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BRUNEL UNIVERSITY JITSU CLUB

Terminology

A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z

A
ASHILeg, foot.
ASHIWAZA Leg/foot technique.
ATAMA Head.
ATE Strike, hit.
ATEMIWAZA Hitting or punching technique.
AYUMI ASHI A manner of walking in which each foot leads the other successively.
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B
BOKKEN Wooden practice sword about 40 inches in length.
BUDO Military arts/concepts.
BUJITSU Martial arts (all inclusive)
BUSHI A knight of feudal Japan (a social class).
BUSHIDO The moral ethical code of the Bushi, formulated originally c.14th century.
BUTSUKARI See UCHIKOMI.
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C
CHITSAI Small.
CHIKARA Strength.
CHUI A caution (penalty equivalent to 5 points).
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D
DAN 'Leader', grade, generally Black Belt.
DE (v.DERU) - To come out, to advance. (e.g. de ashi harai).
DO (a) Way, path, etc. This word was used frequently in Chinese and Japanese philosophy in the sense of the way of doing an act in the moral and ethical spheres well as the simple physical. Professor Kano 'borrowed' it from these sources.
(b) Trunk of the body.
DOJO Hall or room in which judo is practised.
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E
ERICollar, of a jacket.
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F
FUSEGIKATA Method, form, of defending.
FUSEGU To defend.
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G
GAKE-(v. KAKERU) To hang, hook, block.
GARAMI-(v. GARAMU) To entangle, wrap, bend.
GARI Reap (e.g o soto gari = major outer reap).
GEDAN Lower level - used for arm locks and kicks/punches
GENKI Energetic, lively, active.
GONOKATA Forms of strength.
GOSHINJITSU The art of self-protection (in all its forms).
GYAKU Reserve, upside down.
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H
HA Wing.
HADAKA Naked.
HAIRIKATA The way of entering for a (technique).
HAJIME Start, referee's call to commence a contest.
HANE Spring (e.g hane goshi = spring hip).
HANSOKU Disqualification (penalty ; equivalent to ten points).
HANTAI To oppose.
HANTEI Judgement, the referee's call at the end of a drawn contest calling on the corner judges to indicate who in their opinion was the better of the two contestants.
HARA Stomach.
HARAI (BARAI) (v. HARU) Sweep.
HIDARI Left.
HIJI/EMPI Elbow.
HIKI-(v. HIKU) Pull.
HISHIGE-(v. HISHIGU) To crush, squash, smash.
HIZA Knee.
HON (a) Point (see Ippon); ultimate score awarded in a contest.
(b) Basic.
(c) Number suffix for counting long cylindrical objects, therefore Ippon seoi nage = one arm shoulder throw.
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I
ICHI One (when counting).
IPPON One point (score value of ten points).
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J
JI A Japanese ideograph.
JIGOTAI Defensive posture.
JIKAN Time out (the referee's instruction to the timekeeper when a break or pause in the contest is necessary).
JITSU (JIUTSU or JUTSU)Art.
JODANHigh level or Upper - used for arm locks and kicks/punches.
JOSEKI The place in a dojo or hall where the seniors of VIP's sit.
JU (a) Soft, gentle. This word is a word taken from Taoist philosophy and embodies the opposite of hard, extreme, unreasonable. Hence the use of ju in Judo does not imply soft (as a synonym of easy), but rather reasonable, efficient. Physical action in judo is not meant to be easy (weak) so much as economic, by using the body to its best advantage and taking active advantage of any and all weaknesses the opponent may offer, so that maximum effect can be attained with maximum efficiency.
(b) Ten.
JUNOKATA The forms of 'gentleness'. Showing the principles of 'giving way'.
JUSHIN Centre of gravity.
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K
KAESHI (GAESHI) To counter (e.g o soto gaeshi = major outer-counter).
KAESHIWAZA Counter techniques.
KAKE The point of the throw, the point of maximum power.
KAI (KWAI) Society, club.
KAKU (GAKU) An angle.
KAMI (a) Upper, top.
(b) Paper.
(c) God(s).
KAMIZA 'Upper seat'; the instructor's side of the DOJO.
KANSETSU A joint, articulation.
KANSETSUWAZA Technique of locking limb joints.
KAO Face.
KARATE (Literally empty handed) a system of fighting without weapons, striking with the hand, feet, elbows, etc.
KARATEDO The 'way' of karate.
KARUI Light.
KATA (a) Form. A stylized set of techniques used to develop the performer's posture, balance and appreciation of the various judo techniques.
(b) One side.
(c) Shoulder (e.g. kata guruma = shoulder wheel).
KATANA Samurai sword.
KATAI Hard.
KATAME (GATAME) (v. KATEMERU) To harden, tighten , hold (e.g. kata gatame = shoulder hold.
KATSU (or KAPPO) Methods of resuscitation.
KEIKO Practise.
KEIKOKU Warning (penalty; equivalent to 7 points).
KEMPO A method of fighting, similar to boxing.
KEN Sword.
KENDO The 'way' of the sword (japanese two handed fencing).
KENDOGU General equipment for practising kendo.
KERU To kick.
KESA A Buddhist monk's surplice, worn diagonally across the body. Thus there is the technique known as kesagatame but which in free translation into English is referred to as scarf hold.
KI Psychic energy said to be centred in the SAIKATANDEN.
KIAI A shout used to harden the body and strengthen the will when maximum effort is required.
KIME (v. KAKERU) To decide.
KIMENOKATA Forms of decision, which is the kata of self-protection.
KIRI (v. KIRU) Cut, as with a knife.
KO (a) small, minor (e.g. ko uchi gari = minor inner reap).
(b) Old ancient.
(c) Lecture, study, think.
KODOKAN The headquarters of judo in Japan (Tokyo).
KOKA A score, almost a yuko (value of score; 3 points).
KOSHI (GOSHI) Hips, (e.g. koshi waza = hip techniques).
KOSHIKINOKATA The forms of the old style. All techniques are supposed to be performed in armour.
KUBI Neck.
KUMIKATA Method of holding the judogi.
KURUMA (GURUMA) (a) Wheel (e.g. o guruma = major wheel).
(b) Vehicle.
KUZURE (v. KUZURERU) To crumble, collapse, break-down. Thus a free translation of kuzurekesagatame would be broken scarfhold.
KUZUSHI The balance broken.
KYU A 'student' grade.
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L
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M
MA Exact, just, absolutely.
MACHI-DOJO Back-street gymnasium.
MAE Front.
MAKIKOMI To wrap or roll up, to throw by rolling oneself so that the opponent is whipped off his feet.
MANAKA Centre.
MASUTEMIWAZA Technique whereby the performer (tori) falls straight on to his back.
MATA The inside top of the thigh.
MATTA Wait, break.
MAWARI (v. MAWARU) To turn round.
MEIJIN Expert, master.
MI Body (human).
MIGI Right (as opposed to left).
MIZU Water.
MOMO Thigh.
MON Gate, junior grade.
MOROTE Both hands, two hands (e.g. morote seoi nage = both hands shoulder throw).
MUNE Chest.
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N
NAGE (v. NAGERU) To throw (e.g. nage waza = throwing techniques).
NAGENOKATA The forms of throwing. 15 selected throws executed both left and right to train the participants in body control and appreciation of judo technique.
NAME Wave (of water).
NAMI (v. NARUBERU) To place in a line, range in a row.
NEREI Kneeling bow.
NEWAZA Technique done in a lying down position.
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O
O Big, Large, Major (e.g. o uchi gari = major inner reap).
OBI Belt.
OKII Big.
OKURI (v. OKURU) To send forward (e.g. okuri eri jime = sliding lapel neck-lock).
OSAEKOMI Holding (e.g. osaekomi waza = holding technique(s)).
Referee's call signalling to the timekeeper that a hold is effective.
OSHI (v. OSU) To push.
OTOSHI (v. OTOSU) To drop (e.g. tai otoshi = body drop).
OWARI The end.
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P
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Q
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R
RANDORI Free practice.
REI Bow.
RENRAKU Connection, contact.
RENRAKUWAZA Combination technique.
RENSHU To practise.
RENZOKUWAZA Comprehensive name for throws linked up in anyway.
RITSUREI Standing bow.
RONIN An unretained Samurai warrior.
RYOTE Two hands.
RYU School. Attached to most of the names of the old jiujitsu systems (e.g. Kito Ryu).
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S
SAIKATANDEN The lower abdomen.
SAMURAI A knight of feudal Japan (a social class). (see Bushi).
SASAI To support, prop (e.g. sasai tsuri komi ashi = propping drawing ankle).
SEI RYOKU SENYO The principle of maximum efficiency in the use of mind and body.
SENAKA The back (of a body).
SENSEI Teacher, senior.
SENSHU A competitor, champion.
SEOI (v. SEOU) To carry on the back (e.g. seoi nage).
SEPPUKU The Bushi method of committing suicide. Normally erroneously called 'harakiri'.
SHIAI Contest.
SHIAIJO Contest area.
SHIDO Note (penalty; equivalent to 3 points).
SHIHAN Master, past-master, founder.
SHIHO Four quarters, four directions.
SHIKI Style, ceremony.
SHIME (JIME) (v. SHIMERU) To tighten, strangle.
SHIMEWAZA Technique of neck-locking.
SHIMOZA 'Lower seat'; the ordinary members' side of the DOJO.
SHISEI Posture.
SHITA Below, underneath.
SHIZEN Nature.
SHIZENTAI Natural (upright) posture.
SODE Sleeve.
SONOMAMA Freeze, do not move.
SORE MADE Referee's command: that is all finish.
SOTO Outside, outer (e.g. o soto gari = major outer reap).
SUKUI (v.SUKUKU) To scoop up.
SUMI Corner.
SUTEMI (v.SUTERU) To throw away.
SUTEMIWAZA Technique whereby the attacker throws away his own body, sacrifices his own posture.
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T
TACHI (v. TATSU) To stand.
TACHIWAZA Technique done in the standing position.
TAI Body.
TAI SABAKI Body movement.
TAISO Physical exercise.
TANI Valley (e.g. tani otoshi = valley drop).
TANTO Knife.
TATAMI Rice straw mats used in dojos and japanese houses.
TATE Vertical.
TE Hand (e.g. te waza = hand techniques).
TEKUBI Wrist.
TOKETA Hold broken, A command given by a referee to indicate to the timekeeper, the contestants and the onlookers generally that a contestant has effectively broken the hold by which he was being secured.
TOKUI Favourite, special (e.g. tokui waza = favourite technique).
TOMOE Turning over, twisting over, whirling over. It is difficult to find the exact translation in English but tomoenage freely translated is commonly known in English as - stomach throw.
TORI (v.TORU) (a) The name used often in technical explanation for the person who throws.
(b) To grasp, to hold in the hands.
TSUGI ASHI A manner of walking in which one foot leads at each step and the other never passes it.
TSUKURI The action of breaking the opponent's balance.
TSURI To 'fish up' (e.g. tsuri komi = to 'fish', lift up and pull forward).
TSUYOI Strong.
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U
UCHIKOMI (v.UTSU) To beat against. A repetitive exercise where the throwing technique is taken to point of kake.
UDE Arm.
UE Above, on top of.
UKE (v. UKERU) To take. The name used often in technical explanations for the person who is thrown.
UKEMI The 'breakfall'.
UKI (v. UKU) To float. Buoyant.
URA Back, rear, reverse.
USHIRO Behind, back of (e.g. ushiro goshi = back of hip).
UTSURI (v. UTSURU) To change, move (e.g. utsuri goshi = changing hip).
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V
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W
WAKARE (v. WAKARU) To divide, separate (e.g. yoko wakare = side separation).
WAZA Technique.
WAZA-ARI A score, almost an ippon (score value of 7 points).
WARA-ARI AWASETE IPPON Ippon achieved by having scored two WAZA-ARIs.
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X
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Y
YAMA Mountain.
YOKO Side (e.g. yoko sutemi waza - a sacrifice throw with the attacker falling onto his side in order to execute the technique).
YOSHI Carry on. A referee's instruction to contestant to carry on with the contest.
YOWAI Weak.
YUBI Finger or toe.
YUKO A score, almost WAZA-ARI (score value of 5 points).
YUSEIGACHI A win by superiority.
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Z
ZAZEN Sitting meditation.
ZORI Toe grip straw sandals.
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