These terms have been taken directly from the Zen Nippon Kendo Renmei 2009 Iai Manual.

ASHI SABAKI
Footwork or movement of the feet

AYUMI ASHI
Ordinary walking footwork, where both feet move naturally.

BOKKEN
A wooden shaped sword usually made from Japanese Oak.

BUDO
Term given to generally mean all types of Japanese fighting arts.

CHAKUZA
Sitting down from a standing posture.

CHUDAN NO KAMAE
One of the 5 postures of holding the sword in the middle position

DOJO
A hall or training place where students train in their respective disciplines

ENBU
The act of demonstrating Budo normally to an audience

ENZAN NO METSUKE
Literally no meaning to gaze at the distant mountains. A term meaning to look at the whole, not something specific

FURI OROSHITE
To swing the sword down from above the head

GEDAN NO KAMAE
One of the 5 postures where the sword is lowered to the knee level

HA
The cutting edge of the sword

HAKAMA
Skirt-like pleated trousers worn by practicing Japanese martial arts

HANMI
A stance where the body is sideways on to the opponent

HASSO NO KAMAE
One of the 5 basic postures of holding the sword near the shoulder

HASUJI
The cutting line of the sword blade

IAIDO
A form of sword fighting where drawing the blade quickly results in a single motion to defeat the enemy. Founded by Shigenobu Hayashizaki in the latter half of the 16th century. Many schools were formed in the Edo period (1600-1868). In the 1956 the Iaido division was set up in the All Japan Kendo Federation, and in 1969 the All Japan Kendo Federation Iai Kata were established

JORDAN NO KAMEA
One of the 5 postures; where the sword is held above the head

KAMAE
General word or term given to mean posture or stance

KATA
Word given to mean form or set movement of techniques

KATANA
Single edged weapon usually given to mean a Japanese sword

KATSUNINKON/KATSUJINKEN
Zen Buddhist term given to mean “The Positive Way” of using the sword

KEITO SHISEI
Term used in Iaido to refer to the position whereby the sheathed sword is held on the left hip as compared with Kendo which generally uses only Taito Shisei to describe the same position holding a Shinai

KI GAMAE
A state where the body is alert and ready to act in a moment

KIGURAI
A state of commanding presence derived from confidence after much practice

KOIGUCHI
The mouth of opening of the sword sheath or Saya. Given because of the similarity between that of the open mouth of a Japanese Koi carp

KURAI
A word given to mean the degree to which character is combined with skill

MATSUKE
Correct positioning or looking with the eyes

MIZUOCHI
See Suigetsu

MOROTE
The action of using both hands to grip or hold the sword

MOROTE ZUKI
The act of thrusting the sword using both hands

MUNE
The back edge of the Japanese sword. Also called Mine

NIHON TO
A general name given to mean a sword manufactured in a Japanese way

NOTO
The act of placing the sword in sheath. One of the basic movements in Iai

OBI
A long narrow sash worn around the waist to support the sword

OKURI ASHI
One of the basic kinds of footwork where the right foot is kept forward

REI
Behaviour and conduct showing respect and courtesy to others

REI HO
Courtesy or politeness. Etiquette required throughout all Budo

RYU HA
Literal meaning school. Usually meant to mean by a founder or originator

SAGE TO
The standing posture holding a sword or Bokuto naturally at arms length

SEIZA
A way of sitting with the knees in line and the shins and the tops of the feet on the floor. The big toes of both feet should be adjacent or one on top of the other, and the buttocks resting on the heels. This back is straight, and the hands are placed on the upper part of the thighs with the fingers together. A formal way of sitting in Japan

SHINKEN
An actual or real sword with a cutting edge

SHINOGI
On the blade of the sword, the raised ridge on the flat on the blade which runs from the sword guard to the tip point (Kissaki)

SHINZA
The shrine or revered place in a dojo or training hall

SHOMEN
A word meaning the front. For example; Shomen E No Rei.

SUIGETSU
The depressed area below the sternum that is referred to as the pit of the stomach, solar plexus or Mizo-uchi

TACHI
A type of sword that is curved and generally longer than 60cm

TAITO
The act of placing the sword in the Obi ( sash or belt) or of placing the hand on the left hip when using a Bukoto

TATTEHIZA
Sitting on the left leg with the right knee raised

TEITO
See Sageto

TENOUCHI
The overall use of the hands when cutting, holding, tightening or loosening the grip of the handle

TSUBA
Sword guard; usually ornate, but essentially a piece of metal that is inserted between the hilt and the blade of the sword to protect the hands

TSUBA MOTO
The area of a sword blade near or next to the sword guard

TSUKA
The hilt of a sword; the area which is usually gripped with the hands

TSUKA GASHIRA
The very end bottom of the sword handle (pommel)

TSUKU
To thrust at the throat, chest or solar plexus

UJENAGASU
To parry the striking opponents sword, deflecting it to the side with the Shinogi of ones sword. The move is found in the third Kata Ukenagashi

WAKI GAMAE
One of the 5 postures where the sword is placed to the side of the body, obscuring it from the front opponent’s view

WAZA
A motor skill which is gained through long, hard training of cutting movements, and the learning of set techniques or Kata

ZANSHIN
The body posture and stand of mind in which, even after cutting one is alert and ready to respond instantly to any counterattack by the opponent. Generally speaking, after cutting, one should always be mindful of the distance between oneself and the opponent

ZAREL
A bow made from the formal kneeling position