Judo Terminology

Ashi                                          Foot, leg

Ashi Waza                              Foot techniques

Atemi Waza                           Striking techniques

Batsugun                                Instant promotion

Budo                                        Martial ways

Bushido                                  Way of the warrior

Dan                                          Black belt rank

Dojo                                         School or training hall

Eri                                            Collar, lapel

Fusegi                                     Escapes

Fusen Gachi                          Win by default

Goshin Jutsu                         Art of self defense

Hajime                                    Begin

Hando no Kuzushi              Unbalancing by reaction

Hansoku-make                    Most serious penalty,

Hantei                                     Ref call for judge’s decision

Happo no Kuzushi              Kuzushi in 8 directions

Hara                                        Stomach

Hidari                                     Left

Hiji                                          Elbow

Hiki-wake                             No decision--tie or draw

Hikite                                      Pulling hand

Hiza                                         Knee

Ippon                                      Victory in one move

Jigotai                                      Defensive posture

Jikan                                        Ref call to stop the clock

Jita Kyoei                                Principle of mutual benefit

Joseki                                      Place of honor, upper seat

Judogi                                      Judo practice uniform

Judoka                                    One who studies Judo

Ju no Kata                              Forms of gentleness

Ju no Ri                                   Principle of flexibility

Kaeshi Waza                          Counter techniques

Kake                                        Completion  of technique

Kansetsu Waza                     Joint locking techniques

Kappo                                     Resuscitation techniques

Kata                                         Forms

Katame no kata                    Forms of grappling

Kiai                                          To gather spirit with a shout

Kime no Kata                        Forms of Self Defense

Ki o tsuke                               Attention

Kodansha                               High ranking judoka

Kodokan                                 Judo institute in Tokyo

Koshi                                       Hip

Koshi Waza                            Hip techniques

Kubi                                         Neck

Kumikata                               Gripping methods

Kuzure                                    Modified hold

Kuzushi                                  Unbalancing the opponent

Kyu                                          Student rank

Mae                                         Forward, front

Mae Ukemi                           Falling forward

Masutemi Waza                   Back sacrifice throws

Mate                                        Stop (wait)

Migi                                         Right

Mudansha                             Students below black belt

Mune                                      Chest

Nage                                       Throw

Nage no Kata                        Forms of throwing

Nagekomi                              Repetitive throwing practice

Nage Waza                            Throwing techniques

Ne Waza                                Techniques on the ground

Obi                                           Judo belt

Osaekomi                              Pin, referee call to begin timing

Osaekomi Waza                   Pinning techniques

Osaekomi Toketa                Escape, stop timing of hold

Randori                                  Free practice

Randori Waza                     Techniques for free practice

Rei                                           Bow

Renraku Waza                      Combination techniques

Ritsurei                                   Standing bow

Seiryoku Zenyo                   Principle of maximum efficiency

Seiza                                        Formal kneeling posture

Sensei                                     Teacher, instructor

Shiai                                        Contest

Shiaijo                                    Competition area

Shido                                      Penalty

Shihan                                    Title for a model teacher or “teacher who sets the standard” (i.e.  Kano-shihan)

Shime Waza                         Choking techniques

Shinpan                                 Referee

Shintai                                    Moving forwards, sideways & backwards

Shisei                                     Posture

Shizentai                               Natural posture

Shomen                                 Dojo front

Sode                                       Sleeve

Sono Mama                          Command to freeze

Sore Made                             Finished, time is up

Sute Geiko                            Randori throwing practice

Sutemi Waza                        Sacrifice techniques

Tachi Waza                           Standing techniques

Tai Sabaki                             Body control, turning

Tatami                                    Mat

Te                                             Hand, arm

Te Waza                                  Hand techniques

Tekubi                                    Wrist

Tokui Waza                           Favorite or best technique

Tori                                          Person performing a technique

Tsugi Ashi                             Walking by bringing one foot up to another

Tsukuri                                  Entry into a technique

Tsurite                                    Lifting hand

Uchikomi                               Repeated practice without throwing

Ude                                          Arm

Uke                                          Person receiving the technique

Ukemi                                     Breakfall techniques

Ushiro                                     Backward, rear

Ushiro Ukemi                       Falling backward

Waki                                        Armpit

Waza                                        Technique

Waza Ari                                Near ippon or half point

Waza ari Awasete Ippon    Two waza-ari together for ippon

Yoko                                        Side

Yoko Kaiten Ukemi             Sideways rolling break fall

Yoko Sutemi Waza              Side sacrifice throws

Yoko Ukemi                           Falling sideways

Yoshi                                        Resume action, continue

Yubi                                         Finger

Yudansha                               Person who earned the black belt

Yudanshakai                        Black belt association

Yuko                                        Score less than a waza-ari

Yusei Gachi                           Win by judge’s decision

Zarei                                        Kneeling salutation

Zenpo Kaiten Ukemi          Forward rolling break fall

Zubon                                      Pants

 

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