Basic Japanese Terminology and Techniques

Note: "ei" pronounced long "a" [example mei = may]

BO	Wooden staff
BOJUTSU	Staff fighting technique
BOKEN	Wooden sword
DOJO	Training hall
HA	Cutting edge of the sword
HAJIMEI	Begin
IAI	Drawing of the sword
IAITO	A practice metal sword
KAMAE	Stance or posture with weapon
KAMIZA	Spirit center of the dojo
KATA	The structure of a series of movements
KATANA	Long sword
KISSAKI	Tip of sword
KOIGUCHI	Mouth band on open end of scabbard
MAE	Command to move forward
MEN	Head. Called out to warn one's partner of a strike to the head.
MUNE	The unsharpened spine of the sword
OBI	Literally “belt.” Iaido uses a special, heavily stiffened belt, known as a sword obi.
REI	Command for a formal bow
SAYA	Sword scabbard
SAYABIKI	Pulling the saya
SEIZA	Command to sit in kneeling position
SENSEI	Teacher
SHURIKEN	Throwing spike
TAMESHIGIRI	Cutting
TSUBA	Sword guard
TSUKA	Handle of sword
USHIRO	Command to move backwards
WAZA	Technique
YAMEI	Stop
ZANSHIN	Focused intent

Four Basic Kamaes

1. Chudan: center position

2. Jodan: overhead position

3. Hasso: weapon raised, right hand even with cheek bone

4. Wake: hands below waist, tip of weapon pointed towards the rear

Draw straight out (or “Return straight in”).
Tsuba to Koiguichi horizontal draw, i.e., bring tsuba to koiguichi, draw blade in a horizontal line across the belly & capture kissaki
Chopsticks
Reverse hand horizontally, draw across belly
Reverse grip, little finger over tsuba

No.	Description	Chiburi	Noto
1	High, men block cut from jodan	1. Pounding fist	A. Draw straight out (or ìReturn straight inî).
2	Kneeling thrust to left rear	2. Short Horizontal cut to right	B. Tsuba to Koiguichi horizontal draw, i.e., bring tsuba to koiguichi, draw blade in a horizontal line across the belly & capture kissaki
3	Chopsticks thrust to throat	3. Chopsticks	C. Chopsticks
4	Gruntoóthe running tiger	4. Blade held horizontal to floor	B. Tsuba to Koiguichi horizontal draw, i.e., bring tsuba to koiguichi, draw blade in a horizontal line across the belly & capture kissaki
5	Spinning defense	5. Spinning return	A. Draw straight out (or ìReturn straight inî).
6	Draw, cut thigh to rear	7. Tsuba comes from rear to front directly to koiguichi	A. Draw straight out (or ìReturn straight inî).
7	Draw to blocking position, push with chi (ki)	6. Quick flip from chudan to wake	D. Reverse hand horizontally, draw across belly
8	Walking kata	1. Pounding fist	A. Draw straight out (or ìReturn straight inî).
9	Kneeling, look left, block & evade	8. Rapid inward motion drawing right across forearm to hara	E. Reverse grip, little finger over tsuba
10	Four-person attack with spinning block	6. Quick flip from chudan to wake	D. Reverse hand horizontally, draw across belly