Japanese Budo Language Basics

nodojoninja

Japanese budo language basics is needed to learn budo (way of war) which comes from Japan. It helps to learn the meaning of the words used to descripe many things such as its postures & weapons. Here are some Japanese budo language basics to aid your learning of Ninjutsu.

Before we start learning the language, we must learn about the fantastic culture

Ralph Edwards

Director / Instructor

bu = war
jin = god / heaven / divine
kan = house (e.g. bujinkan) (e.g. kukan = ether house meaning 3rd point
do = way
jutsu = art
tai = body
hen = changing (e.g. taihenjutsu = body-changing art)
ryu = school
ninja = one who endures

sabaki = movement
sabaki gata = movement techniques
tai sabaki = body movement (the 13 directions)
san shin sabaki = 3 hearts movement (turning & straight)

mae / zenpo = forward
ushiro / koho = backward
yoko = sideways
sayo = forward diagonal
nanameh = backward diagonal
omoteh = outside
ura = inside

migi = right
hidari = left

down = otoshi / domeh
up = ag

oochi = strike
gyaku = twist
ken = strike / sword
tsuki = strike with hand
keri / geri (if is after) = strike with leg
dori = grab
- e.g. (kata or ryo) mooneh dori = chest grab
- e.g. (kata or ryo) te dori = wrist / hand grab
ho = grab
doki = release (e.g. te ho doki = hand grab release)
nage (“nageh”) = throw
oshi = push
ganseki = big rock (e.g. ganseki nage = big rock throw)
taki = bamboo / water (e.g. taki ori = bamboo break)
doki = free (e.g. taihodoki = release any body part)
koshu = sensetive point
shitan = fingertip
kudaki = break / crush (e.g. oni kudaki = demon crush)
uzumaki = spiral
nai = inside <– Hassan
gai = behind <– Hassan
sai: thigh <– Hassan
???) kagato
kage = hidden
kakushi: hidden, hiding Also pronounced Gakushi/Gakure
tobi: jump
soku: side / leg
ashi: leg
sokuyaku: leg

te = hand / wrist
mooneh = chest
shin = heart
hara = belly
tai = body
ashi = leg

hanka = variation
shizen = natural
kata = form / sequence (no kata when after a word e.g. shizen no kata) / single of something (e.g. kata te = 1 hand)
ryo = double of something (e.g. ryo te = double hands)
kamai / kamae = posture
waza / gata = technique
tori = technique giver (in Ninjutsu it is usually the defender)
uke = technique taker (in Ninjutsu is is usually the attacker)
ukemi = break-fall
kaiten = roll
joon = retreating / turning
yaburi = breaking
munen muso = no intention / thought
otonashi = soundless
han = half
nagareh = liquid / fluid
buyu: friend from same martial art
budoka: someone who train some martial art
tomodachi: friend