Lessons From the Dojo: Commonly Used Japanese

When practicing Japanese martial arts, there are many phrases heard in the dojo. These phrases have meaning, and we use the Japanese instead of English to maintain the tradition of our training.

Before we begin, there are a few annunciations that are commonly misinterpreted. In Japanese there is no R or L sound. In Romanji, or Romanised Japanese, R and L make a D sound. The vowels all have specific sounds that do not change.

A – Ah as in father
E – Eh as in cake
I – Ee as in seek
O – Oh as in low
U - Oo as is lose

Dojo Etiquette

There are a few basic rules that every student should remember. Many of these rules I have learned by trail and error, others have been explicitly told to me or other students.

1. Always respect your sempai, even if they are wrong. Never point out their flaws. If a sempai does something we think is wrong, we will say something like “I think I have been doing this wrong.” Then demonstrate the technique how you think it should be, or how you have been practicing it, and let them correct you or correct them-self. Sometimes techniques change. If a sempai asks you to do something, you must do it. Never talk back to a sempai, even if in jest, until you are outside the dojo.

2. There is always room for improvement. You are not the reincarnation of Musashi. You can always improve your technique, so always take criticism as a way to better yourself. You are not god over the lower students. Everyone must start at the bottom.

3. Do not speak while other students are sparring if you are watching. Never speak when sensei is speaking. During practice, keep all conversation to discussing what you are learning.

4. As the Attacker, always pull back after completing your attack so the defender knows you are finished.

5. Carry the sword on the right to show you mean no threat. Carry the sword on the left to show you are ready for battle. This is symbolized at bowing in. The sword starts on the right before class, is moved to the left after bowing in, and returns to the right after class.

6. We come to class as friends, train as foes, and leave class as friends.

7. If you violate an etiquette rule, apologize and learn from your mistake.

8. Respect, respect, respect.

Dojo Commands and Phrases

Onegaishimasu
This phrase is said both to sensei when bowing in to class and when bowing to an opponent before sparring. It means “I ask a favor of you” and in this case it means we are offering our body for the purpose of training and ask that our opponent or sensei do nothing to harm us.

Domo arigato gozaimasu
This is the most formal form of “thank you.” This is said both when bowing to an opponent after sparring and at the end of class when bowing to sensei.

Hai
“Yes” When sensei asks you to do something you respond with Hai so that he knows you heard and understand what he asked of you.

Iie
“No”

Yame
“Stop”

Yari Naoshite Kudosai
“Do it again please”

Wakarimasu
“I understand”

Wakarimasen
“I don’t understand”

Mokusou
Meditation – given at the beginning of class it is a time to focus and let go of all your outside influences while training.

Sempai
Any student who is higher in rank than you.

Sword Positioning and Cuts

Migi
Right side

Hidari
Left Side

Kesa Giri
Kesa Cut, a cut travelling down and diagonal, from shoulder to hip.

Kiriaga Giri
An upwards diagonal cut, from hip to shoulder

Gedan
A sword level where the sword tip is below the knee. A gedan level cut ends below the knee.

Chudan
A sword position where the tip is aimed at your opponent’s throat. A chudan cut ends at about waist level.

Jodan
A sword position where the sword is above the head. A jodan cut ends at about shoulder height.

Tsubame Gaeshi
A cut made famous by Kojiro Sasaki, it is a Kesa cut followed immediately by a kiriaga cut.

Yoko Giri
A sideways cut that is parallel to the ground.

Shinchoku Giri
A powerful cut that is straight over the head where the swordsman puts all his strength into the cut by throwing his body with the cut.

Tsuki
This cut is a piercing stab with the blade, often aimed at the stomach or neck.

Chiburi
A sword flick done at the end of an attack or kata. The supposed purpose is to flick the blood off the blade before returning it to the Saya.

Noto
The sheathing of the sword.

Technique Groupings

Suburi
Cutting Exercises

Tanrengata
Solo forms

Battoho or Battojutsu
Drawing and cutting

Tachi Uchi
Paired Sparring

Tameshigiri
Test cutting with live blade

Weapons

Bokken
Wooden sword.

Shinai
Bamboo sword.

Iaito or mogito
A steel blade that has not been sharpened.

Katana or Shinken
A real or “live” sword with an edge.

Wakizashi
A shorter blade, usually about 18 inches long.

Tanto
The shortest blade. It is a comparable to a knife. This blade is often worn on the right side under the belt.

Naginata
A long staff with a large blade on the end

Bo
A long staff

Jo
A short staff

Clothing

Bogi or “Gi”
Training clothes. These consist of a top, pants, and a belt.

Gobi
The knot of the belt.

Hakama
A long pair of baggy pants. From a distance they can look like a dress if the bottoms are not bound up.

Machigi or Jinbaori
A sleeveless coat worn by samurai over their armor. It is a formal coat.

Zori
Sandals

Tabi
Split-toed socks. These often have a soft sole underneath that provides traction.

If you would like to learn more, I strongly suggest looking at the Shinkendo website. Toshishiro Obata is the founder of the art, and has appeared in movies and on television. One of his more famous roles was Tatsu, Shredder’s right hand man in the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles movies. He was a world cutting champion seven times in a row, and currently holds the world record for cutting a real Japanese helmet at 13 centimeters.

If you would like to learn more about the Japanese language, Nihongo Resourcesis the best site. They offer free lessons to learn Japanese and have an on-line dictionary.