Questions tagged [japanese]
Relating to the Japanese language or martial arts originating in Japan such as aikido, judo, kendo, or jujutsu
37 questions
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Was seiza intended to be impractical?
It's hard to argue that traditional seiza position isn't uncomfortable, and something that takes some time to get used to.
Are there any benefits to Sitting Seiza? discusses potential benefits of ...
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When bringing an opponent to kuzushi from a wrist/arm manipulation technique can all 8 points of balance be used?
According to Judo textbooks and diagrams there are 8 points of balance that can be used to topple an opponent/bring an opponent to kuzushi. When Aikido practitioners talk about kuzushi (which not all ...
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Are the names of the timing of counters eg Tai-no-Sen, Go-no-Sen used in martial arts other than Shorinji Kempo?
In Shorinji Kempo instruction we are often told to practice a counter with a specific timing. These timings are named as follows:
go-no-sen, block and then counter attack, (usually requires ...
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Is the sword stance in Like a Dragon: Ishin where swordsmen place their palm flat against the hilt a style of Tennen Rishin-ryū?
In the video game Like A Dragon: Ishin, a major plot point is finding information about the Tennen Rishin style practiced by members of the Shinsengumi during the Bakumatsu period (1853-1867) in Japan....
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Difference between renraku-waza and renzoku-waza
Judo has a lot of terms inherited from Japanese. Two such are renraku- and renzoku-waza. In the BJA syllabus these are translated as:
Renzoku-waza is the Japanese terminology for combinations of ...
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Why do so many Japanese Martial Arts have a (different) technique called tsubame gaeshi?
Japanese sword forms, Judo and Shorinji Kempo all have a technique called Tsubame Gaeshi (which roughly translates to swallow counter).
Why is the phrase Tsubame Gaeshi considered sufficiently ...
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Who are Tori and Uke?
Many questions about aikido and judo refer to partners as Tori and Uke.
The name of a throw where the tori starts from a headlock
Etymology and meaning of ukemi
Name this technique against Chudan ...
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1
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Help learning Japanese Weapon Martial Arts?
I'm in the unfortunate position that I'm interested in Japanese martial arts employing weapons, but there aren't any teachers/dojos in my are that I can go to. And the ones that are far away aren't ...
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Naming system of Judo techniques
Is there a system to the way judo techniques are named? Many techniques seem to share components of names (harai, guruma, gaeshi etc) - is there a standard uniform way these words should be ...
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Etymology of Tsubame-gaeshi?
Why is tsubame-gaeshi ("swallow reversal") thus named? Wouldn't it have been more natural to name it deashi-gaeshi in line with the other kaeshi counter-throws?*
* Osoto-gaeshi, ouchi-gaeshi, uchi-...
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Etymology of Yama-Arashi?
Most1 Kodokan judo techniques are named in a somewhat systematised way, describing the major visual/mechanical components of the technique (e.g. koshi-guruma "hip wheel", o-soto-gari "major outer reap"...
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Does "do" v. "jutsu" naming reflect Daoist influence?
I have read about the naming changes in Japanese martial arts, with a shift from jutsu (術) to do (道) reflecting a supposed shift in emphasis from fighting techniques to a quest for mental and physical ...
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Why is a "scarf hold" so-named if you don't wrap around the opponent's neck (like a scarf)?
Judo's kesa-gatame is often translated as "scarf hold", but the technique is defined by wrapping your arms and upper body around uke's neck and arm, more like a seatbelt, as opposed to wrapping around ...
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Is shaking hands after a judo competition bad etiquette in Japan?
Judo contains a number of rituals inherited from Japanese culture, one example being the codification of bowing to your opponent before and after competing.1
However bowing doesn't carry the same ...
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Origin of kawazu-gake?
There have been multiple proposed etymologies for the judo throw kawazu-gake (河津掛):
Named after a famed sumo wrestler, Kawazu Saburo Sukeyasu
Named after "frog" (蛙 old japanese kawazu, ...
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Why is the first dan called shodan, as opposed to ichidan?
Subsequent dan grades in judo are named numerically nidan (二段), sandan (三段) etc, but the first grade is called shodan (初段) "beginning grade". Is there a particular reason for this as opposed to the ...
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Etymology of tomoe-nage?
Tomoe-nage is often translated as "stomach throw" or "circle throw", but these are not direct translations. What does tomoe mean, and why is the throw called this?
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De-ashi-harai or De-ashi-barai?
I have seen 出足払 ("advancing foot sweep") written two ways by the Kodokan, with the 払 part transcribed as 'harai' (は)1 or 'barai' (ば).2 3
How is the name of this technique pronounced in Japanese? With ...
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Which style to cross train with Southern Mantis Kung Fu?
I have been training Southern Mantis Kung Fu for around 20 years. I started Hsing I Quan about 8 years ago. I was thinking of adding some throwing game, grappling etc but didn't want to go to BJJ. ...
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Did Samurai armour have flexible joints?
What type of armour was common for samurai? I would like to know if the armour had flexible joints versus totally flexible joints. I suppose the flexible joint armour came afterwards. To me some ...
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standing and crouching posture name in Aikido
I'm trying to remember the specific Japanese name of a common posture/stretch I used and heard of in Aikido during training and warming-up.
Basically it was called by our sensei "standing and ...
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What is the name of the postition with the leg retracted (in japanese)?
Recently my karate teacher told us to find out the name of the position (or it might have been the act of retracting your leg after a kick - I can't remember) when you retract your leg after a kick. ...
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Accuracy and historical veracity of goshi-no-kata knife attack: Yakuza link?
In the Shodokan Aikido goshin-no-kata, there is a technique (the 24th one) where uke's steps with the tanto in both hands and draws it. Tori grabs uke's left hand and executes a tenkai-kote-hineri. ...
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Are there any martial forms that utilize game boards as weapons?
Although this sounds absurd at first, there is a well known legend about the 12th Century samurai Satō Tadanobu beating back assassins with a goban. In the legend, he is said to have subsequently ...
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Why should "Oss" be used in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu?
Disclaimer: this is a potentially subjective question, so I'm looking for answers to "why" with references. What is your experience and historical understanding of the use of the word?
I've moved to ...
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What is the etymology and meaning of Oss?
I've moved to a new location, and have started training with a new Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu school. My previous school made absolutely no use of the word "oss". It is, however, ubiquitous with my new ...
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What is "Direct Penetration" from The Book of Five Rings book of Water?
The translation of the book of Water of The Book of Five Rings at http://www.bookoffiverings.com/WaterBook.htm states:
The spirit of Direct Penetration is handed down in the true Way of the Ni To ...
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Kendô, iaidô, jôdô, battodô, chanbara... Which one should I pick?
I stopped practising judô and jiu-jitsu some years ago, at a blue belt level, because I wasn't enjoying this martial art as much as I used to. However, I still love the philosophy of it, and would ...
user7591
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Left handed Japanese sword techniques
As far as I am aware, there are no left handed sword techniques in Japanese sword arts. At least, I am not aware of there being such.
If it is true, does anyone have a good explanation as to why?
If ...
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Why did a Samurai always wear their katana on the left side?
A katana is traditionally used with both hands. But why is it always on the left side? I have read that in the Samurai schools they don't care much about the student are left handed or right handed.
...
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Stahara word usage
In the 1920 text, Secrets of Jujitsu by Captain Allan Smith (the pdf is readily available by googling), Smith refers to the abdominal region as the "Stahara". I've done some Japanese arts before, but ...
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Etymology and meaning of ukemi
I believe that ukemi can be translated as receiving body (受け身). It is what uke (受け, whoever receives the technique) does when nage (投げ thrower) or tori (取り, grabber) applies a technique.
Am I correct ...
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Why is osoto guruma named osoto "guruma"?
Osoto gari translates to "large outer reap". That makes perfect sense as it is a large reap on the outer leg. Osoto guruma translates to "large outer wheel" and the "wheel&...
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"Aikido is first and foremost BUDO"
The above sentence has been attributed to O'Sensei and I'd like to use it as a motto for my dojo's website.
Problem: I can't find a reliable source about when/where he said this. Or a proper Japanese ...
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Ju-jutsu vs Jiu-jitsu?
What's the difference between Ju-jutsu and Jiu-jitsu? In Sweden we only have Ju-jutsu and I have noticed that in the USA they have both Ju-jutsu and Jiu-jitsu and they look like the same thing.
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Blocking with a katana blade
Are there any school/style of Japanese swordsmanship that teach blocking (a parry or deflect is fine as long as there is contact between them) incoming attacks with the sharp edge of the blade of a ...
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Is there a good translation for all the terms used in Aikido?
I find it extremely difficult to memorise all terms - there is no connection to me with them. Is there a good German or English translation for all terms used in Aikido?
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