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There are a LOT of unfamiliar terms for a new judoka. We've made a list that should help beginners and experienced judoka.
Ashi Foot, leg
Ashi Waza Foot techniques
Atemi Waza Striking techniques
Ayumi Ashi Ordinary pattern of walking
Batsugun Instant promotion
Budo Martial ways
Bujutsu Martial arts
Bushido Way of the warrior
Chui Penalty (no longer used)
Dan Black belt rank
Dojo School or training hall for studying the way
Eri Collar, lapel
Fusegi Escapes
Fusen Gachi Win by default
Godan 5th degree black belt. Abreviated as 5d.
Gokyu 3rd class student. Wears yellow belt. Abbreviated as 5k.
Goshin Jutsu Art of self defense
Hachidan 8th degree black belt. Wears red and white panelled or black belt. Abreviated as 8d.
Hajime Begin
Hansoku-make Most serious penalty, disqualification
Hantei Referee call for judge’s decision
Happo no Kuzushi Kuzushi in 8 directions
Hara Stomach
Hidari Left
Hiji Elbow
Hiki-wake No decision–tie or draw
Hikite Pulling hand — usually the hand gripping a sleeve
Hiza Knee
Ikkyu 1st class student. Wears brown belt. Abbreviated as 1k.
Ippon Victory in one move, one point
Jigotai Defensive posture
Jikan Referee call to stop the clock
Jita Kyoei Principle of mutual prosperity
Joseki Place of honor, upper seat
Judan 10th degree black belt. Wears red or black belt. Abreviated as 10d.
Judo Gentle or flexible way
Judo Ichidai A Judo life–Spending one’s life in the diligent pursuit of Judo
Judogi Judo practice uniform
Judoka One who studies Judo
Ju no Kata Forms of gentleness
Ju no Ri Principle of flexibility or yielding
Jujutsu Gentle art
Kaeshi Waza Counter techniques
Kake Completion or execution of technique
Kansetsu Waza Joint locking techniques
Kappo Resuscitation techniques
Kata Forms
Kata Shoulder
Katame no kata Forms of grappling
Katsu Resuscitation
Keikoku Penalty (no longer used)
Kiai To gather spirit with a shout
Kime no Kata Forms of decision
Kinshi Waza Techniques prohibited in competition
Kiotsuke Attention
Kodansha High ranking judoka — 5th dan and above
Kodokan Judo institute in Tokyo where Judo was founded
Koka Score less than a yuko (no longer in use)
Koshi Hip
Koshi Waza Hip techniques
Kubi Neck
Kudan 9th degree black belt. Wears red or black belt. Abreviated as 9d.
Kumikata Gripping methods
Kuzure Modified hold
Kuzushi Unbalancing the opponent
Kyoshi Instructor
Kyu Student rank
Mae Forward, front
Mae Ukemi Falling forward
Masutemi Waza Back sacrifice throws
Mate Stop (wait)
Migi Right
Mudansha Students below black belt rank
Mune Chest
Nage Throw
Nage no Kata Forms of throwing
Nagekomi Repetitive throwing practice
Nage Waza Throwing techniques
Ne Waza Techniques on the ground
Nidan 2nd degree black belt. Abreviated as 2d.
Nikyu 2nd class student. Wears blue belt. Abbreviated as 2k.
Obi Judo belt
Osaekomi Pin, referee call to begin timing
Osaekomi Waza Pinning techniques
Osaekomi Toketa Escape, stop timing of hold
Randori Free practice
Randori no Kata Forms of free practice techniques
Randori Waza Techniques for free practice
Rei Bow
Ritsurei Standing bow
Rokudan 6th degree black belt. Wears red and white panelled or black belt. Abreviated as 6d.
Rokkyu 6th class student. Wears white belt. Abbreviated as 6k.
Sandan 3rd degree black belt. Abreviated as 3d.
Sankyu 3rd class student. Wears green belt. Abbreviated as 3k.
Seiryoku Zenyo Principle of maximum efficiency
Seiza Formal kneeling posture
Senior (SR) - This is an age category. For the 2023-2024 season, this is any judoka with a date of birth in 2009 and earlier (older)
Sensei Teacher, instructor
Shiai Contest
Shiaijo Competition area
Shichidan 7th degree black belt. Wears red and white panelled or black belt. Abreviated as 7d.
Shido Penalty, equal to koka score
Shihan Title for a model teacher or “teacher who sets the standard” (i.e. Kano-shihan)
Shime Waza Choking techniques
Shinpan Referee
Shizentai Natural posture
Shodan 1st degree black belt. Abreviated as 1d.
Shomen Dojo front
Sode Sleeve
Sono Mama Stop action; command to freeze
Sore Made Finished, time is up
Sutemi Waza Sacrifice techniques
Tachi Waza Standing techniques
Tai Sabaki Body control, turning
Tatami Mat
Te Hand, arm
Te Waza Hand techniques
Tekubi Wrist
Tokui Waza Favorite or best technique
Tori Person performing a technique
Tsugi Ashi Walking by bringing one foot up to another
Tsukuri Entry into a technique, positioning
Uchikomi Repeated practice without completion
Ude Arm
Uke Person receiving the technique
Ukemi Breakfall techniques
Ushiro Backward, rear
Ushiro Sabaki Back movement control
Ushiro Ukemi Falling backward
Uwagi Judogi jacket
U8 - This is an age category. For the 2024-2025 season, this is any judoka with a date of birth in 2018 and later (younger).
U10 - This is an age category. For the 2024-2025 season, this is any judoka with a date of birth in 2016 or 2017.
U12 - This is an age category. For the 2024-2025 season, this is any judoka with a date of birth in 2014 or 2015.
U14 - This is an age category. For the 2024-2025 season, this is any judoka with a date of birth in 2012 or 2013.
U16 - This is an age category. For the 2024-2025 season, this is any judoka with a date of birth in 2010 or 2011.
U18 - This is an age category. For the 2024-2025 season, this is any judoka with a date of birth in 2008, 2009, or 2010.
U21 - This is an age category. For the 2024-2025 season, this is any judoka with a date of birth in 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009, and 2010. This partially overlaps with U18
Veteran (Vet) - This is a group of age categories. For the 2024-2025 season, this is any judoka with a date of birth in 1991 and earlier (older).
Waki Armpit
Waza Technique
Waza Ari Near ippon or half point
Waza ari Awasete Ippon Two waza-ari together for ippon
Yoko Side
Yoko Sutemi Waza Side sacrifice throws
Yoko Ukemi Falling sideways
Yondan 4th degree black belt. Abreviated as 4d.
Yonkyu 4th class student. Wears orange belt. Abbreviated as 4k.
Yoshi Resume action, continue
Yubi Finger
Yudansha Person who earned the black belt
Yuko Score less than a waza-ari
Yusei Gachi Win by judge’s decision
Zarei Kneeling salutation
Zenpo Kaiten Ukemi Forward rolling break fall
Zubon Pants
Numbers
1 – Ichi
2 – Ni
3 – San
4 – Shi
5 – Go
6 – Roku
7 – Shichi
8 – Hachi
9 – Ku
10 – Ju
11 – Juichi (10 plus one)
12 – Juni (10 plus 2)
…
19 – Juku (10 plus 9)
20 – Niju (2 10’s)
…
29 – Nijuku (2 10’s plus a 9)
30 – Sanju (3 10’s)
…
35 – Sanjugo (3 10’s plus a 5)
…
99 – Kujuku (9 10’s plus a 9)
100 – Hyaku
1000 – Sen
10,000 – man
100,000 – juman
1,000,000 – hyakuman
10,000,000 – senman
100,000,000 – oku
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