Japanese Words & Phrases (Nihongo)

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Common Words and Phrases Necessary In Training

The following is a list of Japanese words and phrases that will be used consistently during training sessions. Words in Italics are direct translations.

  1. Rei Ho - Bowing in and out of class
  2. Dozo Onegae shimasu - Said when bowing into class. Please teach me.
  3. Arigato Gozaimashita - Said when bowing out of class. Thank you very much.
  4. Rei - bowing before and after a technique or in paired exercises. Bow.
  5. Hajime - Said by instructors. Indicates that you should begin the technique or exercise. Begin.
  6. Yame - Said by Instructors. Indicates that you should stop the technique or exercise. Stop.
  7. Hai - The response given by the student when the Instructor asks a question or commands a student. Yes.
  8. Iie - Will almost ALWAYS be used in Kiai. No.
  9. Tenkai - throwing technique where you pivot 180 degrees. Used in many techniques. Half turn.
  10. Bokuto - The wooden training sword
  11. Saya - The scabbard
  12. Saggeo - Chord attached to the scabbard
  13. Shinken - Live blade/sharp Katana
  14. Katana - Japanese sword
  15. Iaito - Katana with a dulled edge used for individual practice
  16. Shinai - Training sword made from wooden lathes tied together. Used in sparring exercises
  17. Shomen - Front of the dojo. When the Instructor says "Shomen", then you are being told to face froward.
  18. Metsuke - The direction of your gaze. When the Instructor says "Metsuke", then you focus your gaze in the appropriate direction.
  19. Kamae - Stance and Posture
  20. Kiri/Giri - Cut
  21. Tameshigiri - Live blade test cutting. The student cuts through Soaked straw mats to symbolize human muscle.
  22. Wara - Soaked straw mats used for cutting
  23. Makko - Front
  24. Migi - Right
  25. Hidari- Left
  26. Ushiro - Back
  27. Kiri Oroshi - Vertical Cut
  28. Kesa Giri - Diagonal cut from shoulder to hip
  29. Kiri Age - Diagonal cut from hip to shoulder
  30. Yoko Giri - Horizontal cut
  31. Tsuki - Stab
  32. Men - head
  33. Ko Te - Wrist
  34. Te - Hand
  35. Kubi - Neck
  36. Kisaki - Sword Tip
  37. Tsuba -  Hand Guard
  38. Tsuka -  Sword Handle
  39. Mune - Spine of the sword
  40. Nagashi - Deflect
  41. Uke - Block/Paired drill partner
  42. Hakama - Split-legged Japanese pants
  43. Obi - Japanese Belt
  44. Gi - Japanese shirt
  45. Tabi - Japanese split-toed socks
  46. Teno Uchi - Proper Grip
  47. Nigiri no Kata - Act of wringing the hands while cutting
  48. Nukitsuke - Act of drawing the sword
  49. Noto - Act of sheathing the sword
  50. Chiburi - Act of throwing blood from the sword