Note: This glossary could be better, and I'm working on it... :)

These definitions aren’t meant for absolute accuracy; They are intended to be useful and economical for students to understand the vocabulary they encounter while practicing Taido. As such, some definitions may be unsatisfying to more-experienced practitioners. These definitions are purposefully incomplete because they are meant for use as a quick reference.

I have neglected to include any kind of pronunciation guide, though my romanization from the Japanese terms is fairly self-consistent. The reason for this is that I don’t believe one can learn how to pronounce another language properly without actually learning the basic grammar and usage of that language. For our uses as Taido students, these terms are simply jargon, and mispronunciation is forgivable. However, please don’t go trying to sound smart by using Japanese words when you don’t understand them fully.

Perhaps I will address the efficacy of using Japanese terminology in an English-speaking practice environment elsewhere. For the time being, it is enough to note that Taido remains a “Japanese martial art,” and as such requires the adoption of certain terminology.

If you notice any glaring inaccuracies or omissions, I would really appreciate it if you could drop me a line. Thanks.

Anyway, I hope this helps:

A

Age

Rising, Upward

Age Uke

Rising Block

Aisatsu

Greeting

Aka

Red

Arigato Gozaimasu

Thank you (polite)

Ashi

Leg or foot

Ashi Harai

Leg sweep, also “ashibarai”

Ashigarami

Leg-entanglement technique, usually performed by scissoring at the knee.

Ashikubi

Ankle

Atama

Head

Ate

Strike, essentially any impact-prooducing blow that is neither a punch or kick.

Atemi

Strikes, including punches and other blows

Atemi Waza

Class of all striking techniques

B

Bakuchu

Back Flip

Bakuchu Keri

Back flip kick, also “bakuchugeri”

Bakuten

Back Handspring

Budo

Generic term for Japanese martial arts or combat sports

Bujutsu

Applied martial science and technique

Bunkai

Practice by breaking into Parts. Bunkai practice is the method by which detailed and often hidden technical applications are brought out of forms.

Bushido

The “way of the warrior,” a romantic idealization of the ethics the Japanese pre-industrial warrior class.

C

Chakugan

Eye contact, using the eyes to notice the presence and actions of an opponent.

Chokujo

Straight, direct, moving in a straight line

Chudan

Middle level

Chudan Kamae

Middle level stance, also “chudangamae.” The primary stance for moving in unsoku.

Chui

Warning, typically the first warning given in jissen, but also any general warning

Chuo

Center, command to return to the starting point in jissen

D

Dan

The 10 ranks of black belt level

Do

Way or road, suffix used for all japanese cultural traditions including flower arranging, tea ceremony, and martial arts

Dogarami

Entanglement technique at the waist. Similar to ashigarami.

Dogi

Uniform. Taido’s uniform includes uwagi (jacket), hakama (pleated over-pants), and obi (belt).

Dohai

Another student at your same level or age

Dojo

Training location

Doko

Conditions of movement. Taido’s doko include the principles of how to perform techniques and move the body.

Doko Go Kai

Five rules which guide the execution of each of Taido’s five techniques.

E

Ebigeri

Shrimp kick

Eji

Kneeling position, stance in the shape of the Japanese letter “E”

Ejizuki

Kneeling Punch

Enpi

Elbow strike, also “empi”

Enshogeri

Technically, any kick that strikes with the back of the heel. In America, this generally refers to an upright spinning heel kick.

F

Fudo

Unmoving

Fudodachi

Side stance with feet pointed slightly out and even weight distribution

Fudozuki

Punch from Fudodachi

Fujo

Downward-facing position

Fujogeri

Flying, downward-facing kick

Fukuteki

Dodging technique, evasion by changing the body’s axis

G

Gaiko

Outer condition, the visible body and it’s effects (power, speed, movement)

Gedan

Lower level

Gedan Kamae

Lower-level stance, also “gedangamae”

Gedanbarai

Low parry

Gen-Soku

Unsoku for retreating from an attack, also “gen”

Gensei Ryu

Shukumine Saiko Shihan’s school of Karate which predates Taido by about ten years

Gentai

Returning to genten, or some other safe position after striking

Genten

Original point

Go

5

Go Dan Uke

Five blocks

Go Joukun

Taido’s five principles

Godan

Fifth degree black belt

Gyaku

Reverse

Gyaku Ashidori

Technique for grabbing an opponent’s kick

Gyaku Tedori

Technique for grabbing an opponent’s punch

Gyakuzuki

Reverse punch

H

Hachi

8

Hachidan

Eighth degree black belt

Haimendori

Grabbing the opponent’s body at the waist or back

Hajime

Begin

Hakama

Traditional wide black pants. Taido’s hakama are much narrower than traditional hakama (to facilitate active unsoku) and are used to hold the uwagi (jacket) in place during unshin and tengi.

Hangetsu Ate

Half-Moon Kick

Hanshi

A title for master instructors at or above 8Dan

Hantai

Opposite

Hantei O Torimasu

Call by tournament judges to display the score

Harai

Sweep or parry, also “barai”

Harai Kuzushi

Sweep takedown

Hayaku

Hurry up

Hengi

Changing, transforming technique. Involves changing the body’s axis in order to evade an oncoming attack and counter simultaneously.

Henin No Hokei

Form practice for Hengi (female version)

Hensoku

Irregular footwork

Hensoku Ka

Irregular advancing step

Hensoku Gen

Irregular retreating step

Hentai

Category containing all hengi

Hentai No Hokei

Form practice for Hengi

Hidari

Left

Hien

Flying

Hienzuki

Flying or jumping punch

Hiji

Elbow

Hiza

Knee

Hokei

Form practice. Similar to Karate’s kata, but usually longer. Taido has several categories of hokei for practicing various types of movement, breathing, and strategy.

Honte

Leading hand in kamae

I

Ichi

1

Ido

Moving

Ido Tanren

moving practice. In America, a practice routine for combining unsoku and technique.

In

Negative polarity, similar to Chinese “yin,” of yin & yang. Refers to passivity or defense.

In-Soku

Unsoku for pulling away from the opponent, also “in”

Ippon

Full point

Irimi

Entering the opponent’s space.

J

Jikan

Time

Jikan Desu

Announcement in tournaments that the allotted time has expired

Jissen

Free sparring, Taido’s game of improvised attack and defense

Jodan

Upper Level

Jodan Kamae

Upper-level kamae, also “jodangamae”

Jogai

Out of bounds

Ju

10

Jun

In sequence, keeping with the flow

K

Ka-Soku

Unsoku for advancing toward the opponent at an angle, also “ka”

Kaeshigeri

Returning kick, ssually as a reverse shajogeri

Kaicho

President

Kaijo

Turning

Kaijogeri

A turning kick, Taido’s version of mawashigeri or roundhouse

Kaiten

Rolling or tumbling

Kamae

Way to stand, also “gamae”

Kansetsu Waza

Joint techniques

Karami

Entanglement, scissoring technique

Kata

Shoulder

Keiko

Period of practice or study

Keiko O Owarimasu

Class is over

Keikoku

Second warning in jissen

Keri

Kick, also “geri”

Kesageri

Flying side kick

Ki

Energy, attention, or feeling

Ki O Tsuke

Pay attention, stand straight

Kiai

A shout used to focus the breath and intention along with a decisive technique

Kidosen

Steady line. The line along which techniques are performed

Kidoten

Steady point. Point of origin about which stationary techniques are performed

Kihon

Basic

Kihongi

Basic techniques

Kime

Focus or decision, often in reference to “clean” or “sharp” technique

Kimegi

Finishing technique

Kintama

Groin (male)

Kinteki

Any attack toward the groin

Ko-Soku

Unsoku for changing the angle to the opponent, also “ko”

Kobo

Prearranged offense/defense practice

Kogeki

Attacker or attacking technique

Kohai

Junior student

Koka Sokuto Keri

Dropped side kick

Kokutsu Dachi

Back-weighted stance, Taido’s chudangamae is kokutsudachi

Kokyu

Breath

Kokyu Ho

Breathing methods

Koten

Back roll

Ku

9

Kubi

Neck

Kubigarami

Neck scissoring technique

Kuro Obi

Black belt

Kuzushi

Pull down, any technique that upsets the opponent’s balance

Kyo

Chance to attack

Kyoshi

Title for instructors at or above 6dan

Kyu

The levels before black belt level, also known as the rainbow belts

Kyuchu

Flying, in-air

M

Maai

Engagement distance, also “mawai”

Mae

Front

Maegeri

Front Kick

Makiwara

A wrapped target for training the mechanics of various strikes

Manji

Japanese swastika. Good luck symbol used to denote temples on Japanese maps.

Manjigeri

Kick in the shape of the Japanese letter “Man”

Mawashi

Going around

Mawashigeri

Turning kick, roundhouse kick

Migi

Right

Mikazukigeri

Crescent kick

Minete

Ridge hand strike, making contact with the ridge of the hand running along the index finger to the thumb

Modote

Return

Moichido

One more time

Mokuso

Meditation

Morote

Both hands

Morote Gedan

Kokutsu stance in which both hands are held low

Muko Maai

Ineffective distance, distance in which neither opponent can execute strikes

N

Nage

Throw

Nage Kuzushi

Throwing takedown

Nage Waza

Throwing techniques

Naiko

Inner condition, the effect of techniques on the body’s organs and nerves

Nana

7

Nanadan

Seventh degree black belt

Neko Ashi Dachi

Cat foot stance

Nenchu

Twisting flip

Nengi

Inverted, twisting technique

Nenin No Hokei

Form practice for Nengi (female version)

Nentai

One of the five types of technique including all Nengi

Nentai No Hokei

Form practice for Nengi

Nentaigeri

Horizontal twisting kick

Ni

2

Ni No Ashi

Leading step

Nidan

Second degree black belt

Nidangeri

Two-level front kick, double kick

Nidanzuki

Two-Level punch

Nukite

Spear hand, striking with the tips of the fingers

O

Otagai Ni Rei

Bow to each other

Obi

Belt

Oizuki

Stepping punch

Onegai Shimasu

Request for a favor or assistance

Oshi

Push

Oshi Kuzushi

Pushing takedown

Ossu

Affirmative reply, greeting, notorious “karate word”

Oten

Side roll, shoulder roll

R

Rei

Bow

Rendo

Moving continuously

Renshi

A title for instructors at 4dan or 5dan

Renshu

Practice

Roku

6

Rokudan

Sixth begree black belt

S

Saiko Shihan

Supreme instructor

San

3

Sandan

Third degree black belt

Sandanzuki

Three-level punch

Seigyo

Control over the situation/opponent

Seiho

Method of applying control

Seiretsu

Make a straight line

Seiza

Formal sitting posture

Sengi

Whirling, spinning technique

Senin No Hokei

Form practice for Sengi (female version)

Senjo

Spinning

Senjogeri

Spinning kick

Senpai

Senior student, also “sempai”

Sensei

Teacher

Sensei Gata

Group of instructors

Sentai

Class of all Sengi, spinning techniques

Sentai Nirendo

Two continuous sentai punches

Sentai No Hokei

Form practice for Sengi

Sentai No Tsuki

Spinning punch

Sentai Nukite

Spinning spear hand strike

Shajo

Angular body, diagonal posture

Shajogeri

Kick angled up from the ground

Shazenten

Angular roll, shoulder roll

Shi

4

Shi Ho

Four steps, four directions

Shiai

Contest

Shichi

7

Shichi Gen San Ka

70% back, 30% front weight distribution in chudangamae

Shihan

Title for high-level instructors, typically above 6dan

Shihandai

Secondary dojo leader

Shikoku

Third warning in jissen, disqualification

Shin Karatedo Kyohan

Shukumine Saiko Shihan’s book Genseiryu karate. Includes descriptions of tactics, techniques, and kata.

Shin Untai No Hokei

American name for the newer wersion of Untai No Hokei practiced in most countries

Shinpan

Judge

Shinsa

Examination, test for belt/rank promotion

Shiro

White

Shitsurei Shimasu

Excuse me

Shobu Ippon

One-point match

Shodan

“Beginner,” first degree black belt

Shomen

Front

Shomengeri

Maegeri

Shotei

Palm heel

Shoteibarai

Parry with palm heel

Shuto

Knife hand, bottom edge of the hand

Shuto Ate

Knife hand strike, “karate chop”

So-Soku

Unsoku for pushing toward the opponent, also “so”

Soete

Covering hand in kamae

Sokuchu

No-hand cartwheel

Sokuten

Fast cartwheel

Sokuten No Tsuki

Cartwheel punch

Sokutengeri

Cartwheel kick

Sotai

Tactical movement, kobo or jissen, the five methods of body movement

Soto

Outside, outward

Soto Uke

Outside middle block

Suihei

Horizontal

Suiheigeri

Horizontal kick, Taido’s version of the side kick

Suki

An opening to be attacked, weakness

T

Tachi

Standing, a way of standing

Tachirei

Standing bow

Taii No Hokei

Hokei designed for the transition from Gensei Ryu to Taido

Tai-Soku

Unsoku for returning to Genten, also “tai”

Taido Gairon

Shukumine Saiko Shihan’s book describing the principles and methods of Taido

Taidoka

Practitioner of Taido

Taijiku

Body axis, centerline

Taikai

Competition

Taiki

Body energy, breathing

Taimen Sankatsu

Three divisions of the body

Tatami

Straw floor mat, often covered in vinyl

Tatte

Stand up

Te

Hand

Tekubi

Wrist

Ten-Soku

Unsoku for adjusting the angle about a point, also “ten”

Tengi

Tumbling technique

Tenin No Hokei

Form practice for Tengi (female version)

Tentai

Class of gymnastic techniques, tengi

Tentai No Hokei

Form practice for Tengi

Tobi

Flying, jumping

Tobigeri

Jumping kick

Tobikomi

Diving

Tooite

Relax

Tori

Pull

Torite

Block and pull the opponent’s punch

Tsui-Soku

Unsoku for quickly punching, also “tsui”

Tsuki

Punch, also “zuki”

U

Uchi

Inside

Uchi

Routine

Uchi Uke

Inside middle block

Ude

Arm

Uke

Block

Ukemi

Falling techniques, breakfalls

Undo

Exercise

Ungi

Moving, working technique

Unshin

Movement using the whole body, locomotion other than stepping

Unsoku

Footwork

Unsoku Gorendo

Routine of five continuous Unsoku patterns

Unsoku Happo

Routine of 8 footworks

Untai

Set of all Ungi, techniques in characterized by vertical displacement

Untai Hienzuki

Jumping or punch

Untai Keri Tsuki

Untai kick and punch

Untai No Hokei

Form practice for Ungi

Untai No Tsuki

Basic Untai punch

Ura

Behind

Uraken

Backfist

Ushiro

Back, rear

Ushirogeri

Back kick

W

Waza

Technique

Waza Ari

1/2 Point

Y

Yame

Stop

Yo

Positive polarity, Chinese “yang,” active, aggressive attitude

Yoi

Ready

Yoko

Side

Yokogeri

Side kick

Yon

4

Yondan

4Th degree black belt

Yuko Maai

Effective distance

Z

Zarei

Seated bow

Zenchu

Front flip

Zenkutsudachi

Forward stance in which most of the weight is carried by the front leg

Zenpo

Forward

Zenten No Tsuki

Front roll punch

Zokko

Command in jissen to continue the match