Aikido Glossary

Aikido (合気道) — The Way of Harmonizing Energy/Spirit
The Japanese martial art founded by Morihei Ueshiba. The name combines ai (harmony or joining), ki (energy, spirit, or intention), and do (way or path).

Bokken (木剣) — Wooden sword
A wooden practice sword commonly used during Aikido weapons training.

Dan (段) — Advanced rank
The ranking system generally used for practitioners who have reached black-belt level.

Dogi (道着) — Training uniform
A martial arts practice uniform. Keikogi is another common term.

Dojo (道場) — Place of the Way
A place where a martial art or other traditional discipline is practiced.

Doshu (道主) — Master of the Way
The title used for the hereditary head of the Aikikai organization.

Gi (着) — Training uniform
A commonly used shortened term for a martial arts uniform. Keikogi or dogi are more complete Japanese terms.

Hakama (袴) — Traditional pleated garment
A traditional Japanese garment worn over the training uniform by many Aikido practitioners.

Hanmi (半身) — Half-body stance
A basic Aikido posture in which the body is angled rather than facing an opponent squarely.

Hanmi-handachi (半身半立) — Half-standing practice
Training in which the person performing the technique is kneeling while the attacker begins from a standing position.

Hidari (左) — Left
Used to indicate the left side.

Hombu Dojo (本部道場) — Headquarters dojo
A general term for an organization's central dojo. In Aikido, it commonly refers to the Aikikai World Headquarters in Tokyo.

Irimi (入り身) — Entering
A fundamental Aikido movement in which the practitioner enters into or through the line of an attack rather than simply retreating from it.

Jo (杖) — Staff
A wooden staff traditionally around four feet long and commonly used in Aikido weapons practice.

Jo-dori (杖取り) — Staff taking
Techniques used when responding to an attack involving a jo.

Kihon (基本) — Fundamentals; basics
The fundamental techniques, movements, and principles upon which more advanced practice is built.

Kokyu (呼吸) — Breath
Literally breathing, but in Aikido the term can also refer to coordinated movement, timing, posture, and whole-body power.

Kokyu-ho (呼吸法) — Breathing method
Exercises intended to develop coordinated body movement and connection.

Kokyunage (呼吸投げ) — Breath throw
A broad family of throws that emphasize timing, connection, balance, and coordinated movement rather than a formal joint control.

Kyu (級) — Student rank
Ranks below black belt. Students typically progress through decreasing kyu numbers before reaching first-degree black belt.

Ma-ai (間合い) — Combative distance and timing
The relationship of distance, position, and timing between training partners.

Mae (前) — Front; forward
Used in terminology describing forward movement or direction.

Mae ukemi (前受身) — Forward fall or roll
A method of safely receiving force while moving forward.

Migi (右) — Right
Used to indicate the right side.

Nage (投げ) — Thrower; person performing the technique
A common Aikido term for the practitioner who receives an attack and performs the technique.

Obi (帯) — Belt
The belt worn around the martial arts training uniform.

Omote (表) — Front; direct
A version of a technique generally performed by entering toward the front of the attacker.

O-Sensei (大先生) — Great Teacher
The title commonly used by Aikido practitioners when referring to Aikido founder Morihei Ueshiba.

Randori (乱取り) — Free or multiple-attacker practice
Practice in which the practitioner responds more freely to attacks rather than following a single predetermined technique.

Rei (礼) — Bow; courtesy; respect
Refers both to bowing and to the broader concept of respectful conduct.

Seiza (正座) — Formal kneeling posture
The traditional seated kneeling position used during many Japanese martial arts classes.

Sempai / Senpai (先輩) — Senior student
A student with greater experience or seniority within a dojo or organization. Senpai more closely reflects modern romanization, although sempai is also commonly written.

Sensei (先生) — Teacher
A respectful title for an instructor. Literally, the characters convey the idea of someone who has “gone before.”

Shikko (膝行) — Knee walking
A traditional method of moving while remaining in a kneeling position.

Shomen (正面) — Front
The front or focal area of the dojo.

Suwari-waza (座り技) — Seated/kneeling techniques
Techniques performed while both practitioners begin from a kneeling position.

Tachi-dori (太刀取り) — Sword taking
Aikido techniques practiced in response to an attacker using a sword.

Tachi-waza (立ち技) — Standing techniques
Techniques in which both practitioners train from a standing position.

Tanto (短刀) — Knife; dagger
A traditional Japanese short blade. Wooden or other safe training versions are normally used during Aikido practice.

Tanto-dori (短刀取り) — Knife taking
Techniques practiced against attacks involving a training knife.

Tenkan (転換) — Turning; changing direction
One of Aikido's fundamental movements, typically involving a pivot that allows the practitioner to redirect an attack while maintaining connection.

ue.

Ukem i / Ukemi (受身) — Receiving with the body
The skill of safely receiving a martial arts technique. Ukemi includes rolls, falls, posture, movement, awareness, and the ability to protect oneself while maintaining a connection with a partner.

Ura (裏) — Rear; behind
A version of a technique generally involving movement around or behind the attacker.

Ushiro (後ろ) — Behind; rear; backward
Used for attacks or movements originating from behind or traveling backward.

Yudansha (有段者) — Dan-ranked practitioner
A student who has received a dan, or black-belt, rank.