Ai-yotsu = Same grip used by both persons, either right or left

Ashi = Foot, leg

Ashi Waza = Foot techniques

Atemi Waza = Striking techniques

Ayumi Ashi = Ordinary pattern of walking

Batsugun = Instant promotion

Budo = Martial ways

Bujutsu = Martial arts

Bushido = Way of the warrior

Dan = Black belt rank

Debana = Instant of opportunity to break balance as opponent initiates a motion

Dojo = School or training hall for studying the way

Eri = Collar, lapel

Fudoshin = Immovable spirit

Fusegi = Escapes

Fusen Gachi = Win by default

Goshin Jutsu = Art of self defense

Hajime = Begin

Hando no Kuzushi = Unbalancing by reaction

Hansoku-make = Most serious penalty, disqualification

Hantei = Referee call for judge’s decision

Happo no Kuzushi = Break Balance in 8 directions

Hara = Stomach

Hidari = Left

Hiji = Elbow

Hiki-wake = No decision–tie or draw

Hikite = Pulling hand — usually the hand gripping a sleeve

Hiza = Knee

Ippon = Victory in one move, one point

Jigotai = Defensive posture

Jikan = Referee call to stop the clock

Jita Kyoei = Principle of mutual prosperity

Joseki = Place of honor, upper seat

Judo = Gentle or flexible way

Judo Ichidai = A Judo life–Spending one’s life in the diligent pursuit of Judo

Judogi = Judo practice uniform

Judoka = One who studies Judo

Ju no Kata = Forms of gentleness

Ju no Ri = Principle of flexibility or yielding

Jujutsu = Gentle art

Kaeshi Waza = Counter techniques

Kake = Completion or execution of technique

Kansetsu Waza = Joint locking techniques

Kappo = Resuscitation techniques

Kata = Forms

Kata = Shoulder

Katame no kata = Forms of grappling

Katsu = Resuscitation

Kenka Yotsu = Opposite grips used by each person, one right/one left

Kiai = To gather spirit with a shout

Kime no Kata = Forms of decision

Kinshi Waza = Techniques prohibited in competition

Ki o tsuke = Attention

Kodansha = High ranking judoka — 5th dan and above

Kodokan = Judo institute in Tokyo where Judo was founded

Kogeki Seyo = Order for judoka to attack

Koka = Score less than a yuko

Koshi = Hip

Koshi Waza = Hip techniques

Kubi = Neck

Kumikata = Gripping methods

Kuzure = Modified hold

Kuzushi = Unbalancing the opponent

Kyoshi = Instructor

Kyu = Student rank

Maai = Space or engagement distance

Mae = Forward, front

Mae Sabaki = Frontal escape

Mae Ukemi = Falling forward

Masutemi Waza = Back sacrifice throws

Mate = Stop (wait)

Migi = Right

Mudansha = Students below black belt rank

Mune = Chest

Nage = Throw

Nage no Kata = Forms of throwing

Nagekomi = Repetitive throwing practice

Nage Waza = Throwing techniques

Ne Waza = Techniques on the ground

Obi = Judo belt

Okuden = Secret teachings

Osaekomi = Pin, referee call to begin timing

Osaekomi Waza = Pinning techniques

Osaekomi Toketa = Escape, stop timing of hold

Randori = Free practice

Randori no Kata = Forms of free practice techniques

Randori Waza = Techniques for free practice

Rei = Bow

Reiho = Forms of respect, manners, etiquette

Renraku Waza = Combination techniques

Ritsurei = Standing bow

Seika Tanden = A point in the abdomen that is the center of gravity

Seiryoku Zenyo = Principle of maximum efficiency

Seiza = Formal kneeling posture

Sen = Attack initiative

Sensei = Teacher, instructor

Shiai = Contest

Shiaijo = Competition area

Shido = Penalty, equal to koka score

Shihan = Title for a model teacher or “teacher who sets the standard” (i.e. Kano-shihan)

Shime Waza = Choking techniques

Shinpan = Referee

Shintai = Moving forwards, sideways & backwards

Shisei = Posture

Shizentai = Natural posture

Shomen Dojo = front

Sode = Sleeve

Soke = Founder of a martial art or ryu

Sono Mama = Stop action; command to freeze

Sore Made = Finished, time is up

Sute Geiko = Randori throwing practice against a higher level judoka

Sutemi Waza = Sacrifice techniques

Tachi Waza = Standing techniques

Tai Sabaki = Body control, turning

Tatami = Mat

Te = Hand, arm

Te Waza = Hand techniques

Tekubi= Wrist

Tokui Waza = Favorite or best technique

Tori = Person performing a technique

Tsugi Ashi = Walking by bringing one foot up to another

Tsukuri = Entry into a technique, positioning

Tsurite = Lifting hand

Uchikomi = Repeated practice without completion

Ude = Arm

Uke = Person receiving the technique

Ukemi = Breakfall techniques

Ushiro = Backward, rear

Ushiro Sabaki = Back movement control

Ushiro Ukemi = Falling backward

Waki = Armpit

Waza = Technique

Waza Ari = Near ippon or half point

Waza ari Awasete Ippon = Two waza-ari together for ippon

Yakusoku Geiko (or renshu) = Pre-arranged free practice

Yoko = Side

Yoko Kaiten Ukemi = Sideways rolling break fall

Yoko Sutemi Waza = Side sacrifice throws

Yoko Ukemi = Falling sideways

Yoshi = Resume action, continue

Yubi = Finger

Yudansha = Person who earned the black belt

Yudanshakai = Black belt association

Yuko = Score less than a waza-ari

Yusei Gachi = Win by judge’s decision

Zanshin = Awareness

Zarei = Kneeling salutation

Zenpo Kaiten Ukemi = Forward rolling break fall

Zubon = Pants