List of Ninjutsu Terminology
Here are some of the key Japanese words & commands used in Ninjutsu terminology. These words are used in many traditional Ninjutsu (Ninja) schools. For other martial arts words & commands, please visit the main Martial Arts Terminology section.
Ninjutsu Terminology – English to Japanese
- Back/Rear – Ushiro (sounds like Oo-she-row)
- Basic – Kihon (sounds like Key-hon)
- Belt – Obi (sounds like Oh-bee)
- Block – Uke (sounds like Oo-kay)
- Body Movement – Tai Sabaki
- Bow (i.e. to greet instructor) – Rei (sounds like Ray)
- Disappearing Techniques – Intonjutsu
- Disguise & Impersonation Techniques – Hensojutsu
- Elbow – Empi or Enpi (sounds like En-pee or Em-pee)
- Elbow Strike – Empi-Uchi (sounds like Em-pee Oo-chee)
- Entangle – Garami
- Espionage – Choho
- Falling Techniques – Ukemi Waza
- Fire – Ka
- Foot – Ashi (sounds like Ah-she)
- Form or Pattern – Kata (sounds like Ka-ta)
- Form (Kata) Technique Application – Bunkai (sounds like Boon-kay)
- Goodbye – Sayonara (sounds like Sa-yoh-na-rah)
- Hand – Te (sound like Tay)
- Head – Atama (sounds like Ah-ta-ma)
- Heel – Kakato (sounds like Ka-ka-toe)
- I (Me) – Watashi (sounds like Wa-ta-she)
- Joint Lock Techniques – Kansetsu Waza
- Kick – Geri or Keri (sounds like Geh-ree or Keh-ree)
- Knee – Hiza (sounds like He-zah)
- Knife Hand – Shuto (sounds like Shoe-toe)
- Left – Hidari (sounds like Hee-da-ree)
- Low (Level) – Gedan (sounds like Geh-dan)
- Mat (Practice/Training Mat) – Tatami (sounds like Ta-ta-me)
- Middle (Level) – Chudan (sounds like Choo-dan)
- Ninja – Shinobi
- Ninja (Female) – Kunoichi
- No – Iie (sounds like E-ay)
- Please – Dozo (sounds like Doe-zoh)
- Pressure Point Techniques – Kyusho Waza
- Punch – Tsuki or Zuki (sounds like Zoo-key)
- Right – Migi (sounds like Mee-gee)
- Sandals (Flat Bottom) – Zori
- Sandals (Elevated) – Geta
- School/Training Facility (Martial Arts) – Dojo (sounds like Doe-Joe)
- Side – Yoko (sounds like Yoh-koh)
- Socks – Tabi
- Sparring – Kumite (sounds like Coo-meh-tay)
- Stance – Dachi (sounds like Dah-chee)
- Stop – Yame (sounds like Yah-may)
- Strike – Uchi (sounds like Oo-chee)
- Sweep – Barai (sounds like Baa-rye)
- Teacher/Instructor – Sensei (sounds like Sen-say)
- Technique – Waza (sounds like Waa-Zaa)
- Thank You (Formal) – Domo Arigato (sounds like Doe-moe Ah-ree-gah-toe)
- Thank You (Informal) – Domo (sounds like Doe-moe)
- Throat – Nodo (sounds like No-doe)
- Throwing Techniques – Nage Waza
- Turn Around – Mawatte (sounds like Ma-wa-tay)
- Unarmed Combat – Taijutsu
- Upper (Level) – Jodan (sounds like Joe-dan)
- Water Training – Sui-ren
- Weapon – Buki
- Yes – Hai (sounds like Hi)
- You – Anata (sounds like Ah-na-ta)
Ninjutsu Weapons
- Arrow – Ya
- Blinding Powder – Metsubushi
- Blow Gun – Fukiya
- Bow (Archery) – Yumi
- Caltrops – Tetsubishi
- Chain & Scythe – Kusarigama
- Chain Weapon – Kusari Fundo
- Claw Weapon – Shuko
- Dagger – Tanto
- Dagger/Digging Tool – Kunai
- Hooked Rope-Dart – Kyoketsu-Shoge or Shogee
- Scythe (Small) – Kama
- Spear – Yari
- Staff (Long) – Bo
- Staff (Medium) – Jo
- Staff (Short) – Hanbo
- Sword (Metal) – Katana
- Sword (Practice – Bamboo) – Shinai
- Sword (Practice – Wooden) – Bokken
- Sword (Short) – Wakizashi
- Throwing Star – Shuriken
- War Fan – Tessen
- For additional information, please visit the main Ninjutsu Weapons section.
How To Count In Japanese
- One – Ichi
- Two – Ni
- Three – San
- Four – Shi
- Five – Go
- Six – Roku
- Seven – Shichi
- Eight – Hachi
- Nine – Kyu
- Ten – Jyu
- Eleven – Jyu Ichi
- Twelve – Jyu Ni
- Thirteen – Jyu San
- Fourteen – Jyu Shi
- Fifteen – Jyu Go
- Sixteen – Jyu Roku
- Seventeen – Jyu Shichi
- Eighteen – Jyu Hachi
- Nineteen – Jyu Kyu
- Twenty – Ni Jyu
Basic Ninjustu Terminology
References
- Kashiwa Bujinkan Ninjustu, Traditional Weapons Used In Ninjutsu, http://www.kbninjutsu.com/weapons.html
- Ninjutsu.org.uk, The 18 Skills of the Togakure Ryu Ninja, http://www.ninjutsu.org.uk/the-18-skills-of-the-togakure-ryu-ninja.html