| Age | Rising. |
|---|---|
| Age tsuki | Rising punch. |
| Age uke | Rising block. |
| Arigato gozaimasu | Thank you (long version "domo arigato gozaimasu"). |
| Ashi | Foot/leg. |
| Ashi guruma | Leg wheel. |
| Ashi hishigi | Leg crush. |
| Ashi kubi | Ankle. |
| Ashi kubi hishigi | Ankle crush. |
| Ashi sabaki | Footwork. |
| Ashi waza | Foot techniques. |
| Atemi | Striking. |
| Atemi waza | Striking techniques. |
| Bo | Staff (long). |
|---|---|
| Bokken | Wooden sword. |
| Bokuto | Wooden sword used when practicing iaido. |
| Budo | Martial Art. |
| Bunkai | Application of form. |
| Bushi | Warrior class of Japan. |
| Bushido | Way of the warrior. |
| Bujutsu | Fighting arts of the warrior class of Japan. |
| Chaku za | Sit down (in seiza). |
|---|---|
| Chiburi | Flipping blood off the sword after cutting an opponent. |
| Chigawa | Leather loops on either side of the kendo do. |
| Chika ma | Close distance. |
| Choku tsuki | Straight punch. |
| Chuan fa | Fist way. |
| Chudan | Middle (of body, i.e. torso). |
| Chudan no kamae | Middle guard position in kendo. |
| Dachi | Stance. |
|---|---|
| Daisho | Set of two swords carried by samurai (katana and wakizashi). |
| Dan | Rank of black belt 1st dan is the lowest, 10th the highest. |
| De ashi barai | Forward Foot sweep. |
| Debana waza | Kendo technique to strike opponent just prior to their attack. |
| Denzook | No count. |
| Do | 1. The way. 2. Chest/abdomen protector used in kendo. |
| Dogu | Kendo protectors (men, kote, do, tare) AKA Bogu. |
| Dojo | Exercise hall, the place where one practices martial art. |
| Dotatsu | Kendo strike or thrust. |
| Eku | Oar, used as a weapon in Okinawan Karate. |
|---|---|
| Empi | 1. Elbow. 2. Name of a kata. |
| Empi uchi | Elbow strike. |
| Fudo dachi | Rooted stance. |
|---|---|
| Fumi komi ashi | Leap forward in kendo AKA Tobi komi. |
| Fumikomi | Stamping kick. |
| Funakoshi, Gichin | Father of Japanese Karate. |
| Furikaburi | Lifting the sword above the head when practicing iaido. |
| Ganmen | Face. |
|---|---|
| Ganmen shuto | Face knife-hand. |
| Gari | Reap. |
| Gatame | Hold, arm bar. |
| Geashi | Reversal. |
| Gedan | Lower, waist or below. |
| Gedan barai | Low block. |
| Gedan juji uke | Lower X-block. |
| Gedan no kame | Low guard position in kendo. |
| Gedan shuto uke | Lower knife-hand block. |
| Geri | Kick. |
| Gi | Uniform for practicing martial arts. |
| Go | Five. |
| Gohon | Five-finger strike. |
| Goshi | Hip throw. |
| Guruma | Wheel-like throw. |
| Gyaku | Reverse, reversal. |
| Gyaku tsuki | Reverse punch (opposite hand and leg). |
| Gyaky juji jime | Reverse cross choke. |
| Ha | Edge of katana blade. |
|---|---|
| Hachi | Eight. |
| Hachiji dachi | Open leg stance. |
| Hachimachi | Towel used as a headband. |
| Hadake | Naked. |
| Hadake jime | Naked choke/strangle. |
| Hadari | Left. |
| Hai | Yes, agree. |
| Haishu | Back of the hand. |
| Haishu uchi | Back hand strike. |
| Haisoku | Instep. |
| Haisoku geri | Instep kick. |
| Haitto | Ridge hand (first knuckle of thumb and side of hand). |
| Haitto uchi | Ridge hand strike. |
| Hajimae | Begin. |
| Hakama | Pleated split skirt. |
| Hane | Spring. |
| Hane goshi | Spring hip throw. |
| Hane makikomi | Springing winding throw. |
| Hangetsu dachi | Hourglass stance. |
| Hanshi Shihan | Grand Master instructor (8th-10th Dan). |
| Hara tsurikomi ashi | Lift-pull foot sweep. |
| Harai | Sweep. |
| Harai goshi | Sweep hip throw. |
| Harai waza | Sweeping the shinai to the side technique. |
| Hasso no | kamae Guard position with shinai held vertically. |
| Heisoku dachi | Attention stance. |
| Hidari | Left (side). |
| Hiji | Elbow strike (upward, downward, forward, rear). |
| Hiki waza | Technique performed going backwards. |
| Himo | String. |
| Hiraki ashi | Sideways step. |
| Hishigi | Crush. |
| Hittsui | Knee. |
| Hittsui geri | Knee strike (upward, side). |
| Hiza guruma | Knee wheel. |
| Hon | Fingers. See also Gohon. |
| Honbu | Headquarters. |
| Iaido | the way of drawing the sword. |
|---|---|
| Iaidoka | one who practices iaido. |
| Iaito | unsharpened sword used when practicing iaido. |
| Ichior Sho | One. |
| Ippon | Full point in a contest. |
| Ippon ken (tsuki) | One knuckle fist. |
| Ippon kumite | One step sparring. |
| Ippon Seoi Nage | One-armed shoulder throw. |
| Irimi waza | Entering techniques. |
| Isoku itto no maai | One step, one cut distance. |
| Jigeiko | Free excercise (practice) AKA Jyu renshu . |
|---|---|
| Jigo-tai | Defensive posture. |
| Jime | Choke or strangle. |
| Jiyu kumite | Free sparring. |
| Jo | Short staff. |
| Jodan | Upper, shoulders or above. |
| Jodan juji uke | High X-block. |
| Jodan no kamae | High guard position in kendo. |
| Jo-jitsu | Short staff techniques. |
| Jogeburi | Straight up and down suburi. |
| Joseke | Upper seat or high place. |
| Ju | Ten. |
| Judo | A martial arts style featuring throwing. Literally, "gentle way", referring to giving way in order to gain victory. |
| Judoka | Practitioner of Judo. |
| Ju-ichi | Eleven. |
| Juji | Cross. Juji gatame, juji uke. |
| Juji gatame | Cross-body arm bar through legs and across hips. |
| Juji uke | X-block. |
| Kaeshi waza | Technique to ward off opponents shinai by sliding against one’s own shinai. |
|---|---|
| Kagi tsuki | Hook punch. |
| Kakari geiko | All out attack excercise in kendo. |
| Kakato | Heel. |
| Kakato uke | Bent wrist block. |
| Kake | Application of the technique. |
| Kakiwake uke | Pushing through block. |
| Kama | Sickle, used in pairs in Okinawan Karate. |
| Kamae (te) | Posture or Stance. |
| Kami shio gatame | Upper four-corner hold. |
| Kane sute | Flying sacrifice. |
| Kani basami | Flying scissors. |
| Kano, Jigoro | Founder of Judo. |
| Kansetsu | Joint lock. |
| Kansetsu waza | Joint locking techniques. |
| Kara | Empty. |
| Karate | A martial arts style featuring strikes. Literally, "empty hand". |
| Kata | 1. Stylized form, pre-arranged techniques. Nage no kata. |
| 2. Shoulder. Kata guruma. | |
| Kata gatame | Shoulder hold. |
| Kata guruma | Shoulder wheel throw. |
| Kata ha jime | Single wing choke. |
| Kata juji jime | Half cross choke. |
| Katame | Grappling. |
| Katame waza | Grappling and ground-fighting techniques. AKA Ne-waza. |
| Katana | Long sword AKA Tachi. |
| Katana-Bukuro | Cloth cover for the katana. |
| Katate Tori | Grasping of hands. |
| Katsu | Revival techniques. |
| Katsugi waza | Shoulder the shinai technique. |
| Kazuri kesa gatame | Modified scarf hold. |
| Keiko | Excercise. |
| Keikogi | Excercise jacket. |
| Kempo | Fist way. |
| Kendo | Japanese sword fighting. Literally, "way of the sword. |
| Keri waza | Kicking techniques. |
| Kesa gatame | Scarf hold. |
| Ki | Vital energy. |
| Kiai | Shout or yell with vital energy (ki). |
| Kihon | Basic. |
| Kiba dachi | Horse stance. |
| Kime | Focus. |
| Kiri kaeshi | Continuous cutting excercise. |
| Kirioroshi | downward cutting motion when practicing iaido. |
| Kissaki | Tip of katana blade. |
| Kitskay | Attention. |
| Ko | Minor or Small. |
| Kodachi | Short sword. |
| Kodokan | Headquarters of Judo in Japan. Literally, "school for studying the way". |
| Koko uchi | Tiger mouth strike. |
| Kokutsu dachi | Back stance. |
| Komi | Pulling. |
| Koshi | 1. Hip. |
| 2. Ball of the foot. | |
| Koshi guruma | Hip wheel throw. |
| Koshi jime | Hip choke. |
| Koshi waza | Hip techniques. |
| Kosoto gakae | Minor outer hook. |
| Kosoto gari | Minor outer reaping throw. |
| Kouchi gari | Minor inner reaping throw. |
| Kote | Fencing gauntlet (kendo glove). |
| Ku | Nine. |
| Kubi | Neck. |
| Kumikata | Methods of holding. |
| Kumite | Sparring. |
| Kusarigama | Sickle with a rope or chain attached. |
| Kusho | Vital points of the body. |
| Kurigata | Loop for cord on a scabbard. |
| Kuzushi | Unbalancing (eight directions). |
| Kyoshi Shihan | Advanced Master instructor (6th-8th Dan). |
| Kyu | Grade under black belt 10th kyu is the lowest and 1st the highest. |
| Kyusho | Vital point. |
| Kyusho-jitsu | Pressure point strikes. |
| Ma-ai | Distance. |
|---|---|
| Mae | Front. |
| Mae geri | Front kick. |
| Mae geri keage | Front snap kick. |
| Mae geri kekomi | Front thrust kick. |
| Mae tobi geri | Jump front kick. |
| Maki | Wrapping. |
| Maki geashi | Wrapping reversal. |
| (Soto) maki komi | Outside wrapping pulling. |
| (Soto) maki komi harai | Outside wrapping pulling sweep. |
| Makiwara | Punching board. |
| Matae | Stop. |
| Mawashi geri | Roundhouse kick. |
| Mawashi tsuki | Roundhouse punch. |
| Men | Kendo face mask, men point. |
| Men buton | Cushion on the top part of the men. |
| Men gane | Metal grill on the face mask. |
| Menuki | Ornament for the grip of a katana. |
| Metsuke | Point of focus or observation (Gaze). |
| Migi | Right (side). |
| Mikazuki | Crescent. |
| Mikazuki geri | Crescent kick. |
| Mikazuki geri uke | Crescent kick block. |
| Mokuso | Meditation. |
| Monouchi | Upper third of katana blade (the cutting portion of the blade). |
| Moro | Augmented. |
| Morote | Two arm or two hand. |
| Morote seoi nage | Two arm shoulder throw. |
| Morote tsuki | Double forward fist strike. |
| Morote uke | Double forearm block. |
| Moro ubi tori | Augmented finger pull. |
| Mudansha | Non black belt holder. |
| Mune | 1. Chest. |
| 2. Back of katana blade. | |
| Muni gatame | Chest hold. |
| Mushin | Mind of no mind. |
| Nagashi uke | Flowing block. |
|---|---|
| Nage | Throwing. |
| Nage waza | Throwing techniques. |
| Nage no kata | Formalized throws. |
| Nakayui | Middle leather string of the shinai. |
| Nanane buri | Side to side suburi. |
| Naginata | Halberd, used by Japanese women. |
| Nami juji jime | Normal cross choke. |
| Necho | Cat. |
| Necho ashi dachi | Cat stance. |
| Ne-waza | Ground fighting techniques, also known as katame waza. |
| Ni | Two. |
| Nidan geri | Double jump kick. |
| Nidan waza | Two step technique in kendo. |
| Nihon nukite | Two finger spear hand. |
| See also Gohon nukite, Nukite. | |
| Ni-ju | Twenty. |
| Ni-ju-ichi | Twenty one. |
| Noto | Replacing the sword into its scabbard when practicing iaido. |
| Nuki waza | Kendo technique to avoid opponent’s attack. |
| Nukite | Spear hand. |
| Nukitsuke | Drawing the sword from its scabbard when practicing iaido . |
| Nunchaku | Flail-like weapon of two rods joined by rope or chain. |
| O same to | Sheath the sword. |
|---|---|
| O goshi | Major hip throw. |
| O guruma | Major wheel throw. |
| Obi | Belt or sash. |
| Ohten | Barrel roll. |
| Ohten gatame | Barrel roll arm-bar. |
| Oi tsuki | Forward lunge punch (same side hand and leg). |
| Oji waza | Defensive techniques. |
| Okii | Big, large. |
| Okinawa te | Okinawan hand. |
| Okuri | Sliding. |
| Okuri ashi barai | 1. Foot sweep (judo) 2. Sliding step with leading right foot (kendo). |
| Okuri eri jime | Sliding collar choke. |
| Okuri (ashi) harai | Sliding foot sweep. |
| Omote | Face of katana blade. |
| Osae komi | Hold-down. |
| Osae komi waza | Hold-down techniques. |
| Osoto gari | Major outer reaping throw. |
| Osoto guruma | Major outer wheel throw. |
| Otoshi | Drop. |
| Ouchi gari | Major inner reaping throw. |
| Randori | Free practice (judo sparring). |
|---|---|
| Rei | Bow. |
| Renshi Shihan | Master instructor (4th-5th Dan). |
| Reishiki | Proper etiquette displayed when practicing iaido. |
| Roku | Six. |
| Ryu | Style of school or martial art. |
| Ryukyu | Okinawa. |
| Sageo | cord on a scabbard. |
|---|---|
| Sai | Three-pronged metal weapon. |
| Sagaru | Command to take several steps backward at the end of a form. |
| Sakigawa | Leather cap on top of the shinai. |
| Sakotsu | Collarbone. |
| Sakotsu shuto | Collarbone knife-hand. |
| San | Three. |
| Sanchin dachi | Hourglass stance (derived from Sanchin kata). |
| Sandan waza | Three step technique in kendo. |
| San-ju | Thirty. |
| Sasae | Block. |
| Sasae (tsuri komi) ashi | Lifting pulling foot block. |
| Saya | scabbard for katana. |
| Sayu men | Side men AKA Yoko men. |
| Seiza | Sitting position. |
| Sempai | Senior or class monitor. |
| Sensei | Teacher. |
| Seppa | Collar of katana. |
| Seoi | Shoulder. |
| Seretsu | Line up. |
| Shi | Four. |
| Shiai | Contest or kendo match. |
| Shichi | Seven. |
| Shihan | Master instructor. |
| Shiho | Four corners, or all directions. |
| Shiho nage | All directions throw. |
| Shime | Choke. |
| Shime waza | Choking techniques. |
| Shinai | Bamboo sword used in kendo. |
| Shinai-hanashi | Dropping a shinai during a match. |
| Shinpan | A kendo referee. |
| Shinpan-in | The team of referees in a kendo court. |
| Shizen-tai | Natural posture. |
| Shobu | Kendo command to restart a match for the match point. |
| Shobuari | Announces a winner in a kendo match. |
| Shomen | Front (middle) of kendo face mask. |
| Shotei | Palm heel strike (also may use as block). |
| Shuto | Knife-edge hand (little-finger side of palm). |
| Shuto uchi | Knife hand strike. |
| Shuto uke | Knife hand block. |
| Sode | Sleeve. |
| Sode tsuri komi goshi | Sleeve lifting pulling hip throw. |
| Soke | headmaster of iaido. |
| Sonkyo | Formal crouch position. |
| Sosai | Offsetting fouls - no penalty. |
| Soto | Outside (of opponent's stance). |
| Soto age uke | Outer upper block. |
| Soto makikomi | Outer winding throw. |
| Soto mikazui geri | Outer crescent kick. |
| Soto shuto | Outside knife-hand block. |
| Soto ude uke | Outside forearm block. |
| Suburi | shinai swinging practice. |
| Sukui nage | Scooping throw. |
| Sumea gaeshi | Corner reversal. |
| Sumi otoshi | Corner drop. |
| Suriage waza | Technique to ward off opponents shinai by sliding against one’s own shinai. |
| Sute | Sacrifice. |
| Sutemi | Sacrifice or roll. |
| Sutemi-waza | Sacrifice techniques. |
| Suwari-waza | Any technique that begins from a seated position. |
| Tabi | Footwear. |
|---|---|
| Tachi-waza | 1. Standing throwing techniques. 2. Correct standing techniques when practicing iaido. |
| Tai | Body. |
| Taiatari | Body check. |
| Tai otoshi | Body drop. |
| Taisho | The last contestant in a kendo team match. |
| Taito | Holding the shinai at waist level. |
| Tameshiwari | Breaking demonstration. |
| Tanden | Point just below the navel. |
| Tani otoshi | Valley drop. |
| Tanto | Short sword. |
| Tare | The kendo waist protector. |
| Tatehiza | Half-seated position with right knee raised. |
| Tate tsuki | Vertical punch (boxer's jab). |
| Te | Hand. See also Karate. |
| Teisho | Palm heel. |
| Teisho tsuki | Palm heel punch. |
| Teisho uchi | Palm heel strike. |
| Teisho uke | Palm heel block. |
| Teiji dachi | T-stance. |
| Tenogui | Traditional hand towel. |
| Tenouchi | Technique to stop the shinai. |
| Tekubi | Wrist. |
| Tekubi tori | Wrist pull. |
| Tettsui | Hammer fist downward strike with closed fist, little finger side as the striking surface. |
| Te-waza | Hand techniques. |
| Toeri | Bow to show respect for the weapon when practicing iaido. |
| Tomoe nage | Stomach throw. |
| Tonfa | Wooden rod with handle at right angle, used in pairs. |
| Tori | Defender, demonstrator of technique; or, pull. |
| Torite | See tuite. |
| Tsuba | Swordguard of katanaor . |
| Tsuka | Handle of katana. |
| Tsukaito | Handle wrap of katana. |
| Tsuki | 1. Punch or jab. 2. Knuckle strike with first two knuckles only. 3. The kendo throat thrust or hit. |
| Tsuki tare | The throat protector on the kendo men. |
| Tsuki waza | Punching techniques. |
| Tsukuri | Stepping into the throw. |
| Tsuri | Lifting. |
| Tsuri goshi | Lifting hip throw. |
| Tsuri komi goshi | Lifting pulling hip throw. |
| Tuite | 1. Grappling techniques. 2. Using pressure points for joint manipulation. |
| Uchi | Inner or Strike or Cut. |
|---|---|
| Uchideshi | Special disciple. |
| Uchikomi | Repeated practice of throwing techniques. |
| Uchi mata | Inner thigh throw. |
| Uchi waza | Striking techniques. |
| Ude | Forearm. |
| Ude gatame | Forearm arm-bar. |
| Ude tori | Forearm pull. |
| Ude uki | Forearm block. |
| Uke | Block (Age uke); or, Attacker, to whom techniques are done. |
| Ukemi | Falling and rolling exercises. |
| Ukemi waza | Falling techniques. |
| Uki | Floating. |
| Uki goshi | Floating hip throw. |
| Uki otoshi | Floating drop. |
| Uki waza | Floating throw. |
| Ulna | (English)Bone on little-finger side of wrist. |
| Ulna press | Straight arm bar with wrist on opponent's elbow. |
| Ura | Back or flip side. |
| Uraken uchi | Back fist strike. |
| Ura nage | Back throw. |
| Ura tsuki | Flip side punch. |
| Ushiro | Rear. |
| Ushiro geri | Back kick. |
| Ushiro goshi | Back hip throw. |
| Wakare | Separation. |
|---|---|
| Wakizashi | Short sword. |
| Wakki-gakame | Ready position in kendo with the shinai downward near the right foot. |
| Waza | Technique. |
| Katame waza | Mat work. |
| Yama | Mountain. |
|---|---|
| Yama bushi | Mountain warriors. |
| Yama tsuki | U-punch. |
| Yame | The command to stop. |
| Yari | Spear. |
| Yawara | Control. |
| Yoi | Ready. |
| Yoko | Side. |
| Yoko gake | Side body drop. |
| Yoko geri | Side kick. |
| Yoko guruma | Side wheel. |
| Yoko haitto | Side ridge-hand. |
| Yoko kekome | Side thrust kick. |
| Yoko otoshi | Side drop. |
| Yoko shio gatame | Side four corner hold. |
| Yoko shuto | Side knife-hand. |
| Yoko tobo geri | Jump side kick. |
| Yoko wakare | Side separation. |
| Yubi | Finger. |
| Yubi tori | Finger pull. |
| Yudansha | One who is a black belt. |
| Yuko Datotsu | A valid strike or point in kendo. |
| Zan-shin | 1. The follow through of a kendo strike. 2. A state of energy. 3. Execution, and alertness against an opponent. |
|---|---|
| Zarei | Seated bows. |
| Zekken | A name tag, made of cloth or leather and attached to the kendo Tare. |