In the dojo, we use certain common Japanese phrases all the time at the beginning and end of class and before and after training with each other. Here is an introduction to some of the Japanese terms you might hear as you learn our art.
- ็ฅๅใซ็คผ shinzen ni rei โ bow to the front of the dojo
- ๆญฃ้ขใซ็คผ shomen ni rei โ (same as above)
- ใไบใใซ็คผ otagai ni rei โ bow to each other
- ใ้กใใใพใ onegai shimasu โ I have a favor to ask of you (i.e. “let’s train together”)
- ใใใใจใใใใใพใใ arigatล gozaimashita โ thank you (for what you have done)
You may also hear the following words used to signal the beginning or end of something:
- ใฏใใ hajime โ begin
- ใใ yame โ stop
You will also learn other terms related to your practice. Don’t worry if they don’t make sense yet; your seniors will explain them to you in increasing depth as you progress:
- ๅ่บซ ukemi โ [literally “receiving body”] falling and rolling practice
- ้ ใ้ๅใ tลi ma’ai โ far distance
- ่ฟ้ๅใ chika ma’ai โ close distance
- ๅ ้ๅใ uchi ma’ai โ inside distance
- ๆฎๅฟ zanshin โ remaining spirit
- ้ ๅฑฑใฎ็ฎไปใ enzan no metsuke โ gazing at distant mountains
There are a few items of clothing as well:
- ็จฝๅค็ keikogi โ training uniform
- ไธ็ uwagi โ upper garment
- ใบใใณ zubon โ pants
- ๅธฏ obi โ belt
- ่ขด hakama โ Japanese pleated skirt-like pants
There are many more Japanese terms that you will encounter during your training.ย Rather than list all of them here, you will learn many of them as you train. Don’t worry… you don’t have to be (or become) fluent in Japanese in order to learn Aikibudo.
If you are interested in a much more in depth treatise on the subject of Japanese for martial artists, our own Michael Hacker senseiโa professionally-trained linguist and polyglot with 10 years of experience living and training in Japanโhas written an extensive book on the subject which can be found at: thelanguageofaikido.com.
