Aikido Vocabulary

The following is a partial list of terms you will come across in training:

Aikido The word 'Aikido' is made up of three Japanese characters: AI – join or harmony, KI - spirit or universal energy, DO - the Way. Thus Aikido is 'the Way of Harmony with Universal Energy.'
Ai Hanmi Paired stance where uke and nage each have the same foot forward.
Ashi Sabaki Footwork. (tsugi ashi = slide, ayumi ashi =step)
Atemi Strike directed at the attacker for purposes of unbalancing or distraction.
Budo Martial Way.
Chushin Center, especially, the center of one's movement or balance.
Dan Black belt rank.
Do Way/path.
Dojo Literally 'place of the Way.'
Domo Arigato
Gozaimashita
Japanese for 'thank you very much.'
Doshu Leader of the Way (currently Ueshiba Moriteru Doshu, grandson of Aikido's founder, Ueshiba Morihei O-Sensei).
Gyaku Hanmi Paired stance where uke and nage have the opposite foot forward.
Hanmi Triangular stance. (Literally 'half body')
Hombu Dojo A term used to refer to the central dojo of an organization. For us, this usually designates Aikido World Headquarters in Tokyo.
Hidari Left.
Irimi Entering movement.
Kaiso The Founder of Aikido, Ueshiba Morihei. Also called O-Sensei.
Kamae A posture or stance. Although 'kamae' generally refers to a physical stance, there is an important parallel in Aikido between one's physical and one's psychological bearing.
Kamiza A small shrine, especially in an Aikido, generally located in the front of the dojo. One bows in the direction of the kamiza when entering or leaving the dojo, or the mat.
Kata A 'form' or prescribed pattern of movement. Also 'shoulder'.
Keiko Training. The literal translation of the characters is 'to study the old'.
Keiko Gi Training uniform.
Ki Energy.
Kohai A dojo member who joined after oneself. (Literally, "after companion")
Kokoro 'Heart or mind.'
Kokyu Breath. 
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.
Kyu

Any rank below shodan.

Ma Ai Proper distancing or timing with respect to one's partner.
Mae Front, as in mae ukemi or falling forward.
Migi Right.
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. 
Nage The person being attacked. Also Tori or Shite.
Obi A belt.
Omote 'The front,' entering to the front.
Onegai shimasu Literally, 'I make a request.' This is said when initiating practice or asking for instruction.
O-Sensei Literally, 'Great Teacher,' i.e., Morihei Ueshiba, the Founder of Aikido.
Reigi Etiquette. Observance of proper etiquette is as much a part of one's training as the practice of techniques. Also Reigi saho.
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. (Literally, 'born before')
Seiza Sitting on one's knees.
Sempai A dojo member who joined before oneself. (Literally,'before companion")
Shikko Knee walking. 
Shodan First degree black belt. (Literally 'Beginning Dan').
Shomen Front or top (of head, body, room, etc).
Soto Outside.
Tai Sabaki Body movement.
Taninsugake Training against multiple attackers.
Tegatana 'Hand sword', i.e. the edge of the hand.
Tenkan Turning movement.
Tenshin A movement where Nage moves 45 degrees away from the attack.
Uchi 'Inside.'  Also 'strike'.
Ueshiba Kisshomaru The son of the Founder of Aikido and Second Aikido Doshu.
Ueshiba Morihei The Founder of Aikido.
Ueshiba Moriteru The grandson of the Founder and current Doshu.
Ueshiba Mitsuteru The great-grandson of the Founder, current Assistant Dojo Cho of Aikido Hombu Dojo.
Uke Person attacking and receiving the technique. Role is to provide honest attack.
Ukemi Literally 'receiving with the body'. 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.
Ura 'Rear.'
Ushiro Backwards or behind, as in ushiro ukemi or falling backwards.
Waza Technique.
Yudansha Black belt holder.
Zanshin Literally 'remaining mind/heart.' Even after an Aikido technique has been completed, one should remain in a balanced and aware state.
  

Aikido Techniques

Tachi waza Standing Technique.
Suwari waza Seated Technique. Also ZAGI.
Hanmi handachi waza Technique where NAGE is seated and UKE is standing.
Osae waza Pinning Technique.
Kansetsu waza Joint technique.
Jiyu Waza Free-style practice of techniques.
Ikkyo First teaching. Also UDE OSAE (arm pin).
Nikyo Second teaching. Also KOTE MAWASHI (wrist/forearm rotate).
Sankyo Third teaching. Also KOTE HINERI (wrist/forearm twist).
Yonkyo Fourth teaching. Also TEKUBI OSAE (wrist pin).
Goyko Fifth teaching. Also UDE NOBASHI (arm stretch).
Iriminage Entering Throw.
Shihonage Four Way Throw.
Kokyunage Breath Throw.
Kotegaeshi Wrist/forearm Reversal.
Kaitennage Circular Throw.
Tenchinage Heaven and Earth Throw.
Kokyuho Breath Method.
 

Types of Attacks

Tori/Dori Grab
Uchi Strike
Keri/Geri Kick
Katatedori One hand grabbing one hand (mirror image).
Kosadori One hand grabbing one hand (right to right or left to left).
Morotedori Two hands grabbing one hand.
Ryotedori Two hands grabbing two hands
Katadori Shoulder grab.
Ushirodori Grab from behind.
Shomenuchi Strike to the front or top of the head.
Yokomenuchi Strike to the side of the head.
Tsuki Punch or thrust.
 

Counting

One Ichi
Two Ni
Three San
Four Shi/Yon
Five Go
Six Roku
Seven Shichi/Nana
Eight Hachi
Nine Kyu
Ten Ju

Aikido Shimboku Dojo
9225 Trinity Drive
Lake in the Hills, IL 60156
847-458-9309