| Terms |
|
| Sensei |
instructor or teacher ('one who has been before') |
| Sempai |
assistant instructor |
| Rei |
bow - an expression of courtesy and gratitude |
| Sensei ni rei |
bow to teacher |
| Sempai ni rei |
bow to assistant instructor |
| Shidoin/Shihan ni rei |
bow to teacher with title of shidoin (usually a 4th or 5th dan) or Shihan (master instructor) |
| Otagai ni rei |
bow to fellow students (otagai - 'mutual') |
| Shomen ni rei |
bow to front (shomen) of dojo (sometimes a shrine or altar to old masters) |
| Mokuso |
meditation (to clear the mind) |
| Mokuso yame |
end of meditation |
| Kiai |
literally 'spirit unite' - a focus of 'ki' energy, often with an audible shout |
Arigato; domo arigato;
domo arigato gozaimashta |
'arigato' - thanks; 'domo arigato - my humble thanks; 'domo arigato gozaimashta' - more formal 'thank you for what you have done' |
