GLOSSARY

POSTURES & MOVEMENTS

AI-HANMI	Stance where the Nage and Uke are both standing with either both right feet or both left feet forward.
ATEMI	Strikes to the body at vulnerable points.Used in techniques to distract or unbalance the attacker and thereby increase the effectiveness of a technique
GYAKU-HANMI	A mirror hanmi stance where the Uke and Nage have different feet forward (Uke has left foot forward and Nage has the right foot forward or visa versa)
HANMI	A triangular stance where one foot is in front and pointing forward and the rear foot is placed perpendicular to the front foot.
HITO-E-Mi	An entering move in which Nage slides forward on the front foot and then performs the tenkai reversal (see below), so that Nage is standing at Uke’s back in the same hanmi stance (right or left) as Uke is.
JIYU-WAZA	“Free-style” techniques performed usually with one Uke and usually with a pre-decided attack.
KAITEN	Forward Step-Pivot
KEN-AWASE	Paired exercises in which basic use of the sword is emphasized
KOKYU-DOSA	A breathing exercise
KOKYU-HO	Breathing exercise usually done at the end of a practice session either seated or standing.
OMOTE	Front or in front of, used to describe techniques executed by moving across Uke’s front
RANDORI	Free-style exercise where two or more Uke attack the Nage using any attack of their choice.
SEIZA	Formal Japanese way of sitting on the floor with one sitting with knees pointed forward and rear end on one’s feet and ankles.
SHIKKO	Walking on one’s knees.
SUWARI-WAZA (ZAGI)	Techniques where both Nage and Uke are seated in seiz
TENKAI	Pivoting on the balls of the feet in hanmi.One reverses direction and switches hanmi stances.In other words, if one is standing in a right stance prior to tenkai, one is standing in a left stance after tenkai.
TENKAN (TAI-NO-HENKO)	A turn in which the back leg of the hanmi stance is pulled back 180 degrees to reverse one’s direction.Unlike tenkai, one’s stance is the same as before the move, but one is facing the opposite direction.
UKEMI	Tumbling or breakfalls.
URA	Rear or in back of, used to describe techniques executed by moving around behind the Uke
USHIRO-WAZA	Defenses to attacks from the rear

 

GLOSSARY OF WORDS OF ATTACK

Attack Form	Description
Uchi	inside
Soto	outside
Omote	in front
Ura	behind
Hamni-Handachi	uke standing, nage sitting seiza
Jotori	jo techniques
Katatetori	one hand grab to wrist
Katatori	one hand grab to collar
Morotetori	two hands grab to one wrist
Ryotetori	both hands grab one wrist
Shomenuchi	strike to forehead
Suwariwaza	techniques from sitting seiza
Tachitori	attack with boken or standing techniqu
Tantotori	attack with knife
Tsuki	thrust or punch
Ushiro Kubishime	choke from behind with free hand grabbing wrist
Ushiro Ryokatori	both shoulders grabbed from behind
Ushiro Tekubitori	both wrists grabbed from behind
Ushiro Waza	any attack from behind
* Uchi & Soto Mawari	both the inside (uchi) and outside (soto) movements or variations.
** Henka-waza	techniques where the nage (thrower) switches from one technique to another technique. Examiner will call the first (or starting) technique.
***Kaeshi-waza	counter techniques. Uke (attacker) applies the technique to nage.Then nage counters with the appropriate counter. Original techniques (for uke) will be called by the examiner. (E.g., to apply sankyo against nikkyo).

Back