-A-

age	rising
age zuki	rising punch
age uke	rising block
ai	harmony; join; fit
aiki	aligning one's ki with that of an opponent1; literally, "harmonized inner energy"
aikido	martial art derived from aiki jujitsu but which places more emphasis on spiritual development; founded by Morihei Ueshiba in the early 20th century
aiki jujitsu	style of juijtsu which places emphasis on aiki
ashi	foot; leg; synonmous with soku
ashi guruma	leg wheel; throw in judo
ashi gyaku	legscrew; literally, "leg torutre"
ashi hishigi	leg crush
ashi kubi	ankle; literally, "neck of the leg"
ashi kubi hishigi	ankle crush
ashi waza	foot and leg techniques
atemi	striking the body
atemi waza	body-striking techniques

-B-

ba	horse
bajitsu	horsemanship; literally, "horse techniques"
barai	spelling of harai when following another word
basami	spelling of hasami when following another word
bo	long staff
bojitsu	art of the long staff
bokken	wooden sword used in kendo and kenjitsu
bu	military; martial
budo	martial arts of late medieval and post-medieval Japan emphasizing spiritual, health, and sport aspects over combat and self-defense; literally, "martial way"; compare to bujitsu
budokai	martial way organization
bunkai	application of form
bushi	warrior class of medieval Japan; also, a member of this class (synonymous with samurai2)
bushido	unwritten moral and ethical code of conduct practiced by the bushi; similar to European chilavry; literally, "way of the warrior"
bujitsu	fighting arts of the warrior class of medieval Japan; literally, "martial techniques" or "martial arts"; compare to budo

-C-

choku zuki	straight punch
chuan fa	(Chinese) fist way; kung fu; synonymous with kempo
chudan	middle (of body); torso level

-D-

dachi	spelling of tachi when following another word
dan	degree or step; in Japanese martial arts, used for black belt ranks (see belt ranks)
daisho	the two swords worn by the samurai: the katana and wakizashi; literally, "long and short"
de	advanced; forward
de ashi barai	forward foot sweep; throw in judo
denzook	no count
deshi	student; disciple
do	way
dojo	exercise hall; the place where one practices the martial arts
dori	spelling of tori when following another word

-E-

ebi	lobster; shrimp; prawn
ebi jime	lobster choke
eku	oar, used as a weapon in Okinawan karate
empi	elbow; literally, "monkey arm", but considered synonymous with hiji in Japanese martial arts
empi uchi	elbow strike
eri	lapel; collar

-F-

fudo dachi	rooted stance
fumi	step on; tread on
fumikomi	stepping into; stomping
fumikomi geri	stomping kick
Funakoshi, Gichin	father of Japanese karate, in particular, Shotokan

-G-

gake	spelling of kake when following another word
ganmen	face
ganmen shuto	face-level knife-hand
ganmen shuto uchi	face-level knife-hand strike
garami	spelling of karami when following another word
gari	reap; reaping
gatame	spelling of katame when following another word
gaeshi	spelling of kaeshi when following another word
gedan	lower; waist-level or below
gedan barai uke	low sweeping block
gedan haitto	lower ridge-hand
gedan juji uke	lower X-block
gedan shuto uke	lower knife-hand block
geri	spelling of keri when following another word
gi	uniform for practicing martial arts
go	five (see numerals)
godan	fifth degree; fifth degree black belt (see belt ranks)
gohon	five long cylindrical objects
gohon nukite	five-finger spear-hand strike
gokyu	fifth class (see belt ranks)
goshi	spelling of koshi when following another word
guruma	spelling of kuruma when following another word
gyaku	1. reverse; opposite; synonymous with saka; e.g., gyaku zuki
	2. torture; tyranny; cruelty; oppression; e.g., ashi gyaku
gyaku zuki	reverse punch (opposite-side hand and leg)
gyaku juji jime	reverse cross choke

-H-

ha	1. edge (of a sword)
	2. wing; e.g., kataha jime
hachi	eight (see numerals)
hachidan	eigth degree; eigth degree black belt (see belt ranks)
hachiji	the kanji hachi
hachiji dachi	open leg stance; literally, the stance where the feet are in the shape of the kanji hachi
hachimachi	towel used as a headband
hadaka	naked; nude; bare
hadaka jime	naked choke
hadari	left (side)
hai	1. yes
	2. back; behind; e.g., haito
haishu	back of the hand
haishu uchi	back hand strike
haisoku	instep; literally, "back of foot"
haisoku geri	instep kick
haito	ridge-hand (thumb side of hand); literally, "back knife"
haito uchi	ridge-hand strike
hajimae	begin
hane	springing or bouncing
hane goshi	springing hip; throw in judo
hane makikomi	springing wrap-around; throw in judo
hangetsu dachi	hourglass stance
hanshi	honorific title given in recognition of one's character, not just technical ability in a given martial art
hantai	reverse; opposite
hantai gatame	reverse hold
hara	stomach; belly; abdomen
hara gatame	armlock applied via the stomach in judo
harai (barai)	sweep; sweeping
harai goshi	sweeping hip; throw in judo
harai tsurikomi ashi	lifting pulling foot sweep; throw in judo
hasami (basami)	scissors; pincers of a crab
heisoku dachi	attention stance
hidari	left (side)
hiji	elbow; often used synonymously with empi in Japanese martial arts
hiragana	cursive phonetic script used for writing Japanese in combination with kanji
hishigi	crush; break; sprain
hittsui	incorrect spelling of shittsui
hiza	knee
hiza geri	knee kick
hiza guruma	knee wheel; throw in judo
ho	direction; side; way; e.g., shiho
hon	counter for long cylindrical objects; e.g., gohon
hombu	headquarters; also spelled honbu
honbu	alternative spelling of hombu

-I-

ichi	one (see numerals)
ikkyu	first class (see belt ranks)
ippon	one long cylindrical object; one full point in a judo contest
ippon ken	one-knuckle fist
ippon kumite	one-step sparring
ippon seoi	one-armed shoulder; throw in judo
irimi waza	entering techniques

-J-

ji	character; letter; word; handwriting; e.g., kanji
jigo-tai	defensive posture
jime	spelling of shime when following another word
jitsu	technique; art; e.g. jujitsu, bujitsu; should technically be spelled jutsu3
jiyu	freedom; liberty
jiyu kumite	free sparring
jo	short staff
jodan	upper; shoulder-level or above
jodan juji uke	high X-block
jojitsu	short staff techniques
joseke	upper seat
ju	1. ten (see numerals)
	2. gentle; soft; pliant; synonymous with yawara
judan	tenth degree; tenth degree black belt (see belt ranks)
judo	sport martial art featuring throwing; founded by Jigoro Kano in the late 19th and early 20th centuries; literally, "gentle way"
judoka	practitioner of judo
juji	cross; literally, "the kanji ju" (whose shape is that of a cross)
juji gatame	cross lock
jujitsu	self-defense martial art based on grappling and throwing; literally, "gentle technique"
jujitsuka	practitioner of jujitsu
juji uke	x-block; literally, "cross block"
jutsu	alternative (and technically correct3) spelling of jitsu

-K-

kaeshi (gaeshi)	counter; reversal; return; answer
kagi	hook
kagi zuki	hook punch
kakato	heel
kakato geri	heel kick
kake (gake)	hooking or clipping action
kakiwake	pushing one's way through
kakiwake uke	pushing through block
kakuto	crane head
kakuto uke	bent wrist block; literally, "crane head block"
kama	sickle, used in pairs in Okinawan karate
kamae	posture
kami	1. god; spirit; divine
	2. upper body; top
kami shiho gatame	upper four-direction hold
kan	China
kana	the Japanese phoenetic alphabets, i.e., hiragana and katakana
kani	crab
kani sute	crab sacrifice; another name for kani basami
kani basami	crab scissors; flying scissors throw of judo which is sometimes also called kani sute
kanji	Japanese system of writing utilizing characters from Chinese writing; a single character in this system; literally, "the character kan"
Kano, Jigoro	founder of judo
kansetsu	knuckle or joint
kansetsu waza	joint-locking techniques in judo
kara	1. empty; emptiness
	2. China; literally, "T'ang", as in the T'ang dynasty of China
karami (garami)	entanglement; entwined
karate	martial art emphasizing striking; literally, "empty hand" or "Chinese hand" (see kara)
kata	1. stylized form; pre-arranged techniques used to practice many martial arts
	2. shoulder; e.g., kata guruma
	3. one-sided; one (of two); e.g., kataha jime
kata gatame	shoulder hold
kata guruma	shoulder wheel; throw in judo
kata juji jime	half cross choke
kataha	single edge; single wing
kataha jime	single wing choke
katakana	angular phonetic script used mainly for writing foreign words in Japanese
katame (gatame)	hardening; fortifying; tightening; used in judo to mean grappling or a hold or lock
katame waza	grappling techniques of judo; often used interchangeably with ne waza4
katana	long sword of the daisho; the primary sword of the samurai worn tucked into the belt with its curved blade facing upward; successor of the tachi; synonymous with to
katate	one hand; single hand
katate dori	one hand pull
katsu	revival techniques
keage	upwards kick
kekomi	thrusting kick
kempo (kenpo)	fist way; Japanese word for (and hence synonymous with) chuan fa
ken	1. fist; e.g., kenpo
	2. any generic straight-bladed sword; e.g., kendo
kendo	modern Japanese sport martial art of fencing; literally, "way of the sword"; descendant of kenjitsu
kenjitsu	combat swordfighting practiced by the bushi; literally, "art of the sword"; predecessor of kendo
kenpo	alternative spelling of kempo
keri (geri)	kick
keri waza	kicking techniques
kesa	scarf; in particular, the scarf of a Buddhist monk
kesa gatame	scarf hold
ki	inner energy; spirit
kiai	loud shout or yell which focuses one's ki when striking hard1; literally, "harmonized inner energy"
kiba	horse-riding
kiba dachi	horse stance; literally, "horse-riding stance"
kime	focus
kiotsuke	to command someone to pay attention
ko	1. minor; compare to o; e.g., kosoto gari
	2. old; ancient; e.g., koryu
	3. behind; back; backwards; e.g., kokutsu
Kodokan	headquarters of judo in Japan; iterally, "school for studying the way"; also used when referring to judo, as in Kodokan Judo.
koko uchi	tiger mouth strike
kokutsu	backward leaning
kokutsu dachi	back stance; literally, "backward leaning stance"
komi	to be inserted, crowded, or mixed
koryu	traditional schools of Japanese martial arts; literally, "ancient or old stream"
koshi (goshi)	1. hip; waist; loin
	2. ball of the foot
koshi guruma	hip wheel; throw in judo
koshi jime	hip choke
koshi waza	hip techniques
kosoto gake	minor outer clip; throw in judo
kosoto gari	minor outer reap; throw in judo
kouchi gari	minor inner reap; throw in judo
ku	nine (see numerals)
kubi	neck
kuchiki	a decayed/dead tree
kuchiki taoshi	to fell or knock down a decayed/dead tree; throw in judo
kudan	ninth degree; ninth degree black belt (see belt ranks)
kumikata	methods of holding
kumite	sparring
kuruma (guruma)	wheel
kusarigama	sickle with a rope or chain attached
kutsu	lean; stoop; bend
kuzure	broken; collapsed
kuzure kesa gatame	broken scarf hold
kuzushi	unbalancing (in judo, there are eight directions of unbalancing, corresponding to the eight directions of the compass)
kyu	class; grade; rank; in Japanese martial arts, used for ranks under black belt (see belt ranks)
kyusho	vital or pressure points
kyusho jitsu	the art of striking the vital points of the body

-M-

ma-ai	distance
mae	front
mae geri	front kick
mae geri keage	front snap kick; technically, this is redundant and should be simply mae keage
mae geri kekomi	front thrust kick; technically, this is redundant and should be simply mae kekomi
mae keage	front snap kick; also referred to as mae geri keage
mae kekomi	front thrust kick; also referred to as mae geri kekomi
mae tobi geri	front jump kick
maki	volume; scroll; reel; roll
maki gaeshi	wrapping reversal
makikomi	to wrap around, enfold, wind up, or roll up in a whirlpool- or windmill-like movement
makikomi harai	wrap-around sweep
makiwara	punching board
matae	stop
mawashi	turning; rotating
mawashi geri	roundhouse kick
mawashi zuki	roundhouse punch
mi	1. the body; one's self; e.g., sutemi
	2. eyebrow
migi	right (side)
mikazuki	crescent moon; new moon; literally, "three day moon"
mikazuki geri	crescent kick
mikazuki geri uke	crescent kick block
moro	pair; several
morote	two hands; both hands
morote seoi nage	two-handed shoulder throw; throw in judo
morote zuki	two-handed punch
morote uke	two-handed block
moro yubi tori	two-finger pull
mudansha	non-black belt holder
mune	chest
mune gatame	chest hold
mushin	mind of no mind; state of being without thought

-N-

nagashi uke	flowing block; parry
nage	throw
nage waza	throwing techniques in judo
nage no kata	formalized throws
nagimaki	halberd-like weapon similar to the naginata but designed for mounted use
naginata	halberd-like weapon used by the samurai in medieval Japan
naginata jutsu	art of the naginata
nami juji jime	normal cross choke
nana	seven (see numerals)
nanadan	seventh degree; seventh degree black belt; also called shichidan (see belt ranks)
ne	ground; root; base
ne waza	ground techniques or matwork in judo; often used interchangeably with katame waza4
neko	cat
neko ashi dachi	cat stance; literally, "cat-leg stance"
ni	two (see numerals)
nidan	second degree; second degree black belt (see belt ranks)
nidan geri	two step or double jump kick
nihon nukite zuki	two finger spear-hand thrust
nikyu	second class (see belt ranks)
no	archaic possesive particle; e.g., nage no kata
nuki	draw; pull out
nukite	spear-hand; literally, "(sword) drawing hand"
nukite zuki	spear-hand thrust
nunchaku	flail-like weapon of two rods joined by rope or chain

-O-

o	major; compare to ko; e.g., ogoshi
obi	belt
ogoshi	major hip; throw in judo
oguruma	major wheel; throw in judo
outen	barrel roll; turning sideways
outen gatame	barrel roll hold
oi	lunge; chase; pursue
oi zuki	lunging punch (same-side hand and leg)
okuri	chasing; sliding
okuri ashi barai	sliding foot sweep; throw in judo
okuri eri jime	sliding collar choke
osae	pressure
osae komi	pressing; holding-down; pinning; immobilizing
osae komi waza	pinning techniques of judo
osoto gari	major outer reap; throw in judo
osoto guruma	major outer wheel; throw in judo
otoshi	drop
ouchi gari	major inner reap; throw in judo

-R-

randori	free practice or sparring in judo
rei	bow
rokkyu	sixth class (see belt ranks); also spelled rokyu or rokukyu
roku	six (see numerals)
rokudan	sixth degree; sixth degree black belt (see belt ranks)
rokukyu	alternative spelling of rokkyu
rokyu	alternative spelling of rokkyu
romaji	romanization of Japanese kanji
ryu	a style of school in Japanese martial arts; literally, "stream"
Ryukyu	the Ryukyu islands, the southernmost island group of Japan; includes Okinawa

-S-

sai	three-pronged metal weapon
saka	alternative pronunciation of the kanji which is also read gyaku (first definition)
saka nuki	reverse pull-out
sakotsu	collarbone
sakotsu shuto	collarbone knife-hand
sakotsu shuto uchi	collarbone knife-hand strike
samurai	warrior class of medieval Japan; literally, "one who serves"; synonymous with bushi2
san	three (see numerals)
sanchin dachi	hourglass stance (derived from Sanchin kata)
sandan	third degree; third degree black belt (see belt ranks)
sankyu	third class (see belt ranks)
sasae	propping; supporting
sasae tsurikomi ashi	propping lifting pulling foot; throw in judo
seiza	traditional Japanese sitting position (on knees)
sempai	senior
sensei	teacher
seoi	shoulder
seoi goshi	shoulder hip
shi2	1. four (see numerals)
	2. death
	3. teacher; master; expert; mentor; e.g., shihan
shiai	contest
shichi2	seven (see numerals)
shichidan	seventh degree; seventh degree black belt; also called nanadan (see belt ranks)
shihan	master or senior instructor
shiho	every direction; literally, "four directions"
shiho nage	four-direction throw; throw in aikido
shime (jime)	choke; strangle
shime waza	choking or strangling techniques of judo
shittsui	knee-hammer
shittsui geri	knee-hammer kick
shizen-tai	natural posture
shodan	beginning degree or step; in Japanese martial arts, used as the rank of 1st degree black belt (see belt ranks)
shotei	palm-heel; literally, "bottom of hand"; same as teisho
shotei uchi	palm-heel strike; same as teisho uchi
shotei uke	palm-heel block; same as teisho uke
shu	hand; e.g., shuto uchi
shuto	knife-hand (little-finger side of palm); literally, "hand knife"
shuto uchi	knife-hand strike; karate chop
shuto uke	knife-hand block
sode	sleeve
sode tsurikomi goshi	sleeve lifting pulling hip; throw in judo
soke	head of family; in Japanese martial arts, the headmaster of a martial arts system
soku	alternative pronunciation of the kanji which is also read ashi; e.g., haisoku
soto	outside; outer
soto age uke	outer upper block
soto makikomi	outer wrap-around; throw in judo
soto mikazuki geri	outer crescent kick
soto shuto uke	outside knife-hand block
soto ude uke	outside forearm block
sukui	to scoop up
sukui nage	scooping throw; throw in judo
sumi	corner
sumi gaeshi	corner reversal; throw in judo
sumi otoshi	corner drop; throw in judo
sute	sacrifice
sutemi	sacrificing one's self
sutemi waza	self-sacrificing techniques

-T-

tachi (dachi)	1. stance; standing
	2. curved sword worn hung from the belt with the blade down; predecessor of the katana
tachi waza	standing techniques (techniques done from the standing position)
tai	the body
tai otoshi	body drop; throw in judo
tama	ball; sphere
tameshiwari	breaking demonstration
tanden	point just below the navel
tani	valley
tani otoshi	valley drop; throw in judo
tanto	knife
taoshi	to fell or knock down
tatami	a rice straw mat commonly used in traditional Japanese homes to soften the hard wooden floors; also used in some Japanese martial arts to provide a relatively soft surface to take hard falls
tate	vertical
tate zuki	boxer's jab; literally, "vertical punch"
tatsu	1. dragon
	2. standing; rising up
tatsumaki	tornado; whirlwind; literally, "dragon roll"
tatsumaki jime	dragon choke; literally, "dragon roll choke"
tawara	straw rice bag; bale
tawara gaeshi	rice bag reversal; throw in judo
te	hand
te waza	hand techniques
tei	1. street; ward; town
	2. bottom; e.g., shotei
teiji	the letter "T"; literally, "the kanji tei" (whose shape is that of the roman letter "T")
teiji dachi	T-stance
teisho	same as shotei
teisho uchi	same as shotei uchi
teisho uke	same as shotei uke
tekubi	wrist; literally, "neck of the hand"
tekubi tori	wrist pull
tensho	rolling hand; fluid hand
tettsui	iron hammer
tettsui uchi	hammer-fist strike; literally, "iron hammer strike"
to	alternative pronunciation of the kanji which is also read katana; e.g., haito
tomoe	comma-like design or shape
tomoe nage	circular throw; literally, "comma-like throw"; throw in judo
tonfa	wooden rod with handle at right angle, used in pairs
tora	tiger
tora nage	tiger throw
tori (dori)	pull; grab; grasp; take; take away; in Japanese martial arts, the one who performs or demonstrates ("takes") a technique; compare to uke
tsuki (zuki)	1. thrust; punch; e.g., kagi zuki
	2. moon; month; e.g., mikazuki
tsuki waza	thrusting techniques
tsukuri	stepping into the throw
tsuri	fishing; to lift up (as when hooking a fish)
tsuri goshi	lifting hip; throw in judo
tsurikomi	lifting and pulling up in a circular motion (as when hooking a fish); taking in
tsurikomi goshi	lifting pulling hip; throw in judo

-U-

uchi	1. inner; inside; e.g., ouchi gari
	2. strike; e.g., shotei uchi
uchi makikomi	inner wrap-around; throw in judo
uchi mata	inner thigh; throw in judo
uchi waza	striking techniques
uchi deshi	special disciple; literally, "inner student"
uchi komi	repeated practice of throwing techniques
ude	arm or forearm
ude garami	forearm entanglement
ude gatame	forearm lock
ude tori	forearm pull
ude uke	forearm block
Ueshiba, Morihei	founder of aikido
uke	receiving; in Japanese martial arts, the one who "receives" a technique; also in Japanese martial arts, a block (to "receive" a strike); compare to tori
ukemi	breakfalling; literally, "receiving with the body"
ukemi waza	breakfalling techniques
uki	floating
uki goshi	floating hip; throw in judo
uki otoshi	floating drop; throw in judo
uki waza	floating throw; throw in judo
ura	reverse side; back; rear
ura nage	back throw; suplex; throw in judo
ura zuki	reverse side punch
uraken	back of the fist
uraken uchi	back fist strike
ushiro	back; behind; rear
ushiro geri	back kick
ushiro goshi	back hip; throw in judo
utsuri	shift; switch; transition; change
utsuri goshi	switching hip; throw in judo

-W-

wakare	separation
wakizashi	shorter sword of the daisho
waza	technique

-Y-

yama	mountain
yama bushi	mountain warriors
yama zuki	U-punch; literally, "mountain punch"
yari	spear
yawara	soft; gentle; pliant; synonymous with second definition of ju
yoi	ready
yoko	side
yoko gake	side clip; throw in judo
yoko geri	side kick
yoko geri keage	side snap kick; technically, this is redundant and should be simply yoko keage
yoko geri kekomi	side thrust kick; technically, this is redundant and should be simply yoko kekomi
yoko guruma	side wheel; throw in judo
yoko haitto	side ridge-hand
yoko haitto uchi	side ridge-hand strike
yoko keage	side snap kick; also referred to as yoko geri keage
yoko kekomi	side thrust kick; also referred to as yoko geri kekomi
yoko otoshi	side drop; throw in judo
yoko shiho gatame	side four-direction hold
yoko shuto	side knife-hand
yoko shuto uchi	side knife-hand strike
yoko tobi geri	side jump kick
yoko wakare	side separation; throw in judo
yon	four (see numerals)
yondan	fourth degree; fourth degree black belt (see belt ranks)
yonkyu	fourth class (see belt ranks)
yubi	finger
yubi tori	finger pull
yudansha	one who is a black belt

-Z-

zen	1. Japanese sect of Buddhism which places heavy emphasis on meditation and which significantly influenced the Japanese martial arts
	2. in front; before; forwards; e.g., zenkutsu
zenkutsu	forward leaning
zenkutsu dachi	front stance; literally, "forward leaning stance"
zuki	spelling of tsuki when following another word

Numerals

1	ichi
2	ni
3	san
4	yon, shi5
5	go
6	roku
7	nana, shichi5
8	hachi
9	ku
10	ju
11	ju-ichi
12	ju-ni
13	ju-san
14	ju-yon, ju-shi5
15	ju-go
16	ju-roku
17	ju-nana, ju-shichi5
18	ju-hachi
19	ju-ku
20	ni-ju
21	ni-ju-ichi
30	san-ju
40	yon-ju, shi-ju5
50	go-ju
100	hyaku

Belt ranks (lowest to highest)

kyu6
rokkyu	6th kyu
gokyu	5th kyu
yonkyu	4th kyu
sankyu	3rd kyu
nikyu	2nd kyu
ikkyu	1st kyu

dan
shodan	1st dan
nidan	2nd dan
sandan	3rd dan
yondan	4th dan
godan	5th dan
rokudan	6th dan
shichidan, nanadan	7th dan
hachidan	8th dan
kudan	9th dan
judan	10th dan

Notes

² Some experts in Japanese medieval history differentiate between bushi and samurai, considering the latter to be a subset of the former. However, this is not clear and invovles a detailed understanding of Japanese history and culture. Thus, most consider the two words to be synonymous.

³ Technically, jitsu should be spelled jutsu according to the most recent (post-World War II) standards for converting kanji into romaji. The reasons for the variations in its spelling are due to the fact that when the word was first used in the West by Japanese immigrants in the late 19th and early 20th centuries, there was no standard for romaji. Further, even if there was, those who heard Japanese usually had no understanding of the Japanese language and were not aware of any standard and simply tried to transliterate what they heard the best they could. Thus, many modern Japanese jujitsu clubs which were established in the West in the 20th century, like the Stanford Jujitsu Club, have inherited a name for their art that is technically incorrect. However, since the usage of jitsu is so widespread, it is usually accepted as legitimate and actually serves to identify modern styles of jujitsu from more traditional styles. Hence, the Stanford Jujitsu Club has chosen to retain the spelling jitsu while recognizing it is technically incorrect.

⁴ In the traditional judo curriculum, katame waza consists of three sub-categories: joint-locking techniques (kansetsu waza), strangling/choking techniques (shime waza), and pinning techniques (osae komi waza). Except for the pinning techniques (which are by definition done on the ground), the other two waza can be done either on the ground or standing. Ne waza (ground techniques), however, refers solely to techniques performed on the ground. Hence, some katame waza (e.g., an armbar from the standing position) are not ne waza and katame waza and ne waza should technically be considered distinct. However, since most katame waza are in fact done from the ground, it has become acceptable to use katame waza and ne waza interchangeably.

⁵ The Japanese word shi also translates as "death". Hence both shi and shichi (a combination of shi and chi) and all numbers which use them are sometimes avoided for superstitious reasons. However, there is no steadfast rule and both spellings can usually be used. Check out Wikipedia's entry on Japanese numerals to see this more clearly (and obtain more info on Japanese numerals).

⁶ The original kyu/dan belt ranking system created by Jigoro Kano, founder of judo, in the early 20th century only had 6 kyu ranks. Some systems use more.