Japanese Glossary

Main Glossary

A

Ajime

Strangles. These are divided into chokes which interfere with the windpipe and proper strangles which cut off the blood supply to the brain. Strangles are legal holds in judo and in years gone by, judo and jujutsu gradings involved strangles being applied all the way to unconsciousness. This was also done to practise the complementary techniques of recussitation called kuatsu. Nowadays, only seniors (over 18's) are taught strangles, they are never done to unconsciousness and kuatsu is not taught ever.

Atemi

The study of vital or vulnerable areas and how to strike them. On our syllabus, juniors (under 18's) do not learn atemi. Once, this was studied in Japan as a distinct martial art called atemijutsu. This has now been almost entirely displaced by karate.

B

Bo

The staff. Equavalent to the weapon (erroneously) called a quaterstaff. They tend to be about six feet long but should ideally be the same height as the user. Most of the weapons studied in Jitsu are self defence or "street" weapons but the bo and the katana are the exceptions and are only studied at high grade.

D

Dan

1) Black belt grade.

The usual grading system is for eight kyu (student) grades and ten dan (master) grades. Westerners tent to be a little fetishistic about black belts so it is worth clearing up a few misconceptions. Firstly, black belts do not represent the highest standard. They mark the change in emphasis from learning techniques to applying them. Black belts still learn and practise and are still graded, just like kyu grades. Teaching is an additional duty, not a replacement.
Secondly, black belts do not represent a particular standard. Each martial arts ruling body sets its own syllabus and decides on its own requirements so it is simply meaningless to try to compare them. Comparing Jitsu grades to other jujitsu organisations is a major headache, even though they all theoretically part of the same organisation (the BJJA).

2) Level.

As in jodan (head level), chudan (body level) and gedan (low level).
The kanji refers to a stone step cut into a cliff.

Dojo

Training hall. The place where special etiquette applies.

Do and Jutsu

The suffixes which designate the style and emphasis of Japenese martial arts. The difference is essentially one of purpose. The "-jutsu" forms are intended as practice for real situations. The "-do" forms are intented a subjects of study in their own right. As a general rule, the "-do" forms evolved from pre-existing "-jutsu" forms.

N.B.
Because the difference here is quite subtle, many books make a big deal of separating bujutsu from budo. However, I have noticed from speaking with Japenese instructors that the difference is not a fundamental one. They frequently switch between the two terms when talking about exactly the same thing. The difference seems to mainly be one of context and emphasis.

G

Gari and Geri

Not only do these sound the same, they are both leg actions so it is very important that you do not confuse them. Gari means sweep or reap and geri means kick. Remember, that with a sweep you go through your attackers body picking them up along the way. A kick goes at them.

Garuma

Wheel. These throws rotate the attacker around their own centre of gravity.

Geri and Gari

Not only do these sound the same, they are both leg actions so it is very important that you do not confuse them. Gari means sweep or reap and geri means kick. Remember, that with a sweep you go through your attackers body picking them up along the way. A kick goes at them.

Gi

The suit. It is similar to a judo gi but with shorter sleeves to expose the wrists.

Goshi and Koshi

These words both mean hip. Hip throws are ones where you turn an attacker over your centre of gravity.

H

Hajime

Begin. Start.

Hakama

The divided skirt worn by sensei.

J

Jitsuka

Someone who does Jitsu. The proper Japanese word would be jujutsuka.

Jitsu

1) The informal name for shorinji-kan jujitsu, Britains largest jujitsu style.

2) The most common anglisization of the suffix -jutsu.

Ju

Non-resistance. Often translated as "gentle" or "flexible". In jujitsu and judo it refers to the principal that an attacking force is not opposed. Instead it is used make up part of the defence.

Jutsu and Do

The suffixes which designate the style and emphasis of Japenese martial arts. The difference is essentially one of purpose. The "-jutsu" forms are intended as practice for real situations. The "-do" forms are intented a subjects of study in their own right. As a general rule, the "-do" forms evolved from pre-existing "-jutsu" forms.

N.B.
Because the difference here is quite subtle, many books make a big deal of separating bujutsu from budo. However, I have noticed from speaking with Japenese instructors that the difference is not a fundamental one. They frequently switch between the two terms when talking about exactly the same thing. The difference seems to mainly be one of context and emphasis.

K

Kata

Set drills used to teach and practice basic movements. Traditional martial arts are dominated by kata . For centuries they were the only way of preserving the art and they were taught with a ruthless conservatism. Indeed, it is not unusual for martial arts to have their entire syllabuses preserved as kata . In such systems a dan grade is awarded just for learning them and only afterwards does the emphasis turn to application. This approach does not go down very well in the West. Jitsu is unusual in that there is very little kata work. Beginners learn only uchemi-kata for breakfalling and higher grades only a handfull more.

Katana

The famous samurai sword. By far the most recognisable Japanese weapon.
Most of the weapons studied in Jitsu are self defense or "street" weapons but the bo and the katana are the exceptions and are only studied at high grade.
The katana has two major martial arts all to itelf - iaido , the study of handling the sword and kendo , a sport based on sword combat. Jitsu is mainly interested in unarmed defences to sword attacks.

Ken and To

Sword. As in kendo (fencing) and iaito (practice sword).

Kiai

A blood curdling scream that paralyses the attacker and amplifies your actions. Needs a spot of practice to get right.

Kibadachi

"Horse Stance", standing straight on with your feet and fists spread to the side and your knees and elbows bent. Often used as a neutral stance to practice things like grab defences.

Ko and O

Mean minor and major respectively. "O" movements are done with the leg and "ko" movements with the foot.

Koshi and Goshi

These words both mean hip. Hip throws are ones where you turn an attacker over your centre of gravity.

Kuatsu

The art of recussitation. Once upon a time, the longer you were unconscious the more likely you were to die. Especially on a battlefield. Kuatsu techniques grew up alongside jujutsu as practical first aid. Nowadays, we are too aware of the dangers of knocking somebody out to do it just to practise bringing them around and despite what you may feel, a dojo is not a battle field. Unconscious people are laid out in the recovery position and kept breathing either until medical help arrives or until the come around when they are good and ready.

Kyu

1) The traditional grading system is for eight kyu (student) grades and ten dan (master) grades. The kyu grades are the ones who wear the coloured belts.

2) The number nine.

O

O and Ko

Mean major and minor respectively. "O" movements are done with the leg and "ko" movements with the foot.

Obi

Belt.

R

Randori

Training method for throwing. Developed by Kano Jigaro it is the most characteristic part of Judo. In fact, in many peoples eyes it is Judo. Randori is a contest between two people whereby they each try to throw or pin each other.

Rei

Bow. The highest grade will mark the start of the session with the instruction "Sensei ne rei" (Bow to the teacher.) If the sensei has other instructors the will be told to reciprocate "Otogani rei" (Bow to the others).

S

Sadachi

Standing to attention with your arms by your side.

Samurai

"Those who serve". The warrior class of ancient Japan whose history is inextricably linked with jujitsu. The word was first used in the eigth century to describe armed farmers. Over the centuries their influence and social status grew particularly during the long periods of civil war.
They ceased to exist as a social class in the 1870's with the end of feudalism and the establishment of a modern army. Many became policemen and martial arts instructors.

Sempai

Formal title used to address a senior grade who is not a sensei.

Sensei

The instructor. In Jitsu, the sensei is a high grade who has been given a teaching license by the Jitsu Foundation.

Soto and Uchi

Soto means outside and uchi means inside. Distinguishes between positions where you are outside your attackers legs or between them.

Suwari

Kneeling down. Actually, this is the verb "kneel". The position itself is called seiza.

T

Tatami

The mat. This is also the root word for the very important technique of tatami-gari. If you have not come across that yet, ask your to teach you at the end of a session.

To and Ken

Sword. As in iaito (practice sword) and kendo (fencing).

Tori and Uki

"Giver" and "receiver", ie the two people involved in a Jitsu technique. Because Jitsu is about self defence, the defender is the tori because they do the technique to the attacker. Martial arts such as karate which focus more on the strikes, tend to call the attacker the tori .

U

Uchi and Soto

Soto means outside and uchi means inside. Distinguishes between positions where you are outside your attackers legs or between them.

Uki and Tori

"Receiver" and "giver", ie the two people involved in a Jitsu technique. Because Jitsu is about self defence, the attacker is the uki because the technique is done to them. Martial arts such as karate which focus more on the strikes, tend to call the defender the uki .

W

Waza

Technique. E.g. ashi waza (leg technique).

Y

Yamme

Stop. Not when you feel like it, immediately!

Yoi

The ready stance.

Z

Zori

Sandals.