Bujinkan Budo Taijutsu Japanese Dictionary A  

Age from ageru, to lift or raise, elevate

Age uke  in karate, a rising block

Ankoku toshinjutsu techniques for seeing in the darkness

Arashi storm

Asagasumi kyusho (morning mist), just under chin (or the chin itself)

Ashi leg; foot

Ashiko spiked foot bands, see also shuko

Ashikubi ankle

Ate blow, strike

Atemi a strike to setup a technique

Atsu press

Atto press down

B  

Butsumetsu 3rd rib down, more commonly called floating rib

C  

Chi earth

Chimon geography

Cho ho espionage

Chu middle

Chudan middle level

Chunin historically, a mid-level (organiser) ninja agent; see also jonin and genin

D  

Dai large, big, great

Daikomyo

In Buddhism, it is the big bright light of Buddha. In ninjutsu, it is the illumination from the inside to the outside. This can be experienced as the light of your heart on the physical plane. See also shikin haramitsu daikomyo.

Daimon kyusho (big gate), middle of shoulder joint

Daisho pair of swords worn in the belt

Daito large sword, worn blade facing up

Dakentaijutsu striking (punching and kicking) methods of ninjutsu

Dan lit. step; indicates level above black belt

Den legend, tradition

Densho transmission scrolls or manuscripts, see also makimono

Do i) motion; change; ii) path, road, way; iii) the trunk of the body

Do jime torso choke, done with scissoring of body with legs

Dojo lit. way place; a training hall

Dojo Cho leader or head of a dojo

Doko angry tiger

Doko no kamae angry tiger defensive stance

Dokkotsu kyusho (single bone), adam's apple

Dome from tomeru, to stop

Don ton jutsu earth concealment techniques

Dori From toru, to seize, capture; also tori

E  

Empi elbow

Eri lapel; collar

F  

Fu i) negation; ii) wind

Fudo immobility

Fudo ken clenched fist

Fudoshin immovable spirit

Fudoza immovable seat

Fukiya blowguns

Fukuro shinai bamboo training sword covered in leather

Fuko crouching tiger

Furi to swing

Futari dori dual catch, held by two opponents

G  

Gaeshi from kaesu, to turn over, roll, throw, counter-attack; also kaeshi

Gake hook; also kagi and kake

Gakure from kakureru, to hide, disappear

Ganbette keep going; persevere

Ganmen the face

Ganseki a rock

Garami from karamu, to entangle, entwine

Gari from karu, to reap

Gassho no kamae greeting stance

Gata i) one; ii) style, type, pattern

Gatame from katameru, to tighten; also katame

Gawa side

Ge low

Gedan lower level

Genin historically, a low-level (operative)ninja agent; see also chunin and jonin

Genjutsu arts of illusion

Geri from keru, to kick; see keri

Gi martial arts uniform

Gikan regard for justice

Giri i) duty; obligation; ii) to cut, also kiri

Go five

Godai lit. big five; refers to five elements; see also gogyo

Goe voice; tone

Gogyo five principles; also refers to five elements, earth, water, fires, air and void

Gojo gyoku principle of five feelings and desires

Gokui hidden; secret

Gokuraku paradise

Gomen nasai excuse me, I'm sorry

Go no sen seizing the initiative at the moment the opponent attacks

Gorin kyusho (five rings), around the stomach

Goroshi from korosu, to kill

Gotonpo five element concealing and escaping methods

Gyaku reverse; opposite; inverted

Gyaku jime reverse choke

Gyoku gem, jewel; testicles

H  

Hachi eight

Hachimaki white cotton headband

Hadome kyusho (pallet), one inch below ear, end of toothline

Hai yes

Haibu yori from behind

Hajime start

Hajutsu escaping techniques

Hakama formal divided skirt; wide legged pants

Han half

Hanbo lit. half-staff; stick (usually 3 feet)

Hanbojutsu stick fighting techniques

Hane i) from haneru, to leap, spring up; ii) wing

Hane age jump up, spring up

Hane goshi in judo, spring hip throw

Hane maki komi in judo, winding hip throw

Hanmi in aikido, half-forward stance; similar to taijutsu's ichimonji

Happa eight leaves, clapping the ears

Happa ken open-handed strike

Happo eight sides; in all directions

Happo hiken eight methods of secret swords

Happo shuriken eight pointed throwing blades

Harai from harau, to sweep; also barai

Harai goshi sweeping hip throw

Haramitsu

also known in sanskript as paramita which is Buddha's satori or a permanent state of spiritual awakening that transcends the limitations of life and death. The general idea behind the 6 paramita is freedom from bearing grudges, pain, jealousy and building a relationship with the world outside of yourself. See also shikin haramitsu daikomyo.

Hashigo yari a ladder spear

Hasso to attack

Heiho martial principles, military strategy

Henka variation

Henso jutsu disguise and impersonation techniques

Hi to fly

Hicho flying bird

Hicho no kamae crane defensive stance

Hidari left

Hiden concealed, secret; also gokui

Hiji elbow, also empi

Hiji ate elbow strike, also shuki ken

Hiji ori elbow break

Hiken Juroppo sixteen secret fist methods of ninjutsu

Hiki from hiku, to pull

Hira flat, even, level

Hira no kamae one-line receiving stance

Hira shuriken flat blades

Hiryuran kyusho (flying dragon confuser), eyeballs

Hishi dried water chestnuts used as caltrops

Hiso ken secret spear fist

Ho i) used to express concept of the Buddhist Darma (law/truth); methods, ii) direction, way, rule; also po

Hodoki get loose, get untied, escape

Hoi encircling

  binding; securing

Hojojutsu binding techniques; using a cord to restrain prisoners

Hoko encircling tiger

Hoko no kamae encircling tiger receiving stance

Hon true; principal; main; foundation

Hon gamae basic set-up position

Hon gyaku base reversal to the wrist

Hon jime basic choke

Hontai i) main body; ii) morality

Hoshi kyusho (star), nerve point near armpit

Hoshi shita zawa mind, heart; will, intention - kyusho (under the stars), elbow joint

I  

Iaido way of sword-drawing

Iaijutsu sword-drawing techniques

Ichi one

Ichimonji the character for one in Japanese, left to right

Ichimonji no kamae one-line defensive stance

Igadama spiked iron or steel balls used as caltrops

Iie no

In kyusho (shadow), xiphoid bone

Inashi gata form of skillfully avoiding and upsetting opponent's attack

Inpo the art of hiding

Inton concealment and camouflage

Iri from hairu, to enter

Irimi entering, moving in

Itaken broad blades

Itami pain

Itami jime painful choke

Itto sword

J  

Jakkotsu/jakkin kyusho (weak bone/weak muscle), upper arm between bone and bicep

Jigoku hell

Jihi no kokoro benevolent heart

Jime from shimeru, to tighten or constrict; also shime

Jin man, low

Jinbujin fusatsu God's rule for bujin not to kill people

Jinchu kyusho (center of man), base of the nose

Jo i) medium length stick (usually 4 feet); ii) top

Jodan upper level

Jowan uppper arm

Ju ten

Jujiro kyusho (crossroads), front of shoulder

Jumonji the character for ten in japanese, a cross

Jumonji no kamae cross offensive stance

Junan taiso taijutsu conditioning exercises

Jutaijutsu grappling techniques; throws, locks, chokes and holds

Jutsu techniques; art

Jutte single-tined truncheon

K  

Ka fire

Kaeshi from kaesu, turn over, throw, counter-attack; also gaeshi

Kaeshi waza counter techniques

Kagi hook, also kake

Kaiten rolling

Kakitsubo kyusho (side bowl), hollow area of armpits

Kake hook; also kagi and gake

Kaku angle; horn, knee

Kakushi buki hidden weapons, refers to all small weapons that can be hidden

Kakushi geri sweeping, cresent kick

Kamae stance, posture

Kami yari sickle spear

Kamiza gods; shrine honoring the spirits

Kansetsu joints; used with techniques to describe dislocating

Kansetsu geri in karate, knee-joint kick

Kappi lively jump

Karamu to entangle, entwine

Karate lit. empty hand, or china hand; a martial art that stresses punching and kicking techniques

Kashira head

Kasumi kyusho (fog, mist), temple

Kata i) one; ii) style, type, pattern iii) pre-arranged forms

Kataginu stiff sleeveless robe for samurai on ceremonial occasions

Katame from katameru, to tighten; also gatame

Katana sword

Katate one hand

Katate dori kubijime single-hand neck choke

Kawa side

Ken i) fist; ii) sword

Ken no michi the way of the sword

Kenkotsu kyusho (healthy bone), 4 points on skull around tenkotsu

Kenshi expert swordsman

Keppan blood oath made when entering a ryu

Keri from keru, to kick; see geri

Ki i) rise; ii) spirit, mind, heart, soul

Ki ken spirit fist

Kiai a focused shout to disrupt the opponent

Kiaijutsu techniques of kiai

Kihon basic, fundamental

Kikaku ken kyusho (demon horns fist), head butt; also zu tsuki

Kime focus, both physical and mental

Kimon kyusho (monster gate), chest muscle

Kimono traditional japanese dress

Kinketsu kyusho (forbidden opening), sternum

Kiri i) from kiru, to cut; ii) mist, fog; i ii) neck

Kiriage rising cut; cutting upwards

Kiten ken sword hand strike, also shuto ken

Ko ashi small steps for walking through foliage and water

Ko i) child; ii) hook, barb; i ii) small; iv) tiger

Kobudo ancient martial ways

Kocho butterfly

Kodachi short sword

Koe kyusho (voice), hollow area of hip bones

Kogoroshi killing the child, pinky break

Koho rear, back

Koho geri back kick

Kokoro spirit, heart, mind; also shin

Koku empty space

Kokyu breath, breathing

Kongo ken hammer fist

Koppo i) bone; ii) secret

Koppo ken thumb knuckle strike

Koppojutsu bone-breaking techniques

Koroshi from korosu, to kill

Koryu classical or old tradition

Kosei kyusho (tiger force), testicles, also suzu

Kosei no kamae tiger offensive stance

Koshi hip, loin

Koshijutsu organ and muscle strikes

Koshitsubo kyusho (hip bowl), middle or inside ridge of hip bone

Kote wrist

Kote gaeshi outside wrist turn, also omote gyaku

Kotsu bone

Ku i) air, sky; emptiness; void; ii) nine

Kubi neck

Kubi ura jime rear neck choke

Kubisuji nape of neck

Kudaki from kudaku, to break, smash, shatter

Kuden oral teachings

Kuji nine signs; mudra used in esoteric Buddhism

Kuji kiri used by ancient ninjas to channel energy

Kujiki from kujiku, to wrench, sprain

Kukan space

Kuki air, formless energy

Kumiuchi grappling, close fighting

Kumitachi sword practice with a partner

Kumo cloud

Kumo bashigo spider ladder

Kumon chest

Kunoichi female ninja

Kuruma vehicle, ride

Kusari dogu chain weapons

Kusari fundo weighted chain

Kusarigama sickle and chain

Kuzushi from kuzusu, to break; in Budo, to break the balance of an opponent

Kyo unpreparedness; false

Kyojitsu falsehood and truth, ie. Deception, feinting

Kyojitsu tenkan ho theory of alternating appearences of reality

Kyoku emptiness

Kyokei kyusho (strong tendons), top of the foot just above the toes

Kyoketsu shoge hooked blade weapon with weighted chain or cord attached

Kyokotsu the sternum, breastbone

Kyoman observation and perception

Kyomon religious teachings

Kyonin no jutsu taking advantage of fears and superstitions

Kyu student grade below black belt

Kyudo way of the bow, modern Japanese archery

Kyusho vital or pressure points, weak points

M  

Ma ai combative engagement distance between two opponents

Mae front

Mae geri front kick

Mae no sen taking the initiative, attacking the instant the opponent thinks about it

Maki winding, wrapping; scrolls

Makikomi from makikomu, to enfold

Makimono scrolls, ancient manuscripts, see also densho

Mata inner part of the thigh

Matte from matsu, wait

Matzukaza kyusho (pinetree wind), just above and below the ends of the clavicles

Mawashi from mawasu, to rotate

Mawashi geri round kick

Mawatte turn around

Me eye

Meijin master

Men the face

Menbu kyusho, the face or forehead area

Men uchi a strike to the head

Menkyo license, teacher's certificate

Menkyo kaiden full proficiency certificate

Metsubushi blinding substances; smoke, sand, pepper, etc.

Mi body, person; also tai

Michi path or way, also do

Migi right

Mikkyo i) esoteric buddhism; ii) secret doctrines

Mimi ear

Mitsukudaki three kiai's in ninjutsu to break the opponent's chance, his techniques and finally his body

N  

Nage from nageru, to throw

Nagashi flow

Naginata halbard, long pole with curved blade on the end

Nana seven; also shichi

Naname diagonal direction, oblique

Nashi none

Neko ashi dachi in karate, cat leg stance

Neko te finger-tip weapons of steel for kunoichi

Ni two

Nihogiri cutting in two directions

Nin i) endurance, perseverance, forebearance; ii) stealth, secretiveness, concealment; also shinobi

Ninja shadow warrior

Ninja juhachikei eighteen levels of ninja training

Ninja ken short sword used by ninja, also shinobi gatana

Ninpo the higher order of ninjutsu

Ninpo ikkan may ninpo be our primary inspiration

Ninpo mikkyo secret knowledge of ninpo

Ninpo sanjurokkei 36 ninpo skills combining eighteen samurai and eighteen ninja

skills

Nitto two swords

No possessive particle, of

Nuki ashi sweeping step ninja use in walking

O  

O large, big, great

Obi belt

Odachi long sword

Okuden inner or hidden teachings

Omote outside; front; obvious

Omotesokugyaku geri inside-edge foot kick

Oni devil, demon, monster

Onibi no jutsu art of the demon fire

Onshinjutsu hiding techniques, art of invisibility

Ori from oru, to break

Osae from osaeru, to press down, immobilize

Osae waza pinning or immobilization techniques

O sensei great teacher, honorific

Oshigiri a push cut, type of cutting action used with sword

Osoto gari major outer reaping throw

Osoto guruma major outer wheel throw

Oten in taijutsu, a cartwheel

Otoshi from otosu, to drop

Oyagoroshi killing the parent, thumb break

R  

Rai thunder

Randori free response training; sparring

Ransetsu blizzard, snowstorm

Rei bow, salute

Ritsudo rhythm

Roku six

Rokushaku bo six foot staff

Ryaku abridgment; outline

Ryo both; two

Ryote two hands

Ryomune dori two handed chest grab

Ryoude jime two-arm choke or constriction

Ryu i) dragon; ii) school, tradition

Ryuha used synonymously with ryu

Ryufu (willow wind), windpipe

Ryuka (dragon under), the calves; also yaku

Ryumon (dragon gate), hollow point in bones of shoulder

S  

Sain kyusho (left passivity), below left eye; see also yuin

Sakki intuition of an attack, perception of an aggressive thought or intent

San three

Sankaku jime triangular choke

Sanshin dachi in karate, hour-glass stance

Sanshin no kata in taijutsu, spirit of three hearts practice forms

Saya sword scabbard

Satori enlightenment

Seigan no kamae see ichimonji no kamae

Seishin teki kyoyo

spiritual refinement

Seishin tanren spiritual forging

Seitaku (starry mud), hollow area in elbow joints

Seiza formal seated posture

Sempai senior student

Sen initiative; also 1000

Sen no sen seizing the initiative as soon as the opponent begins his attack

Senban flat throwing plates

Senkoku jidai warring states period

Sennin mystic

Sensei one who is born before or gone before, teacher

Seoi to carry on one's back; also zeoi

Setsu snow

Shaken throwing stars

Shako ken shrimp fist, claw strike

Shi finger; four; also yon

Shibari from shibaru, to tie

Shichi seven; also nana

Shichibatsu kyusho (seven draws), side of hip

Shihan senior instructor

Shiho tobi 4 directional leaping

Shikan ken extended knuckle fist

Shikin sensation of harmony perceived by the sense of hearing and heart

Shikin haramitsu daikomyo

every experience in life is sacred and holds the possibility of showing the universal truth or enlightenment we seek.

Shikko a method of walking on the knees

Shikomi zue a sword cane

Shikoro thin bladed tools and saws

Shikotzu kyusho (phalanx), crutch-like area of the thumb

Shime from shimeru, to tighten, constrict; also jime

Shin heart, mind, spirit

Shinai split bamboo practice sword

Shinchu kyusho (center of the heart), middle of the chest

Shinken gata gata true or real combat training

Shinobi expert in gathering information, spy; also ninja

Shinobi aruki ninja walking

Shinobi gatana see ninja ken

Shinobi ho the art of stealth

Shinobi iri stealth and entering methods

Shinobi eighteen ninja skills

juhappan

Shinobi no mono shadow warriors

Shinobi zue hollow canes with concealed chain or blades

Shinto hiho secret teachings of shinto

Shishin ken little needle strike

Shita under, below

Shitan ken fingertip strike

Shito ken thumb strike, also boshi ken

Shizen natural

Shizen ken the body as a natural weapon

Shizen no kamae natural receiving stance

Shomen the front

Shoshin no kamae

stance of the first body

Shoten no jutsu climbing to the heavens (tree climbing)

Shoto short sword

Shu hand; arm

Shugyo severe training

Shuki ken elbow strike, also hiji ate

Shuko hand claws, see also ashiko

Shumon spiritual, religious gate

Shuriken throwing blades, stars

Shuto ken sword hand strike, also kiten ken

Sode sleeve

Sojutsu the art of fighting with a spear

Soke head of a family; grandmaster

Sokkei groin

Sokki ken knee strike

Sokkotsu instep

Sokuho kaiten sideways roll

Sokuho geri sideways kick

Sokuho tobi sideways leap

Sokuyaku geri dancing foot kick; basic heel kick

Sokuya horizontal heel kick

Sokugyaku geri toe kick

Sokuto geri sword foot; kick with edge of the foot

Soto outside

Sui water; also mizu

Sui ren water training

Suigetsu kyusho (moon on the water), solar plexus

Suihei horizontal

Suki opening in opponent

Sutemi sacrifice, self-abandonment

Suwari waza seated techniques

Suwatte sit down

Suzu kyusho (bell), testicles

Suzuzue priests ring topped walking staff

T  

Tabi traditional split toe footwear

Tachi i) sword; ii) standing; also dachi

Tachi waza standing techniques

Tai i) large, big, great; ii) the body

Tai ken the body fist

Taihenjutsu body movement techniques; rolling, leaping, tumbling

Taijutsu the art of moving the body; the basis of all fighting arts

Taisabaki natural body movement techniques; body evasion

Taisuru to face, confront; be opposite

Takagi tall tree, large tree

Take bamboo

Taki waterfall

Tameshi giri test cutting

Tanden abdomen, two fingers below navel; also hara

Tanto knife

Taoshi from taosu, to throw down

Tatami a straw mat

Te hand

Teki enemy

Tekubi wrist

Teisoku sole of the foot

Ten from tenjiro, to revolve, rotate - heaven, sky; top

Tengu goblin known for its martial skills; said to be half man, half crow

Tenmon i) meteorology; ii) kyusho (heavenly gate) ridge of the eye socket

Tento kyusho (heavenly head), soft point on the head

Tessen iron fan

Tetsu iron

Tetsui iron hammer

Tetsuzan iron mountain

Tetsubushi metal caltrops

To i) and; ii) door; i ii) drop, fell; iv) head; v) sword

Tobi leaping

Tobi keri leaping kick

Toki kyusho, instep

Tomeru to stop

Tomoe huge comma, comma-patterned tile

Tomoe nage throwing in a big circle

Tori i) from toru, to seize, catch; also dori; ii) the one who exeutes techiques in training

Totoku hiyashi avoiding shuriken blades

Tsuba handguard on the sword

Tsugi bune collapsible boat

Tsuke from tsukeru, to attach, fix

Tsuki from tsuku, to thrust

Tsuki otosu to strike down

Tsure from tsureru, to take someone along with oneself

U  

Uchi i) inside; ii) from utsu, to attack, defeat, destroy, conquer; a strike

Uchi gake take down using the legs

Uchi mata attack the inside of the thigh

Ude arm

Uke i) from ukeru, to receive; ii) attacker in training (receiver of the technique) iii) block as in jodan uke

Uke nagashi parrying

Ukemi receiving with the body; rolling or falling so as to avoid injury

Ura inside; reverse

Ura kimon kyusho (inner demon gate), ribs under pectoral muscle (btwn 4+5

ribs)

Ura uchi backfist strike

Ushiro rear, back

W  

Wakarimasu I understand

Waza technique

Waki the side or lateral

Wakizashi short sword

Waza techniques

Y  

Yaku kyusho (press), the calves; also ryuka

Yamabushi mountain warrior priest

Yame stop

Yamikeigo ninja practice in the dark

Yari spear

Yoi ready

Yojutsu supernatural tricks

Yoko side, horizontal

Yoko geri side kick

Yoko aruki sideways walking

Yokomen the side of the head

Yon four; also shi

Yoroi Japanese armor - kumiuchi battlefield grappling in armor

Yoshin raising spirit, raising heart

Yubi finger

Yugasumi kyusho (evening mist), hollow point behind ear

Yuin kyusho (right passivity), below right eye; see also sain

Yumi bow in archery

Z  

Zanshin remaining spirit; relaxed awareness after completing a oano

Zarei traditional seated bow

Zen i) front; ii) philosophy based on meditation and Buddhist principles

Zenkutsu dachi in karate, forward stance

Zenwan forearm

Zenpo forward direction

Zenpo kaiten forward roll

Zeoi from seou, to carry on ones' back

Zu tsuki head butt, also kikaku ken