Japanese martial arts terms

751 japanese martial arts terms from JMdict with readings, meanings and stroke order.

Term	Romaji	Meaning
上げ俵	agedawara	4 corner bales on the outer rim of the sumo ring
揚巻	agemaki	knots in colour of four cardinal points hanging from the roof above the ring
相部屋	aibeya	match between wrestlers from the same stable
相星	aiboshi	wrestlers with the same win-loss record at the end of a tournament
相掛かり	aigakari	mutual attack
相懸かり稽古	aigakarikeiko	mutual attack training
合気	aiki	aiki (principle that allows a conditioned practitioner to negate or redirect an opponent's
合気道	aikidou	aikido
合い口	aikuchi	unbalanced record of wins between two wrestlers
赤房	akabusa	red tassel hung above the southeast corner of the ring
赤鯛	akadai	fish given to a tournament winner as congratulations
赤帯	akaobi	red belt
明け荷	akeni	luggage trunk for wrestlers and referees
曙貴	aketaka	era during mid-1990s dominated by grand champions Akebono and Takanohana II
曙貴時代	aketakajidai	era during mid-1990s dominated by grand champions Akebono and Takanohana II
秋場所	akibasho	Autumn Tournament (held in Tokyo in September)
アマ相撲	amazumou	amateur sumo
網打ち	amiuchi	fisherman's throw (resembling the casting of a fishing net)
暗器	anki	concealed weapon
あんこ型	ankogata	sumo wrestler with a big belly
青房	aobusa	green tassel hung above the northeast corner of the ring
足払い	ashibarai	ashibarai
足蹴り	ashigeri	kicking (an opponent)
足車	ashiguruma	ashi guruma (judo)
足運び	ashihakobi	characteristic way of moving, keeping the center of gravity low (centre)
足掛け	ashikake	leg trip (in sumo, judo, etc.)
足癖	ashikuse	leg technique
足取り	ashitori	downing an opponent by grabbing his leg
足技	ashiwaza	foot technique (in judo, sumo wrestling, etc.)
頭を付ける	atamaotsukeru	to stop the opponent by pressing one's head into his chest
当て身	atemi	blow to a vital point of a person's body
当身技	atemiwaza	striking techniques (judo)
当て技	atewaza	blow to a vital point of a person's body
合わせ技	awasewaza	scoring two waza-ari (and winning the match)
歩み足	ayumiashi	ayumi-ashi
預かり	azukari	match declared a draw
番	ban	bout
番付外	banzukegai	outside the rankings
番付編成会議	banzukehenseikaigi	rank-deciding committee
番付表	banzukehyou	table of rankings
場所	basho	sumo tournament
場所布団	bashobuton	waiting wrestler's sitting cushion
場所入	bashoiri	arrival of the wrestlers to the tournament venue
場所手当	bashoteate	allowance for non-salaried wrestlers during tournaments
ベアナックル	beanakkuru	bare knuckles (esp. in boxing)
打ち噛まし	buchikamashi	striking the face
打ち噛ます	buchikamasu	to ram one's opponent head-first in the initial charge
打つかり	butsukari	head-to-head training
ぶつかり稽古	butsukarigeiko	head-to-head training
ちゃんこ	chanko	chanko
ちゃんこ番	chankoban	person in charge of preparing food for rikishi (usually performed by low-ranking rikishi)
ちゃんこ長	chankochou	most experienced chanko cook in the sumo stable
ちゃんこ鍋	chankonabe	chankonabe
ちゃんこ料理	chankoryouri	fish, meat, and vegetable stew traditionally served to wrestlers
ちゃんこ屋	chankoya	chanko restaurant
茶帯	chaobi	brown belt
血振	chiburi	maneuver to shake, flick, or wipe blood off of a sword
乳切り木	chigiriki	weight-chain-pole weapon
地方場所	chihoubasho	provincial tournament, held outside Tokyo
力が入る	chikaragahairu	to be tired (ironic)
力紙	chikaragami	paper used in pre-bout rituals
力水	chikaramizu	water offered to wrestlers just prior to a bout
力水を付ける	chikaramizuotsukeru	to take and spit the water prior to a bout
塵	chiri	ritual gestures indicating that a fight will be clean
塵手水	chirichouzu	ritual gestures (squatting, clapping, etc.) indicating that a fight will be clean
塵浄水	chirijouzui	ceremonious clapping and rubbing of the palms
チョン掛け	chongake	pulling heel hook
中段	chuudan	middle guard position (of a sword in kendo, etc.)
注文相撲	chuumonzumou	bout that goes according to a wrestler's strategy
大上段	daijoudan	holding a sword above one's head (kendo posture)
大横綱	daiyokozuna	grand champion considered to be truly great, usually with over 10 makuuchi tournament wins
断髪式	danpatsushiki	retirement ceremony of a wrestler where his top-knot is cut
出し投げ	dashinage	winning techniques where the opponent is thrown without close bodily contact
打突	datotsu	strike (kendo)
出足	deashi	initial charge
出足払い	deashibarai	advancing foot sweep
出稽古	degeiko	going to train in stable other than your own
電車道	denshamichi	railroading the opponent straight out of the ring
電車道相撲	denshamichisumou	railroading an opponent straight out of the ring
手数入り	dezuiri	display of a champion in the ring
土俵	dohyou	(wrestling) ring
土俵開き	dohyoubiraki	opening ceremony for the new ring in a stable
土俵溜まり	dohyoudamari	waiting place for a wrestler beside the ring
土俵際	dohyougiwa	edge of the ring
土俵入り	dohyouiri	entrance procession of wrestlers into the ring
土俵人生	dohyoujinsei	wrestler's active career
土俵祭り	dohyoumatsuri	ceremony to purify the ring before the start of a tournament
土俵廻し	dohyoumawashi	wrestler's belt used in a bout
ドロ着	dorogi	clothes a wrestler wears when he has his belt on
どすこい	dosukoi	dosukoi! (sumo chant)
同部屋	doubeya	wrestlers from the same stable
同期生	doukisei	wrestlers who began their professional careers in the same tournament
絵番付	ebanzuke	illustrated rankings
猿臂打ち	enpiuchi	elbow strike (karate)
燕青拳	enseiken	Yangqingquan
エレベーター力士	erebeetaarikishi	wrestler who keeps going up and down the rankings
不動心	fudoushin	cool head in an emergency
副立行司	fukutategyouji	second highest referee
副立呼び出し	fukutateyobidashi	second highest usher
踏み出し	fumidashi	rear step out
踏み俵	fumidawara	bales forming the steps to climb onto the ring
踏切	fumikiri	stepping over the edge of the ring
踏み切る	fumikiru	to step out of the ring
踏み越す	fumikosu	to step out of the ring
踏鳴	fuminari	stamp (in Japanese martial arts)
褌	fundoshi	wrestler's ornamental apron
触れ太鼓	furedaiko	drumming in the streets to announce a tournament
フロントチョーク	furontochooku	front choke
フルコンタクト	furukontakuto	full-contact
不戦	fusen	bout cancelled due to absence of one of the wrestlers
二人がかり	futarigakari	bout in which one wrestler faces two challengers in succession
懐に入る	futokoronihairu	to get in close to one's opponent
がぶり寄り	gaburiyori	pushing the opponent with the torso
がぶる	gaburu	to force out an opponent
学生横綱	gakuseiyokozuna	university amateur champion
雁下	ganka	area below the pectoral muscle
がっぷり四つ	gappuriyotsu	grappling firmly
合掌捻り	gasshouhineri	clasped-hand twist down
銀星	ginboshi	win over an ozeki by a rank-and-file wrestler
技能賞	ginoushou	Technique Prize
五形拳	gokeiken	Wu Xing Fist
後の先	gonosen	counterattack
ゴールデンスコア	goorudensukoa	Golden Score
御当地相撲	gotouchizumou	local wrestler
ごっつぁん	gottsan	thanks
侯串	gougushi	wooden target holder (in archery)
御前掛かり	gozengakari	ring entering ceremony in presence of the emperor or crown prince
軍配	gunbai	referee's fan
軍配通り	gunbaidoori	in accordance with the referee's decision
軍配が上がる	gunbaigaagaru	to be indicated as the winner of a bout by the raising of the referee's fan
軍配を上げる	gunbaioageru	to signal the winner of a match (by the referee raising his fan towards the winner)
軍配を返す	gunbaiokaesu	to start a bout with the turn of a referee's fan
軍配団扇	gunbaiuchiwa	referee's fan
逆胴	gyakudou	hitting the left side of the torso (in kendo)
行司	gyouji	referee
行司溜	gyoujidamari	referee's waiting place
裸絞め	hadakajime	rear naked choke
ハイキック	haikikku	high kick
掃き手	hakite	hand touching the ground resulting in direct loss
発勁	hakkei	fa jin
八卦掌	hakkeshou	eight trigrams palm
はっけよい	hakkeyoi	hakkeyoi!
運び足	hakobiashi	walking with bent knees to strengthen thighs and improve balance
柏鵬	hakuhou	era during 1960s dominated by grand champions Taiho and Kashiwado
柏鵬時代	hakuhoujidai	era during 1960s dominated by grand champions Taiho and Kashiwado
花相撲	hanazumou	tournament other than the six major tournaments
跳ね太鼓	hanedaiko	drumming at the end of the day of wrestling inviting spectators to return tomorrow
払い腰	haraigoshi	harai goshi (judo)
張り出し	haridashi	extra third or fourth wrestler of certain rank
波離間投げ	harimanage	backward belt throw
張り手	harite	slapping the opponent with the open hand
春場所	harubasho	Spring Tournament (held in Osaka in March)
八艘飛び	hassoutobi	leap up from the initial charge in order to surprise the opponent
叩き込み	hatakikomi	hatakikomi
初場所	hatsubasho	New Year's Tournament (held in Tokyo in January)
初土俵	hatsudohyou	first tournament for a wrestler
筈	hazu	nock-shaped grip (between thumb and forefinger)
はず押し	hazuoshi	pushing up with hands under opponent's armpits
変化	henka	henka
部屋	heya	stable
部屋別総当り	heyabetsusouatari	rule prohibiting match-ups between wrestlers from the same stable
部屋頭	heyagashira	highest ranked wrestler in a stable
部屋持ちの親方	heyamochinooyakata	coach who owns his own stable
部屋付きの親方	heyatsukinooyakata	coach associated with another coach's stable
左上手	hidariuwate	left-handed outside grip (on one's opponent's belt)
左四つ	hidariyotsu	hold in which both wrestlers obtain an underarm grip with the left hand and an over-arm gr
肘当て	hijiate	elbow strike (karate)
肘打ち	hijiuchi	elbow strike (karate)
控え布団	hikaebuton	waiting wrestler's sitting cushion
控えの力士	hikaenorikishi	wrestler waiting at the ringside
控え力士	hikaerikishi	wrestler waiting his turn by the ring
引き落とし	hikiotoshi	pulling (one's opponent) down
引き技	hikiwaza	pulling techniques
引っ掛け	hikkake	arm-grabbing force out
捻り	hineri	twisting throw
捻り手	hinerite	twisting techniques
平年寄り	hiradoshiyori	coach without a special assignment within the Sumo Association
開き足	hirakiashi	hiraki-ashi
平幕	hiramaku	rank-and-file wrestlers in the highest division
必殺技	hissatsuwaza	special or lethal move, usu. one unique to a certain fighter or fighting style
常陸梅	hitachiume	era during early 1900s dominated by the grand champions Hitachiyama and Umegatani II
常陸梅時代	hitachiumejidai	era during early 1900s dominated by the grand champions Hitachiyama and Umegatani II
膝車	hizaguruma	knee wheel (judo)
北辰一刀流	hokushin'ittouryuu	Hokushin Ittō-ryū (school of swordsmanship founded by Chiba Shūsaku ca. 1820)
本	hon	counter for rounds or points (in judo, kendo, etc.)
本場所	honbasho	official sumo tournament (six per year)
本割り	honwari	regular matches in an official tournament
星	hoshi	point
星勘定	hoshikanjou	counting "stars" to tally the score to date
星を落とす	hoshiootosu	to lose
星取表	hoshitorihyou	chart used to keep track of a wrestler's records during the tournament
奉納相撲	hounouzumou	ritual matches held at a shrine
居合刀	iaigatana	practice sword used in iaido
一番出世	ichibanshusse	newly recruited wrestlers in the first round of presentation after mae-zumo
一代年寄	ichidaitoshiyori	special coaching stock awarded to retired grand champion
一眼二足三胆四力	ichigannisokusantanshiriki	firstly vision, secondly footwork, thirdly courage, fourthly technique (the most important
一門	ichimon	group of related sumo stables
一門別総当り	ichimonbetsusouatari	obsolete rule prohibiting match-ups between wrestlers from the same group of stables
一門会	ichimonkai	meeting or association of stable masters belonging to the same grouping
息を合わせる	ikioawaseru	to synchronise the breathing with the opponent prior to the start of a match
生き体	ikitai	still having slim chances of victory
引退相撲	intaizumou	exhibition match held at a wrestler's retirement ceremony
隠遁術	intonjutsu	Ninja art of escape
一本	ippon	ippon
一本勝ち	ippongachi	winning by an ippon
一本取る	ippontoru	to score an ippon
一本背負い	ipponzeoi	one-armed shoulder throw (judo or sumo)
勇み足	isamiashi	forward step-out
一足一刀	issokuittou	distance in sword combat where approaching one more step allows hitting one's opponent
板番付	itabanzuke	large wooden boards listing rankings hung, outside tournament venues
痛み分け	itamiwake	match declared drawn due to injury
板割り	itawari	board breaking
一刀流	ittouryuu	Ittō-ryū
居反り	izori	backwards body drop
蛇の目の砂	janomenosuna	sand circle around the ring
地取り	jidori	training done in one's own stable
地稽古	jigeiko	training by two participants of the same skill level (kendo)
示現流	jigenryuu	Jigen-ryū
截拳道	jiikundoo	Jeet Kune Do (martial art founded by Bruce Lee)
時間係審判	jikangakarishinpan	judge timing the matches
序二段	jonidan	jonidan
序二段格	jonidankaku	referee officiating the second lowest division
序の口	jonokuchi	jonokuchi
序ノ口格	jonokuchikaku	referee officiating the lowest division
縄鏢	jouhyou	rope dart
上位五番	jouigoban	last five matches of makushita division wrestlers
上覧相撲	jouranzumou	match held in front of the Emperor
準年寄り	juntoshiyori	temporary coaching status for a retired wrestler
術理	jutsuri	principles of a martial art
柔道着	juudougi	judo gi
柔剣棒	juukenbou	jūkenbō
十枚目	juumaime	second highest division
十両	juuryou	second highest division
十両筆頭	juuryouhittou	two highest ranked wrestlers in juryo division
十両格	juuryoukaku	referee officiating the second highest division
庇い手	kabaite	rule allowing the clear winner of a bout to touch down first to avoid injury
かち上げる	kachiageru	to rush (one's opponent) from below with arms folded
勝ち得	kachidoku	win of a low-ranked wrestler in the extra eighth bout in the tournament
勝ち名乗り	kachinanori	being declared the winner of a bout
勝ち残り	kachinokori	winning wrestler who remains ringside in case his involvement is needed in pre-bout ritual
カド番	kadoban	ozeki-ranked wrestler being in danger of losing his rank if he fails to win 8 or more bout
角番大関	kadoban'oozeki	ozeki-ranked wrestler in danger of losing his rank
角俵	kadodawara	bales forming the outer rim of the ring
返り大関	kaerioozeki	former ozeki-ranked wrestler returning to that rank
返り三役	kaerisan'yaku	former san'yaku-ranked wrestler returning to that rank
返し技	kaeshiwaza	counterattack
腕捻り	kainahineri	two-handed arm twist down
腕を返す	kainaokaesu	to place one's arms under those of the opponent and lift them up, in order to prevent an o
掛かり稽古	kakarigeiko	kakari geiko
かかと落とし	kakatootoshi	axe kick
化勁	kakei	Hua Jin
掛け投げ	kakenage	hooking inner thigh throw
掛け技	kakewaza	foot throwing techniques
掛け反り	kakezori	hooking backwards body drop
格技場	kakugijou	training place
角界	kakukai	the world of sumo
角通	kakutsuu	expert
紙番付	kamibanzuke	rankings written on paper
看板大関	kanban'oozeki	physically exceptional wrestler promoted straight to champion rank during Edo period
功夫	kanfuu	kung fu
カニ挟み	kanibasami	flying scissors
勧進相撲	kanjinzumou	fund-raising tournaments (during the Edo period)
閂	kannuki	double-arm lock
還暦土俵入り	kanrekidohyouiri	former grand champion's 60th birthday ring-entering ceremony
還暦横綱手数入り	kanrekiyokozunadezuiri	former grand champion's 60th birthday ring-entering ceremony
関節技	kansetsuwaza	joint-locking technique (in judo)
顔ぶれ	kaobure	announcement of next day's match-ups
空手着	karategi	karate gi
借株	karikabu	rented coaching stock
形稽古	katageiko	form refinement training
肩車	kataguruma	shoulder wheel (judo)
固め技	katamewaza	grappling technique (e.g. judo)
肩透かし	katasukashi	under-shoulder swing-down
片鉄炮	katateppou	strong push with only one hand
活を入れる	katsuoireru	to apply the art of resuscitation (in judo, etc.)
瓦割り	kawarawari	breaking a stack of tiles with one's hand (in karate)
変わり身	kawarimi	lightness of foot
河津掛け	kawazugake	hooking backward counter throw
家族別総当り	kazokubetsusouatari	rule prohibiting match-ups between wrestlers from the same family
形意拳	keiiken	shape-of-the-mind fist
稽古場経費	keikobakeihi	allowance paid by the Sumo Association to a coach for each wrestler in his stable
警告	keikoku	keikoku (penalty in judo)
ケイシャーダ	keishaada	queixada (capoeira kick at the opponent's jaw)
系統別総当り	keitoubetsusouatari	rule prohibiting match-ups between wrestlers from the same family
蹴返し	kekaeshi	minor inner footsweep
剣道着	kendougi	kendo gi
剣道場	kendoujou	kendo hall
剣ヶ峰	kengamine	wrestling ring
剣気	kenki	aura of a sword
懸の先	kennosen	seizing the initiative by attacking first
袈裟固め	kesagatame	scarf hold (in judo)
化粧回し	keshoumawashi	ornamental apron
化粧水	keshoumizu	water offered to wrestlers just prior to a bout
蹴手繰り	ketaguri	pulling inside ankle sweep
気合	kiai	kiai
騎馬立ち	kibadachi	horse stance
決まり手	kimarite	clincher
決り手係	kimaritegakari	coach announcing the winner and winning technique
極め出し	kimedashi	arm-barring force out
決める	kimeru	to immobilize with a double-arm lock (in sumo, judo, etc.)
極め倒し	kimetaoshi	arm-barring force down
極技	kimewaza	striking technique
金星	kinboshi	win of a rank-and-file wrestler over the grand champion
切り返し	kirikaeshi	twisting backward knee trip
切り返す	kirikaesu	to perform a twisting backward knee trip
貴輪	kirin	era at the end of 1970s dominated by grand champion Wajima and ozeki Takanohana
貴輪時代	kirinjidai	era at the end of 1970s dominated by grand champion Wajima and ozeki Takanohana
北玉	kitatama	era at the turn of 1960s into 70s dominated by grand champions Kitanofuji and Tamanoumi
北玉時代	kitatamajidai	era at the turn of 1960s into 70s dominated by grand champions Kitanofuji and Tamanoumi
清めの塩	kiyomenoshio	salt thrown to purify the ring before a bout
小堀流	koboriryuu	kobori
子供相撲	kodomozumou	children's sumo
虎燕拳	koenken	Tiger Swallow Fist
個人優勝制度	kojin'yuushouseido	individual championship system
個人別総当り	kojinbetsusouatari	hypothetical rule allowing match-ups between wrestlers regardless of their stable affiliat
呼吸法	kokyuuhou	breathing techniques
呼吸を合わせる	kokyuuoawaseru	to synchronise the breathing with the opponent prior to the start of a match
小股掬い	komatasukui	over-thigh scooping body drop
小結	komusubi	wrestler of the fourth highest rank
木の葉返し	konohagaeshi	rapid slicing stroke of a sword (in kendo)
これより三役	koreyorisan'yaku	final three bouts on the last day of a tournament
腰砕け	koshikudake	collapsing in the middle of a bout
腰投げ	koshinage	hip throw (judo, sumo)
腰技	koshiwaza	hip throwing techniques (judo)
小手返し	kotegaeshi	Aikido technique, wherein the opponent is brought down by twisting his or her arm away fro
小手捻り	kotehineri	arm-locking twist down
小手投げ	kotenage	armlock throw
小内刈り	kouchigari	kouchigari (judo)
公演	kouen	exhibition in a foreign country
紅白帯	kouhakuobi	red and white belt
好角家	koukakuka	sumo fan
公傷	koushou	injury sustained at an official tournament
小褄取り	kozumatori	rear toe pick
首捻り	kubihineri	head-twisting throw
首投げ	kubinage	kubinage
食い下がる	kuisagaru	to grab the front of the opponent's mawashi, place one's head against their chest, and low
組み手	kumite	kumite
九六	kunroku	ozeki ranked wrestler unable to live up to the expectations of his rank
黒星	kuroboshi	mark indicating a defeat
黒房	kurobusa	black tassel hung above the northwest corner of the ring
黒帯	kuroobi	black belt
崩し	kuzushi	unbalancing an opponent
キャメルクラッチ	kyamerukuratchi	camel clutch
協会旅費	kyoukairyohi	travel allowance paid to salaried wrestlers for tournaments held outside Tokyo
鏡新明智流	kyoushinmeichiryuu	Kyōshin Meichi-ryū (school of swordsmanship founded by Momonoi Naoyoshi in 1773)
休場	kyuujou	absence (from a bout or tournament)
九州場所	kyuushuubasho	Kyushu Tournament (held in Fukuoka in November)
前頭	maegashira	rank-and-file wrestlers in the highest division
前頭筆頭	maegashirahittou	two highest ranked maegashira wrestlers
前頭上位	maegashirajoui	ten highest ranked maegashira wrestlers certain to wrestle against san'yaku ranks
前捌き	maesabaki	battling to knock away the hands of one's opponent, in order to achieve an advantageous po
前相撲	maezumou	preliminary bouts with unranked wrestlers
髷結い	mageyui	hairdressing of a wrestler's top-knot
枚	mai	counter for ranks
枚数	maisuu	win-loss difference which influences the ranking of wrestlers
負け得	makedoku	loss of a low-ranked wrestler in the extra eighth bout in the tournament
巻き替え	makikae	changing from an overarm to an underarm grip on one's opponent's belt
巻き込み	makikomi	makikomi (judo throw)
巻き落とし	makiotoshi	twist down
幕	maku	makuuchi
幕尻	makujiri	lowest ranked wrestler in makuuchi division
幕に上がる	makuniagaru	to be promoted to makuuchi (of a juryo-division wrestler)
幕の内	makunouchi	makunouchi
幕下	makushita	third highest division
幕下上位	makushitajoui	30 highest ranked makushita wrestlers
幕下格	makushitakaku	referee officiating the third highest division
幕下付け出し	makushitatsukedashi	very successful amateur wrestler, allowed to start professional career in makushita divisi
幕内	makuuchi	makuuchi
幕内十年	makuuchijuunen	10 year career in the highest division is enough for anyone
幕内格	makuuchikaku	referee officiating at bouts of rank-and-file wrestlers in the highest division
幕内最高優勝	makuuchisaikouyuushou	tournament win in the highest division
万力鎖	manrikigusari	Ninja weighted chain weapon
マルテーロ	maruteero	martelo
股割り	matawari	extreme leg-stretching exercise to increase flexibility of the crotch
的串	matogushi	wooden target holder (in archery)
待った	matta	false start of a bout
回し	mawashi	mawashi
回し蹴り	mawashigeri	roundhouse kick
面	men	striking the head (in kendo)
右上手	migiuwate	right-handed outside grip (on one's opponent's belt)
右四つ	migiyotsu	hold in which both wrestlers obtain an underarm grip with the right hand and an overarm gr
三所攻め	mitokorozeme	triple attack force out
見取り稽古	mitorikeiko	learning from observing others
褌	mitsu	mawashi
三つ巴の戦い	mitsudomoenotatakai	playoff for the tournament win with three wrestlers participating
三つ巴戦	mitsudomoesen	playoff for the tournament win with three wrestlers participating
水	mizu	water offered to wrestlers just prior to a bout
水引幕	mizuhikimaku	purple curtain on the hanging roof above the ring
水入り	mizuiri	break granted to wrestlers engaged in a prolonged bout
水入り二番後撮り直し	mizuirinibangotorinaoshi	rematch due to overlong (over 10 min) bout
水入りの相撲	mizuirinosumou	match with a break
持ち給金	mochikyuukin	base for calculating a wrestler's tournament stipend
双手刈り	morotegari	morote gari (judo takedown)
両差し	morozashi	deep double underarm grip which prevents the opponent from grabbing the belt
元立ち	motodachi	receiver (of an attack during kendo practice)
向こう正面	mukoujoumen	(seat facing) south side of ring
向付け	mukouzuke	resting one's forehead on the chest of one's opponent and grabbing his belt
胸を出す	muneodasu	to have training bouts with one's junior during practice (of a senior wrestler)
無類力士	muruirikishi	wrestler of grand champion quality but without the title
虫眼鏡	mushimegane	wrestler of the lowest rank
無双直伝英信流	musoujikiden'eishinryuu	Muso Jikiden Eishin-ryu (iaido style)
結びの一番	musubinoichiban	final bout of the tournament day
結びの前	musubinomae	penultimate bout of the tournament day
結びの三番	musubinosanban	final three bouts of the tournament day
投げ技	nagewaza	throwing technique
名古屋場所	nagoyabasho	Nagoya Tournament (held in July)
内家拳	naikaken	neijia (Chinese martial arts style)
夏場所	natsubasho	Summer Tournament (held in Tokyo in May)
根岸流	negishiryuu	conservative calligraphy style used to write rankings
猫騙し	nekodamashi	slapping hands in front of the opponent's face to confuse him
ネリチャギ	nerichagi	axe kick
寝技	newaza	pinning technique (in wrestling or judo)
二番出世	nibanshusse	newly recruited wrestlers in the second round of presentation after mae-zumo
二丁投げ	nichounage	body drop throw (sweeping the opponent's legs and throwing them forward)
二段目	nidanme	third highest division
二枚蹴り	nimaigeri	ankle-kicking twist down
二枚腰	nimaigoshi	posture in which the legs are firmly planted (in sumo and judo)
二枚鑑札	nimaikansatsu	holding two positions at once (esp. of rikishi or judges who are also coaches)
忍術	ninjutsu	ninjutsu
日本拳法	nipponkenpou	Nippon Kempo
喉輪	nodowa	thrust at the opponent's throat
残す	nokosu	to stay (in the ring)
残った	nokotta	you're still in it!
納刀	noutou	sheathing a sword
覗かせる	nozokaseru	to partially insert one's arm under an opponent's arm
抜け抜け	nukenuke	alternating wins and losses (every other day)
貫手	nukite	spear hand
抜き付け	nukitsuke	maneuver to draw a sword from its scabbard and cut immediately
抜き技	nukiwaza	counterattack while evading the opponent's attack (kendo)
双節棍	nunchaku	nunchaku (two linked fighting sticks)
帯取り返し	obitorigaeshi	belt grab reversal (judo)
送り足	okuriashi	stepping out of the ring while carrying the opponent over the edge, not considered as a lo
送り出し	okuridashi	pushing (propelling) (one's opponent) out of the ring from behind
送り出す	okuridasu	to push (one's opponent) out of the ring from behind
送り掛け	okurigake	rear leg trip
送り引き落とし	okurihikiotoshi	rear pull down
送り投げ	okurinage	rear throw down
送り倒し	okuritaoshi	rear push down
送り吊り出し	okuritsuridashi	rear lift out
送り吊り落とし	okuritsuriotoshi	rear lifting body slam
お面	omen	striking the head (kendo)
恩を返す	on'okaesu	to defeat one's senior stablemate
女相撲	onnazumou	female sumo wrestling
大頭	oogashira	first makushita rikishi listed on the banzuke
大銀杏	ooichou	ginkgo-leaf top-knot worn by makuuchi and juryo division wrestlers
大銀杏髷	ooichoumage	ginkgo-leaf top-knot worn by makuuchi and juryo division wrestlers
大股	oomata	thigh-scooping body drop
大阪場所	oosakabasho	Osaka (March) tournament
大逆手	oosakate	backward-twisting overarm throw
大外刈り	oosotogari	osotogari (judo)
大内刈り	oouchigari	ouchigari (judo)
大関	oozeki	ōzeki (second highest rank in sumo)
大関陥落	oozekikanraku	demotion from ōzeki ranking
押し出し	oshidashi	pushing one's opponent out by pressing one's hands up against them
押し相撲	oshizumou	pushing sumo
押忍	ossu	yessir!
落とす	otosu	to make someone swoon (judo)
押っ付け	ottsuke	technique of holding one's opponent's arm to prevent him from getting a hold on one's belt
親方	oyakata	stable master
親方株	oyakatakabu	coach's name-use license (licence)
楽日	rakujitsu	last day of a tournament
乱取り	randori	randori (freestyle judo training)
練功	renkou	skills acquired through hard training
連続技	renzokuwaza	continuous techniques
連続優勝	renzokuyuushou	consecutive tournament victories
力士	rikishi	sumo wrestler
力士会	rikishikai	association of salaried wrestlers
輪湖	rinko	era during mid-1970s dominated by grand champions Wajima and Kitanoumi
輪湖時代	rinkojidai	era during mid-1970s dominated by grand champions Wajima and Kitanoumi
鯖折り	sabaori	forward force down
下がり	sagari	string apron
サイドキック	saidokikku	side kick
再十両	saijuuryou	wrestler re-promoted to juryo division
再入幕	sainyuumaku	wrestler re-promoted to makuuchi division
再出場	saishutsujou	return to tournament after temporary absence
逆手	sakate	reverse arm-lock (in judo)
逆とったり	sakatottari	arm bar throw counter
三役格	san'yakukaku	referee officiating bouts of san'yaku ranked wrestlers
三役揃い踏み	san'yakusoroibumi	ritual stomping in unison on the final day of a tournament
三番稽古	sanbangeiko	a row of training matches with the same opponent
三番出世	sanbanshusse	newly recruited wrestlers in the third round of presentation after mae-zumo
三戦	sanchin	sanchin
三段目	sandanme	third lowest division
三段目格	sandanmekaku	referee officiating the third lowest sumo division
三仙叉	sansensa	trident dagger
三賞	sanshou	three special awards for wrestlers at the end of a tournament
猿拳	saruken	Monkey Fist
差違え	sashichigae	overruling referee's decision of bout outcome
差し違える	sashichigaeru	to make a mistake in deciding the winner
差し身	sashimi	a quick thrust of the hand
差し手	sashite	slipping one's hand beneath the opponent's arm and latching on to the underside of his bel
差し手争い	sashitearasoi	struggling to grab hold of one's opponent's belt with one's dominant hand
差す	sasu	to insert one's arm under an opponent's arm
節会相撲	sechiezumou	sumo performed at ancient Japanese imperial court
西方	seihou	western fighter in a match (e.g. sumo)
正拳	seiken	seiken (karate proper fist)
正拳突き	seikenzuki	thrusting technique
関取	sekitori	ranking wrestler in the makuuchi (senior-grade) or juryo (junior-grade) divisions
関脇	sekiwake	wrestler of the third highest rank
先の先	sennosen	striking just before one's opponent makes a move
千秋楽	senshuuraku	final day of a tournament
背負い投げ	seoinage	seoi nage (judo)
絞る	shiboru	to hold down
四房	shibusa	four tassels hung above the ring
七方出	shichihoude	seven disguises of the ninja
指導	shidou	shido (minor penalty in judo)
四本柱	shihonbashira	four posts that used to support the roof over the ring
四十八手	shijuuhatte	the 48 basic techniques
仕切り	shikiri	preliminary warm-up ritual
仕切り直し	shikirinaoshi	getting poised again for charging
仕切り直す	shikirinaosu	to get poised again for charging
仕切り線	shikirisen	starting lines in the ring
仕切る	shikiru	to assume a crouching posture (at the start of a bout)
四股	shiko	wrestler's ceremonial leg raising and stomping
四股名	shikona	wrestler's stage name
締め	shime	choking technique (in judo)
締め込み	shimekomi	wrestler's belt
絞め技	shimewaza	shime-waza (judo stranglehold)
新大関	shin'oozeki	wrestler newly promoted to ozeki rank
新横綱	shin'yokozuna	wrestler newly promoted to grand champion
竹刀	shinai	bamboo sword (for kendo)
新弟子	shindeshi	newly accepted professional wrestlers
新弟子検査	shindeshikensa	medical examination of entrants into professional wrestling
心技体	shingitai	three qualities of a martial artist or athlete: heart, technique, strength
死に体	shinitai	losing posture
神事相撲	shinjizumou	sumo performed as part of Shinto harvest festivities
新序出世披露	shinjoshussehirou	presenting of new wrestlers to audience
新十両	shinjuuryou	wrestler newly promoted to juryo division
新陰流	shinkageryuu	Shinkage-Ryu (style of Japanese fencing)
震脚	shinkyaku	stamp (in Chinese martial arts)
新入幕	shinnyuumaku	wrestler newly promoted to makuuchi division
審判委員	shinpan'iin	five ringside judges
審判部長	shinpanbuchou	head judge
審判長	shinpanchou	head judge
新三役	shinsan'yaku	wrestler newly promoted to a san'yaku rank
新相撲	shinsumou	"new" sumo (for women) conducted on a mat, wearing leotards instead of a mawashi
神道無念流	shintoumunenryuu	Shintō Munen-ryū (school of swordsmanship founded by Fukui Hyōemon Kahei in the 18th centu
塩籠	shiokago	basket for salt by the ring
塩撒き	shiomaki	salt-throwing ceremony before the sumo bout
不知火型	shiranuigata	Shiranui style of grand champion's ring-entering ceremony
白星	shiroboshi	victory mark
白房	shirobusa	white tassel hung above the southwest corner of the ring
白帯	shiroobi	white belt
師匠	shishou	stable master
下手	shitate	underarm grip on opponent's belt
下手出し投げ	shitatedashinage	pulling underarm throw
下手捻り	shitatehineri	twisting underarm throw
下手投げ	shitatenage	underarm throw
鎮め物	shizumemono	sacred items buried in the ring during its ritual purification
初っ切り	shokkiri	comic sumo performance
初日が出る	shonichigaderu	to achieve one's first victory after a string of losses
初日を出す	shonichiodasu	to achieve one's first victory after a string of losses
勝負俵	shoubudawara	bales forming the edge of the ring
勝負審判	shoubushinpan	ringside judge
勝負審判交替	shoubushinpankoutai	change of judges
少林寺流	shourinjiryuu	Shorin-ryu
少林流	shourinryuu	(Shorin-ryu) Okinawa school of karate
掌底	shoutei	palm heel
松涛館流	shoutoukanryuu	Shotokan (style of karate)
修行者	shugyouja	practitioner of martial arts
殊勲賞	shukunshou	Outstanding Performance Award
撞木反り	shumokuzori	bell hammer backwards body drop
手礼	shurei	hand motion indicating gratitude
素首落とし	sokubiotoshi	head chop down
足刀	sokutou	outer edge of the foot (from little toe to heel) (karate)
蹲踞	sonkyo	crouching
ソップ型	soppugata	slim sumo wrestler
反り手	sorite	falling techniques
揃い踏み	soroibumi	ritual stamping in the ring
外掛け	sotogake	outside leg trip
外小股	sotokomata	over-thigh scooping body drop
外無双	sotomusou	outer-thigh-propping twist down
外襷反り	sototasukizori	outer reverse backwards body drop
酔拳	suiken	drunken boxing
スカす	sukasu	to leave one's stable
掬い投げ	sukuinage	variety of beltless arm throw
相撲人	sumaibito	wrestler
隅返し	sumigaeshi	corner throw (judo)
隅落とし	sumiotoshi	sumiotoshi (judo)
相撲部屋	sumoubeya	stable
相撲字	sumouji	writing style used to write the rankings
相撲甚句	sumoujinku	sumo-themed song
相撲文字	sumoumoji	writing style used to write the rankings
砂かぶり	sunakaburi	seats closest to the ring
砂かぶり席	sunakaburiseki	ringside seat
すり足	suriashi	moving one's legs forward without letting one's feet leave the ground
スリーパーホールド	suriipaahoorudo	sleeper hold
裾払い	susoharai	rear footsweep
裾取り	susotori	ankle pick
捨て身技	sutemiwaza	sutemi-waza (judo sacrifice throw)
座技	suwariwaza	Aikido seated defence (defense)
座り相撲	suwarizumou	wrestling performed in a sitting position
立ち	tachi	rising from a crouch to charge
立ち上がる	tachiagaru	to rise (from a crouch) and make the initial charge
立会い	tachiai	rising from a crouch to charge
太刀持ち	tachimochi	rikishi carrying a sword who follows the yokozuna to the ring during his ring-entering cer
太刀取り	tachitori	rikishi carrying a sword who follows the yokozuna to the ring during his ring-entering cer
立ち技	tachiwaza	standing techniques (judo, wrestling)
太鼓内訳	taikouchiwake	drumming style used to announce bouts
太極拳	taikyokuken	grand ultimate fist
対の先	tainosen	striking one's opponent while defending from their attack
待の先	tainosen	seizing the initiative by counterattacking
体落とし	taiotoshi	body drop (judo)
台覧相撲	tairanzumou	wrestling performed in the presence of the empress or crown prince
体捌き	taisabaki	defensive body movement (judo, kendo, etc.)
体々の先	taitainosen	answering one's opponent's attack with an unwavering strike
溜まり	tamari	waiting place for a wrestler beside the ring
溜席	tamariseki	ringside seat
試し割り	tameshiwari	breaking bricks, etc.
谷町	tanimachi	sponsors of rikishi or their stables
谷落とし	taniotoshi	tani otoshi (judo)
タップアウト	tappuauto	tap out
垂れ	tare	(kendo) loin guard
襷反り	tasukizori	reverse backwards body drop
立て行司	tategyouji	head referee
縦四方固め	tateshihougatame	tate-shiho-gatame (judo)
立呼び出し	tateyobidashi	highest ranked usher
手形	tegata	signed hand-print
手刀を切る	tegatanaokiru	to make a ceremonial hand movement when receiving the monetary award
点穴	tenketsu	vulnerable body cavities
天皇賜杯	tennoushihai	Emperor's Cup
天覧相撲	tenranzumou	wrestling performed in imperial presence
鉄砲	teppou	wooden pole that wrestlers strike in practice
鉄炮押し	teppouoshi	pushing against the wooden pole in practice
手取り	tetori	talented wrestler
手わざ	tewaza	hand throwing technique (judo)
飛び蹴り	tobigeri	dropkick
栃若	tochiwaka	Tochinishiki and Wakanohana I (dominant 1950s yokozuna)
栃若時代	tochiwakajidai	era during the 1950s dominated by grand champions Tochinishiki and Wakanohana I
途中休場	tochuukyuujou	quitting the tournament in progress due mostly to injury
徳利投げ	tokkurinage	two-handed head twist down
徳俵	tokudawara	4 bales on the edge of the ring set slightly back
得意技	tokuiwaza	signature move (assoc. with a martial artist, wrestler, etc.)
得意四つ	tokuiyotsu	wrestler's favourite (favorite) grip on the belt
止め鋏	tomebasami	final cut severing a wrestler's top-knot in his retirement ceremony
巴投げ	tomoenage	tomoe nage (judo throw)
巴戦	tomoesen	play-off with 3 wrestlers participating
遁術	tonjutsu	Ninja art of escape
遁法	tonpou	Ninja art of escape
遠当て	tooate	striking technique performed at a distance from one's opponent
取り口	torikuchi	technique
取り回し	torimawashi	wrestler's belt used in a bout
取り直す	torinaosu	to re-grip
取り手	torite	skilled practitioner (of judo, sumo, etc.)
捕り手	torite	art of defeating (and capturing) an opponent with one's bare hands
取り的	toriteki	low-ranking unsalaried wrestler (ranked below juryo)
年寄り	toshiyori	trustee of the Japan Sumo Association
年寄株	toshiyorikabu	sumo management stock
年寄名跡	toshiyorimyouseki	official names associated with coaching licenses (105 permanent and heritable, plus those
とったり	tottari	arm bar throw
東方	touhou	eastern fighter in a match (e.g. sumo wrestling)
刀術	toujutsu	fencing
套路	touro	taolu (Chinese martial arts forms)
螳螂拳	tourouken	praying mantis style
燕返し	tsubamegaeshi	swallow counter (judo technique)
土がつく	tsuchigatsuku	to lose
土をつける	tsuchiotsukeru	to defeat
土付かず	tsuchitsukazu	undefeated record
継ぎ足	tsugiashi	tsugi-ashi
辻相撲	tsujizumou	amateur wrestling on a street corner or in an empty field (esp. in autumn)
掴み投げ	tsukaminage	lifting throw
付け出し	tsukedashi	very successful amateur wrestler, allowed to start professional career in makushita divisi
突き	tsuki	tsuki
突き出し	tsukidashi	frontal thrust out (winning technique)
突き膝	tsukihiza	knee touch down
突き押し	tsukioshi	pushing and shoving techniques
突き落とし	tsukiotoshi	thrusting down (winning technique)
突き倒し	tsukitaoshi	thrusting down one's opponent either inside or outside the ring
つき手	tsukite	hand touch down
突っかける	tsukkakeru	to push (one's opponent) down before he stands up
褄取り	tsumadori	rear toe pick
綱	tsuna	grand champion's braided belt
綱を張る	tsunaoharu	to become a yokozuna
綱締め	tsunashime	putting on the tsuna
綱取り	tsunatori	ozeki wrestler's attempt to reach the rank of yokozuna
綱打ち式	tsunauchishiki	ceremony of tsuna-making
突っ張り	tsuppari	thrust
突っ張る	tsupparu	to thrust (one's opponent)
吊り出し	tsuridashi	winning technique where the opponent is lifted out by his belt
吊り落とし	tsuriotoshi	lifting body slam
吊り手	tsurite	lifting hand (judo)
吊り屋根	tsuriyane	hanging roof over the ring
吊る	tsuru	to hoist an opponent off of his feet by his loincloth
伝え反り	tsutaezori	underarm forward body drop
露払い	tsuyuharai	sumo wrestler who leads a yokozuna at his ring-entering ceremony
内俵	uchidawara	bales forming the edge of the ring
内掛け	uchigake	inside leg trip
打ち込み稽古	uchikomigeiko	training performed by an attacker and a defender, involving intentional openings
打ち込む	uchikomu	to hit (an opponent in kendo, boxing, etc.)
内股	uchimata	uchi-mata (judo)
内無双	uchimusou	inner-thigh-propping twist down
腕ひしぎ	udehishigi	armlock
受身	ukemi	ukemi (the art of falling safely)
浮腰	ukigoshi	floating hip throw (judo)
雲龍型	unryuugata	Unryū style of grand champion's ring-entering ceremony
裏投げ	uranage	ura-nage (in judo, an over-the-head throw performed by rolling backwards)
後ろ襟	ushiroeri	grabbing the back of the opponent's collar (in judo)
後ろ回し蹴り	ushiromawashigeri	spin kick
後ろもたれ	ushiromotare	backward lean out
後技	ushirowaza	Aikido rear defence (defense)
打たれ強い	utarezuyoi	able to take a lot of punishment (of a boxer, etc.)
打っちゃり	utchari	backward pivot throw
上手	uwate	over-arm grip on opponent's belt
上手出し投げ	uwatedashinage	pulling overarm throw
上手捻り	uwatehineri	twisting overarm throw
上手投げ	uwatenage	a throw using the outside of the arm
若い者頭	wakaimonogashira	functionary charged with training and organizing young wrestlers
脇が甘い	wakigaamai	poor at preventing one's opponent from getting an underarm grip
腕白横綱	wanpakuyokozuna	champion of children's sumo
腕白相撲	wanpakuzumou	children's sumo
割り	wari	match
割り出し	waridashi	upper-arm force out
渡し込み	watashikomi	technique of throwing one's opponent by pushing his chest while holding his thigh
技あり	wazaari	waza-ari (in judo, a half-point awarded for good but incomplete execution)
家賃が高い	yachingatakai	ranked too high for one's abilities (of a wrestler)
櫓太鼓	yaguradaiko	drums which announce the opening of a stage performance or commencement of bouts
櫓投げ	yaguranage	inner thigh throw
山嵐	yamaarashi	yamaarashi
山稽古	yamageiko	outdoor practice
呼び出し	yobidashi	usher who calls the names of wrestlers, sweeps the ring, etc.
呼び戻し	yobimodoshi	pulling body slam
よいしょ	yoisho	yoisho! (word shouted by the spectators during a yokozuna's ritual stomps)
横面	yokomen	hitting the side of the head (kendo)
横四方固め	yokoshihougatame	yoko-shiho-gatame (judo hold in which the opponent's shoulders and hips are pinned)
横綱	yokozuna	yokozuna (highest rank in sumo)
横綱稽古	yokozunakeiko	practice session where grand champion is present
横綱の器	yokozunanoutsuwa	mental characteristics expected of a grand champion
横綱大関	yokozunaoozeki	grand champion filling the rank of champion to keep their number at 2
横綱審議委員会	yokozunashingiiinkai	Yokozuna Deliberation Committee
横綱相撲	yokozunazumou	facing one's opponent head-on and winning via overwhelmingly superior strength or skill
寄り	yori	pushing back one's opponent while locked in close quarters
寄り合い	yoriai	two wrestlers approaching each other
寄り切り	yorikiri	driving opponent out of the ring while gripping his belt
寄り切る	yorikiru	to force someone out of the ring
寄り身	yorimi	pushing an opponent out with one's body
寄り倒し	yoritaoshi	knocking an opponent over while holding his belt
寄る	yoru	to push one's opponent while holding their belt
寄せ太鼓	yosedaiko	drums sounded in the morning to draw the crowds to a match
四つ身	yotsumi	cross-grips (situation in which each rikishi has an underarm grip on the other)
四つ相撲	yotsuzumou	wrestling in which both wrestlers grasp the other's belt with both hands
四つ	yottsu	cross grips
弓取り	yumitori	bow-twirling ceremony at the end of each day of a Grand Sumo Tournament
弓取り式	yumitorishiki	bow-twirling ceremony at the end of each day of a Grand Sumo Tournament
有効	yuukou	yuko (judo)
優勢勝ち	yuuseigachi	winning by judges' decision (in judo)
優勝額	yuushougaku	portrait of a tournament winner
斬馬刀	zanbatou	zanbatō
関	zeki	honorific added to names of makuuchi and juryo division wrestlers
全勝	zenshou	winning a tournament with no losses
全勝優勝	zenshouyuushou	winning a championship with a perfect record
頭捻り	zubuneri	head pivot throw

Data: JMdict (CC BY-SA 4.0). Retrieved 2026-10-22.