The following is a list of Japanese terms which you will often hear used in your training. It is essential that you study and learn these terms, not only for practical reasons, but also to help you discover the many aspects of Aikido training.

Agura		Sitting cross-legged.
Ai		Harmony, coming together, unification.
Ai (love)	The spirit of love is the spirit of harmony. Not selfish, limited
 			affection for a particular person or group, but all-embracing
 			compassionate love for all things.
Ai-hamni	Mutual stance - When both partners have the same foot forward
			(right/right).
Aiki		All elements of the universe arise through the blending of positive and
			negative Ki; practitioners of Aikido  attempt to harmonize their Ki 
			with both that of their partner and that of the larger environment.
Aikido	-Ai- 	Harmony, union with, oneness.
	-Ki-	The essential Life Force, the fundamental creative energy.
	-Do- 	The Way or Path.
Aiki-ken	Swordsmanship according to the principles of Aikido.
Aiki taiso	Ki development techniques.  A series of exercise used as "building blocks"
			for Aikido techniques.
Atemi		The defensive blow used to neutralize the Ki of your partner, i.e. to put him 
			or her off balance so a technique can be effectively applied.  It is not 
			meant to inflict injury.
Atemi waza 	Striking or hitting technique.

Bokken		Wooden training sword.
Bokken-dori	Sword taking. Techniques used to disarm a partner armed with a sword.
Bu		In Aikido, Bu siginifies valor and indominatable spirit, not contention and
			strife. Aikido is the ultimate expression of Bu, which originally
			meant to keep two weapons from coming together.
Budo	-Bu-	Military, martial
	-Do-	The Way or Path.
Budoka		Martial way practitioner.
Bushido		The ways which fighting nobles, knights, samurai should observe
			in their life as well as in their vocation; "the precepts of
			knighthood." Code of moral principles which the samurai were
			required or instructed to observe.

Choyaku		The exercise where one leaps as one executes a movement.
Chudan		Middle level.  Sword (or hands) held at a lower level.

Daito-ryu	A traditional system of Aikijutsu.  One of the foundation arts in
			O-Sensei's early training.
Dan		Black belt rank.  There are ten stations of Dan, as follows:
			  Shodan 	 -  1st dan (beginning dan)
			  Nidan  	 -  2nd dan
			  Sandan 	 -  3rd dan
			  Yondan 	 -  4th dan
			  Godan  	 -  5th dan
			  Rokudan	 -  6th dan
			  Nanadan	 -  7th dan
			  Hachidan - 8th dan
			  Kudan  	  - 9th dan
			  Judan    - 10th dan
Do		In Japan, any art that is practiced to develop both technical and spiritual
			maturity is considered a do, a "way" to harmonize body and mind.
Dojo		The training hall.  the place where the way to harmony with the fundamental
			life force (Ki) is practiced.
Doshu		Grandmaster. Following the traditional Japanese custom, the position of
			Doshu has been made hereditary.  The current Aikikai Doshu is
			Ueshiba Kisshomaru, O-Sensei's son.

En no irimi	Circular entry.  The irimi technique in which one enters one's partner
			circularly.

Fudo no shisei	Immovable posture. Sitting or standing, one must always be in an
			immovable posture, not rigid but unperturbable.
Fudoshin	Immovable mind.
Fudotai		Immovable body.
Funakogi	A rowing motion.

Gedan		Lower level.  Sword (or hands) held at a lower level.
Gi		Training uniform - usually white canvas or muslin material.  The padded
			type (judo) is best for beginners.
Gokyo		Number five technique.
Gyaku-hamni	Mirror stance.  When both partners have opposite feet advanced (toe-to-
			toe).
Gyosho		Aikido arts done with a full blend at the instant of contact, but not
			necessarily at full speed (i.e. cursive writing).

Hakama 		A black (sometimes dark blue) split, pleated skirt/pants worn over
			the gi by people who have earned the privilege
Hamni		The triangular stance.  This position is meant to be relaxed, comfortable,
			and natural, and should in no way look or feel artificial or stiff. 
			From the correct hamni position, one can move readily in any
			direction.
Hamni handachi	Techniques where nage is sitting and uke is standing.
Happo		Eight Directions.
Hara		The central balance point in the human body, located slightly below the
			navel. All coordinated movement originates from this one point.
Hombu Dojo	Headquarters Training Hall.  Generally refers to the Aikikai headquarters in
			Shijuku/Tokyo.  The International Ki Society Hombu
			is in Tochigi Prefecture near Utsunomia, Japan.

Iki		Breath. Iki refers more to the physical act of respiration, while kokyu
			signifies the deeper cosmological aspects of breathing.
Ikkyo		Number one technique.
Irimi		Moving to the inside, or moving into.  (Compare with tenkan.)
Irimi-Ate	Irimi thrust.
Irimi nage	Entering throw.  The second of three pillars of Aikido throwing techniques.

Jo		Wooden training staff.  The correct length is indicated by the distance
			between the palms of one's outstretched hands, or from ones armpit
			to the floor.
Jodan		Upper level. Sword (or hands) held at an upper level.
Jo-dori		Jo taking.  Techniques for disarming a partner armed with a Jo.
Juji-nage	Crossed arms throw.  A throw executed when one's partner's arms are
			crossed at right angles.

Kagura		In Sokushin no Gyo, the 2 persons that assist, and are seated opposite to
			the Osa.
Kaisho		Aikido arts done from a stationary position (i.e. block writing, printing).
Kaiten		Wheeling, turning.
Kaiten-nage	The spin throw which makes the partner's body revolve once before he is
			led down.
Kami		Deity, Divine, Spirit, Holy Inspiration, Guardian Angel, Exalted Human
			Being. The Japanese conception of kami has no direct parallel in
			Western religious terminology.
Kanetsu-Waza	Techniques which are applied to the joints.
Kansha		Gratitude. Aikido places great emphasis on the expression of
			gratitude, not just to our instructors and fellow practitioners, but to
			all members of society and all elements of creation.
Kata		Fixed form.  Predetermined sequences in set forms.  Used in the martial arts
			as a learning technique.
Katana		The long sword worn by the Japanese samurai.
Kata-tori	Shoulder grab.
Katate-tori	Single-hand grab.
Ki		Ki, the life-stuff of the Universe, has no English equivalent.  An essential
			element of all aspects of oriental culture -- philosophy, medicine,
			art, physical training -- the full significance of ki only becomes clear
			through firsthand experience.
Kiai		Literally "a meeting of the spirits," this is a penetrating cry or scream
			originating in the Hara.  On the physical plane, kiai is manifest as a
			piercing shout emanating from the depths of one's being; on the
			spiritual plane, it is manifest as a steady outpouring of vital energy.
Kiatsu Ryoho	A way of directing Ki  through touch, for healing.
Ki no taiso	A three minute series of calisthenics designed to balance and tone the body.
Koho-tento	Rolling Exercise.
Kokoro		Heart/Mind, from your spirit.
Kokyu		Literally "breathing," or "breath," this refers to the Ki-power generated
			through the Hara, or one point in the lower abdomen.  The concept
			of kokyu is similar to the Hindu idea of prana, "life breath of the
			cosmos."  When one's kokyu is full and deep, one is in tune with
			the workings of the universe.
Ki no Kokyu-ho	Ki Breathing.  A special set of meditation and development
			techniques aimed at calming the spirit and establishing true kokyu.
Ki no Seiza-ho	Ki meditation as is taught by Tohei Sensei.
Kokyu-nage	The throw which overthrows the partner using his own momentum and the
			timing of one's mind and body, but without applying any pressure
			to his joints.
Kokyu-roku	Breath-power. The irresistible power that emanates from true kokyu.
Kotegaeshi	Wrist twist/turn.
Koshinage	Hip throw
Kubi-shime	Strangle hold.
Kyu		Ranks prior to Shodan.  (5th kyu, 4th kyu, etc.)

Maai		The correct distance to be maintained between yourself and your partner; the
			immediate surroundings and one's own position determine this
			spacing.
Misogi		(Purification.)  A set of Shinto purifying rituals. A side training discipline
			to Aikido. Various defilements obscure our essentially pure and
			god-like nature; through misogi, purification of body and mind, we
			can remove such impurities and restore our true image. Although
			misogi rites usually involve water purification (e.g. in a waterfall),
			O-Sensei considered all Aikido techniques to be forms of misogi. In
			the Ki Society we practice a form of misogi adapted from the
			Ichikukai Temple. 
Mune-tsuki	Strike to the chest/front.

Nage		A throw, one who throws, or executes a technique.
Nikkyo 		Number two technique.

Omoto-kyo	The Teaching of the Great Origin.  The religion established early in the
			twentieth century by Deguchi Nao and Deguchi Onisaburo. 
			O-Sensei was a fervent believer in Omoto-kyo from the time of his
			late thirties.
Osa		The instructor who leads Sokushin no Gyo,  seated on the front or right.
O Sensei	Great, or original teacher.  In Aikido, refers to Morihei Ueshiba, the
			founder of modern Aikido.
Otomo		Attendant to an Instructor.
Otonashi	Calm and serene, like the ever decreasing ripples on the surface of a lake.

Randori		Free style nage against multiple attack - usually improvisational.
Rei		Bow, the command to bow.  The formal gesture of respect and gratitude
			used by Aikido practitioners.
Reiseishin	The spirit that is one with the spirit of the Universe.
Ryokata-tori	Grabbing both of the shoulders.
Ryote-dori	Both hands held.

Samurai		One who follows the way.  A warrior, knight; one charged with the
			protection of society.  See budo, bushido.
Sankyo		Number three technique.  
Sayu		Term indicating left and right direction.
Seiza		Sitting on both knees with the back straight.
Sensei		Teacher. One who gives instruction.  More importantly, one who leads the
			way.
Shihan		Exemplary teacher - A title used for the highest ranking teachers.  (usually
			6th dan and above - but not exactly a function of rank.)
Shiho-nage	Four-way throw.
Shikko		Moving from a kneeling position.  Also called "samurai walk."
Shin		Mind, spirit, heart.
Shomen		The honored symbol of Ki and picture of the Master mounted in the
			forefront of the training area.
Shomen-uchi	Strike to the center of the head.
Shokushu	A brief, uplifting statement used prior to training.  Tohei Sensei has
			composed 21 of these sayings which are read and repeated phrase
			by phrase before each class.  Used to center oneself, prepare oneself
			for training.
Sokuboku	Soku = breath;  boku = wood.  The wooden clappers used to signify the
			changes in controlled breathing and meditation.
Sokushin no Gyo	Breath -(Voice)- Mind (Unification) training.  The act of purifying
			mind and body.  A side-training discipline in Aikido. (see misogi)
Sosho		Aikido arts done at full speed with a strong leading of Ki (i.e. "grass"
			writing).
Soto-mawari	Turning out. Movement to the side of one's partner.
Suwariwaza	Techniques requiring the nage and uke to perform from the sitting position.

Tai		Body, form, sometimes style.
Taigi		Body art, technique.  A kata-like grouping of arts performed by two people
			(usually) to a specific rhythm and time.
Tai-jutsu	Body techniques.  Techniques performed without weapons.
Tai-sabaki	Body movement.  Body movement in Aikido should be free-flowing,
			natural, and prudent.
Tanto/tanken	Wooden training knife.  All wooden training weapons are treated as if they
			were actually sharp steel.  The idea here being that if one can
			successfully view the wooden weapon as steel, then when faced
			suddenly with steel, one can view the steel as wood.
Tegatana	Hand Sword. Since Aikido techniques are based on sword movements, the
			hand, with the fingers actively projecting Ki, should function as a
			sword.
Tekubi-Kosa	Crossed wrists.
Tenkan		Turning outside or away in a circular motion to dissipate an oncoming
			force.

Ude-furi	Arm swinging.
Uke		One who is thrown, one who follows.
Ukemi		The art of falling without injury.  It is said that one's ability to throw is only
			as good as one's ability to fall.
Uchideshi	Literally "home-student" - an instructor that lives, trains, and teaches at the
			Headquarters or dojo.
Undo		Exercise.
Ushiro		Back or behind.
Ushirokatatori	Grabbing the shoulder's from behind.
Ushiro-tori	Bear-hug from behind.

Waza		Technique or system of techniques.

Yokomen-uchi	Strike to the side of the head.
Yudansha	Those who hold the rank of Shodan (1st degree black belt) and above.

Zempo-Kaiten	Foward roll (wheel).
Zengo		Term indicating forward and backward direction.
Zanshin		Continuing mind, the mind that stops at, or on, nothing.