Japanese Judo Vocabulary


Principles of Judo
Ju - the principle of non resistance, gentleness, yielding, or giving way
Do - way, path, or principle
Judo - the gentle way (the way of non resistance)
Seiryoku Zenyo - maximum efficiency (through minimum effort)
Jita Kyoei - mutual benefit and welfare

General Vocabulary
Sensei - teacher or instructor
Dojo - place or club where Judo is practiced
Gi (Judogi) - Judo uniform
Seiza - kneeling position
Anza - sitting position with legs crossed
Ritsurei - standing bow
Zarei - kneeling bow
Kiotsuke! - (come to) attention!
Rei! - bow!
Sensei Ni Rei! - bow! (to Sensei)
Uke - person receiving a judo technique
Tori - person performing a judo technique
Ukemi - falling way
Uchi Komi - practice without throwing (first two parts of the throw)
Randori - free practice
Kiai - shout of spirit during execution of technique
Counting
Ichi (Sho)
Ni
San
Shi (Yo/Yon)
Go
Roku
Shichi
Hachi
Ku
Ju
Ju Ichi
Ju Ni
Ju San
Ju Shi (Ju Yon)
Ju Go
Ju Roku
Ju Shichi (Ju Nana)
Ju Hachi
Ju Ku
Ni Ju
Ni Ju Ichi
...
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
13
14
15
16
17
18
19
20
21
etc.

Gripping, Posture and Throwing Principles
Kumi Kata - methods of gripping an opponent
Shizen Hontai - fundamental natural posture
Jigo Hontai (Jigotai) - fundamental defensive posture
Aiumi Ashi - normal walking
Tsugi Ashi - follow foot walking
Tai Sabaki - pivoting or turning the body
Kuzushi - off balance (first element of a throw)
Tsukuri - fit, entry into a throw (second element of a throw)
Kake - execution of a throw (third element of a throw)

Vocabulary Related to Names of Judo Techniques
Ashi - foot or leg
Harai (Barai) - sweeping action with the leg or foot
Dori - grab
Eri - lapel of the Judo gi
Gaeshi (Kaeshi) - counter or reversal
Gake - hook
Garami - entangle or twist
Gari - reap
Gatame - pin or (joint) lock
Goshi (Koshi) - hip
Guruma - wheel
Gyaku - reverse
Ha - wing
Hane - springing action
Hara - stomach
Harai (Barai) - sweeping action with the leg or foot
Hadaka - naked
Hidari - left
Hiji - elbow
Hineri - twisting
Hishigi - crush
Hiza - knee
Hon - basic or fundamental
Jigoku - hell
Juji - cross
Jime (Shime) - choke or strangle
Kaeshi (Gaeshi) - counter or reversal
Kami - upper
Kata - single or shoulder
Kesa - scarf
Kibisu - heel
Ko - minor
Komi - pull
Kote - wrist
Kuzure - variation
Makikomi - winding
Makura - pillow
Mata - thigh
Migi - right
Morote - two-handed
Mune - chest
Nami - normal
O - major
Obi - belt
Okuri - sliding
Otoshi - to drop
Ryote - two handed
Sankaku (Sangaku) - triangle
Sasae - blocking
Seoi - shoulder
Shiho - four corners
Shime (Jime) - choke or strangle
Sode - sleeve
Soto - outer or outside
Sukashi - counter or evasion
Sukui - scoop
Sumi - corner
Tai - body
Tate - straddle
Te - hand
Tomoe - circle
Tsuki - thrusting
Tsuri - lift
Uchi - inner
Ude - arm
Uki - floating
Ura - back
Ushiro - reverse or rear
Utsuri - change or transfer
Wake - armpit
Yoko - side

Tournament Vocabulary
Shiai - tournament (formal randori)
Hajime! - start! or begin!
Matte! - stop!
Sore Made! - end of match!
Sono Mama! - freeze!
Yoshi! - resume!
Ippon! - full point score
Waza Ari! - half point score
Waza Ari Awasete Ippon! - Waza Ari + Waza Ari = Ippon
Yuko! - score (less than Waza-Ari)
Koka! - score (less than Yuko)
Shido! - minor penalty
Hansokumake! - major penalty
Hantei! - decision
Hiki Wake! - draw
Kohaku - "winner stays up" form of shiai
Tentori - elimination form of shiai