Japanese Martial Arts Dictionary & Definitions

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• B
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• C
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• D
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• E
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• F
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• G
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• H
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• I
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• J
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• K
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• M
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• N
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• O
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• R
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• S
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• T
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• U
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• W
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• X
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• Y
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• Z

Numbers

1. Ichi – One
2. Ni – Two
3. San – Three
4. Shi – Four
5. Go – Five
6. Roku – Six
7. Shichi – Seven
8. Hachi – Eight
9. Ku – Nine
10. Ju – Ten

A

Aite:

Opponent

Anatoshi:

Trapping

Ashiko:

Foot Band

Ate:

Strike

Atemi:

Strike

– top –

B

Bajutsu:

Horsemanship

Barai:

Sweep

Bisento:

Battlefield Halbred

Bojutsu:

Stick Fighting

Bo Ryaku:

Stratergy

Boshi Ken:

Thumb Strike

Budo:

Martial Way

Budoka:

Student of the martial way

Bugie:

Martial arts

Bujin:

Warrior spirit

Bujutsu:

Martial arts techniques

Bushi:

Warrior

Bushido:

Way of the warrior

C

Chi:

Earth

Chi Mon:

Geography

Cho Ho:

Espionage

Chu:

Middle

Chunin:

Mid level Ninja agent

– top –

D

Daisho:

Pair of swords

Daito:

Large Sword

Dakenjutsu:

Striking, Kicking, Blocking

Do:

Way

Dojo:

Training hall

Doko:

Angry Tiger

Dori:

To sieze or capture

Dai:

large, big, great

Daisho:

the set of katana and kodachi

Daito:

longer Japanese sword

Dakentaijutsu:

striking body methods

Dan:

level or degree of black belt

Deai:

initiatory action in combat

Den:

legend, tradition

Densho:

traditional scrolls (see also makimono)

Deshi:

student; disciple

Do:

path, road, way; motion; change

Do Jime:

choke applied to opponent’s sides

Dojo:

training hall, place of the way

Doko:

angry tiger

Dome:

stop; arrest

Dori:

seize, catch

Doshin:

Tokugawa period law enforcement official

– top –

E

Empi:

Elbow strike

Eri:

collar

Eri Jime:

Collar strangulation technique

– top –

F

Fu:

Wind

Fudo Ken:

Clench Fist (also known as Immovable fist)

Fudoshin:

Immovable spirit

Fudoza:

Immovable seat

Fukiya:

Blowgun

Futari dori:

Held by two opponents

– top –

G

Gaeshi:

Counter-attack

Gake:

Hook

Ganseki Nage:

Throwing the big rock

Garami:

Entangle

Gawa:

Side

Gedan Uke:

Low Block

Genin:

Low level Ninja agent

Genjutsu:

Art of illusion

Geri:

Kick

Gi:

Martial arts uniform

Godai:

Five elements

Gokui:

Secret

Gotono:

Using natural elements for evasion

Gyaku:

Reverse

– top –

H

Hai:

Yes

Haibu Yori:

From behind

Hajime:

Begining

Hajutsu:

Escaping techniques

Han:

Half

Hanbo:

3′ Staff

Hanbojutsu:

Stick fighting

Happa Ken:

One handed strike

Happo Uchi:

Eight direction strike

Hasso:

Attack

Heiho:

Combat Stratergy

Henka:

Variation

Hensojutsu:

Disguise and Impersonation arts

Hicho:

Flying bird

Hidari:

Left

Hiji:

Elbow

Hiki:

Pull

Hishi:

Caltrops made from dried water chestnuts

Hodoki:

Escape

Hojo:

Bind, Tie up

Hojutsu:

Firearms Arts

– top –

I

Iai:

Sword drawing

Igadama:

Caltrops made of spiked iron

Inpo:

Hiding

Intonjutsu:

Escape and Concealment

Iri:

Enter

Itami:

Pain

Iaido:

sword drawing way

Iaijutsu:

techniques of sword-drawing

Ichimonji:

the written character one in Japanese

In:

soft, negative, dark, female (yin)

Inton:

concealment and camouflage

Iri:

to enter

– top –

J

Jo:

4′ Staff

Jodan Uke:

High Block

Junan Taiso:

Body conditioning

Jutaijutsu:

Grappling

Jutsu:

Techniques

Jime:

to constrict, tighten, choke

Jin:

man

Jissen gata:

real fighting; true fightingforms

Jodan:

upper level

Jojutsu:

techniques of the stick; stick art

Jonin:

leader ninja

Jumonji:

the written character ten in Japanese

Jutsu:

techniques,school,art or method

Jitte:

Anti sword trunchon

– top –

K

Ka:

Fire

Kaeshi:

Counter attack

Kagi:

Hook

Kaiten:

Rolling

Kaiten Ken:

Open hand

Kakusi Geri:

Hidden Kick

Kamae:

Stance

Kamiza:

Shrine

Kata:

Set of movements

Kantana:

Sword

Katate:

One hand

Kayakujutsu:

Fire and Explosives Arts

Kenjutsu:

Sword fighting

Keppan:

Blood oath

Keri:

Kick

Ki:

Spirit

Kiai:

Focused shout

Kikaku Ken:

Head Strike

Kinhon:

Basic

Kinhon Waza:

Basic Technique

Kikaku Ken:

Demon horns fist

Kiriage:

Upwards Cut

Kiten Ken:

Sword hand strike

Ko Ashi:

Small steps

Kodachi:

Small Sword

Kogoroshi:

Finger breaking

Koho:

Back

Koho Geri:

Backwards Kick

Koho Kaiten:

Backwards Roll

Koku:

Tiger Sky

Kokyu:

Breath

Koppo Ken:

Thumb knuckle strike

Koppojutsu:

Bone Smashing Techniques

Koryu:

Traditional

Koshijutsu:

Organ and Muscle Striking

Kote:

Wrist

Ku:

Void

Kudaki:

Break or Smash

Kuden:

Oral Techings

Kuji:

Nine Syllables

Kuji in:

Hand Posturing

Kuji-Kiri:

Protective grid slashing

Kumiuchi:

Grappling and close fighting

Kumitachi:

Sword practice with a partner

Kunoichi:

Female Ninja

Kusari fundo:

Short Weighted Chain

Kusari gama:

Chain and Sickle

Kuzushi:

Breal opponents balance

Kyojitsu Tenkan Ho:

Philosophy

Kyoketsu:

Cord and dagger

Kyoman:

Observation

Kyu:

Grade below blackbelt

Kyusho:

Pressure points

– top –

M

Mae Kaiten:

Front Roll

Maki:

Winding

Makimono:

Scrolls

Matte:

Wait

Mawashi:

Rotate

Mawashi Geri:

Round Kick

Meiso:

Meditation

Meijin:

Master

Metsubushi:

Blinding Powder

Meysubushi:

Distraction

Men Uchi:

Strike to the head

Menkyo:

Teacing certificate

Migi:

Right

Mizu:

Water

Mokuso:

Meditate

Morote:

Both hands

Mute:

No hands

Muto Dori:

Unarmed defense against a sword

– top –

N

Nagare:

to flow

Nage:

Throw

Nagashi:

Flow

Naginata:

Halbred

Naname:

Diagonal direction

Neko te:

Finger tip weapons (worn by Konoichi)

Nin:

Endurance or Stealth

Ninpo:

higher order of Ninjutsu

Nuki Ashi:

Sweeping step

Ninki:

Specialised ninja tools

– top –

O

Obi:

Belt

Odashi:

Long Sword

Omote:

Outside

Oni:

Devil

Oni Gedaki:

Crushing The Little Devil

Osae:

Press down

Oshigiri:

Push cut used with sword

Osoto gake:

Great outside hook

Oten:

Cartwheel

– top –

R

Randori:

Sparring

Rei:

Bow

Ryote:

Tow hands

Ryomune dori:

Two handed chest grab

Ryu:

Scool or Dragon

– top –

S

Sakki:

Intuition of attack

Saya:

Scabbard

Satori:

Enlightenment

Seishin Teki Kyoyo:

Spiritual Refinement

Seiza:

Kneeling

Sempai:

Senior student

Sensei:

Teacher

Shaken:

Throwing stars

Shako Ken:

Claw Strike

Shi:

Finger

Shihan:

Senior Instructor

Shikko:

Walking on knees

Shikan Ken:

Extended Knuckle Fist

Shikomi Zue:

Sword Cane

Shin:

Heart

Shinai:

Bamboo Sword

Shinken gata:

Real combat training

Shinobi:

Stealth

Shinobi aruki:

Ninja walking

Shinpi:

Mysticism

Shishin Ken:

Finger Strike

Shitan Ken:

Thumb Pressure

Shito Ken:

Thumb Strike

Shizen Ken:

Natural or Body Weapon

Shomen:

Front

Shoten no jutsu:

Tree Climbing

Shuki Ken:

Elbow Strike

Shurinkenjutsu:

Blade throwing

Shuko:

Spiked hand

Shuto Ken:

Open Hand Strike

Soka Gyaku:

Toe Strike

Soke:

Grandmaster

Sokki Ken:

Knee Strike

Sokuho Kaiten:

Side Roll

Sokuho Geri:

Side Kick

Sokuho Tobi:

Sideways leap

Soku Yako:

Heel Strike

Sokugyaku Geri:

Toe kick

Sui:

Water

Sui Ren:

Water Training

Sutemi Nage:

Sacrificial throw

– top –

T

Tabi:

Traditional footwear

Taihenjutsu:

Body Movement

Tai Ken:

Total Body Weapon

Taijutsu:

Unarmed combat / Skill with the body

Take:

Bamboo

Taisabaki:

Natural body movements

Taiso:

Body Conditioning

Taki Ori:

Breaking Bamboo

Tanto:

Knife

Tantojutsu:

Knife Fighting

Tatami:

Straw Mat

Te:

Hand

Teki:

Enemy

Tenmon:

Meteorology

Tesson:

Iron war Fan

Tetsubushi:

Metal Caltrops

Toamijutsu:

Fish Net Skills

Tobi:

Leap

Tobi Keri:

Leap with Kick

Tori:

The one who executes

Tsuba:

Handguard on a sword

Tsugi bune:

Collapsible boat

Tsuki:

Thrust

– top –

U

Uchi Gata:

Take down using legs

Uke:

The one who receives

Ukemi:

Breakfalls

Ura:

Inside

– top –

W

Wakizashi:

Short Sword

Waza:

Technique

– top –

Y

Ya:

Arrow

Yamabushi:

Mountain warrior priest

Yame:

Stop

Yari:

Spear

Yoi:

Ready

Yoko Geri:

Sideways Kick

Yoko Aruki:

Sideways walking

Yoroi:

Armour

Yubi:

Finger

Yumi:

Bow

– top –

Z

Zenpo Kaiten:

Forward Roll

Zenpo Geri:

Forward Kick

– top –