Reference for Training in the Dojo
Japanese words and concepts that have been carried through the centuries to modern-day Japanese martial arts training.
SPIRIT
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Zanshin: Awareness, watchfulness, "lingering heart".
Fudoshin: an unshakeable calm, "nerves of steel" Musin: empty mind, or to perform without thought Seme: an attack, or to put psychological pressure on an opponent Sensei: "one who has walked the path before you" or a teacher |
ETTIQUETTE
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shinzen ni rei: Bow to shrine
sensei ni rei: Bow to sensei otagai ni rei: Bow to fellow student to rei: Bow to sword Onegaishimasu: asking a favor Domo arigato gozaimasu: formal thank you Sempai: student of higher rank Seiza: A detailed description of how to perform seiza can be found here Clothing: This video shows how to tie obi and hakama |
DIRECTIONS / POSITIONS
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kamae: posture
migi: right side hidari: left side Ushiro: rear or behind jodan: above the head chudan: aimed at throat of opponent chudan: middle gedan: below the knee shoman: straight ahead ue: up shita: down yoko: horizontal, parallel to the ground tsuki: stabbing |
COMMANDS
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hajime: start
batto: draw sword mae: forward chiburi: shaking blood off blade noto (or osame to): resheathe blade |
SWORD
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Every sword student is required to know the many parts of their blade by the Japanese name. A nice diagram is located here.
Sword Forum International has a wealth of technical and historical information. Nihonto TV has YouTube videos of demonstrations and lectures by modern Japanese swordsmiths |
KATA
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kesa giri: the "priest's sash cut", diagonal from shoulder to hip
kiriaga giri: diagonal cut from hip to shoulder Happo no Kamae: The eight combative engagement stances Happogiri: The cuts in eight directions. Kumitachi: Kata performed by twostudents Nakamura Ryu Kata: The eight sword drills devised by Nakamura sensei, based on Toyama Ryu iaido |
NUMBERS
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One: ichi
Two: ni Three: san Four: shi Five: go Six: rock Seven: na na Eight: hatch Nine: cue Ten: jyu Eleven: jyu-ichi |