Introduction
~ This glossary has been compiled with children and new learners in mind. It is a list of common words and/or titles, and it is not intended to be a complete list of every word a student may hear or see written.
~ The majority of the terms described are universal to all traditional Japanese martial arts. In places however the descriptions will specify how a given term relates to the World Ju-Jitsu Federation (WJJF) specifically. For example, the belt system is described by WJJF standards and would not apply to other martial arts or governing bodies. Where readers wish to learn about those martial arts or their respective governing bodies, they may consult them for more information.
~ Each entry in this glossary is accompanied by the word(s) in Japanese text displayed in dark blue. Clicking on the Japanese text or the
~ Words before translation are displayed in light blue italics, followed by their translation in green italics. These are always in quotation marks.
~ Words in orange will jump to the related entry in this glossary, and purple words will open a new tab to an external site.
~ For quick searching in your browser, press โCrtl+Fโ to open a search bar, then type the word you are looking for.
Basic Terms
Budล | ๆญฆ้
โBuโ means โwarโ or โmartialโ and โdลโ means โwayโ or โpathโ. Combined they come to mean โWay of warโ. This is not a literal path, but your metaphorical journey towards something, in this case to becoming a warrior.
This is why the WJJF membership licence is called your โBudล Passโ. It is your record of all your learning!
Budลka | ๆญฆ้ๅฎถ
As we see above, Budล means โWay of warโ. ย โKaโ primarily means โhouseโ or โfamilyโ but can also mean โexpertโ or โprofessionalโ. The โKaโ is added as a suffix to indicate what a person is an expert of. The more literal translation would be โexpert in the way of warโ, but it is more commonly used to simply mean โmartial artistโ.
Bushidล | ๆญฆๅฃซ้
This builds on word Budล, adding in โShiโ, which means โA well-respected manโ. Put together the meaning becomes โWay of the Warriorโ.
Bushidล was the way of the Samurai life, similar to the concept of chivalry. It originates from the Samurai moral code and stresses frugality, loyalty, martial arts mastery, and honour unto death.
The Bushidล code is typified by eight core virtues:
- Benevolence / Compassion | ไป
(Jin) - (Heroic) Courage | ๅๆฐ
(Yลซki) - Duty and Loyalty | ๅฟ ็พฉ
(Chลซgi) - Honesty | ่ช
(Makoto) - Honour | ๅ่ช
(Meiyo) - Righteousness | ็พฉ
(Gi) - Respect | ็คผ
(Rei) - Self-Control | ่ชๅถ
(Jisei)
Dan | ๆฎต
The word โDanโ translates to โrankโ. The majority of the dan ranks are the number of the corresponding rank followed by โdanโ. For example โNidanโ is โ2nd rankโ, โSandanโ is โ3rd rankโ, and so forth.
The only exception to this is for โShodanโ as โShoโ means โbeginnerโ, making it actually โbeginner rankโ. โ1st rankโ would actually be โIchidanโ but this word is rarly used.
The โdanโ grades are all the belts including and above black belt. The WJJF ranks are, in order (with corresponding colours):
Shodan | ๅๆฎต (1st Dan) โ Pure black. Nidan | ๅผๆฎต (2nd Dan) โ Black with Green central stripe. Sandan | ๅๆฎต (3rd Dan) โ Blue and White alternating blocks. Yondan | ๅๆฎต (4th Dan) โ Black with Blue central stripe. Godan | ไบๆฎต (5th Dan) โ Red and White alternating blocks. Rokudan | ๅ ญๆฎต (6th Dan) โ Black and Red twin stripe. Scichidan / Shichidan | ไธๆฎต (7th Dan) โ Black and Red alternating blocks. Hachidan | ๅ ซๆฎต (8th Dan) Black with Red central stripe. Kudan | ไนๆฎต (9th Dan) โ Pure Red. (Same as Novice) Jลซdan | ๅๆฎต (10th Dan) โ Pure Red. (Same as novice and Kudan)
~ In English these are sometimes called โDegreesโ. A 1st Dan may say they have a โ1st degree black beltโ, a 2nd Dan may say they have a โ2nd degree black beltโ, and so forth.
~ There is a popular myth surrounding the origins of the black belt that claims students traditionally earned a black belt over many years of hard training, by causing their white belts to become so discoloured over time that it turned black. You can read more about this myth here.
~ The word Yลซdansha | ๆๆฎต่
~ Conversely a Mudansha | ็กๆฎต่
~ Yลซdansha who hold Nidan or above will actually have 2 belts, their formal belt and their practice belt. The formal belts are the coloured ones seen above and are often worn for gradings, seminars or other official functions. Their Shodan (1st Dan) belt is then used as a practice belt during normal training sessions. To show they are actually a higher rank, wearer add thin coloured stripes to the ends, starting with 2 stripes for 2nd dan, 3 stripes for 3rd, and so on.
~ Within the WJJF, once a person reaches Godan | ไบๆฎต
~ Also within the WJJF, once a person reaches Hachidan | ๅ
ซๆฎต
~ See also the Titles (Shลgล | ็งฐๅท) section below.
Dลjล | ้ๅ ด
The term literally translates as โplace of the wayโ from Japanese, though more often it roughly means โMartial Arts Schoolโ. This may be a dedicated building or room devoted to practising martial arts, or may be a temporary space. Some dลjลs may have multiple rooms where several classes can take place for different ability levels or skills being learnt.
Honbu Dลjล | ๆฌ้จ ้ๅ ด
โHonbuโ translates to โheadquartersโ, making a Honbu dลjล the central training facility and administrative headquarters of a particular martial arts style. For the WJJF this is โThe Clark Centreโ, located in Liverpool, UK.
Ju-Jitsu (aka โJiu-Jitsuโ, โJiujitsuโ, โJujitsuโ, โJลซjutsuโ) | ๆ่ก
โJลซโ can be translated to mean โgentleโ or โsoftโ, while โJitsuโ can be translated to mean โtechniqueโ or โartโ. Put together and it becomes โThe gentle artโ.
~ Modern Ju-Jitsu is based on the unarmed combat techniques used by the Samurai of medieval Japan, which they might have used if they ever found themselves without a weapon. It was designed to counter attacks from enemies wearing armour (as striking techniques were ineffective against them) instead focusing on throwing, immobilising, joint locks and choke holds.
~ There is no one correct spelling of the word when translating from Japanese to English, which is why the word is often written in various ways. You can read a detailed discussion into why here.
~ An older alternative name for Ju-Jitsu was Yawara | ๆ
Ju-Jitsuka (aka โJiu-Jitsukaโ, โJiujitsukaโ, โJujitsukaโ, โJu-Jutsukaโ) | ๆ่กๅฎถ
โKaโ primarily means โhouseโ or โfamilyโ but can also mean โexpertโ or โprofessionalโ. The โKaโ is added as a suffix to indicate what a person is an of. By adding it to the end of Ju-Jitsu it becomes โsomeone who practices Ju-Jitsu.โ
โJiu-jiteiroโ might also be used when referring to someone who practices Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu.
Kata | ๅ
This means โFormโ or โPatternโ. These are usually exercises consisting of a sequence of the specific movements of a martial art, used in training and designed to show skill in a technique.
For example, โstance kataโ is a routine consisting of standing in the different attack stances used in Ju-Jitsu, and would be used to teach student the different stances.
Keikogi (aka โGiโ) | ็จฝๅค็
This is the full name of the uniform. โKeikoโ means โpracticeโ and โGiโ means โclothesโ. In English the word โkeikogiโ is almost always shortened to just โgiโ, which would be incorrect when spoken in Japanese, but would be understood in context.
~ As the word translates to โpractice clothesโ it is a generic term, meaning it is not uncommon to hear other Japanese martial arts refer to their uniforms with different names such as โKarate-giโ or โJudo-giโ for Karate and Judo respectively. As you can see from their names, they essentially translate to โKarate clothesโ and โJudo clothesโ.
These uniforms will look very similar to other uniforms, with subtle differences in their construction.
For example the โKarategiโ tends to made of thinner, lighter material that is has a looser fitting allowing the wearer more flexibility and a wider range of motion.
A โJudogiโ on the other hand may use a thicker material and have more stitching along the seams to make it more resistant to tearing and to provide the wearer more protection for when they are thrown on the mat. In both cases and for other types of martial arts uniforms not mentioned here, they are all types of Keikogi.
~ The Keikogi can be made from a variety of parts. The most common combination is that of an Uwagi | ไธ็
Shitabaki | ไธๅฑฅใ
~ A possible addition to this is a Hakama | ่ขด
~ The modern Keikogi is widely accepted to have been first designed and implemented by Kanล Jigorล* around the turn of the 20th century. Professor Kanล had previously founded schools teaching a form of Ju-Jitsu that would later become known as Judo, and added the uniform so that students did not damage their own clothes.
(*In Japan, the family name comes before a personโs own name. If following the western method of personal name followed by family name, we would call him โJigorล Kanลโ)
~ Traditionally students practised in their own clothes which would be some style of Kimono, tied together with a wide fabric sash (the obi). When inventing the Judogi, Professor Kanล altered the Kimono and obi to make them practical for use in Judo. Other martial arts then took his basic design and adapted it to suit their specific needs.
~ There is a popular myth surrounding the origins of the black belt that claims students traditionally earned a black belt over many years of hard training, by causing their white belts to become so discoloured over time that it turned black. You can read more about this myth here.
~ In the WJJF the Kyลซ grades wear a white Keikogi, while the Dan grades wear a dark blue Uwagi and a white Shitabaki that also has blue trimming on the sides. Very high ranking members of the WJJF may also wear a red Uwagi.
Kyลซ | ็ด
Like Dan, โKyลซโ also translates to โrankโ but can also mean โ[school] classโ. If โDanโ is synonymous with โdegreeโ, then Kyลซ is synonymous with โdiplomaโ or โcertificateโ.
The Kyลซ grades are the coloured belts taken prior to reaching Shodan (1st Dan). These are regarded as the โbasicโ ranks, and traditionally are numbered in reverse order to indicate how far away the holder is from Shodan. Essentially, the kyลซ is the number of steps before reaching mastery whereas the Dan gives steps into mastery.
Within the WJJF the Kyลซ grade belts go as follows:
Mukyลซ | ็ก็ด (Gradeless) โ Red belt. Kyลซkyลซ | ไน็ด (9th Kyลซ) โ White Belt. Hachikyลซ | ๅ ซ็ด (8th Kyลซ) โ Yellow Belt. Nanakyลซ | ไธ็ด (7th Kyลซ) โ Orange belt. Rokukyลซ | ๅ ญ็ด (6th Kyลซ) โ Green belt. Gokyลซ | ไบ็ด (5th Kyลซ) โ Blue and White belt. Yonkyลซ | ๅ็ด (4th Kyลซ) โ Blue belt. Sankyลซ | ไธ็ด (3rd Kyลซ) โ Purple belt. Nikyลซ | ไบ็ด (2nd Kyลซ) โ Brown and White belt. Ikkyลซ | ไธ็ด (1st Kyลซ) Brown belt.
~ Unlike the Dan grades, in western speaking countries it is common to refer to the colour of the belt rather than the name of the rank, for example saying you are a โGreen beltโ rather than a โRokukyลซ.โ
~ The lowest Kyลซ belt (Red belt in the WJJF) is called the Mukyลซ | ็ก็ด
~ The word Yลซkyลซsha | ๆ็ด่
Osu no Seishin | ๆผๅฟใฎ็ฒพ็ฅ
This is actually 2 phrases that often get mixed up and used interchangeably.
~ The word โOsuโ is a contraction of the characters โOshiโ meaning โpushโ, and โShinobuโ which means โto persevereโ or โto endureโ. Put them together and we get โto persevere while being pushedโ.
~ โOsu no Seishinโ translates to โOshido spiritโ or โSpirit of Osuโ. In other words, it means โthe spirit of endurance.โ
This is a symbolic phrase, used to remind students and yourself to keep trying, to push your limits. It might be used as a โWell doneโ or show of support to recognise the effort another person has put in. You might say this to your Uke after you have practised with them.
~ A good analogue to this in English is the phrase โNo pain, no gain.โ
~ Over time however the phrase became shortened to just โOsuโ or โOssโ, which both are pronounced โOsโ.
Rei | ็คผ
This word for the most part means โrespectโ, โthanksโ or โpolitenessโ, as it is used to show respect to others. This is most often seen by bowing. The lower a person bows, the more respect they are showing to the person they are bowing towards. This can range from bending at the waist a short distance (around 20 degrees), a deep standing bow (around 90 degrees) to even kneeling on the floor and bending at the waist so that your head is just above the floor.
Common practices are to bow when entering and leaving the dลjล, at the beginning and end of classes, or before performing a Kata.
There are rules to how a proper rei should be performed:
- A rei should be done slowly and in a controlled manner, pausing for a moment at the bottom of the bow before returning to standing.
- You must keep your back and neck straight, bowing at the waist. Slouching while bowing is seen as disrespectful.
- As you are keeping your neck straight, you would not look at the person you are bowing to until you have returned to normal standing.
- Most of the time a rei is done silently, but talking is allowed. When performing a kata you will often say the name of the Kata you are about to do as you bow. Shouting however is not allowed and is considered rude.
- Men bow with their hands beside their body, while women do so with their hands in front of their hips.
- See also this video guide
Ryลซ | ๆต
This roughly means โstyleโ, โsystemโ, or โschoolโ and it is used as a suffix on the end of words. In English it is used to refer to schools of martial arts. This makes the dลjล the place of learning, while the Ryลซ is the content you learn.
The WJJF uses a modified version of Hontai Yลshin-ryลซ | ๆฌ้ซๆฅๅฟๆต which Sลke Robert Clark studied while in Japan.
Samurai | ไพ
The word โSamuraiโ literally means โto serveโ, though it is more synonymous with โWarriorโ. The Samurai were warriors who were usually associated with a clan and their lord (the Daimyล | ๅคงๅ
~ The Samurai were trained to use a wide range of weapons, including the Katana (sword), Naginata (glaive), Rokushakubล (staff), and Yumi (Longbow). The Samurai also used Ju-Jitsu as a method of unarmed combat.
~ The Samurai existed as a social class for around 1,100 years. Many parts of their life changed over this time period, including their role(s) in society, the privileges they held and how they fought battles. Because of this there isnโt one definitive answer as to who the Samurai were.
~ A Samurai who didnโt serve a lord would be known as a Rลnin | ๆตชไบบ
Tatami | ็ณ
A Tatami is a floor mat. Traditionally these were woven from rice-straw and/or rush grass and reenforced with thin bamboo, and were placed over the earth or wooden floors inside Japanese buildings. This includes the training mats used in a dลjล. Modern training Tatami tend to be made from foam, rubber or vinyl.
Uke | ๅใ
โUkeโ roughly means โreceiverโ. The uke is your training partner who provides an attack for you to practice defending against, ending up as the person who gets thrown. When you attack a training partner, you are their Uke.
~ The terms for the person practising a move depends on what it is they actually do to defend from the attacking Uke. The 3 main terms used are Nage | ๆใ
Ukemi | ๅ่บซ
โUkemiโ translates to โpassiveโ, but in the martial arts means โthe art of falling safelyโ. In English this might be known as a โBreakfall practiceโ or โtumblingโ. The Ukemi is the action an Uke takes to prevent injury to themselves. It is the art of knowing how to respond correctly to an attack and often incorporates skills to allow one to do so safely. Ukemi practice is a valid exercise in itself.
Titles / Shลgล | ็งฐๅท
~ These titles are primarily used in relation to martial arts classes, and generally are not used outside of the dลjล. For example imagine a person, โMr John Smithโ. Once they enter the dลjล they may be addressed as โSensei John Smithโ, โSensei Johnโ, โSensei Smithโ or even simply โSenseiโ.
~ Many of these titles overlap as some refer to a persons rank or skill as a coach/teacher, while others refer to their rank within a wider organisation. For example, a person could be both Sลke and Hanshi. In this situation you refer to them by their higher title which in this example would be Sลke.
~ In western dลjลโs different people will have their own preferences for how they prefer to be addressed, but it is a polite formality to address them as their title or simply as โSenseiโ if you are unsure of their exact title. In traditional Japanese dลjลโs however you would always address a person by their family name followed by their title, as in โSmith Sensei.โ
Uchi-deshi | ๅ
ๅผๅญ
~ Literally meaning โinside studentโ, this is a Japanese term for a live-in apprentice who assists and trains under a Sensei at their Dลjล on a full-time basis. They would help the Sensei carry out tasks such as sweeping the floors, opening the Dลjล to students or other tasks that the Sensei might have done, as well as training in all classes that Sensei runs. A student would become an Uchi-deshi in order to learn how to run a Dลjล.
~ A person might typically do this for 2-3 years prior to earning their Shodan belt though in many martial arts it is not a requirement.
~ In contrast to Uchi-deshi, students who live outside of the dลjล are referred to as Soto-deshi | ๅคๅผๅญ
~ The WJJF recognises the position of Uchi-deshi, but nobody in the WJJF currently holds this title.
Sensei | ๅ
็
The term literally means โone who has gone beforeโ. Within the martial arts it is generally used to mean โinstructorโ or โteacherโ, though in Japan this is a more general term for โsomeone more experiencedโ and as such โSenseiโ is an not a protected word in the same way โDoctorโ or โDentistโ are.
~ A good analogue to this in English may be โSirโ or โmadamโ.
Renshi | ้ฌๅฃซ
This can be translated to โPolished Instructorโ. This is a rarely used title that can be used to indicate a relatively โjuniorโ level instructor who doesnโt coach full time or professionally. This may akin to volunteer who has been helping out for several years.
Kyลshi / Kyoushi | ๆๅธซ
In Japan this is a classification of a job, like a bank clerk or a secretary. In this case it most commonly translates to โteacherโ or โeducatorโ. The word may also be written as โKyoushiโ and carries the same meaning.
Shihan | ๅธซ็ฏ
This word refers to an โexpert teacherโ, though the individual Kanji that make up the word directly translate to โexpertโ and โexampleโ or โmodelโ.
As such, it is synonymous with a โgood exampleโ or a โrole modelโ. In this case, it would be an expert teacher who is considered a good role model to other teachers, though not specifically a โteacher of teachersโ.
Hanshi | ็ฏๅฃซ
Hanshi translates literally as โexemplary gentlemenโ, though it is more synonymous with โteacher of teachersโ. This person is deemed so experienced as a teacher that they will teach other dan grades how to be Senseiโs. Because of this, many English speaking martial artists will use the term โProfessorโ interchangeably with hanshi, in a similar way to how some people refer to a dan belt as a โdegreeโ.
Kanchล | ้คจ้ท
The most accurate translation of โKanchลโ is โsuperintendentโ or โdirectorโ, though in essence it generally means โHead of Schoolโ. This is distinct from the title of Sลke, as the Sลke is generally the most experienced martial artist in a school, where as the Kanchล would run the business side of the school.
Within the WJJF, this is Kanchล Robert Hart, who is the current managing director.
Sลke | ๅฎๅฎถ
The English translation of โSลkeโ can be โgrand masterโ. It can mean one person who is the leader of any school or the master of a style, but it is most commonly used as a highest level Japanese title, referring to the singular leader of a school or style of martial art.
Within the WJJF, this is Sลke Robert Clark (2nd February 1946 โ 9th February 2012) who founded the WJJF in 1976.
Shodai Sลke | ๅไปฃ ๅฎๅฎถ
โShoโ means โfirstโ while โdaiโ means โsubjectโ, โthemeโ or โtopicโ, when combined with sลke it comes to specifically denotes the founding sลke of a martial art. This is the one person who first created a new style and begun teaching it by opening a new dลjล.
Weapons / Buki | ๆญฆๅจ
These weapons are all taught and used within the WJJF, starting at Nidan (2nd Dan). The WJJF does not permit the use of sharp or โliveโ blades, as well as metal swords. When buying a weapon you should choose a training version. These will usually have modifications such as dull edges, foam padding or being made of a flexible material such as rubber.
Jล | ๆ
The word โJลโ translates to โcaneโ, โwalking stickโ, or โstaffโ. It may also be called a โJo Staffโ but this would be incorrect as that would be akin to calling it a โstaff staff.โ
The Jล itself is a short wooden weapon, usually around 1.3m (50 in / 4โ2โณ) in length and around 1 inch thick. It is often taught and/or used as a defence to other weapons, in particular sword attacks.
As such, it is a โgenericโ practice weapon as the techniques used can be transferred to other items, such as walking sticks, canes or other shorter pole-like items so that should someone find themselves without a traditional weapon they can use makeshift weapons instead.
Kama | ้
The Kama is a farming tool used for reaping crops. In fact the word โKamaโ translates to โSickle.โ
This makes it an improvised weapon which has been formalised through the use of Kata. In particular it may be used to defend against traditional weapons.
They are often used in pairs when used as weapons, but they can be used as individually as well.
Katana | ๅ
The Katana is just one of the many types of swords used by the Samurai of ancient Japan, though it arguably the most iconic of them. These curved swords are sharpened on the outer edge and blunt on the inner edge. An Iaitล | ๅฑ
ๅๅ
Kubotan / Kubaton / Kobutan | ใฏใใฟใณ
A Kubotan is a small rod on a key-chain, usually around 5-6 inches long and half an inch thick, made out of aluminium or high-impact plastic. This is a modern weapon developed in the late 1960โs by Japanese Karate master Takayuki Kubota who originally designed it as a tool for female police officers in Los Angeles.
The Kubotan is a modern version of a Yawara and is used in a very similar manner, notably by using it to attack pressure points or to add leverage for joint manipulation.
Naginata | ่ๅ
The word roughly translates to โmowing swordโ. It consists of a wooden or metal pole with a curved single-edged blade on the end. The pole alone could range in length from 1.2 โ 2.6 meters long, while the blade would be an additional 0.3 โ 0.6 meters long.
~ This weapon was used to create space in a battle and would often be used as if were a sword with a very long handle, at the cost of it being heavier and slower to swing.
Nunchuku / Nunchaku | ใใณใใฃใฏ
These are two short batons connected in at one end by a short chain or rope. The two batons commonly made out of wood or lightweight metal, while the link is a cord or a metal chain. The batons may also feature metal studs or be wrapped in cord/fabric for extra grip.
~ In English they are often known as โNun-chucksโ or โNonechucksโ, neither of which is correct.
Rokushakubล (aka โBลโ) | ๅ
ญๅฐบๆฃ
This nearly literally translates to โsix foot poleโ, as โRokuโ translates to โSixโ, a โShakuโ is a Japanese unit of measurement that is equal to 30.3cm (just under 1ft) and โBลโ means โpoleโ.
~ Due to the long name, it is often shortened to just โBลโ. This means that calling it a โBล Staffโ is not correct as that is like calling it a โpole poleโ
~ As the name implies, the Bล is a long wooden pole-arm that is typically around 1.8 m (71 in / 5โ11โ) tall and about 1-1.5 inches thick.
Sai | ้ต
The Sai is a traditional piercing melee weapon originally from Okinawa. The basic form of the weapon is that of a thin baton, with two curved side prongs projecting from the handle. While it may look like a knife or dagger, the prongs were often rounded rather than flat and it was only sharpened at the point of the main prong.
~ The weapon was designed with a number of functions in mind, and would be used in pairs. Firstly it was used to counter attacks from other weapons by catching and trapping them between the prongs in order to redirect an attack or stop the enemy from using it properly.
~ The sharpened point could also be used to stab enemies through gaps in their armour.
Tonfa / Tonfua | ๆๆฃ
The Tonfa is a stick with a handle attached roughly a third of the way down, and the name means โrotation stickโ, which reflects the origin of the weapon. Like the Kama it was a tool that was repurposed to be a weapon.
In this case, the Tonfa was used to grind rice and wheat into flour. The underside of the stick is flat under the handle, but rounded at the other end. This is from where the user would grind the flour.
They would hold the handle with the stick under their forearm, pressing it against a hard surface. As they worked they would lift the flat end of the stick to grind the flour while still leaning on the other end, which resulted in it becoming worn away and rounded.
Yawara | ๆ
The Yawara takes the form of one or two small thick sticks that protrude about an inch from each side of the hand. They are usually used in pairs to initiate throws, bone breaks, and pressure point strikes, in a similar way to how a Kubotan may also be used.
~ An interesting note is the kanji for Yawara is ๆ (meaning โSoftโ) which is the same as the 1st kanji in Ju-Jitsu | ๆ่ก or Judo | ๆ้. โYawaraโ was also an older term for Ju-Jitsu that was used interchangeably until โJu-Jitsuโ became the favoured term.
ๅ ญๅๅคฉๅฎ้ไบไปถ June 4th Tienanmen square massacre