Archives: Glossary Terms

Tabi 足袋 are traditional Japanese split-toe socks. Literally “foot bag,” from 足 (foot) and 袋 (pouch).

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…

Tanren 鍛錬 is intensive martial training designed to forge and harden body and spirit, like tempering steel through repeated hammering.

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…

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

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.

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

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…