Sashi-ai 差合 is a classical budō and kenjutsu term that generally means mutual thrusting or simultaneous attacking. In kenjutsu, it describes a situation where both swordsmen initiate a thrust or cut at the same moment, resulting in: a crossing of…
The literal meaning of ryōte 両手 is “both hands,” meaning two hands as a pair. In martial arts, ryōte refers to using both hands together in a coordinated, paired, or equal manner. It implies symmetry, balance, or equal engagement of…
Morote 諸手 means “both hands,” “all hands,” or “reinforced hands,” with both hands applied to one point. Unlike ryōte (両手), which simply means “both hands together,” morote implies reinforcement, strength, and doubling power. Two hands reinforce one thing: one wrist,…
In modern budō, dan 段 ref refers to advanced ranks (black-belt levels), beginning at shodan (1st dan) and continuning to 10th dan. The dan system is used in many gendai budō arts such as Aikidō, Jūdō, Kendō, Karatedō, Kyūdō, and…
Shugyō 修行 is a term used in the martial arts to describe life-encompassing ascetic training and discipline aimed at personal transformation. It implies discipline, physical and spiritual trial, and severe martial practice. It was historically used by samurai warriors or…
Kufū 工夫 in the martial arts means training through thinking and insight, along with creative problem-solving in training; personal refinement through insight; and discovering efficiency. An example is a student modifying footwork to deal with a faster opponent or a…
Tanren 鍛錬 is hard conditioning and forging, both physically and mentally. It has strong connotations of hardship. This term is used for physical conditioning, spirit-hardening, harsh, repetitive, character-forging training. It is historically linked to samurai austerity; zen & martial discipline;…
In budō and koryū contexts, shūren 修練 refers to: training that develops character, not just skill; internal refinement through external practice; and technical training integrated with moral and mental growth. It goes deeper than renshū, because the goal is not…
In budō and martial arts, renshū 練習 is a general word for practice or training. It refers to: repetitive technical practice; skill-building training; mechanical and physical refinement; and drilling techniques. It’s used commonly in modern budō, sports, and daily life….
Keiko 稽古 means practice or training through the study and transmission of classical tradition; literally “to reflect on the past.” In budō, keiko is not just practice, but also means training by studying and transmitting tradition. Keiko implies: learning by…
Atarito 当刀 means “a direct draw-cut that meets and strikes the opponent’s attack immediately.” It describes the principle of the blade movement from seiza ushiro. In an iaidō context, it refers to a type of draw-cut where the sword is…
The jō (杖 – wooden staff, usually 50”) in Aikidō is fascinating because it’s not just a weapon — it’s a bridge between kenjutsu (sword schools), jōjutsu (staff schools), and Morihei Ueshiba’s own adaptations. Here’s a breakdown of the sources…
The phrase Shomin Yawara 庶民柔術 means “common‑people jūjutsu” — a civilian‑oriented self‑defense system rather than the full, warrior‑class jūjutsu. It emphasizes practicality, speed of learning, and use in daily life rather than lengthy training for battlefield readiness. Samurai jūjutsu systems often…
Chiburi 血振 is a term used in Japanese sword arts to mean “blood-shaking,” the motion of flicking or casting off blood from the blade after a cut. In iaido, kenjutsu, and many koryū systems, chiburi refers to the ritualized action…
Chi 地, meaning earth, ground, or land, is very important in martial arts philosophy. In traditional Japanese sword arts, the concept of chi (地, “ground” or “earth”) represents stability, balance, and rootedness — a crucial element in executing effective techniques….
Bu 武 means martial principle or warrior spirit and is the foundational concept behind all Japanese martial traditions. While often translated simply as “martial” or “military,” its deeper classical meaning is far more nuanced. The character 武 is composed of…
Tabi 足袋 are traditional Japanese split-toe socks. The big toe is separated from the other toes, originally to be worn with zōri and geta sandals or with shoes that have a toe thong. In martial arts, they help with balance,…
Aikidō (合気道) is a Japanese martial art focused on blending with an attacker’s force instead of meeting it with force. Instead of trying to overpower someone, you redirect their energy while controlling their balance and neutralizing them through joint locks…
Shin (しん / シン) is a Japanese reading that can mean several different things depending on the kanji used, but for martial arts, it’s usually mind (心), truth (真), or spirit (神). Here are the main meanings you actually encounter…
In budō and koryū, suigetsu 水月 refers to the solar plexus or upper abdomen region. Anatomically, it corresponds roughly to the area just below the sternum, in the epigastric or solar plexus region. Suigetsu is a classic kyūsho (vital target)….
Hōbaku (捕縛) refers to a set of skills used in the Edo period of Japan for capturing and subduing criminals. These techniques were essential for the policing forces of that time, which included both high-ranking samurai and low-ranking warriors.These techniques…
The general Japanese term for “directions” is Hōgaku — 方角. It can mean directions, orientation, or bearings. It’s used for cardinal directions, positioning in space, or orientation on a map. Related Terms Hōkō (方向) — direction / orientation / heading…
Tento Uchi 天頭打ち is an uncommon term used in koryu styles to mean a strike to the top of the head. A downward strike targeting the very top of the opponent’s head (the crown), which is a structurally vulnerable point…
Empty-hand strikes (無手打撃 mude dakyoku / 打撃 dageki) are offensive techniques delivered without weapons, using parts of the body as the striking surface. They’re fundamental across karate, aikidō, jūjutsu, kung fu, and other unarmed systems. What counts as an empty-hand…
In budō and koryū, kamae 構え is more than just a physical stance; it refers to a stance or guard position that dictates the placement of the sword, body posture, and mental readiness in combat. Each kamae has specific offensive…
Hanmi No Kamae 半身の構え means Half Body Stance. Hanmi is one of the core structural ideas of all Japanese martial arts essentially meaning “half-body posture.” You don’t face your opponent square-on. Instead, you stand sideways at an angle so that:…
In Japanese the general term for standing is tachi (立ち) but is changed to dachi when used as a suffix. It comes from the verb 立つ (tatsu), to stand. In martial arts, tachi refers to either a standing posture or…
Sword Kanji Length (approx.) Worn How Typical Use Notes Tantō 短刀 15–30 cm In belt or carried Dagger / backup weapon Used for close combat, utility, and ritual Kaiken 懐剣 20–25 cm Hidden in clothing Concealed dagger Female samurai self-defense…
A Tachi (太刀) is a classical Japanese curved long sword predating the katana that is worn suspended edge-down from cords on the belt. It was developed for mounted combat (samurai on horseback) and used primarily before the 15th–16th century. The…
There are a bewildering number of terms for Japanese body parts. This list will get you started. It’s focused on what martial artists actually target, strike, block, or use. Core Body Parts (Major Targets) Atama (頭・あたま) — head Fukubu (腹部・ふくぶ)…
Etiquette Rei (礼) — Bow Seiza (正座) — Sit in formal kneeling position Mokuso (黙想) — Meditation (close eyes and reflect) Mokuso yame (黙想やめ) — Stop meditation Shomen-ni rei (正面に礼) – Bow to the front / to the spirit of…
Uchikomi (打ち込み) is a common Japanese martial-arts term meaning “repeated entry practice” or “striking or thrusting repetitions.” The exact meaning depends on the art, but the core idea is always the same: you repeat the entry or impact portion of…
Shōgō (称号) is a term for the honorary instructor titles of Japanese martial arts, such as Renshi, Kyōshi, and Hanshi, awarded for character, teaching ability, and mastery. These are official instructor titles awarded by major budō federations (especially kendo, iaidō,…
The overall term for “ranking system” is 段級制 (dankyū-sei) which is the dan-kyū ranking system. The category of ranks and grading is expressed with: 段位 (dan’i) — dan ranks and 級位 (kyū’i) — kyū ranks. The dan 段 (dan) ranks…
These are grading levels used in Japanese budō and other traditional arts. They divide kyū-ranks into beginner, intermediate, and advanced. Many arts use these terms for organizing curriculum, including karate, aikido, jūdō, iaidō, koryū jujutsu, as well as traditional arts…
Uke Nagashi 受け流し, which means “receiving and flowing,” is a classical sword movement where you receive an incoming cut on your blade while letting it glide/flow off, combined with evasive body movement (tai sabaki). As the archetypal deflection in many…
Tehodoki Waza 手解き技（てほどき・わざ）is a Japanese martial arts term meaning “Hand-release techniques” or “Escapes from grabs.” It appears in jūjutsu, aikidō, koryū bujutsu, and sometimes police taiho-jutsu. Tehodoki Waza refers specifically to techniques that remove an opponent’s grip from your wrist,…
Miyamoto Musashi (1584-1645) was one of Japan’s most accomplished martial artists and most renowned swordsman. He founded a school called Hyohō Niten Ichi-ryū (兵法 二天 一流), which can be loosely translated as “the school of the strategy of two heavens…
Kyōtsuke (気をつけ or 注目・気を付け) is a command used in Japanese martial arts meaning “Attention!” or “Stand at attention!” It is the posture of formal readiness, used at the start and end of class, bowing, and etiquette moments. There are two…
Suiō-ryū (水鷗流) is a classical Japanese martial tradition (koryū) founded during the early Edo period (c. 1615). It is one of the oldest, fully preserved iaidō / kenjutsu / jōjutsu systems still practiced today. Founded by Mui no Shinden Sadatake…
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