Archives: Glossary Terms

Taitō 帯刀 refers to wearing a sword at the waist, particularly with the sheathed sword inserted into the obi (belt). In iaidō, it also describes the action of placing the sword into the belt in preparation for practice. Dattō 脱刀…

Teitō 提刀 refers to carrying a sheathed sword in the hand, rather than wearing it in the belt. In some traditional iai schools, the sword is held in the left hand at the left side, with the cutting edge upward…

Keitō 携刀 is a sword-carrying position in which the sheathed sword is held at the left hip, approximately where it would rest when worn in the obi. The left hand supports the sword, with the thumb resting on the tsuba…

Soete 添え手 | Supporting Hand — The use of one hand to support, guide, or reinforce the sword during a technique, particularly by placing the hand against the back of the blade. Found in Japanese sword arts, including iaidō and…

Kiba-dachi 騎馬立ち | Horse-Riding Stance — A wide, symmetrical standing posture with the feet approximately parallel, knees bent outward, hips lowered, and weight distributed evenly between the legs. Commonly used in karate for developing stability, leg strength, and body control….

Hanza 半座 | Half-Seated Posture — A partially seated or kneeling posture in which the body is positioned between sitting and standing. In some martial-arts interpretations, one knee is raised while the other remains near or on the floor, facilitating…

Hitoemi 一重身 | Single-ply body; Sideways posture — A body position in which the practitioner turns nearly sideways to an opponent, aligning the shoulders to present a narrower target. Used in classical Japanese sword traditions, including Yagyū Shinkage-ryū, Tatsumi-ryū, and…

Oshi-giri 押し斬り is a pushing cut in which the blade is driven forward through the target, using a slicing action.

Hiki-giri 引き斬り is a pulling cut in which the blade is drawn through the target.

Hasuji 刃筋 | Cutting-edge alignment — The alignment and orientation of a sword’s cutting edge in relation to the direction of a cut. In Japanese kenjutsu and iaidō, correct hasuji ensures that the blade travels along its intended cutting plane,…

Dattō 脱刀 | Removing the sword from the belt — The act of withdrawing a sheathed sword from the obi (belt). In iaidō etiquette, dattō describes removing the sword from its worn position, often at the conclusion of practice or…

Battō 抜刀 | Drawing the sword — The act of drawing a Japanese sword from its scabbard (saya). In kenjutsu and iaidō, battō refers to unsheathing the sword, often in preparation for an immediate attack or defensive action. The term…

Sankaku 三角 | Triangle – Triangle; literally “three angles” or “three corners.” In Asayama Ichiden-ryū kumitachi practice, sankaku designates the losing side of the paired form (kumitachi).

Maru 丸 | Circle – Circle or round shape; also the name of the circle symbol (○). In Asayama Ichiden-ryū kumitachi practice, maru designates the winning side of the paired form (kumitachi).

Sankaku-dachi 三角立ち | Triangle stance – A standing posture in which the feet form a triangular base, providing a stable position for movement.

Tenchi-giri 天地斬り | Heaven-and-earth cut; a downward sword cut.

Hiza-giri 膝斬り | Knee cut — A sword cut directed at an opponent’s knee or knee-level target. Hiza (膝) means “knee,” and giri (斬り) means “cutting.”

Ate 当て — striking, hitting, making contact.

Kashira 頭 — head; in sword terminology, the pommel or end cap of the handle.

Sen 先 | Initiative — Acting first or gaining precedence over an opponent.

Kikai 機会 — Opportunity or occasion; the right moment to act.

Maai 間合い — Combative distance and interval, including the timing required to enter or strike.

Ma 間 — Interval or timing; the space or moment between actions.

Hyōshi 拍子 — Rhythm, beat, or timing. Especially important in classical swordsmanship.

Kiriage-kirikaeshi 切り上げ切り返し | Upward cut and return cut — An exercise beginning with a straight upward cut, followed by a forward cut.

Gyaku-kesa-giri 逆袈裟斬り | Upward diagonal cut — A diagonal sword cut traveling upward from the lower body toward the opposite shoulder, reversing the downward path of kesa-giri.

Kiriage 切り上げ | Upward cut — A sword cut delivered from low to high. Depending on the sword tradition, the cut may travel vertically upward or diagonally upward. Some schools use kiriage interchangeably with gyaku-kesa-giri for an ascending diagonal cut.

Makkō-giri 真向斬り | Straight downward cut — A sword cut delivered vertically downward along the opponent’s centerline, typically from an upper guard.

Kyūsho 急所 | Vital point — A vulnerable or critical anatomical area that may be targeted in martial arts.

Ashi-sabaki 足捌き | Footwork — The coordinated movement and positioning of the feet in Japanese martial arts. In kenjutsu and iaidō, ashi-sabaki encompasses stepping, advancing, retreating, pivoting, and shifting the feet to maintain balance, control distance (maai), and position the…

Han-tenkan 半転換 — Partial turn, often approximately 90 degrees in systems that distinguish the two.

Tenkan 転換 | Turning; change of direction — A change in body orientation or direction of movement. In Japanese martial arts, tenkan describes turning or repositioning the body.

Tsugi-ashi 継ぎ足 | Following step; advancing step — A method of footwork in which the rear foot is brought toward the forward foot before the forward foot takes a longer step. This allows the practitioner to close distance and extend…

Junbi-undō 準備運動 — Warm-up exercises performed before training.

Suburi (素振り) refers to swinging a sword or another implement repeatedly without striking an opponent or physical target. In swordsmanship, suburi is used to develop correct cutting mechanics, coordination, posture, and control.

In martial arts, undō can describe a wide variety of physical exercises, including stretching, conditioning, footwork drills, and exercises designed to develop coordination, strength, or flexibility.

Shōmen ni Rei 正面に礼 | Bow to the front — A command to bow toward the front of the dojo or designated place of respect.

Tōrei 刀礼 | Bow to the sword — A ceremonial bow performed toward the sword in iaidō practice.

Zarei 座礼 | Seated bow — A formal bow performed from a seated or kneeling position.

Ritsurei 立礼 | Standing bow — A bow performed from a standing position.