Terms and Etiquette

Terms

Below is a set of key terms that are commonly used in the dojo. For grading terms please refer to the Grading Terms page:

• Aikido - the Way of Harmony of Energy, the art of peace
• Aikidoka - a practitioner of Aikido
• Aikido Kenkyu Kai -  'Aikido Research Group'
• Aikikai- World Aikido Federation
• Dojo - training hall

• O-Sensei - Great Teacher, the founder Morihei Ueshiba
• Shihan - Master of the art (for AKI ours is Takeda, Yoshinobu Shihan)
• Sensei - Teacher of the art

• Gi - white martial arts suit (also called Dogi)
• Hakama - black skirt worn by black belts (originated from Samurai horse riding callots)

• Dan Grade - black belt
• Kyu Grade - white belt

• 'Onegaishimasu' - please teach/work with me
• 'domo arigato gozaimasu' - thank you very much. Less formal 'arigato gozaimasu'

• Hara - center
• Ki - energy

• Irimi - moving in
• Tenkan-  opening out

• Shomen - literally means 'front' but used to mean 'front of the dojo' or 'frontal attack'
• Ukemi - rolling
• Waza - technique

• Bokken - wooden sword
• Jo - wooden staff
• Tanto - wooden knife
• Shoto - wooden short sword

Etiquette

You will find that Aikido Kenkyu Kai has a light hearted and joyful approach in the dojo, but there is also a serious side where standards of etiquette apply. A dojo is a place of great respect and demands students understand this. Not only does etiquette have a practical nature, avoiding unnecessary injury, but also sets a tone of concentration and awareness.

Please not that Aikido practice is not religious, but that there is bowing involved. At the beginning and the end of the class students are asked to bow to the front of the dojo where a picture of OSensei is placed, and then bow to the instructor. This is simply a mark of respect, not a religious ritual. If your religious beliefs restrict you from bowing to anyone but God, please speak to the instructor and seek exemption from the bowing. In this case you will be asked to sit respectfully to the side of the class while the bowing is conducted.

For a detailed description of the etiquette used in the dojo, please refer to the Etiquette page.