JAPANESE TERMINOLOGY
Judo is a Japanese sport. For this reason Japanese is the international language of Judo. All refereeing is done in Japanese, and all the throws and techniques have Japanese names.
 |
As Judo is a large component of the yellow belt syllabus, it is necessary to learn some basic Japanese terms. In addition, using Japanese terminology introduces one to the Japanese language and culture.
General vocabulary
| Ju-Jitsu The gentle art | Rei To bow |
| Judo The gentle way | Zarei A kneeling bow |
| Judogi Judo practise clothing | Kiai A loud expulsion of air from the lungs used to help one exert maximum force |
| Obi Belt | Kumikata Methods of holding your opponent's gi |
| Kuro Black |
Hon shizentai Natural posture |
| Aka/Ko Red |
Migi shizentai Right natural posture |
| Shiroi/Haku White |
Hidari shizentai Left natural posture |
| Tatami Mat |
Ata-no-sen Pulling in a circle |
| Dojo Practice hall |
Ju-shintai Soft block |
| Sensei Instructor | Go-shintai Hard block |
 |
Judo Contest (Shiai)
| Shiai Contest | Yuko 5 Points |
| Shimpan Referee | Waza-ari 7 Points |
| Hajime Begin | Ippon 10 Points |
| Osaekomi Holding | Shido 1st warning (3 Points) |
| Hiki-waki Draw | Chui 2nd warning (5 Points) |
| Yoshi Continue | Keikoku Final warning (7 Points) |
| Mate Stop! | Hansoku-make Disqualification |
| Maitta I submit | Yusei-gachi Win by superiority |
| Koka 3 Points | Waza-ari-awaseta-ippon Win by two waza-ari |
Kata
| Kata A formally presented prearranged sequence of techniques |
| Uke The passive partner |
| Tori The active partner |
Breakfalls (Ukemi)
| Ukemi Breakfall | Ma ukemi Rear breakfall |
| Zempo ukemi Foreward breakfall | Yoko ukemi Side breakfall |
Techniques (waza)
| Nage-waza Throwing techniques | Ne-waza Ground techniques |
| Ashi-waza Leg techniques | Kansetsu-waza Joint lock techniques |
| Koshi-waza Hip techniques | Shime-waza Strangling techniques |
| Tewaza Hand techniques | Osaekomi-waza Holding techniques |
| Ma-sutemi Rear sacrifice technique | Tokui-waza Favourite technique |
| Yoko-sutemi Side sacrifice technique |
Holddowns (Osaekomi-waza)
| Gatame Control | Hon Basic |
| Gesa 3-point | Kami Upper quarter |
| Shiho 4-point | Tate Frontal approach |
| Kuzuri Variation | Kata Shoulder |
Strangles (Shime-waza)
| Hadaka-jime Naked strangle | Nami-juji-jime Natural cross strangle |
| Kata-ha-jime One arm strangle | Gyaku-juji-jime Reverse cross strangle |
| Okuri-eri-jime Sliding lapel strangle | Kata-te-jime Shoulder hand |
Counting
| Ichi 1 | Roku 6 |  |
| Ni 2 | Shichi 7 | |
| San 3 | Hachi 8 | |
| Yon 4 | Ku 9 | |
| Go 5 | Ju 10 |
Grades
| Judan 10th dan (2nd double width red belt) | Nidan 2nd dan (2nd black belt) |
| Kudan 9th dan (1st red/black sectioned belt) | Shodan 1st dan (1st black belt) |
| Hachidan 8th dan (3rd red/white sectioned belt) | Ikkyu 1st kyu (Brown belt) |
| Sichidan 7th dan (2nd red/white sectioned belt) | Nikyu 2nd kyu (Blue belt) |
| Rokudan 6th dan (1st red/white sectioned belt) | Sankyu 3rd kyu (Green belt) |
| Godan 5th dan (5th black belt) | Yonkyu 4th kyu (Orange belt) |
| Yondan 4th dan (4th black belt) | Gokyu 5th kyu (Yellow belt) |
| Sandan 3rd dan (3rd black belt) |