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Terminology
Jitsu is a Japanese martial art and has a large amount of terminology from that language. However, different people know different amounts and the translations from Japanese often leave a little to be desired (as do the accents).
But here's a list of Japanese terms commonly used in Jitsu (together with a rating of how likely someone will know what you mean if you use it!). There's also some Jitsu-slang thrown in for good measure.
Ratings:
Likely | Less common | Uncommon
A | B | C | D | E | G | H | J | K | L | M | N | O | P | R | S | T | U | W | Y |
Japanese numbers
Used for counting and numbering techniques. However, cannot be used for long objects, people, etc. since different words are used in Japanese
Ichi
Ni
San
Shi
Go
Roku
Shichi
Hachi
Kyu
Ju
A
- AGE
- rising
- ARIGATO
- thank you. ‘Domo’ or even ‘sumimasen’ are usable alternatives
- ASHI
- leg, usually the lower part
- ATEMI
- body blows. Directed at vital points to incapacitate through pain or distraction
B
- BO
- staff (approx. 6')
- BOKKEN
- wooden training sword
C
- CHIBURI
- a sharp movement of the sword hand to shake off blood from a blade after a fight, before replacing it in the scabbard
- CHUDAN
- middle level (chest height)
- CUTAWAY
- A somersault in the air, usually over an obstacle, that ends in a back-breakfall position. Also known as "somersault with no-one there" and "handstand without hands"
D
- DACHI
- stance
- DOJO
- training hall. Literally ‘place for studying the way'
E
- EMBU
- Co-operation between partners
G
- GEDAN
- low level (abdomen and below)
- GERI
- kick
- GI
- training uniform
H
- HAJIME
- begin. An instruction from the sensei to begin attacking or defending as part of a demonstration
- HAKAMA
- split black skirt worn by sensei
- HARA
- area from bottom of stomach to groin (loins)
- HIDARI
- left
- HIZA
- knee
J
- JIME
- choke or strangle. Collectively, chokes and strangles are ‘shime-waza’
- JITSUKA
- a practitioner of jitsu
- JIU JITSU
- gentle art
- JO
- short staff (approx. 4'). Also ‘principle’, the surface on which a contest takes place and ‘high/upper’
- JODAN
- upper level (head-level or higher)
K
- KATA
- Form or shoulder. A form is a prearranged series of techniques designed to increase familiarity with the techniques, improve them and add fluidity. When perfected, a kata should come without thinking.
- KATAME
- grappling
- KATANA
- long sword of the Samurai
- KI-AI
- shout with vital energy. Used to give power and intent to a strike as well as to distract or frighten an opponent.
- KIBA DACHI
- horse stance. The instruction ‘kiba dach’ is used by the sensei at the beginning of the session and means ‘assume the horse stance’. The students must then, in unison, move their left feet away from their right feet so that they stand in a horse-riding position, their hands gripping the reins.
- KIHON
- basic/fundamental techniques. Most martial arts are composed of the three Ks— Kihon, Kata and Kumite (sparring). Jitsu has relatively little kumite.
- KUZUSHI
- unbalancing [nine directions]
- KYU
- coloured belt (degree)
L
- LOCKS
- Techniques that apply pressure to an attacker's joint to immobilise or incapacitate.
M
- MATSUI
- relaxation position. ‘Matsu’ is an instruction from the teacher for students to adopt this position. Breathing out through the mouth and in through the nose, the students sit in seiza, eyes-closed, considering the techniques they have learnt and practised.
- MAWASHI
- in a circle. Means ‘roundhouse’ when describing a kick or punch.
- MIGI
- right side
N
- NE WAZA
- the Judo system used in competitions for holding opponents to the floor. Jitsu’s groundwork system includes more dangerous pins and defences that cannot be used in competitions
- NUKITE
- spear hand. The hand assumes a diamond-like shape and is used for attacking the larynx and other small targets.
O
- OBI
- belt
- OSAE-KOMI WAZA
- immobilising techniques. Part of ne waza
- OTAGI NI REI
- bow to the dojo and all assembled. Used by the chief instructor to other club instructors in a dojo during the line-up in response to the students’ rei. It instructs them to return the bow.
R
- RANDORI
- free practice/judo sparring
- REI
- to bow
S
- SAYA
- a scabbard, usually for a katana
- SEIZA
- formal kneeling position
- SEMPAI
- A senior grade. Used by a junior grade when wishing to ask about a technique being taught or supervised by the senior grade. In a Japan, a sempai is an older man who guides and instructs a younger man he works with.
- SENSEI
- teacher. Used to refer to anyone of club-instructor rank or higher. A teacher who doesn’t have his or her own club is referred to as "sempai"
- SENSEI NI REI
- Instruction made by the senior grade during a line-up. Literally, it means "bow towards the teacher(s)". All grades then make a kneeling bow towards the instructor(s).
- SEOI
- literally ‘on the back’. Usually refers to the shoulder
- SHIHAN
- master. Refers to anyone of fifth dan or higher. The late Brian Graham was the only person in Europe referred to as shihan.
- SHIKKO
- knee walking/walking with square legs. When in the kneeling position, rather than stand then return to the kneeling position, Jitsuka use this ‘walk’ so they can remain kneeling.
- SHIME-WAZA
- choking techniques used in groundwork. Six are taught in Jitsu, all of which use the lapels of the gi
- SODE
- sleeve
- SU DACHI
- standing with feet together. The instruction ‘su dach’ to assume this position comes after ‘kiba dach’ in the lining up ceremony.
- SUTEMI
- sacrifice (literally ‘to risk one’s life in order to win). Used in reference to ‘sacrifice throws’ (sutemi-waza) in which the defender sacrifices his or her balance to throw the attacker.
- SUWARU
- to kneel down. Follows ‘su dach’ in the line-up ceremony.
T
- TANTO
- a short, straight-bladed knife or shortsword. Used to describe any knife. Jitsuka practice knifework with rubber or plastic-bladed knives until purple belt when live blades are introduced into training (with swords as well)
- TATAMI
- mat(s)
- TE
- hand
- throws
- Techniques that involve grabbing an attacker and manipulating their balance so they fall over in a particular way.
- TORI
- defender/technique demonstrator
U
- UCHI
- strike. Also, ‘inner’ when used in the name of a throw
- UKE
- attacker, or assistant. Also ‘floating’ when used in the name of a throw
- UKEMI
- breakfalling. A method of falling to prevent damage from a throw or push.
W
- WAZA
- technique(s). Typically refers to a group or set of techniques. For example, ‘te waza’ meaning ‘hand techniques’ (a group of throws that focus principally on the hand) and ‘nage waza’ meaning ‘throwing techniques’ (the branch of Jitsu that deals with throws as a response to an attack).
Y
- YAME
- An instruction to stop. For safety’s sake, students should stop as soon as is possible when they hear the command.
- YOI
- make ready. Used by an instructor to tell a student to guard him or herself for attacks in preparation for a demonstration of his or her knowledge.
- YOSHIN
- continue
Where we train
City Jitsu Club trains twice a week near Angel and the Barbican, London, EC1, at City University, Northampton Square, Islington.
Training times
Monday: 7.30pm–9pm
Friday: 7pm–9pm
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