Waza Ukemi
Pinning technique breakfall



Unsoku
Foot Movement

Ayumi Ashi
Stepping forward alternately    

Tsugi Ashi
 Following steps     


Okuri Ashi
Stepping forward 
with the front foot followed by the back foot


Tai Sabaki
Body Movement

Irimi
Entering

Tenkan
Pivoting

Tenshin
Sweeping body turn

Ushiro Tenkan
Pivoting backwards
     
Tenkai/Kaiten
Revolving turn

Uchi Kaiten
Inside revolving turn

Soto Kaiten
Outside revolving turn

Shikko
Knee walking



Sides

Omote
Front

Ura
Rare



Category of Techniques

Waza
Technique

Tachi Waza
Techniques executed by both partners
 in standing position


Hanmi Hantachi Waza
Techniques executed with uke standing
 and nage sitting

Suwari waza
Techniques executed by both partners
 in kneeling position



Some Basic Attacks

Katate-dori
One hand grasp of a wrist

Ryote-dori
Two wrists grasp from the front

Morote-dori
Two hand grasp of a wrist

Kata-dori
Shoulder grasp

Muna-dori
Lapel grasp

Ryokata dori
Two shoulder grasp

Ushiro Kubijime
Choke from behind 
with free hand grabbing wrist


Ushiro Tekubi-dori
Two wrists grasp from behind

Ushiro Ryokata-dori
Two shoulders grasp from behind

Shomen-uchi
Strike to the top of the head

Yokomen-uchi
Sideways strike to the head

Tsuki
Thrust or punch

Tachi-Dori
Bokken taking

Jo-Dori
Jo taking

Jo-Nage
Techniques handling Jo

Tanto-Dori
Knife taking

Futari-Dori
Techniques
 with more than one uke holding    

Randori
Multiple attack free practice

Jiyu Waza
Free practice with one attacker



Some Basic Techniques

Kokyu-ho
Breathing power technique

Irimi-Nage
Entering throw

Shiho-Nage
Four-directions throw

Ikkyo
First pin

Tenchi-Nage
Heaven-Earth throw

Kaiten-Nage
Rotary throw

Kote-Gaeshi
Wrist twist


Nikyo (Kote-Mawashi)
Second pin (wrist turn)

Sankyo (Kote-Hineri)
Third pin (wrist twist)

Yonkyo (Tekubi-Osae)
Forth pin (Wrist Pin)

Gokyo (Ude-Nobashi)
Fifth pin (arm extension)

Aiki-Otoshi
Leg sweeping

Koshi-Nage
Hip throw

Juji-Garami
Crossing arms

Kokyu-Nage
Breath throw

Hiji-Gime
Elbow lock