Japanese to English Dictionary

A

Age

Rising.

Age tsuki

Rising punch.

Age uke

Rising block.

Ago

Chin

Aiki

Harmonious Spirit

Aite

Opponent

Akushu

Handshake

Arashi

Storm

Arigato

Thank you

Ashi

Foot/leg.

Ashi kubi

Ankle.

Ashi waza

Foot techniques.

Ashigarami

Foot Entanglement

Ashiyubi

Toes

Atama

Head

Atemi

Striking.

Atemi waza

Striking techniques.

Atewaza

Striking techniques

Awasewaza

Combination technique

B

Bo

Staff (six foot long).

Bojitsu

Staff techniques (long).

Bokken

Wooden Sword

Bu

Mititary, Martial

Budo

Martial way

Bujutsu

Fighting arts of the warrior class of Japan.

Bunkai

Application of form.

Bushi

Warrior class of Japan.

Bushido

Way of the warrior.

Butsukari

Off-balancing practice

C

Chikara

Power, strength

Chisai

Small

Choku tsuki

Straight punch.

Chudan

Middle (of body, i.e. torso). Middle level of teaching

Chugaeri

Forward somersault

D

Dachi

Stance.

Daito

Long Sword

Daki

Embrace

Dan

Rank of black belt. Sandalwood ceder tree

Deashi harai

Advance foot sweep.

Denko

Electric light: Lightning flash

Denzook

No count.

Do

The way. Waist or trunk of body

Dojime

Body constriction

Dojo

Exercise hall, the place where one practices the martial arts.

Dome

Stopping action

Domo

Many, much

E

Ebi

Shrimp

Eku

Oar

Emon

Chest

Empi

Elbow.

Empi uchi

Elbow strike.

Eri

Collar, neck band , lapel

F

Fudoshin

Imperturbability of mind

Fuji

Wisteria

Fukushikikokyo

Deep abdominal breathing

Fumikomi

Stamping kick.

Fusegi

Defense

Fusensho

Win by default

G

Ganmen

Face.

Goshi

Hip

Gake

Hook or break

Genkotsu

Fist.

Gaeshi

Reversal.

Gama

Sickle

Gami
Hair

Gan

Chest

Garami

To coil.

Gari

Reap.

Gatame

Hold, arm bar.

Gedan

Lower, waist or below. Lower level

Gedan barai

Low block.

Genki

Vigor, energy or vitality

Geri

Kick.

Gi

Uniform for practicing martial arts.

Go

Five. Strength.

Gonosen-no-kata

Rehearsed demonstration of throws and counters

Goshi

Hip

Goshin

Self Defense

Guruma

Wheel.

Gyaku

Reverse, reversal.

Gyaku juji jime

Reverse cross choke.

Gyaku tsuki

Reverse punch (opposite hand and leg).

H

Hachi

Eight.

Hachiji dachi

Open leg stance.

Hachimachi

Towel used as a headband.

Hadaka

Naked.

Hadaka jime

Naked choke/strangle.

Hadari

Left.

Hagai

Wing

Haishu

Back of the hand.

Haishu uchi

Back hand strike.

Haisoku

Instep.

Haisoku geri

Instep kick.

Haitto

Ridge hand (first knuckle of thumb and side of hand).

Haitto uchi

Ridge hand strike.

Hajime

Begin

Hanaji

Nose bleed

Hane

Spring.

Hane goshi

Spring hip throw.

Hangetsu dachi

Hourglass stance.

Hansokumake

Loss by violation of the rules

Hara

Stomach

Harai

Sweep.

Harai goshi

Sweep hip throw.

Hashi

Chopsticks

Hayai

Fast

Hayanada

Quick Blade

Hazushi

Escape

Heisoku dachi

Attention stance.

Hiragana

Old form of phonetic writing in Japanese

Hibara

Side

Hidari

Left (side).

Hiji

Elbow strike (upward, downward, forward, rear).

Hiki

Pulling

Hikiwake

Tie Draw

Hishigi

Crush.

Hittsui

Knee.

Hittsui geri

Knee strike (upward, side).

Hiza

Knee

Hiza guruma

Knee wheel.

Hon

Basic, Half, Fingers..

Honbo

3 foot staff (1/2 of a bo length)

Honbu

Headquarters.

Hontai

Basic, original

I

Ichi or Sho

One..

Imon

Bow

Inazuma

Lightning flash

Inno

Scrotum

Ippon

Full point in a contest.

Ippon kumite

One step sparring.

Irimi

Enter

Irimi waza

Entering techniques.

Ishi

Rock

Isami

Rising spirit

Itsusoku

One-leg

J

Jigo-tai

Defensive posture.

Jigoku

Hell

Jime

Choke or strangle.

Jutsu (sometimes misspelled jitsu)

Art, technique

Jiyu kumite

Free sparring.

Jo

Short staff.

Jo-jutsu

Short staff techniques.

Jodan

Upper, shoulders or above. Upper level

Jodan juji uke

High X-block.

Joseke

Upper seat.

Ju

Gentle, yielding; Ten..

Ju-ichi

Eleven..

Judo

A martial arts style featuring throwing. The gentle way

Judoka

Practitioner of Judo

Juji

Cross.

Juji gatame

Cross-body arm bar.

K

Kage

Shadow

Kabe

A wall

Kagi tsuki

Hook punch.

Kai

Society

Kakato

Heel.

Kakato uke

Bent wrist block.

Kake

Application of the technique.

Kakiwake uke

Pushing through block.

Kama

Sickle, used in pairs in Okinawan Karate.

Kamae

Posture.

Kami

Gods, Spirits

Kami shio gatame

Upper four-corner hold.

Kani

Crab

Kanji

Character writing taken from Chinese

Kannuki

Bar of a gate, Bolt

Kano, Jigoro

Founder of Judo.

Kansetsu

Joint lock.

Kansetsu waza

Joint locking techniques.

Kappo

Resuscitation, healing

Kara

Empty.

Karami

Lock

Karate

A martial arts style featuring strikes.

Kata

Stylized form, pre-arranged techniques; Sholder; Single

Kata gatame

Shoulder hold.

Kata guruma

Shoulder wheel throw.

Kata juji jime

Half cross choke.

Katakana

Phonetic writing in Japanese, often used for imported words

Katame

Hold down , grapple.

Katame waza

Grappling and ground-fighting techniques.

Katana

Long sword.

Katate Tori

Single hand hold.

Katsu

Revival techniques.

Katsuge

Shouldering lift

Katsura

Wig

Kaza

Wind

Keiko

Practice

Kempo

Fist way.

Kendo

Japanese sword fighting.

Keri waza

Kicking techniques.

Kesa

Buddist monks robe

Kesa gatame

Scarf hold.

Ki

Vital energy. Spirit

Ki o tsuke

Attention, Brace up

Kiai

Spirit yell.

Kiba dachi

Horse stance.

Kime

Focus

Kin

Gold, Testacles

Kine

Mallet

Ko

Minor.

Kobushi

Fist

Kodenkan

Name of Okazaki's dojo - School of the Ancient Tradition

Kodokan

Headquarters of Judo in Japan. - School for studying the way.

Koguruma

Small wheel

Kokua

Hawaiian word - Mutual assistance; Pitching in

Kokutsu dachi

Back stance.

Komi

Pulling.

Komiri

Entering in

Koroshi

Crush out breath

Koshi

Hip.

Koshi waza

Hip techniques.

Kosoto gari

Minor outer reaping throw.

Kote

Forearm

Kouchi gari

Minor inner reaping throw.

Ku

Nine.

Kubi

Neck.

Kumikata

Methods of holding.

Kumite

Sparring.

Kusarigama

Sickle with a rope or chain attached.

Kusho

Vital points of the body.

Kuzushi

Unbalancing (eight directions).

Kyu

Grade below black belt

Kyusho

Vital point.

Kyusho-jitsu

Pressure point strikes.

M

Ma-ai

Distance.

Mae

Front.

Mae geri

Front kick.

Maki

Scroll, Winding wrap.

Maki komi

Wrapping pulling.

Makiwara

Punching board.

Mata

Thigh

Matae

Stop.

Mawashi geri

Roundhouse kick.

Mawashi tsuki

Roundhouse punch.

Me

Eye

Menkyo

Credential

Migi

Right (side).

Mikazuki

Crescent.

Mikazuki geri

Crescent kick.

Mikazuki geri uke

Crescent kick block.

Mizu

Water

Mohojiai

Mock combat

Mokoroku

Scroll listing arts taught

Momiji

Red maple tree

Momo

Thigh

Monji

Line, direction

Moro

Multiple.

Morote

Two arm or two hand.

Mudansha

Non black belt holder.

Mune

Chest.

Munen

No Thought

Muni gatame

Chest hold.

Mushin

Mind of no mind.

N

Nada

Blade

Nagashi

Sweeping

Nagashi uke

Flowing block.

Nage

Throwing.

Nage no kata

Formalized throws.

Nage waza

Throwing techniques.

Naginata

Halberd, used by Japanese women.

Nami

Normal

Nami juji jime

Normal cross choke.

Ne-waza

Ground fighting techniques

Neko

Cat.

Neko ashi dachi

Cat stance.

Ni

Two.

Ni-ju

Twenty.

Ni-ju-ichi

Twenty one.

Nidan geri

Double jump kick.

Nin

Man

No

Brain; Preposition "of" as in Nage no kata

Nodo

Throat

Norimi

Riding body

Nuki

Neck, pull out

Nukite

Spear hand.

Nunchaku

Flail-like weapon of two rods joined by rope or chain.

O

Obi

Belt.

Ogoshi

Major hip throw.

Ohten

Barrel roll.

Ohten gatame

Barrel roll arm-bar.

Oi tsuki

Forward lunge punch (same side hand and leg).

Oku

Big, large

Okuri

Sliding.

Okuri eri jime

Sliding collar choke.

Okuri harai

Sliding foot sweep.

Ori

Break

Osae

Pressing

Osae komi

Hold-down.

Osae komi waza

Hold-down techniques.

Osaegami

Hairhold

Osoto gari

Major outer reaping throw.

Osoto guruma

Major outer wheel throw.

Otoshi

Drop.

Ouchi gari

Major inside reap

R

Randori

Free practice (judo sparring).

Rei

Bow.

Renshi

Instructor

Riken

Back hand

Ritsu rei

Standing bow

Roku

Six..

Ryo

Double

Ryu

Style of school or martial art.

S

Sai

Three-pronged metal weapon.

Sakanuki

Reverse pull out

Sakotsu

Collarbone.

San

Three.

San-ju

Thirty.

Sankaku

Triangle

Sasae

Support.

Sasae ashi

Support foot (throw)

Se

The back

Seifuku

Conquest: Act of overcoming

Seiza

Sitting position - formal.

Sempai

Senior.

Sen

One thousand

Sensei

Teacher.

Seoi

Shoulder.

Shi

Four.

Shiai

Match, game

Shiaijo

Contest Area

Shiara

Shichi

Seven.

Shidari

Hanging

Shigarami

Entanglement

Shihan

Master instructor.

Shiho

Four corners, or all directions.

Shiho nage

All directions throw.

Shikano

Deer

Shime

Choke.

Shime waza

Choking techniques.

Shingen

Solemn.

Shinin

Dead man

Shinpan

Referee, Umpire

Shinyo

True heart, Trust

Shisei

Posture

Shizen-tai

Natural posture.

Shomen

Front, Place of focus in traditional dojo

Shotei

Palm heel strike.

Shuto

Knife-edge hand (little-finger side of palm).

Shuto uchi

Knife hand strike.

Sode

Sleeve.

Sonomana

Referee command to not move

Sope-made

Referee command - times up

Soto

Outside (of opponent's stance).

Sukui nage

Scooping throw.

Sumi

Corner

Sumi gaeshi

Corner reversal.

Sune

Leg, shin

Suso

Skirt, Bottom

Saru

Monkey

Sute

Sacrifice.

Sutemi

Sacrifice or roll.

Sutemi-waza
Sacrifice techniques.

T

Tachi-waza

Standing throwing techniques.

Tai

Body

Tai otoshi

Body drop.

Tai-sabaki

Turning movement

Tameshiwari

Breaking demonstration.

Tanden

Point just below the navel.

Tani otoshi

Valley drop.

Tanju

Pistol, Gun

Tanto

Short sword.

Tasuki

Cord for holding up sleves of komono

Tatami

Straw mat

Tate tsuki

Vertical punch (boxer's jab).

Tatsumaki

Dragon winding ( whirlwind )

Te

Hand.

Te-waza

Hand techniques.

Teiji dachi

T-stance.

Teisho

Palm heel.

Tekubi

Wrist.

Tekubi tori

Wrist hold.

Tettsui

Hammer fist; downward strike with closed fist, little finger side as the striking surface.

Tombo

Somersault

Tome

Stopping action

Tomoe

Circle

Tomoe nage

Circle throw.

Tonfa

Wooden rod with handle at right angle, used in pairs.

Tora

Tiger

Tori

Hold; Performer of technique

Tsugi

Following

Tsuki

Punch; Thrust; Strike

Tsuki waza

Punching techniques.

Tsukuri

Stepping into the throw.

Tsuri

Lifting and pulling in a circular motion.

Tsuri komi goshi

Lifting pulling hip throw.

Tuite

Grappling techniques.

U

Uchi

Inner; or, Strike.

Uchideshi

Special disciple.

Uchikomi

Repeated practice of throwing techniques.

Ude

Arm.

Uke

The reciever of a technique, Block.

Ukemi

Falling and rolling exercises.

Ukemi waza

Falling techniques.

Uki

Floating.

Uki otoshi

Floating drop.

Ura

Opposite.

Uraken uchi

Back fist strike.

Ushiro

Rear.

Utsuri

Changing

W

Wa

Harmony

Wakare

Separation.

Wari

Break

Watari

Walk

Waza

Technique.

Y

Yama

Mountain.

Yari

Spear.

Yawara

Soft, plyable, (Same kanji as ju )

Yoi

Ready.

Yojimbo

Body guard, protector.

Yoko

Side.

Yoshi

Good, continue.

Yoshin

Willow heart

Yubi

Finger.

Yudansha

One who is a black belt.

Z

Zan

Mountain

Zanshin

Up to date; aware

Zazen

Sitting meditation.

Zen

Buddhist sect.

Zenkutso dachi

Front stance.

©Copywrite Richard H Howell. Right to copy freely relinquished. Please add this to your notebook if you wish. Last update 12-1-98.