The Language of Aikido: A Practitioner's Guide to Japanese Characters and Terminology

By Michael Hacker and Michael Hacker

Master the Japanese vocabulary and cultural nuance behind Aikido-so you can train with clarity, teach with confidence, and finally understand what your sensei is saying.

Many English-speaking Aikido students seem to repeat Japanese terms without knowing what they mean. Instructors often inherit mistranslations and pass them on. And most Aikido books list words without explaining why those words matter in a martial context.
This book fixes those problems.

Perfect for:

Beginners who want to stop guessing at Aikido terminology

Intermediate students who want cultural and linguistic accuracy

Instructors who want to use the right language when teaching

Martial-arts nerds who love etymology, history, and kanji-related nuance

After reading, you'll be able to:

Understand dojo vocabulary without waiting for someone else to translate

Decode key terms like kokyu, maai, ukemi, and awase

Pronounce Japanese terms more accurately (and avoid common mistakes)

Understand why specific kanji were chosen-and what they imply about intent

Read Japanese Aikido-related material with more confidence

Explain terminology clearly to students

Why this book stands out:
Most Aikido books talk about history, philosophy, and technique. Yet almost none explain the language, culture, and thinking behind the words.

This volume includes:

Japanese, Romaji, and English renderings

Clear explanations of martial context

Cultural notes you can apply immediately

Linguistic accuracy from a trained linguist and experienced Aikidoka

Concise enough to carry in your dojo bag. Deep enough to act as a reference.

About the author:
Written by a professional linguist and long-time Aikido practitioner who trained in Japan for a decade and has spent half a lifetime examining how native Japanese speakers actually use these terms and how they get distorted in translation.

Practical benefits:
No more:

Guessing at meanings during practice

Teaching words you're unsure about

Making embarrassing pronunciation mistakes

More:

Precision

Cultural alignment

Confidence on the mat

Where it belongs:
Next to your keikogi, weapons, or notebook. Better yet: on your dojo book shelf Also, the ebook version is excellent for referencing from your phone or tablet

If you train Aikido-or any Japanese martial art, really-you should own this reference.

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0692907459
• ISBN13: 9780692907450
• Release Date: July 2017
• Publisher: Talking Budo
• Length: 144 Pages
• Weight: 0.40 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.3" x 6.0" x 9.0"