AI - Blending, harmony in movement

AIKI (United Spirit) The spiritual principle of overcoming an adversary (externally or internally) by harmonizing with his force and re-directing it.

BUDO (Martial Way) Originally referring to The Martial Way; a warrior's way of life devoted to self-development. Now, more commonly used in reference to particular combative systems

BUGEI (Martial Art) The Classical methods of fighting as developed by Japanese warriors (Samurai) for the sole purpose of real combat.

BUJUTSU (Same as Bugei)

BUNKAI (Practical Application) The practice of applying specific techniques to real situations.

BUSHIDO (The Way of the Warrior) The martial ethic developed among warriors in Japan's medieval and feudal periods. Derived from the practical ethics held in common by the Samurai class, stressing the importance of loyalty, bravery, integrity, respect and honor.

BUSHI KAI - Warrior's society

CHADO (The Way of Tea) The art of the tea ceremony.

DAISHO - The term given to the two swords customarily worn by Samurai

DAN - Degree, level or grade. Commonly used as a suffix following the numbered rank of a Black Belt (Yon Dan)

DO (Way) From the Chinese, Tao, meaning Way or Path. A term used to describe a path one uses to seek or achieve spiritual enlightenment. (Wa-do, Ai-ki-do, Jo-do).

DOJO (Way Place) A hall or place in which one seeks spiritual enlightenment. Usually used in reference to traditional martial arts training halls or schools.

GAMAN - Perseverance, endurance, or suffering.

GI -  More formally termed, Do Gi -- the term given to the uniform worn by practitioners of traditional Japanese martial arts.

HAKAMA - Pleated, skirt-like pants worn by practitioners of classical Japanese martial arts.

HANSHI - Master Instructor.

JU - Suppleness, flexibility. (Also, the number 10)

KAMAE - Ready position of the hands.

KAMIZA (Spirit Seat) - A Holy place, or shelf on the front wall of traditional Japanese dojos, where a shrine often resides.

KARATE - Empty hand.

KEAGI - Term used to describe the 'snap' of a hand or kicking technique, when recoiled.

KEKOME - Term used to describe a thrust, or thrusting movement of a particular technique

KIAI (Harmonious energy) - Focused, concentrated life force, given form in sound.

KIHON - Basic, elementary

KIME - Focus; mental, physical or spiritual.

KOAN - A Zen riddle with no logical answer.

KOKORO - Spirit.

KOHAI - Junior, or lower ranking student.

KUMITE (Sometimes termed, gumite) - Free fighting, or sparring

KYOSHI - An advanced teacher.

MEIJIN - A Great Master.

MENKYO - License or certificate.

MOKUSO - Meditation.

MUDANSHA - Martial arts term used to define all students under the rank of Yudansha (Black Belt).

MUSHIN (Mind-no-mind) - The term used to describe the state of pure consciousness unburdened by thought.

OBI - Sash or belt.

OKUDEN - Hidden teachings; sometimes referred to as, Okuden Waza.

PINAN - Harmonious, or flowing movement.

REI - To bow.

RENMEI - League, union, alliance

RYU - (Current, flow, style) -- usually used in reference to particular schools or styles of classical martial arts.

SABI - The term used to describe the feeling one has when finding beauty in a simple, solitary, and perhaps imperfect thing.

SAMURAI - (One Who Serves) - From the verb, saburau, meaning to serve. A member of the elite class of warriors in feudal Japan's social order.

SAN - A term used as an honorific suffix following someone's name, denoting respect.

SATORI - Enlightenment.

SEMPAI - Senior student.

SHUGYO - Austere, rigorous training.

TAISABAKI - One-ness of movement (usually implied in training with one or more partners).

TATAMI - Floor mats traditionally made of bundled straw.

WA - Harmony. The classical concept of non-resistance.

WADO - The Way of Peace and Harmony. The formal name given to the style of karate fathered by Meijin Hironori Ohtsuka.

WABI - A sense of loss or lonliness.

WAZA - Technique

YUDAN - Black Belt student.

ZANSHIN - The state of pure and heightened mental, physical and spiritual awareness.

ZEN - One of the major branches of Mahayana Bhuddism that arose in China and flourished following its introduction there in the 13th century.