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 Buts Bu tsum umeetsu
3rd rib dow down, mor more co commo mmonly nly cal calle led d flo float atin ing g rib 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 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 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
Omote sokugyaku 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 every experience in life is sacred and holds the possibility of daikomyo 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 juhappan
eighteen ninja skills
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 kyusho (inner demon gate), ribs under pectoral muscle (btwn 4+5
Ura kimon 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
