Archives: Glossary Terms

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

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

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…