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Here are the Aikido terms used in these web pages, along with a pronounciation key targeted to speakers of American English.

aikido - (aye key doh) A martial art founded by Morihei Ueshiba (1883-1969). Translates to "Way of Peace. A more confrontational variant exists, aiki-jutsu.

aikidoka - (aye key doh kah) One who practices Aikido. The Americanized word is "aikidoist".

bokken - (bock ehn) A wooden traning sword.

dojo - (doh joe) Training hall.

dojo-cho - (doh joe cho) The owner or principal of a dojo.

gi - (gee with a hard 'g') Basic set of cotton clothes worn while training in martial arts, consisting of drawstring pants, jacket, and belt. See also hakima.

hakima - (hah key mah) Black or dark blue skirt worn over the gi pants, usually worn by aikidoka of shodan rank or higher.

jo - (joe) A wooden staff.

kanji - (khan gee) Chinese ideographic characters used in writing; borrowed by the Japanese.

nage - (nah gay) The person dealing with the attack.

seiza - (say zah) A kneeling position where one sits on ones heels. Used both for resting and for suwari waza.

sensei - (sen say) Teacher.

shodan - (show dahn) The lowest level of what's commonly knwn as a "black belt". Aikidoka who reach shodan are considered to have proven themselves ready to learn.

shomen - (show men) The focal point of the dojo, typically an area framed in wood containing a photograph of O'Sensei Morehei Ueshiba and a calligraphy of the Kanji characters for Aikido. Frequently includes plants or flowers donated and tended to by the students.

suwari waza - (sue wahree wahzah) Literally, seated techniques.

uke - (ewe kay) The person providing the attack with which the nage will work.