Here are definitions for some common, and uncommon japanese terms, and their japanese characters, used in the Iaido world.
| Aikidō
| ( 合気道 )
| Way of Harmony with the Universe
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| Budō
| ( 武道 )
| Way of the Martial (-arts)
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| Bugei
| ( 武芸 )
| Martial Art
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| Bugeisha
| ( 武芸者 )
| Martial Artist
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| Chūden
| ( 中伝 )
| The middle tradition/transmission
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| Dan-to-kyu
| ( 段と級 )
| The system used as a standard to evaluate skills in many Budo. Dan was first used in Kodokan Judo, and the first Shodan (1-dan) was issued in 1883.
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| Dō
| ( 道 )
| A path, i.e. a path to follow through life. Also philosophy or lifestyle.
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| Fudōshin
| ( 不動心 )
| Unmovable Mind, i.e. a state of mind that is not disturbed by external forces.
|
| Hanshi
| ( 範士 )
| The highest rank of the three levels of shôgô. Hanshi is awarded to Kyoshi holding 8-dan or above, especially ones who have a noble moral character, thorough knowledge of the principles of Do, and a fully developed technique, and who is at least 55 years of age.
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| Iaidō
| ( 居合道 )
| Way of Preparedness
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| Jōdō
| ( 杖道 )
| Way of the Staff
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| Jutsu
| ( 術 )
| Technique. Also Art.
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| Kata
| ( 型 )
|
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| Katana
| ( 刀 )
| A Japanese Sword
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| Kendō
| ( 剣道 )
| Way of the Sword
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| Kenshō
| ( 見性 )
| Seeing ones nature, a term for enlightenment experiences.
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| Kihaku
| ( 気迫 )
| Spirit, backbone, mental strength to face any hardship. Also called Kigai. The spirit of fighting back against an attacking opponent.
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| Kuden
| ( 口伝 )
| Oral tradition/transmission
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| Kyōshi
| ( 教士 )
| The middle rank of the three levels of Sh&3333;gō. In the ZNKR the recipient must be a Renshi holding 7-dan or above and who has the ability to lead and instruct.
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| Ma
|
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| Ma-ai
| ( 間合 )
| Intervall or distance between two opponents. Also including mental distance.
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| Metsuke
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| Mushin
| ( 無心 )
| No-mindedness, i.e. a state of mind that is open to everything, fluid and devoid of pre-conceived notions, typically about an opponents impending attack.
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| Omote
| ( 表 )
| Surface, Front, Right side, Face, Exterior, Outside
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| Okuden
| ( 奥伝 )
|
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| Qigong
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| Renshi
| ( 錬士 )
| The lowest rank of the three levels of shôgô. The recipient must have 6-dan and posess the ability to referee.
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| Satori
| ( 悟り )
| Comprehension, Understanding, Buddhist enlightenment
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| Seme
| ( 攻め )
| Attack or pressuring the opponent.
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| Shoden
| ( 初伝 )
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| Shōgō
| ( 称号 )
| A title which indicates a certain status or qualification. Within the ZNKR, there are three levels of shogo: Renshi, Kyōshi, and Hanshi.
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| Ura
| ( 裏 )
| Inside, Palm, Undersurface, Opposite, Wrong side
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| Zanshin
| ( 残心 )
| Remaining Mind, i.e. a state of mental awareness and relaxed alertness. Often implied by the posture taken after having performed a technique.
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| Zazen
| ( 座禅 )
| (Zen) meditaion
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| Zen
| ( 禅 )
| Zen (Buddhism)
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