Number translations
ichi 1
ni 2
san 3
shi (yon) 4
go 5
roku 6
shichi 7
hachi 8
ku (kyuu) 9
juu 10

Word translations
A
Age from ageru, to lift or raise, elevate
Age uke in karate, a rising block
Aikido way of harmony; modern martial art based on using opponent's energy against themselves
Aite opponent
Amado kyusho(rain doors), lymph glands around lower neck
Anado both sides
Anatoshi trapping
Ankokutoshinjutsu techniques for seeing in the darkness
Arashi storm
Asagasumi kyusho(morning mist), just under chin (or the chin itself)
Ashi leg; foot
Ashiko spiked foot bands, see also shuko
Ashikubi ankle
Ate blow, strike
Atemi a strike to setup a technique
Atsu press
Atto press down
Awase from awaseru, to meet together
B
Bakufu military government of Japan
Barai from harau, to sweep
Bansenshukai 10,000 rivers gather into the sea; ancient (ca. 1676) book on ninjutsu
Battojutsu sword-drawing techniques; art of drawing the sword
Benkai inside of shinbone
Bikenjutsu art of the sword, swordsmanship
Bisento heavy broad-bladed halbard
Bo stick; (usually six-foot) staff, also Rokushaku bo
Bo jutsu art of fighting with a staff
Bo shuriken straight throwing blades
Bobino kamae defensive stance
Boryaku battlefield strategy
Bokken wooden sword
Boku tree
Boshiken thumb strike, also shito ken
Bu martial
Budo martial ways
Budoka one who studies the martial ways
Bufuikkan may the martial wind blow every day
Bugei martial arts
Bugeisha martial artist
Bugeijuhappan eighteen warrior skills, can vary depending on period
Bujin warrior spirit
Bujutsu martial arts, martial techniques
Bumon martial gate
Bushi Japanese warrior
Bushido way of the bushi
Butsumetsu kyusho(day the Buddha died), four places by 3rd rib
Buyu martial friends
C
Chi earth
Chimon geography
Choho espionage
Chu middle
Chudan middle level
Chunin historically, a mid-level (organizer) ninja agent; see also jonin and genin
D
Dai large, big, great
Daikomyo In Buddhism, it is the big bright light of Buddha. In ninjutsu, it is the illumination from the inside to the outside. This can be experienced as the light of your heart on the physical plane. See also shikin haramitsu daikomyo.
Daimon kyusho(big gate), middle of shoulder joint
Daisho pair of swords worn in the belt
Daito large sword, worn blade facing up
Dakentaijutsu striking (punching and kicking) methods of ninjutsu
Dan

lit. step; indicates level above black belt

Den legend, tradition
Densho transmission scrolls or manuscripts, see also makimono
Do i) motion; change; ii) path, road, way; iii) the trunk of the body
Do jime torso choke
Dojo lit. way place; a training hall
Dojo Cho leader or head of a dojo
Doko angry tiger
Dokono kamae angry tiger defensive stance
Dokkotsu kyusho(single bone), Adam's apple
Dome from tomeru, to stop
Don ton jutsu earth concealment techniques
Dori from toru, to seize, capture; also tori
E
Empi elbow
Eri lapel; collar
F
Fu i) negation; ii) wind
Fudo immobility
Fudo ken clenched fist
Fudoshin immovable spirit
Fudoza immovable seat
Fukiya blowguns
Fukuroshinai bamboo training sword covered in leather
Fuko crouching tiger
Furi to swing
Futaridori dual catch, held by two opponents
G
Gaeshi from kaesu, to turn over, roll, throw, counterattack; also kaeshi
Gake hook; also kagi and kake
Gakure from kakureru, to hide, disappear
Ganbette keep going; persevere
Ganmen the face
Ganseki a rock
Garami from karamu, to entangle, entwine
Gari from karu, to reap
Gasshono kamae greeting stance
Gata i) one; ii) style, type, pattern
Gatame from katameru, to tighten; also katame
Gawa side
Ge low
Gedan lower level
Genin historically, a low-level (operative)ninja agent; see also chunin and jonin
Genjutsu arts of illusion
Geri from keru, to kick; see keri
Gi martial arts uniform
Gikan regard for justice
Giri i) duty; obligation; ii) to cut, also kiri
Go five
Godai lit. big five; refers to five elements; see also gogyo
Goe voice; tone
Gogyo five principles; also refers to five elements, earth, water, fires, air and void
Gojogyoku principle of five feelings and desires
Gokui hidden; secret
Gokuraku paradise
Gomennasai excuse me, I'm sorry
Go no sen seizing the initiative at the moment the opponent attacks
Gorin kyusho(five rings), around the stomach
Goroshi from korosu, to kill
Gotonpo five element concealing and escaping methods
Gyaku reverse; opposite; inverted
Gyakujime reverse choke
Gyoku gem, jewel; testicles
H
Hachi eight
Hachimaki white cotton headband
Hadome kyusho(pallet), one inch below ear, end of tooth line
Hai yes
Haibuyori from behind
Hajime start
Hajutsu escaping techniques
Hakama formal divided skirt; wide legged pants
Han half
Hanbo lit. half-staff; stick (usually 3 feet)
Hanbojutsu stick fighting techniques
Hane i) from haneru, to leap, spring up; ii) wing
Haneage jump up, spring up
Hanegoshi in judo, spring hip throw
Hanemaki komi in judo, winding hip throw
Hanmi in aikido, half-forward stance; similar to taijutsu's ichimonji
Happa eight leaves, clapping the ears
Happaken open-handed strike
Happo eight sides; in all directions
Happohiken eight methods of secret swords
Happoshuriken eight pointed throwing blades
Harai from harau, to sweep; also barai
Haraigoshi sweeping hip throw
Haramitsu also known in Sanscrit as paramita which is Buddha's satori or a permanent state of spiritual awakening that transcends the limitations of life and death. The general idea behind the 6 paramita is freedom from bearing grudges, pain, jealousy and building a relationship with the world outside of yourself. See also shikin haramitsu daikomyo.
Hashigoyari a ladder spear
Hasso to attack
Heiho martial principles, military strategy
Henka variation
Hensojutsu disguise and impersonation techniques
Hi i) secret; ii) to fly
Hicho flying bird
Hichono kamae crane defensive stance
Hidari left
Hiden concealed, secret; also gokui
Hiji elbow, also empi
Hijiate elbow strike, also shuki ken
Hijiori elbow break
HikenJuroppo sixteen secret fist methods of ninjutsu
Hiki from hiku, to pull
Hira flat, even, level
Hirano kamae one-line receiving stance
Hirashuriken flat blades
Hiryuran kyusho(flying dragon confuser), eyeballs
Hishi dried water chestnuts used as caltrops
Hisoken secret spear fist
Ho i) used to express concept of the Buddhist Darma (law/truth); methods, ii) direction, way, rule; also po
Hodoki get loose, get untied, escape
Hoi encircling
Hojo binding; securing
Hojojutsu binding techniques; using a cord to restrain prisoners
Hoko encircling tiger
Hoko no kamae encircling tiger receiving stance
Hon true; principal; main; foundation
Hon gamae basic set-up position
Hon gyaku base reversal to the wrist
Hon jime basic choke
Hontai i) main body; ii) morality
Hoshi kyusho(star), nerve point near armpit
Hoshi shita kyusho(under the stars), elbow joint
I
I mind, heart; will, intention
Iaido way of sword-drawing
Iaijutsu sword-drawing techniques
Ichi one
Ichimonji the character for one in Japanese, left to right
Ichimonjino kamae one-line defensive stance
Igadama spiked iron or steel balls used as caltrops
Iie no
In kyusho(shadow), xiphoid bone
Inashigata form of skillfully avoiding and upsetting opponent's attack
Inpo the art of hiding
Inton concealment and camouflage
Iri from hairu, to enter
Irimi entering, moving in
Itaken broad blades
Itami pain
Itamijime painful choke
Itto sword
J
Jakkotsu/jakkin kyusho(weak bone/weak muscle), upper arm between bone and biceps
Jigoku hell
Jihino kokoro benevolent heart
Jime from shimeru, to tighten or constrict; also shime
Jin man, low
Jinbujinfusatsu God's rule for bujin not to kill people
Jinchu kyusho(center of man), base of the nose
Jo i) medium length stick (usually 4 feet); ii) top
Jodan upper level
Jowan upper arm
Ju ten
Jujiro kyusho(crossroads), front of shoulder
Jumonji the character for ten in Japanese, a cross
Jumonjino kamae cross offensive stance
Junantaiso taijutsu conditioning exercises
Jutaijutsu grappling techniques; throws, locks, chokes and holds
Jutsu techniques; art
Jutte single-tined truncheon
K
Ka fire
Kaeshi from kaesu, turn over, throw, counter-attack; also gaeshi
Kaeshiwaza counter techniques
Kagi hook, also kake
Kaiten rolling
Kakitsubo kyusho (side bowl), hollow area of armpits
Kake hook; also kagi and gake
Kaku angle; horn, knee
Kakushibuki hidden weapons, refers to all small weapons that can be hidden
Kakushigeri sweeping, crescent kick
Kamae stance, posture
Kamiyari sickle spear
Kamiza gods; shrine honoring the spirits
Kansetsu joints; used with techniques to describe dislocating
Kansetsugeri in karate, knee-joint kick
Kappi lively jump
Karamu to entangle, entwine
Karate lit. empty hand, or china hand; a martial art that stresses punching and kicking techniques
Kashira head
Kasumi kyusho (fog, mist), temple
Kata i) one; ii) style, type, pattern iii) pre-arranged forms
Kataginu stiff sleeveless robe for samurai on ceremonial occasions
Katame from katameru, to tighten; also gatame
Katana sword
Katate one hand
Katatedori kubijime single-hand neck choke
Kawa side
Ken i) fist; ii) sword
Ken no michi the way of the sword
Kenkotsu kyusho (healthy bone), 4 points on skull around tenkotsu
Kenshi expert swordsman
Keppan blood oath made when entering a ryu
Keri from keru, to kick; see geri
Ki i) rise; ii) spirit, mind, heart, soul
Ki ken spirit fist
Kiai a focused shout to disrupt the opponent
Kiaijutsu techniques of kiai
Kihon basic, fundamental
Kikaku ken kyusho (demon horns fist), head butt; also zu tsuki
Kime focus, both physical and mental
Kimon kyusho (monster gate), chest muscle
Kimono traditional Japanese dress
Kinketsu kyusho (forbidden opening), sternum
Kiri i) from kiru, to cut; ii) mist, fog; i ii) neck
Kiriage rising cut; cutting upwards
Kiten ken sword hand strike, also shuto ken
Koashi small steps for walking through foliage and water
Ko i) child; ii) hook, barb; i ii) small; iv) tiger
Kobudo ancient martial ways
Kocho butterfly
Kodachi short sword
Koe kyusho (voice), hollow area of hip bones
Kogoroshi killing the child, pinky break
Koho rear, back
Kohogeri back kick
Kokoro spirit, heart, mind; also shin
Koku empty space
Kokyu breath, breathing
Kongo ken hammer fist
Koppo i) bone; ii) secret
Koppo ken thumb knuckle strike
Koppojutsu bone-breaking techniques
Koroshi from korosu, to kill
Koryu classical or old tradition
Kosei kyusho (tiger force), testicles, also suzu
Kosei no kamae tiger offensive stance
Koshi hip, loin
Koshijutsu organ and muscle strikes
Koshitsubo kyusho (hip bowl), middle or inside ridge of hip bone
Kote wrist
Kotegaeshi outside wrist turn, also omote gyaku
Kotsu bone
Ku i) air, sky; emptiness; void; ii) nine
Kubi neck
Kubiura jime rear neck choke
Kubisuji nape of neck
Kudaki from kudaku, to break, smash, shatter
Kuden oral teachings
Kuji nine signs; mudra used in esoteric Buddhism
Kujikiri used by ancient ninjas to channel energy
Kujiki from kujiku, to wrench, sprain
Kukan space
Kuki air, formless energy
Kumiuchi grappling, close fighting
Kumitachi sword practice with a partner
Kumo cloud
Kumobashigo spider ladder
Kumon chest
Kunoichi female ninja
Kuruma vehicle, ride
Kusaridogu chain weapons
Kusarifundo weighted chain
Kusarigama sickle and chain
Kuzushi from kuzusu, to break; in Budo, to break the balance of an opponent
Kyo unpreparedness; false
Kyojitsu falsehood and truth, ie. Deception, feinting
Kyojitsutenkan ho theory of alternating appearances of reality
Kyoku emptiness
Kyokei kyusho (strong tendons), top of the foot just above the toes
Kyoketsushoge hooked blade weapon with weighted chain or cord attached
Kyokotsu the sternum, breastbone
Kyoman observation and perception
Kyomon religious teachings
Kyonin no jutsu taking advantage of fears and superstitions
Kyu student grade below black belt
Kyudo way of the bow, modern Japanese archery
Kyusho vital or pressure points, weak points
L
no entry
M
Ma-ai combative engagement distance between two opponents
Mae front
Mae geri front kick
Mae no sen taking the initiative, attacking the instant the opponent thinks about it
Maki winding, wrapping; scrolls
Makikomi from makikomu, to enfold
Makimono scrolls, ancient manuscripts, see also densho
Mata inner part of the thigh
Matte from matsu, wait
Matzukaza kyusho (pine-tree wind), just above and below the ends of the clavicles
Maw ashi from mawasu, to rotate
Maw ashi geri round kick
Mawatte turn around
Me eye
Meijin master
Men the face
Menbu kyusho, the face or forehead area
Men uchi a strike to the head
Menkyo license, teacher's certificate
Menkyokaiden full proficiency certificate
Metsubushi blinding substances; smoke, sand, pepper, etc.
Mi body, person; also tai
Michi path or way, also do
Migi right
Mikkyo i) esoteric Buddhism; ii) secret doctrines
Mimi ear
Mitsukudaki three kiai's in ninjutsu to break the opponent's chance, his techniques and finally his body
Mizu water, also sui
Mizu no kokoro a mind like water; a perfectly calm mind sensitive to all impressions
Moko fierce tiger
Mokuso meditate, close the eyes
Morote both hands
Mu i) negation; ii) mist, fog;
Mune chest
Munenmuso no desires, no thoughts; a state of "no mind" or mushin
Murasame kyusho (village rain), notch between clavicles
Musan scattering fog
Musha warrior
Mushin lit. no mind; original mind, a mind not fixed on anything and open to everything
Mute no hands
Muto no sword
Muto dori unarmed defense against a sword
N
Nagare to flow
Nage from nageru, to throw
Nagashi flow
Naginata halbard, long pole with curved blade on the end
Nana seven; also shichi
Naname diagonal direction, oblique
Nashi none
Nekoashi dachi in karate, cat leg stance
Nekote finger-tip weapons of steel for kunoichi
Ni two
Nihogiri cutting in two directions
Nin i) endurance, perseverance, forbearance; ii) stealth, secretiveness, concealment; also shinobi
Ninja shadow warrior
Ninja juhachikei eighteen levels of ninja training
Ninja ken short sword used by ninja, also shinobi gatana
Ninpo the higher order of ninjutsu
Ninpoikkan may ninpo be our primary inspiration
Ninpomikkyo secret knowledge of ninpo
Ninposanjurokkei 36 ninpo skills combining eighteen samurai and eighteen ninja skills
Nitto two swords
No possessive particle, of
Nukiashi sweeping step ninja use in walking
O
O large, big, great
Obi belt
Odachi long sword
Okuden inner or hidden teachings
Omote outside; front; obvious
Omotesokugyaku geri inside-edge foot kick
Oni devil, demon, monster
Onibi no jutsu art of the demon fire
Onshinjutsu hiding techniques, art of invisibility
Ori from oru, to break
Osae from osaeru, to press down, immobilize
Osaewaza pinning or immobilization techniques
O sensei great teacher, honorific
Oshigiri a push cut, type of cutting action used with sword
Osotogari major outer reaping throw
Osotoguruma major outer wheel throw
Oten in taijutsu, a cartwheel
Otoshi from otosu, to drop
Oyagoroshi killing the parent, thumb break
P
PO i) from ho used to express concept of the Buddhist Darma (law/truth); ii) direction way, rule, methods
Q
no entry
R
Rai thunder
Randori free response training; sparring
Ransetsu blizzard, snowstorm
Rei bow, salute
Ritsudo rhythm
Roku six
Rokushakubo six foot staff
Ryaku abridgment; outline
Ryo both; two
Ryote two hands
Ryomunedori two handed chest grab
Ryoudejime two-arm choke or constriction
Ryu i) dragon; ii) school, tradition
Ryuha used synonymously with ryu
Ryufu kyusho (willow wind), windpipe
Ryuka kyusho (dragon under), the calves; also yaku
Ryumon kyusho (dragon gate), hollow point in bones of shoulder
S
Sai kyusho (crush), inner thigh
Sain kyusho (left passivity), below left eye; see also yuin
Sakki intuition of an attack, perception of an aggressive thought or intent
San three
Sankakujime triangular choke
Sanshindachi in karate, hour-glass stance
Sanshin no kata in taijutsu, spirit of three hearts practice forms
Saya sword scabbard
Satori enlightenment
Seigan no kamae see ichimonji no kamae
Seishinteki kyoyo spiritual refinement
Seishintanren spiritual forging
Seitaku kyusho (starry mud), hollow area in elbow joints
Seiza formal seated posture
Sempai senior student
Sen initiative; also 1000
Sen no sen seizing the initiative as soon as the opponent begins his attack
Senban flat throwing plates
Senkokujidai warring states period
Sennin mystic
Sensei lit. one who is born before, teacher
Seoi to carry on one's back; also zeoi
Setsu snow
Shaken throwing stars
Shako ken shrimp fist, claw strike
Shi i) finger; ii) four; also yon
Shibari from shibaru, to tie
Shichi seven; also nana
Shichibatsu kyusho (seven draws), side of hip
Shihan senior instructor
Shiho tobi 4 directional leaping
Shikan ken extended knuckle fist
Shikin sensation of harmony perceived by the sense of hearing and heart, see also shikin haramitsu daikomyo.
Shikinharamitsu daikomyo every experience in life is sacred and holds the possibility of showing the universal truth or enlightenment we seek.
Shikko a method of walking on the knees
Shikomizue a sword cane
Shikoro thin bladed tools and saws
Shikotzu kyusho (phalanx), crutch-like area of the thumb
Shime from shimeru, to tighten, constrict; also jime
Shin heart, mind, spirit
Shinai split bamboo practice sword
Shinchu kyusho (center of the heart), middle of the chest
Shinkengata true or real combat training
Shinobi expert in gathering information, spy; also ninja
Shinobiaruki ninja walking
Shinobigatana see ninja ken
Shinobi ho the art of stealth
Shinobiiri stealth and entering methods
Shinobijuhappan eighteen ninja skills
Shinobi no mono shadow warriors
Shinobizue hollow canes with concealed chain or blades
Shinto hiho secret teachings of Shinto
Shishin ken little needle strike
Shita under, below
Shitan ken fingertip strike
Shito ken thumb strike, also boshi ken
Shizen natural
Shizen ken the body as a natural weapon
Shizen no kamae natural receiving stance
Shomen the front
Shoshin no kamae stance of the first body
Shoten no jutsu climbing to the heavens (tree climbing)
Shoto short sword
Shu hand; arm
Shugyo severe training
Shuki ken elbow strike, also hiji ate
Shuko hand claws, see also ashiko
Shumon spiritual, religious gate
Shuriken throwing blades, stars
Shuto ken sword hand strike, also kiten ken
Sode sleeve
Sojutsu the art of fighting with a spear
Soke lit. head of a family; grandmaster
Sokkei groin
Sokki ken knee strike
Sokkotsu instep
Sokuhokaiten sideways roll
Sokuhogeri sideways kick
Sokuhotobi sideways leap
Sokuyakugeri lit. dancing foot kick; basic heel kick
Sokuyakusuitei geri horizontal heel kick
Sokugyakugeri toe kick
Sokutogeri sword foot; kick with edge of the foot
Soto outside
Sui water; also mizu
Suiren water training
Suigetsu kyusho (moon on the water), solar plexus
Suihei horizontal
Suki opening in opponent
Sutemi sacrifice, self-abandonment
Suwariwaza seated techniques
Suwatte sit down
Suzu kyusho (bell), testicles
Suzuzue priests ring topped walking staff
T
Tabi traditional split toe footwear
Tachi i) sword; ii) standing; also dachi
Tachiwaza standing techniques
Tai i) large, big, great; ii) the body
Tai ken the body fist
Taihenjutsu body movement techniques; rolling, leaping, tumbling
Taijutsu the art of moving the body; the basis of all fighting arts
Taisabaki natural body movement techniques; body evasion
Taisuru to face, confront; be opposite
Takagi tall tree, large tree
Take bamboo
Taki waterfall
Tameshigiri test cutting
Tanden abdomen, two fingers below navel; also hara
Tanto knife
Taoshi from taosu, to throw down
Tatami a straw mat
Te hand
Teki enemy
Tekubi wrist
Teisoku sole of the foot
Ten from tenjiro, to revolve, rotate
Ten heaven, sky; top
Tengu goblin known for its martial skills; said to be half man, half crow
Tenmon i) meteorology; ii) kyusho (heavenly gate) ridge of the eye socket
Tento kyusho (heavenly head), soft point on the head
Tessen iron fan
Tetsu iron
Tetsui iron hammer
Tetsuzan iron mountain
Tetsubushi metal caltrops
To i) and; ii) door; i ii) drop, fell; iv) head; v) sword
Tobi leaping
Tobikeri leaping kick
Toki kyusho, instep
Tomeru to stop
Tomoe huge comma, comma-patterned tile
Tomoe nage throwing in a big circle
Tori i) from toru, to seize, catch; also dori; ii) the one who executes techniques in training
Totoku hiyashi avoiding shuriken blades
Tsuba hand guard on the sword
Tsugibune collapsible boat
Tsuke from tsukeru, to attach, fix
Tsuki from tsuku, to thrust
Tsukiotosu to strike down
Tsure from tsureru, to take someone along with oneself
U
Uchi i) inside; ii) from utsu, to attack, defeat, destroy, conquer; a strike
Uchigake take down using the legs
Uchimata attack the inside of the thigh
Ude arm
Uke i) from ukeru, to receive; ii) attacker in training (receiver of the technique) iii) block as in jodan uke
Ukenagashi parrying
Ukemi lit. receiving with the body; rolling or falling so as to avoid injury
Ura inside; reverse
Urakimon kyusho (inner demon gate), ribs under pectoral muscle (between 4+5 ribs)
Urauchi backfist strike
Ushiro rear, back
V
no entry
W
Wakarimasu I understand
Waza technique
Waki the side or lateral
Wakizashi short sword
X
no entry
Y
Yaku kyusho (press), the calves; also ryuka
Yamabushi mountain warrior priest
Yame stop
Yamikeigo ninja practice in the dark
Yari spear
Yoi ready
Yojutsu supernatural tricks
Yoko side, horizontal
Yoko geri side kick
Yoko aruki sideways walking
Yokomen the side of the head
Yon four; also shi
Yoroi Japanese armor
Yoroikumiuchi battlefield grappling in armor
Yoshin raising spirit, raising heart
Yubi finger
Yugasumi kyusho (evening mist), hollow point behind ear
Yuin kyusho (right passivity), below right eye; see also sain
Yumi bow in archery
Z
Zanshin lit. remaining spirit; relaxed awareness after completing a technique
Zarei traditional seated bow
Zen i) front; ii) philosophy based on meditation and Buddhist principles
Zenkutsudachi in karate, forward stance
Zenwan forearm
Zenpo forward direction
Zenpokaiten forward roll
Zeoi from seou, to carry on ones' back
Zutsuki head butt, also kikaku ken