Intro Terminology

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The chart below is to introduce you to the terminology used to describe Aikido techniques. The name of an Aikido technique describes the relationship between the UKE (attacker, person who takes the fall) and the NAGE (thrower, person who is attacked). The name may include the relative positions of UKE and NAGE before the attack, the attack (target and method of delivery, and the response (Aikido art and how the art was set up or finished.

Position	Attack		Response
Before Attack	Target	Delivery	Aikido Art	Set-up, Finish
USHIRO - Uke is behind Nage	MEN - head	TORI - grab	Wrist Techniques	KIRI - cut
ZAGI - Uke and Nage are both kneeling.	KUBI - neck	KOSA - TORI - cross handed grab	IKKYO - (1st) - pin arm.	JUJI - cross
ZAGI - HANDACHI - Uke is standing and Nage is kneeling.	KATA - shoulder	RYOTE - TORI - grab with both hands	NIKYO - (2nd) - bend wrist.	GAESHI - reverse
	HIJI - elbow	RYOKATA-TORI - grab both shoulders	SANKYO - (3rd) - twist wrist.	OROSHI - lead down
If not specified, the UKE and NAGE are both standing and facing each other	KATATE - wrist	RYOTE - MOCHI - two hands on one	YONKYO - (4th) - pin forearm	IRIMI - enter
	TE - hand	SHIME - choke	GOKYO - (5th) - open hand	TENKAN - turn
	MUNE - body	UCHI - strike	KOTEOROSHI - turn wrist out, lead Ki down.	EN-UNDO - move in a circle
	ASHI - leg	SHOMEN - strike forehead	SHIHO-NAGE - hold wrist and turn in four directions.	HANTEI-TENKAN - step back, then enter and turn.
		TSUKI - straight in	Timing Throws	ZENSHIN - move forward
		YOKOMEN - side of head	KOKYU-NAGE - many variations.	KOSHIN - move backward
		KERI - kick	KAITEN-NAGE - uke head down, forward roll.	TOBIKOMI - step forward and turn.
		MAE - KERI - front	TENCHI-NAGE - hands to heaven and earth.	SUDORI - disappear
		MAWASHI - KERI - circular kick		ZEMPO - forward roll