All levels
Japanese dictionary
Every Japanese term in the kata — what it means and the techniques it relates to.
19 terms
- Ashi-wazaLeg techniques
- Throws that use the legs and feet — reaps, sweeps and wheels.
Related techniques
- Hiza-guruma
- De-ashi-harai
- O-uchi-gari
- Ko-uchi-gari
- O-soto-gari
- Uchi-mata
- Sasae-tsuri-komi-ashi
- JigotaiDefensive posture
- A lower, wider posture used for stability and defence.
- KataForm
- A set sequence of pre-arranged techniques practised with a partner. Kata teaches the principles behind the techniques in a safe, repeatable way.
- Katame-wazaGrappling / holding techniques
- Groundwork techniques, including the osaekomi-waza (pinning holds) practised in this kata.
- Kodomo-no-KataForms for children
- A progressive kata developed by the Kodokan with the IJF and the French Judo Federation to teach children the fundamentals of judo safely and systematically.
- Koshi-wazaHip techniques
- Throws that load the partner onto the hips, such as the large hip throw (o-goshi).
Related techniques
- Uki-goshi
- O-goshi
- Tsuri-komi-goshi
- Harai-goshi
- Kumi-kataGripping
- How a judoka takes hold of the partner's judogi — the start of every standing technique.
- KuzushiBalance breaking
- Breaking the partner's balance before a throw. Happo-no-kuzushi breaks balance in eight directions.
- Nage-wazaThrowing techniques
- Throws — including leg (ashi-waza), hand (te-waza) and hip (koshi-waza) techniques.
- Osaekomi-wazaHolding (pinning) techniques
- Pins that control the partner on their back, such as the scarf hold (kesa-gatame).
Related techniques
- Kesa-gatame
- Yoko-shiho-gatame
- Tate-shiho-gatame
- Kami-shiho-gatame
- ReihoEtiquette
- The bowing and courtesy that frame every practice — respect for the dojo, the partner and the art.
Related techniques
- Ritsurei
- Zarei
- SeizaFormal kneeling position
- The upright kneeling position from which the seated bow (zarei) is performed.
Related techniques
- Zarei
- Shintai-dosaMovement / footwork
- How a judoka moves across the mat — natural walking (ayumi-ashi) and shuffle stepping (tsugi-ashi).
Related techniques
- Ayumi-ashi
- Tsugi-ashi
- ShizentaiNatural posture
- The relaxed, upright standing posture that is the basis of judo movement (Shizenhontai is the straight version).
- Tai-sabakiBody control / turning
- Turning and shifting the body to find the angle for a technique while staying balanced.
Related techniques
- Mae-sabaki
- Ushiro-sabaki
- Mae-mawari-sabaki
- Ushiro-mawari-sabaki
- Te-wazaHand techniques
- Throws driven mainly by the arms and hands, such as the body drop (tai-otoshi).
Related techniques
- Tai-otoshi
- Uki-otoshi
- Ippon-seoi-nage
- ToriThe one who performs the technique
- In a pair, Tori is the partner applying the technique (the 'doer').
- UkeThe one who receives the technique
- In a pair, Uke is the partner receiving the technique and practising the breakfall.
- UkemiBreakfall
- The art of falling safely. Every judoka learns ukemi first so they can train and be thrown without injury.
Related techniques
- Ushiro-ukemi
- Yoko-ukemi
- Mae-ukemi
- Mae-mawari-ukemi
- Outen-ukemi