| term | meaning |
| Aikido | A martial system established by Ueshiba Morihei. Became popular after WWII with practioners all over Japan and around the world. The emphasis in Aikido is on utilizing the flow of ki to counter an attack. |
| Atemi | Punches and other sorts of strikes that are designed to distract and to weaken the defenses and/or balance. (lit., "ate" a strike; "mi" the body). |
| Awase | To blend or move together. (verb, "awaseru") Used to emphasize harmonizing or blending with the movement of one's partner. For example, partner practise with weapons may be done either "stop-start" or awase. |
| Bushido | The Feudal-Military Japanese code of behaviour; the way of the warrior or samurai. |
| Daito | Long sword |
| Genbukan | An organization established by Soke Tanemura Shoto sensei in 1984 for the purpose of preserving and teaching Ninpo and other ancient Japanese martial traditions. |
| Hanshi | Master. An honorary title given to the highest black belt of an organization, signifying their understanding of their art. b. Senior Master, Model Instructor, to be modeled after Shihan License Certification |
| Kamikaze | Lit. Wind (kaze) of the Gods (Kami). Twice, the Mongols threatened to invade the Japanese islands and twice their fleet was destroyed by Taiphoons (Hurricanes). This led the Japanese to believe that they were protected from invasion by the Gods. When the American fleet approached the islands in 1945, Emperor Hiro-Hito decided that they had to create their own "Wind of the Gods" to destroy the Americans with planes filled with explosives and manned by suicide pilots. |
| Kyoshi | Knowledgeable person. Usually this title is conferred at rokudan or shichidan, depending on system. b. Master, Teaching instructor (teacher of teachers) |
| Nage | If the "uke" is the person being thrown, the "nage" is the one who is doing the throwing. That's Nage as in "Ganseki-Nage" |
| Onegai Shimasu | A phrase used to ask a favor of someone, often "Will you please train me?" (Lit., I humbly make a request). Also Yoroshiku Onegai Shimasu is a more formal version and is used as the equivalent of, "Welcome to the Dojo" or "Pleased to meet you". |
| Renshi | "A person who has mastered oneself." This person is considered an expert instructor. This status is prerequisite before attaining the status as Kyoshi. Renshi means "has a name." Renshi is no longer one of the many, so to speak. Renshi is usually given at yodan to rokudan, depending on the system. |
| Seiza | a formal sitting position with the knees and legs folded under the body. Sitting cross-legged is called AGUA and is considered more informal. (Lit., correct (sei) sitting (za)). |
| Seppuka | A samurai's ritual suicide. It was a way for the samurai to reclaim his lost honor. |
| Shihan | A formal title meaning master or master instructor. A teacher of teachers. Generally a 5th Dan or above. |
| Uke | Often used as the definition of a "block" in japanese martial arts. It can also refer to the person being used as the receiver of a technique by another person(ie. the one being hit or thrown). |