On this page, you shall find every translation you’ll need for terminology used within Impulse Martial Arts curriculum. If something is missing, try checking out the Ju-Jutsu Translation, Kempo Translation, or Iai/Ken-Jutsu Translation, Glossary Pages.
Aikido = Way of life in harmony with universal energy
Hidari – Left
Ikkyo – 1st Principle; Arm control holding wrist and elbow
Migi – Right
Nikkyo – 2nd Principle; Ulnar (wrist) flexion
Ushiro – Back; Rear
Sankyo – 3rd Principle; Wrist twist
Mae – Front; Forward
Yonkyo – 4th Principle; Forearm cutdown
Gyaku – Reverse
Gokyo – 5th Principle; Wrist hyperflexion
Ai Hanmi – Half-Body
Kumi – “Set”; i.e. a set of techniques
Gyaku Hanmi – Reverse Half-Body
Sumi – Corner
Kokyu Waza – Breath Techniques
Kuzushi – “Off-Balance”
Nage – Throw; Defender or one who throws opponent
Shime – Choke; Also spelling “jime” as in
Yame – Stop
Tenkan – Body pivot of 180°
Hajime – Begin
Tai Sabaki – Body turn or repositioning
Dozo – To allow
Suwari – Sit down; sitting
Seiza – Seated Position
Omote – Life-side; front or across
Hizamazuku – Kneeling
Ura – “Circle”; Rear
Shikko Waza – Knee Walking
Ma-ai – Proper Distancing
Kata – 1. Shoulder; 2. Form
Shiho – “Four-Directions”
Dori – Take; Grabbing
Tenbinnage – Balance Scale Throw
Juji – Cross
Kotegaeshi – Wrist reversal or turning
Waki – Side; Armpit
Kaiten – Rotary
Uke – To receive; block
Han-Sonkyo – Half-crouch
Ritsu-rei – A Standing Bow
Ryote Dori – Grabbing of both hands
Za-rei – Formal bow from kneeling or sitting
Morote Dori – Double-handed; i.e. two hands on one arm
Tenchi – Heaven and Earth
Ryokata Dori – Grabbing of both shoulders
Otoshi – Drop
Katate Dori – Arm Grab
Misc. Definitions
Tachi / Hambo / Tanto / Jo Dori Waza – Disarming, controlling, and/or throwing an opponent armed with that weapon
Happogiri – Eight-direction cutting exercise
Kokyu-Ho – “Breathing exercise”; Various forms of breathing exercises to train one’s hara and breathe control
Meiso Ho – Form of meditation performed to relieve the mind of daily stress and prepare it for the training to come
Jiyu Waza – Free form; practice without thought
Kaeshi Waza – Reversal Techniques
Nage – Throw; Defender or one who throws opponent
Suri-age – Defense against an attack by deflecting an opponent’s weapon to the left or right in an upward motion
Irimi Waza – Entering technique; principle which demonstrates entering in on an opponent
Suwari Waza – Practice performed while beginning in seiza or hizamazuku
Saho – Dojo etiquette; how to present in the dojo including but not limited to reishiki, cleanliness, safety, etc.
Yin & Yo – Opposing forces; “ying & yang” in Chinese
Henka Waza – Flowing or switching from one technique or principle to another
Randori – Continuous attacks; In Aikido, randori is typically practiced with two or more opponents attacking simultaneously
Hakama – Traditional pleated skirt or pants worn by Japanese upper-class citizens or warriors
Uke Negashi – “Flowing Reception”; to flow like water around an object with no resistance. Also known as “watershed block”
Mushin – “Empty mind”. A calmed mind free of anger, fear, ego, etc; a mind without intention, plan, or direction
Fudoshin – Immovable Mind
Go No Sen – Attacking after the opponent attacks
Sen No Sen – Attacking while the opponent attacks
Sen Sen No Sen – Taking initiative; attacking before the opponent attacks
Zanshin – State of relaxed alertness, awareness
Shoshin – Beginner’s mind; an attitude of openness, eagerness, and lack of preconceptions when studying a subject, even when studying at an advanced level, just as a beginner would
