The chart below is to introduce you to the terminology
used to describe Aikido techniques. The name of an Aikido
technique describes the relationship between the UKE
(attacker, person who takes the fall) and the NAGE (thrower,
person who is attacked). The name may include the relative
positions of UKE and NAGE before the attack, the attack
(target and method of delivery, and the response (Aikido art
and how the art was set up or finished.
| Position |
Attack |
Response |
| Before Attack |
Target |
Delivery |
Aikido Art |
Set-up, Finish |
| USHIRO - Uke is behind Nage |
MEN - head |
TORI - grab |
Wrist Techniques |
KIRI - cut |
| ZAGI - Uke and Nage are
both kneeling. |
KUBI - neck |
KOSA - TORI - cross handed
grab |
IKKYO - (1st) - pin arm. |
JUJI - cross |
| ZAGI - HANDACHI - Uke is
standing and Nage is kneeling. |
KATA - shoulder |
RYOTE - TORI - grab with
both hands |
NIKYO - (2nd) - bend wrist. |
GAESHI - reverse |
| |
HIJI - elbow |
RYOKATA-TORI - grab both
shoulders |
SANKYO - (3rd) - twist
wrist. |
OROSHI - lead down |
| If not specified, the UKE
and NAGE are both standing and facing each other |
KATATE - wrist |
RYOTE - MOCHI - two hands
on one |
YONKYO - (4th) - pin
forearm |
IRIMI - enter |
| |
TE - hand |
SHIME - choke |
GOKYO - (5th) - open hand |
TENKAN - turn |
| |
MUNE - body |
UCHI - strike |
KOTEOROSHI - turn wrist
out, lead Ki down. |
EN-UNDO - move in a circle |
| |
ASHI - leg |
SHOMEN - strike forehead |
SHIHO-NAGE - hold wrist and
turn in four directions. |
HANTEI-TENKAN - step back,
then enter and turn. |
| |
|
TSUKI - straight in |
Timing Throws |
ZENSHIN - move forward |
| |
|
YOKOMEN - side of head |
KOKYU-NAGE - many
variations. |
KOSHIN - move backward |
| |
|
KERI - kick |
KAITEN-NAGE - uke head
down, forward roll. |
TOBIKOMI - step forward and
turn. |
| |
|
MAE - KERI - front |
TENCHI-NAGE - hands to
heaven and earth. |
SUDORI - disappear |
| |
|
MAWASHI - KERI - circular
kick |
|
ZEMPO - forward roll |
