Traditional Japanese Terminology and Commands Used in Aikido

Aikido, which translates to “the way of harmonious spirit,” is a modern Japanese martial art developed in the early 20th century by Morihei Ueshiba. He drew from his prior studies of various styles like jujitsu as well as spiritual teachings to create an art focused on self-defense, redirection of aggression, and promotion of peace.

While aikido has spread internationally over the past century, much of the traditional Japanese terminology and commands are still actively used in training today. Understanding these terms and phrases helps connect practitioners to the origins of aikido and enriches both comprehension and ability to communicate during practice.

Origins of Aikido in Japan

Aikido was founded by Morihei Ueshiba (1883-1969), who was born in Tanabe, Wakayama Prefecture, Japan. As a young man, Ueshiba studied several styles of jujitsu and sword fighting under acclaimed masters like Takaki Kiyoichi and Takeda Sokaku. These early martial arts studies shaped his insights on self-defense. However, later spiritual studies and experiences led him to develop a deeper philosophy of harmony and conflict resolution.

In 1925, Ueshiba moved to Tokyo and founded his first dojo, opening it to students and calling his art “aikibudo.” Over the next decade, as he refined his martial art, he incorporated spiritual concepts from Omoto-kyo and gave public demonstrations.

By 1942 the name “aikido” was formally adopted for this new Japanese martial art. Following World War II and Japan’s defeat, aikido began gaining increased interest and acceptance abroad as a non-violent form of self defense aligning with peacekeeping ideals. However, the vast majority of aikido’s traditional Japanese terminology was preserved even with its growth internationally.

Key Dates in Aikido’s Foundation

Today there are hundreds of thousands of active aikido practitioners worldwide across dozens of affiliations and styles. However, ties to its Japanese origins remain close, with associations like the Aikikai Foundation and Aikido World Headquarters preserving extensive archives and offering instruction. For this reason, comprehension of key Japanese terminology remains an essential component for students at any level.

Key Japanese Terminology Used in Aikido Practice

Aikido practice, whether in Japan or abroad, continues use of traditional Japanese commands as well as names for techniques, concepts, and principles originating from Japanese terms and phrases. While special attention is given for new students to learn the terms relevant to their specific style, the following represent some of the most common types of Japanese terminology:

Greetings and Salutations

• Ohayo gozaimasu – Good morning
• Konnichiwa – Hello (afternoon greeting)
• Onegaishimasu – Please teach me (respectful request to the sensei before stepping on the mat)

Commands

• Hajime – Begin (start technique or battle)
• Yame – Stop (end activity immediately)
• Kiotsuke – Attention (stand upright and still)
• Mawatte – Turn around (change direction)

Counting

• Ichi, ni, san, shi (or yon), go – One, two, three, four, five (used for repetition calls)

Names of Techniques and Positions

• Kamae – Posture; ready position
• Ukemi – Breakfall; safe way to fall or roll
• Tantotori – Knife taking (disarming knives)
• Kokyunage – Breath throw
• Iriminage – Entering throw
• Kaitennage – Rotary throw
• Kotegaeshi – Wrist return

And thousands more named techniques.

This list provides just a small sampling of some essential types of vocabulary used during a typical aikido session. New students should not feel overwhelmed but rather embrace each session as an opportunity to enrich understanding of Japanese language within this martial art. Over many years of consistent practice, comprehension of aikido terminology as well as ability to utilize key Japanese commands fluidly will progress.

Five Common Commands Used by Aikido Sensei

Aikido classes will involve frequent commands given by the sensei (instructor) to guide students. Often these short Japanese phrases help direct attention, adjust stances, maintain control, and keep students focused. Here are five frequently heard commands:

1. Yo! – Called out to regain attention if concentration wavers or as a prefix before giving a new instruction. Often combined with a student’s name.
2. Hajime! – “Begin!” Announces the start of a technique at normal pace and intensity.
3. Yame! – “Stop!” Instructs students to immediately cease activity when practice might become uncontrolled or dangerous.
4. Hayaku! – “Faster!” Signals the uke (attacker) and tori (defender) should increase the pace once technique execution becomes comfortable.
5. Yowashi! – “Weak/Soft!” Reminds students that strength should not overcome technique, joint control, or balance.

As Japanese terminology becomes familiar, commands during practice can guide progression. Clear comprehension allows students to learn at an optimal pace.

The Continued Importance of Japanese Terminology in Modern Aikido

Use of Japanese aikido terms serves multiple beneficial purposes in the preservation and spread of this martial art across cultures:

Preserves Origins – By retaining the original language for thousands of techniques, concepts and commands, the heritage of aikido stays rooted in its birthplace. This keeps history alive.

Enhances Learning – Use of the specialized Japanese vocabulary trains the tongue and mind, deepening memorization, physical neural connections and knowledge.

Allows Better Communication – Consistent usage of key phrases during demonstrations and practice enables clearer interactions between teachers and students.

Shows Respect – Making an effort to learn the traditional lexicon displays appreciation for aikido’s origins and for the culture that produced this impactful martial art.

While some interpretations may arise by style or instructor, dedication to upholding proper Japanese terminology remains constant. As Ueshiba intended, the essence of the techniques and spiritual teachings gets preserved by keeping native language intact even as aikido spreads globally.

Quotes on the Importance of Japanese Terminology

“English translations of aikido terminology sacrifice subtle shades of meaning. To really understand aikido, study the language in which it was conceived.” – Andrea Flores, 5th Dan Aikikai Hombu Instructor

“Without Japanese as the primary technical language, eventually the heart of aikido would become lost. The terminology keeps us closest to O-Sensei’s principles.” – Takashi Kushida, 8th Dan Yoshokai Aikido Master

Preserving ties to aikido’s Japanese linguistic and cultural origins is seen as safeguarding the “heart” that Morihei Ueshiba invested into its foundation.

Effective Methods for Learning Japanese Aikido Terms

For new students, the volume of Japanese words and phrases used in aikido can seem overwhelming initially. However, through dedication to consistent practice and some key methods, assimilation of the technical language is very feasible over time:

Listen First – Hearing the terms and commands used within context by sensei and senior students before trying to use them allows the sounds and patterns to become familiar.

Speak Aloud – Verbalizing new vocabulary repeatedly aids memorization and neural pathways via active recall rather than just passive listening.

Utilize Visual Resources – Charts, glossaries and other visual tools linking Japanese characters or romaji with English meanings can accelerate learning.

Break Down Components – Analyzing parts of longer technique names can make them less abstract. For example, “ude garami” uses “ude” meaning “arm” and “garami” meaning “entangled”, hinting at the positioning.

Test Your Knowledge – Creating flashcards, self-quizzes and other learning tests provides repetition while revealing weak areas needing more focus.

Immerse Yourself – Seminars or extended training trips to Japan offer full cultural immersion where using correct aikido terminology becomes essential both on and off the mats.

With consistent effort, integrating use of Japanese vocabulary and phrases into regular aikido practice can enrich and deepen understanding of both the physical and conceptual elements.

Tips for Memorizing Japanese Aikido Terms

• Repeat new terms out loud even just walking around
• Associate names visually with the movements
• Create rhymes, acronyms or mnemonic devices
• Keep a small notebook handy during training to log unfamiliar terms
• Study similar terminology together like groups of wrist techniques
• Quiz your partners, friends or family members on terms

Global Efforts Towards Terminology Preservation

Both in Japan and internationally, substantial effort among top instructors and their students gets invested in preserving and spreading use of accurate aikido terminology for foundational techniques:

Ongoing Foundation Teaching – At Hombu Dojo and affiliated branches globally, introductory children’s and adult courses emphasize proper use of original Japanese names.

Rank Exams Target Terminology – Testing requirements for each colored belt or dan grade have terminology components students must demonstrate.

Cultural Exchanges – Joint trainings, seminars by Japanese shihan, research fellowships and uchi deshi apprenticeships reinforce immersive language adoption.

Protecting Origins – Ueshiba family run institutions like Aikido World Headquarters (Aikikai) mandate certain terminology usage standards for registered member schools internationally.

Because language inevitably evolves in new environments, conscious initiatives of this nature help counteract dilution or alterations. Partnerships between international federations and Japanese aikido authorities align efforts on protecting heritage.

Conclusion: Language at the Heart

Aikido stands as a unique modern Japanese martial art and as Morihei Ueshiba’s enduring legacy which continues to spread globally. However, at its core, aikido owes its techniques, perspective and heart to the spiritual Japanese man who synthesized religious studies with ethical principles towards creation of this transformative self defense.

For those reasons, maintaining the huge breadth of traditional aikido terminology – from subtle concepts to specific physical techniques – in Japanese allows the closest ties back to aikido’s origins. Assimilating this martial language also deepens the meaning and effectiveness of training for passionate students. No accurate English equivalents exist since the words encapsulate cultural meanings.

While the integration of Japanese vocabulary can take years of exposure through consistent practice, training trips, exchanges, seminars, and special programs offer powerful reinforcement. Partnerships between leading international schools and Japanese aikido institutions will only further efforts to uphold tradition in the name of advancement.

For new students as well as masters still perfecting their craft on the mats decades later, keeping the original language embedded within this impactful martial art ensures history never gets lost in translation. The heart comes through most purely when speaking Ueshiba’s native tongue.

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FAQs

Here are 30 frequently asked questions for the blog post on Traditional Japanese Terminology and Commands Used in Aikido:

What is the meaning of the term aikido?
Aikido translates as “the way of harmonious spirit,” blending self-defense, ethics, and peace.

Who founded aikido and when?
Aikido was founded by Morihei Ueshiba (1883–1969) in Japan in the early 20th century.

Were other martial arts studied by Ueshiba influential?
Yes, Ueshiba previously studied Judo, multiple styles of jujitsu, spear fighting, and sword techniques which influenced his development of aikido.

Why are many original Japanese terms preserved?
Use of traditional terminology maintains cultural and historical ties plus an in-depth quality difficult to translate.

What does “sensei” mean?
Sensei means teacher; it is a title of respect in Japanese martial arts applied to instructors.

What does “dojo” translate to?
Dojo means “place of the way” – a hall where martial art training takes place.

What is the name for a senior student role?
Uke is the name for a senior student who “receives” techniques from the defender during demonstrations.

What is the name for the defender role?
Tori is the defender who executes techniques against strikes and grabs.

When does aikido training begin?
Aikido sessions often start with a standing bow followed by the phrase “Onegaishimasu” said by students to the teacher.

What is another common opening phrase?
“Mokuso” is said to announce a short seated meditation to open class.

How are techniques counted off in repetition?
Numbers are said in Japanese – so “ichi, ni san, shi” meaning “one, two, three, four.”

What is the call to bow out at the end?
Sessions finish with “Domo arigato gozaimashita” meaning “thank you very much.”

What are wrist manipulation techniques called?
Wrist techniques are known as kotegaeshi in Japanese terminology.

What is the 180 degree body turn throw called?
Irimi nage is a forward throw involving entering body movement.

What are forward rolling breakfalls called?
Mae ukemi is the term for forward roll breakfalls used in aikido.

How might a knife disarming technique translate?
Tanto tori means “knife taking” – removing a blade from an attacker’s hand.

What are leg sweeps and throws collectively known as?
Ashi sabaki is used describe leg displacements and sweeps used to off balance.

What is signified by ‘omote’ and ‘ura’?
Omote and ura mean “front” and “back” respectively – often paired to name variations with reverse grips.

What are formal partner pattern practice routines called?
Kata refers to patterned partner forms done as kihon (basics) practice.

What might command speed or intensity changes?
Words like “hayaku” and “yowashi” signal increases and decreases in speed/strength.

Why use Japanese terms instead of direct translations?
Unique meanings related to energy flow and principles get lost without original language.

What is a fast circular evasion technique called?
Irimi names fast tenkan (rotating) entry movements done while blending.

What does ‘bu’ mean?
Bu translates to “martial,” so in aikibudo the terms mean “way of harmonizing energy/principle.”

What is the purpose of learning in two languages?
Dual linguistic coding of techniques strengthens neural memorization and motor pathways.

Why is historical preservation tied to terminology use?
Keeping techniques and teachings spoken in native Japanese protects loss of original meanings.

What armor might be used to practice strikes?
Tanto, bokken and jo refer to knife, sword and staff used to train maai timing/distancing.

Can international students attain ranks without language?
Dan rankings past first degree often have required proficiency in hundreds of terms.

How else is cultural immersion connection maintained?
Exchanges with Japan happen via apprenticeships, intensive camps, joint seminars abroad.