Glossary of Japanese Terms


The English meaning will not always be a literal translation but an attempt to assist in describing what is meant by the Japanese phrase


Japanese phrase Pronunciation English meaning
Ai hanmi Eye, hon me Equal stance
Chudan Chew don Middle position
Chudan tsuki Chew don, t'ski Thrust to middle position
Dori Do ree Grab (also spelt "tori")
Gokyo Go kio 5th principle (technique)
Gokyu Go cue 5th Student grade
Gyaku hanmi Ghee ah koo, hon me Opposite stance
Hanmi handachi Hon me, hon dah chee Nage (thrower) is kneeling and uke (attacker) approaches from standing position
Ikkyo Ee kio 1st principle (technique)
Ikkyu Ik cue 1st Student grade
Irimi ashi Ee ree me, ash Entering leg movement (walking)
Irimi nage Ee ree me, nah gay Entering throw
Juji nage Joo jee, nah gay Straight arm throw
Kata dori Kah tah, doe ree Shoulder grab
Katate tori Kah tah tay, toe ree One hand grab to wrist
Kokyu ho/nage Coke you, ho/nah gay Breath throw/movement
Koshi Koh she Hips, waist (also spelt "goshi")
Koshi nage Koh she, nah gay Hip throw
Kote gaeshi Koh tay, guy eh she Wrist turn out throw
Kyu Cue Student grade
Morote dori Moh roh tay, doe ree Both hands holding one wrist/arm
Mune Moon a Chest
Nage Nah gay Throw
Nage Nah gay Defender (person doing technique)
Nikkyu Nik cue 2nd Student grade
Nikyo Nee kio 2nd principle (technique)
Rokkyo Rok kio 6th principle (technique)
Rokyu Rok cue 6th Student grade
Ryote dori Ree oh tay, doe ree Both hands grabbed by both hands
Sankyo San kio 3rd principle (technique)
Sankyu San cue 3rd Student grade
Shiho nage She ho, nah gay Four direction throw
Shikkyo She koe Knee walking "on ones knees"
Shomenuchi Show men oo chee Strike to the top front of the head
Sode So day Sleeve
Soto So toe Outside
Soto kaiten nage So toe, kai ten, nah gay Outisde rotary throw
Sumi otoshi Soo me, o tosh ee Corner drop
Suwariwaza Sue wah ree wah zah Sitting techniques
Tachiwaza Tah chee wah zah Standing techniques
Tenchi nage Ten she, nah gay Heaven and earth throw
Tenkaiashi Ten kai ash Pivot on balls of feet to face opposite way
Tenkan Ten khan To turn
Tori Tor ree Grab (also spelt "dori")
Tsuki T'ski Thrust
Tsuki ashi T'ski, ash Sliding leg movement with arm raised
Uchi Oo chee Strike
Uchi kaiten kata gatame Oo chee, kai ten, kah tah, gat arm ee Rotary shoulder lock with strike
Uchi kaiten nage Oo chee, kai ten, nah gay Rotary throw with strike
Ude garami Oo day, ga rarm ee Arm entanglement
Uke Oo kay Attacker (person being thrown etc)
Ukemi Oo kem me Receiving technique, also rolls/breakfalls
Ushiro katate eri dori Oo she row, kah tah tay, ear ee, doe ree Collar grabbed with one hand, wrist with the other, from the rear
Ushiro ryo kata dori Oo she row, ree oh, kah tah, doe ree Both shoulders grabbed from behind
Ushiro ryote dori Oo she row, ree oh tah, doe ree Both wrists grabbed from the rear
Yokomenuchi Yoh ko men oo chee Strike to the side of the head
Yonkyo Yon kio 4th principle (technique)
Yonkyu Yon cue 4th Student grade
Ei Oh Kan meets at: South Yardley Methodist Church, Broadyates Road B25 8JF (by The Swan Island)

To find out more: email eiohkan [at] ippimail [dot] com or call Tony on (0121) 707 4197
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