This is a partial list of terms we commonly use in the dojo. Note that some words have broader meanings than what is listed here. We encourage you to make your own study of unfamiliar terms to learn about the language and culture that we have adopted for instruction. Also note there is more than one way to spell may of these words since they are transliterated from Japanese. And as with any "borrowed words" between cultures, the pronunciation and meaning change over time from their original use. For translations of techniques, download a blank notebook (above). If you would like to invest in a comprehensive martial arts dictionary specific to Danzan Ryu Jujitsu, order this CD from Professor "T.J." Jenkins.
| Atemi |
AH-TEM-EE |
Strike(s) |
| Banzai |
BAHN-ZAI |
Rallying cry (literally '10,000 years' or 'live long') |
| Dan |
DAHN |
Rank (blackbelt rank) |
| Dantien |
DAHN-TEE-EN |
Source of body’s internal physical energy, located just below the navel |
| Dojo |
DOH-JOH |
Training hall |
| Domo arigato gozaimasu |
DOH-MO AR-EE-GAH-TOW GO-ZAI-EE-MAS-(OO) |
Thank you very much (gozaimasu is a formal suffix). Said at the end of class in appreciation of our training partners and the instructor |
| Dozo |
DOH-ZOH |
Please proceed |
| Fah jing |
FAH JING |
(Chinese) Explosive power |
| Gi |
GEE |
Training uniform based on Japanese kimono |
| Hai |
HAI |
Yes |
| Hajime |
HA-JIM-AY |
Begin |
| Hara |
HAR-AH |
Belly; center of the body; location of Dantien |
| Judo |
JOO-DOH |
Way of suppleness, Judo is a competition sport |
| Jujitsu |
JOO-JIT-SOO |
Art of suppleness, Jujitsu encompasses battlefield and self-defense techniques |
| Ki |
KEE |
Life force, energy |
| Kiai |
KEE-AI |
Spirit shout |
| Kiba-dachi |
KEE-BAH-DAH-CHEE |
Horse-riding stance, feet more than shoulder width apart, knees bent, feet point forward |
| Kyu |
KYOO |
Class (lower belt rank) |
| Mate |
MAH-TAY |
Stop immediately |
| Newaza |
NAY-WAH-ZAH |
Ground fighting |
| Obi |
OH-BEE |
Belt |
| Onigashimasu |
OH-NEE-GAHSH-EE-MAHS-(OO) |
Thank you for doing me this favor. Said at the beginning of class out of respect for our training partners and teacher |
| Osu |
OHS-(OO) |
Informal greeting, acknowledgement (short for ohayo gazaimasu); loud affirmation meaning 'to persevere under harsh conditions' |
| Otogaini rei |
OH-TOH-GUY-NEE RAY |
(order) Bow to each other |
| Professor-ni rei |
PRO-FES-SOR NEE RAY |
(order) Bow to the professor |
| Rei |
RAY |
(order) Bow |
| Seiza |
SEY-ZAH |
Kneeling |
| Sensei |
SEHN-SAY |
Teacher |
| Sensei-ni rei |
SEN-SAY NEE RAY |
(order) Bow to the teacher |
| Shen |
SHEN |
(Chinese) Inner light, spirit |
| Shomen |
SHOW-MEN |
Head; sacred area at the head of the dojo that includes a small Shinto shrine, sacred artifacts, and pictures of the founders of the art |
| Shomen-i rei |
SHOW-MEN-EE RAY |
(order) Bow to the Shomen; in our dojo we do not consider this a religious act, but rather a way of showing respect for the founders of the art and to your own internal fighting spirit |
| Suriashi |
SUR-EE-AHSH-(EE) |
Sliding step forward (legs do not cross) |
| Sutemi |
SOO-TEM-EE |
Forward tumbling fall, literally 'to abandon one'sself' |
| Tai sabaki |
TAI SAH-BAH-KEE |
Body movement |
| Wei chi |
WAY CHEE |
(Chinese) Protective energy |
| Yame |
YAH-MAY |
(order) Stop, finish up |
| Yawara |
YAH-WAHR-AH |
Suppleness |
| Zanshin |
ZAHN-SHIN |
Mat presence, relaxed alertness |
| Zenpo kaiten |
ZEN-POH KAI-TEN |
Forward roll |
