| Term |
Definition |
| Agatsu |
"Self victory."
According to the founder, true victory (MASAKATSU) is the victory
one achieves over oneself (AGATSU). Thus one of the founder's
"slogans" was MASAKATSU AGATSU -- "The true victory
of self-mastery. |
| Aikido |
The word
"aikido" is made up of three Japanese characters:
AI - harmony, KI - spirit, mind, or universal energy, DO - the
Way. Thus aikido is "the Way of Harmony with Universal
Energy." However, AIKI may also be interpreted as
"accommodation to circumstances." This latter
interpretation is somewhat non- standard, but it avoids certain
undesirable metaphysical commitments and also epitomizes quite well
both the physical and psychological facets of aikido. |
| Aikidoka |
A practitioner of aikido. |
| Aikikai |
"Aiki
association." A term used to designate the organization created
by the founder for the dissemination of aikido. |
| Ai Nuke |
"Mutual
escape." An outcome of a duel where each participant escapes
harm. This corresponds to the ideal of aikido according to which a
conflict is resolved without injury to any party involved. |
| Ai Uchi |
"Mutual kill."
An outcome of a duel where each participant kills the other. In
classical Japanese swordmanship, practitioners were often encouraged
to enter a duel with the goal of achieving at least an AI UCHI. The
resolution to win the duel even at the cost of one's own life was
thought to aid in cultivating an attitude of single-minded focus on
the task of cutting down one's opponent. This single-minded focus is
exemplified in aikido in the technique, IKKYO, where one enters into
an attacker's range in order to effect the technique. |
| Ashi Sabaki |
Footwork. Proper footwork
is essential in aikido for developing strong balance and for
facilitating ease of movement. |
| Atemi |
(lit. Striking the Body)
Strike directed at the attacker for purposes of unbalancing or
distraction. Atemi is often vital for bypassing or
"short-circuiting" an attacker's natural responses to
aikido techniques. The first thing most people will do when they
feel their body being manipulated in an unfamiliar way is to retract
their limbs and drop their center of mass down and away from the
person performing the technique. By judicious application of atemi,
it is possible to create a "window of opportunity" in the
attacker's natural defenses, facilitating the application of an
aikido technique. |
| Bokken or Bokuto |
Wooden sword. Many aikido
movements are derived from traditional Japanese fencing. In advanced
practice, weapons such as the BOKKEN are used in learning subtleties
of certain movements, the relationships obtaining between armed and
unarmed techniques, defenses against weapons, and the like. |
| Budo |
"Martial way."
The Japanese character for "BU" (martial) is derived from
characters meaning "stop" and (a weapon like a)
"halberd." In conjunction, then, "BU" may have
the connotation "to stop the halberd." In aikido, there is
an assumption that the best way to prevent violent conflict is to
emphasize the cultivation of individual character. The way (DO) of
AIKI is thus equivalent to the way of BU, taken in this sense of
preventing or avoiding violence so far as possible. |
| Chokusen |
Direct. Thus CHOKUSEN NO
IRIMI = direct entry. |
| Chudan |
"Middle
position." Thus CHUDAN NO KAMAE = a stance characterized by
having one's hands/sword in a central position with respect to one's
body. |
| Chushin |
Center. Especially, the
center of one's movement or balance. |
| Do |
Way/path. The Japanese
character for "DO" is the same as the Chinese
character for Tao (as in "Taoism"). In aikiDO, the
connotation is that of a way of attaining enlightenment or a way of
improving one's character through aiki. |
| Dojo |
Literally "place of
the Way." Also "place of enlightenment." The place
where we practice aikido. Traditional etiquette prescribes bowing in
the direction of the shrine (KAMIZA) or the designated front of the
dojo (SHOMEN) whenever entering or leaving the dojo. |
| Dojo Cho |
The head of the dojo. A
title. Currently, Moriteru Ueshiba (grandson of the founder) is DOJO
CHO at World Aikido Headquarters ("HOMBU DOJO") in Tokyo,
Japan. |
| Domo Arigato
Gozaimashita |
Japanese for "thank
you very much." At the end of each class, it is proper to bow
and thank the instructor and those with whom you've trained. |
| Doshu |
Head of the way
(currently Kisshomaru Ueshiba, son of aikido's founder, Morihei
Ueshiba). The highest official authority in IAF aikido. |
| Fudo Shin |
"Immovable
mind." A state of mental equanimity or imperturbability. The
mind, in this state, is calm and undistracted (metaphorically,
therefore, "immovable"). FUDO MYO is a Buddhist guardian
deity who carries a sword in one hand (to destroy enemies of the
Buddhist doctrine), and a rope in the other (to rescue sentient
beings from the pit of delusion, or from Buddhist hell-states). He
therefore embodies the two-fold Buddhist ideal of wisdom (the sword)
and compassion (the rope). To cultivate FUDO SHIN is thus to
cultivate a mind which can accomodate itself to changing
circumstances without compromise of ethical principles. |
| Fukushidoin |
A formal title whose
connotation is something approximating "assistant
instructor." |
| Furi Kaburi |
Sword-raising movement.
This movement in found especially in IKKYO, IRIMI-NAGE, and SHIHO-NAGE. |
| Gedan |
Lower position. GEDAN NO
KAMAE is thus a stance with the hands or a weapon held in a lower
position. |
| Gi/Dogi/Keiko Gi |
Training costume. Either
judo-style or karate-style GI are acceptable in most DOJO, but they
must be white and cotton. (No black satin GI with embroidered
dragons. Please.) |
| Hakama |
Divided skirt usually
worn by black-belt ranks. In some DOJO, the HAKAMA is also worn by
women of all ranks, and in some DOJO by all practitioners. |
| Hara |
One's center of mass,
located about 2" below the navel. Traditionally this was
thought to be the location of the spirit/mind/(source of KI). Aikido
techniques should be executed as much as possible from or through
one's HARA. |
| Hasso no Kamae |
"Figure-eight"
stance. The figure eight does not correspond to the arabic numeral
"8", but rather to the Chinese/Japanese character which
looks more like the roof of a house. In HASSO NO KAMAE, the sword is
held up beside one's head, so that the elbows spread down and out
from the sword in a pattern resembling this figure-eight character. |
| Henka Waza |
Varied technique.
Especially beginning one technique and changing to another in
mid-execution. Ex. beginning IKKYO but changing to IRIMI-NAGE. |
| Hombu Dojo |
A term used to refer to
the central dojo of an organization. Thus this usually designates
Aikido World Headquarters. |
| Jinja |
A (shinto) shrine. There
is an AIKI JINJA located in Iwama, Ibaraki prefecture, Japan. |
| Jiyu Waza |
Free-style practice of
techniques. This usually involves more than one attacker who may
attack NAGE in any way desired. |
| Jo |
Wooden staff about 4'-5'
(¨127 cm) in length. The JO originated as a walking stick. It
is unclear how it became incorporated into aikido. Many JO movements
come from traditional Japanese spear- fighting, others may have come
from jo-jutsu, but many seem to have been innovated by the founder.
The JO is usually used in advanced practice. |
| Jodan |
Upper position. JODAN NO
KAMAE is thus a stance with the hands or a weapon held in a high
position. |
| Kaeshi Waza |
Technique reversal. (UKE
becomes NAGE and vice- versa). This is usually a very advanced form
of practice. KAESHI WAZA practice helps to instill a sensitivity to
shifts in resistance or direction in the movements of one's partner.
Training so as to anticipate and prevent the application of KAESHI
WAZA against one's own techniques greatly sharpens aikido skills. |
| Kaiso |
A title. The founder of
aikido (i.e., Morihei Ueshiba). |
| Kamae |
A posture or stance
either with or without a weapon. KAMAE may also connote proper
distance (MA AI) with respect to one's partner. Although "KAMAE"
generally refers to a physical stance, there is an important prallel
in aikido between one's physical and one's psychological bearing.
Adopting a strong physical stance helps to promote the correlative
adoption of a strong psychological attitude. It is important to try
so far as possible to maintain a positive and strong mental bearing
in aikido. |
| Kami |
A divinity, living force,
or spirit. According to SHINTO, the natural world is full of KAMI,
which are often sensitive or responsive to the actions of human
beings. |
| Kamiza |
A small shrine,
especially in an aikido, generally located the the front of the
dojo, and often housing a picture of the founder, or some
calligraphy. One generally bows in the direction of the KAMIZA when
entering or leaving the dojo, or the mat. |
| Kansetsu Waza |
Joint manipulation
techniques. |
| Kata |
A "form" or
prescribed pattern of movement, especially with the JO in aikido.
(But also "shoulder.") |
| Katame waza |
"Hold-down"
(pinning) techniques. |
| Katana |
What is vulgarly called a
"samurai sword." |
| Katsu Jinken |
"The sword that
saves life." As Japanese swordsmanship became more and more
influenced by Buddhism (especially Zen Buddhism) and Taoism,
practitioners became increasingly interested in incorporating
ethical principles into their discipline. The consumate master of
sworsmanship, according to some such practitioners, should be able
not only to use the sword to kill, but also to save life. The
concept of KATSU JIN KEN found some explicit application in the
development of techniques which would use non-cutting parts of the
sword to strike or control one's opponent, rather than to kill
him/her. The influence of some of these techniques can sometimes be
seen in aikido. Other techniques were developed by which an unarmed
person (or a person unwilling to draw a weapon) could disarm an
attacker. These techniques are frequently practiced in aikido. (see
SETSU NIN TO) |
| Keiko |
Training. The only secret
to success in aikido. |
| Ken |
Sword. |
| Kensho |
Enlightenment. (see
MOKUSO and SATORI) |
| Ki |
Mind. Spirit. Energy.
Vital-force. Intention. (Chinese = chi) For many Aikidoka, the
primary goal of training in aikido is to learn how to
"extend" KI, or to learn how to control or redirect the KI
of others. There are both "realist" and anti-realist
interpretations of KI. The KI-realist takes KI to be, literally, a
kind of "stuff," "energy," or life-force which
flows within the body. Developing or increasing one's own KI,
according to the KI- realist, thus confers upon the aikidoka greater
power and control over his/her own body, and may also have the added
benefits of improved health and longevity. According to the KI-anti-realist,
KI is a concept which covers a wide range of psycho-physical
phenomena, but which does not denote any objectively existing
"energy" or "stuff." The KI-anti-realist
believes, for example, that to "extend KI" is just to
adopt a certain kind of positive psychological disposition and to
correlate that psychological dispositon with just the right
combination of balance, relaxation, and judicious application of
physical force. Since the description "extend KI" is
somewhat more manageable, the concept of KI has a class of
well-defined uses for the KI-anti-realist, but does not carry with
it any ontological commitments beyond the scope of mainstream
scientific theories. |
| Kiai |
A shout delivered for the
purpose of focussing all of one's energy into a single movement.
Even when audible KIAI are absent, one should try to preserve the
feeling of KIAI at certain crucial points within aikido techniques. |
| Kihon |
(Something which is)
fundamental. There are often many seemingly very different ways of
performing the same technique in aikido. To see beneath the surface
features of the technique and grasp the core common is to comprehend
the KIHON. |
| Ki Musubi |
KI NO MUSUBI = Literally
"knotting/tying-up KI". The act/process of matching one's
partner's movement/intention at its inception, and maintaining a
connection to one's partner throughout the application of an aikido
technique. Proper KI MUSUBI requires a mind that is clear, flexible,
and attentive. (see SETSUZOKU) |
| Kohai |
A student junior to
oneself. |
| Kokoro |
"Heart or
mind." Japanese folk psychology does not distinguish clearly
between the seat of intellect and the seat of emotion as does
Western folk psychology. |
| Kokyu |
Breath. Part of aikido is
the development of "KOKYU RYOKU", or "breath
power." This is the coordination of breath with movement. A
prosaic example: When lifting a heavy object, it is generally easier
when breathing out. Also breath control may facilitate greater
concentration and the elimination of stress. In many traditional
forms of meditation, focus on the breath is used as a method for
developing heightened concentration or mental equanimity. This is
also the case in aikido. A number of exercises in aikido are called
"KOKYU HO," or "breath exercises." These
exercises are meant to help one develop KOKYU RYOKU. |
| Kotodama |
A practice of intoning
various sounds (phonetic components of the Japanese language) for
the purpose of producing mystical states. The founder of aikido was
greatly interested in Shinto and Neo-shinto mystical practices, and
he incorporated a number of them into his personal aikido practice. |
| Ku |
Emptiness. According to
Buddhism, the fundamental character of things is absence (or
emptiness) of individual unchanging essences. The realization of the
essencelessness of things is what permits the cultivation of
psychological non-attachment, and thus cognitive equanimity. The
direct realization of (or experience of insight into) emptiness is
enlightenment. This shows up in aikido in the ideal of developing a
state of cognitive openness, permiting one to respond immediately
and intuitively to changing circumstances (see MOKUSO). |
| Kumijo |
JO matching exercise
(partner practice). |
| Kumitachi |
Sword matching exercise
(partner practice). |
| Kuzushi |
The principle of
destroying one's partner's balance. In aikido, a technique cannot be
properly applied unless one first unbalances one's partner. To
achieve proper KUZUSHI, in aikido, one should rely primarily on
position and timing, rather than merely on physical force. |
| Kyu |
White belt rank. (Or any
rank below SHODAN) |
| Ma Ai |
Proper distancing or
timing with respect to one's partner. Since aikido techniques always
vary according to circumstances, it is important to understand how
differences in initial position affect the timing and application of
techniques. |
| Mae |
Front. Thus MAE UKEMI =
"forward fall/roll". |
| Masakatsu |
"True victory."
(see AGATSU and KACHIHAYABI) |
| Migi |
Right. |
| Misogi |
Ritual purification.
Aikido training may be looked upon as a means of purifying oneself;
eliminating defiling characteristics from one's mind or personality.
Although there are some specific exercises for MISOGI practice, such
as breathing exercises, in point of fact, every aspect of aikido
training may be looked upon as MISOGI. This, however, is a matter of
one's attitude or approach to training, rather than an objective
feature of the training itself. |
| Mokuso |
Meditation. Practice
often begins or ends with a brief period of meditation. The purpose
of meditation is to clear one's mind and to develop cognitive
equanimity. Perhaps more importantly, meditation is an opportunity
to become aware of conditioned patterns of thought and behavior so
that such patterns can be modified, eliminated or more efficiently
put to use. In addition, meditation may occasion experiences of
insight into various aspects of aikido (or, if one accepts certain
buddhist claims, into the very structure of reality). Ideally, the
sort of cognitive awareness and focus that one cultivates in
meditation should carry over into the rest of one's practice, so
that the distinction between the "meditative mind" and the
"normal mind" collapses. |
| Mudansha |
Students without
black-belt ranking. |
| Mushin |
Literally "no
mind". A state of cognitive awareness characterized by the
absence of discursive thought. A state of mind in which the mind
acts/reacts without hypostatization of concepts. MUSHIN is often
erroneously taken to be a state of mere spontaneity. Although
spontaneity is a feature of MUSHIN, it is not straightforwardly
identical with it. It might be said that when in a state of MUSHIN,
one is free to use concepts and distinctions without being used by
them. |
| Nagare |
Flowing. One goal of
aikido practice is to learn not to oppose physical force with
physical force. Rather, one strives to flow along with physical
force, redirecting it to one's advantage. |
| Omotokyo |
One of the so-called
"new-religions" of Japan. OMOTOKYO is a syncretic amalgam
of Shintoism, Neo-Shinto mysticism, Christianity, and Japanese folk
religion. The founder of aikido was a devotee of OMOTOKYO, and
incorporated some elements from it into his aikido practice. The
founder insisted, however, that one need not be a devotee of
OMOTOKYO in order to study aikido or to comprehend aikido's purpose. |
| Onegai shimasu |
"I welcome you to
train with me," or literally, "I make a request."
This is said to one's partner when initiating practice. |
| Osae waza |
Pinning techniques. |
| O-sensei |
Literally, "Great
Teacher," i.e., Morihei Ueshiba, the founder of aikido. |
| Randori |
Free-style
"all-out" training. Sometimes used as a synonym for JIYU
WAZA. Although aikido techniques are usually practiced with a single
partner, it is important to keep in mind the possibility that one
may be attacked by multiple aggressors. Many of the body movements
of aikido (TAI SABAKI) are meant to facilitate defense against
multiple attackers. |
| Reigi |
Ettiquette. Observance of
proper ettiquette at all times (but especially observance of proper
DOJO ettiquette) is as much a part of one's training as the practice
of techniques. Observation of ettiquette indicates one's sincerety,
one's willingness to learn, and one's recognition of the rights and
interests of others. |
| Satori |
Enlightenment. In
Buddhism, enlightenment is characterized by a direct realization or
apprehension of the absence of unchanging essences behind phenomena.
Rather, phenomena are seen to be empty of such essences -- phenomena
exist in thoroughgoing interdependence (ENGI). As characterized by
the founder of aikido, enlightenment consists in realizing a
fundamental unity between oneself and the (principles governing) the
universe. The most important ethical principle the aikidoist should
gain insight into is that one should cultivate a spirit of loving
protection for all things. (see KU and SHINNYO) |
| Sensei |
Teacher. It is usually
considered proper to address the instructor during practice as
"Sensei" rather than by his/her name. If the instructor is
a permanent instructor for one's DOJO or for an organization, it is
proper to address him/her as "Sensei" off the mat as well. |
| Seiza |
Sitting on one's knees.
Sitting this way requires acclimatization, but provides both a
stable base and greater ease of movement than sitting cross-legged. |
| Sempai |
A student senior to
oneself. |
| Shidoin |
A formal title meaning,
approximately, "instructor." |
| Shihan |
A formal title meaning,
approximately, "master instructor." A "teacher of
teachers." |
| Shikaku |
Literally "dead
angle." A position relative to one's partner where it is
difficult for him/her to (continue to) attack, and from which it is
relatively easy to control one's partner's balance and movement. The
first phase of an aikido technique is often to establish SHIKAKU. |
| Shikko |
Samurai walking
("knee walking"). Shikko is very important for developing
a strong awareness of one's center of mass (HARA). It also develops
strength in one's hips and legs. |
| Shinnyo |
"Thusness" or
"suchness." A term commonly used in Buddhist philosophy
(and especially in Zen Buddhism) to denote the character of things
as they are experienced without filtering the experiences through an
overt conceptual framework. There is some question whether
"pure" uninterpreted experience (independent of all
conceptualization/categorization) is possible given the
neurological/cognitive makeup of human beings. However, SHINNYO can
also be taken to signify experience of things as empty of individual
essences (see "KU"). |
| Shinto |
"The way of the
gods." The indigenous religion of Japan. The founder of aikido
was deeply influenced by OMOTOKYO, a religion largely grounded in
SHINTO mysticism. (see KAMI) |
| Suburi |
Basic JO or BOKKEN
practice in striking and thrusting. |
| Sukashiwaza |
Techniques performed
without allowing the attacker to complete a grab or to initiate a
strike. Ideally, one should be sensitive enough to the posture and
movements of an attacker (or would-be attacker) that the attack is
neutralized before it is fully executed. A great deal of both
physical and cognitive training is required in order to attain this
ideal. |
| Suki |
An opening or gap where
one is vulnerable to attack or application of a technique, or where
one's technique is otherwise flawed. SUKI may be either physical or
psychological. One goal of training is to be sensitive to SUKI
within one's own movement or position, as well as to detect SUKI in
the movement or position of one's partner. Ideally, a master of
aikido will have developed his/her skill to such an extent that
he/she no longer has any true SUKI. |
| Sutemi |
Literally "to
throw-away the body." The attitude of abandoning oneself to the
execution of a technique (in judo, a class of techniques where one
sacrifices one's own balance/position in order to throw one's
partner). (See AI UCHI). |
| Tachi |
A type of Japanese sword
(thus TACHI-TORI = sword-taking). (Also "standing
position"). |
| Tachi Waza |
Standing techniques. |
| Taijutsu |
"Body arts,"
i.e., unarmed practice. |
| Tai no henko |
TAI NO TENKAN = Basic
blending practice involving turning 180 degrees. |
| Tai Sabaki |
Body movement. |
| Takemusu Aiki |
A "slogan" of
the founder's meaning "infinitely generative martial art of
aiki." Thus, a synonym for aikido. The scope of aikido is not
limited only to the standard, named techniques one studies regularly
in practice. Rather, these standard techniques serve as repositories
of more fundamental principles (KIHON). Once one has internalized
the KIHON, it is possible to generate a virtually infinite variety
of new aikido techniques in accordance with novel conditions. |
| Taninsugake |
Training against multiple
attackers, usually from grabbing attacks. |
| Tanto |
A dagger. |
| Tegatana |
"Hand sword",
i.e. the edge of the hand. Many aikido movements emphasize extension
and alignment "through" one's tegatana. Also, there are
important similarities obtaining between aikido sword techniques,
and the principles of tegatana application. |
| Tenkan |
Turning movement, esp.
turning the body 180 degrees. (see TAI NO TENKAN) |
| Tenshin |
A movement where NAGE
retreats 45 degrees away from the attack (esp. to UKE's open side). |
| Uchi |
"Inside." A
class of techniques where NAGE moves, especially, inside (under) the
attacker's arm(s). (but also a strike, e.g., SHOMEN UCHI) |
| Uchi Deshi |
A live-in student. A
student who lives in a dojo and devotes him/herself both to training
and to the maintenence of the dojo (and sometimes to personal
service to the SENSEI of the dojo). |
| Ueshiba Kisshomaru |
The son of the founder of
aikido and current aikido DOSHU. |
| Ueshiba Morihei |
The founder of aikido.
(see O-SENSEI and KAISO). |
| Ueshiba Moriteru |
The grandson of the
founder and current DOJOCHO at HOMBU DOJO. |
| Uke |
Person being thrown
(receiving the technique). At high levels of practice, the
distinction between UKE and NAGE becomes blurred. In part, this is
because it becomes unclear who initiates the technique, and also
because, from a certain perspective, UKE and NAGE are thoroughly
interdependent. |
| Ukemi |
Literally "receiving
[with/through] the body," thus, the art of falling in response
to a technique. MAE UKEMI are front roll-falls, USHIRO UKEMI are
back roll-falls. Ideally, one should be able to execute UKEMI from
any position and in any direction. The development of proper ukemi
skills is just as important as the development of throwing skills
and is no less deserving of attention and effort. In the course of
practicing UKEMI, one has the opportunity to monitor the way one is
being moved so as to gain a clearer understanding of the principles
of aikido techniques. Just as standard aikido techniques provide
strategies for defending against physical attacks, so does UKEMI
practice provide strategies for defending against falling (or even
against the application of an aikido or aikido-like technique!). |
| Ura |
"Rear." A class
of aikido techniques executed by moving behind the attacker and
turning. Sometimes URA techniques are called TENKAN (turning)
techniques. |
| Ushiro |
Backwards or behind, as
in USHIRO UKEMI or falling backwards. |
| Waza |
Techniques. |
| Zanshin |
Lit. "remaining
mind/heart." Even after an aikido technique has been completed,
one should remain in a balanced and aware state. ZANSHIN thus
connotes "following through" in a technique, as well as
preservation of one's awareness so that one is prepared to respond
to additional attacks. |
| Zen |
A school or division of
Buddhism characterized by techniques designed to produce
enlightenment. In particular, Zen emphasizes various sorts of
meditative practices, which are supposed to lead the practitioner to
a direct insight into the fundamental character of reality (see KU
and MOKUSO). |
