Japanese Words Originating from Martial Arts

The Paris Olympics and the best drama at TV’s Emmy Awards “SHOGUN” have brought renewed global attention to Japanese martial arts. This is because they are not merely acts of brute conflict relying on sheer power, but disciplines rooted in profound spirituality, supported by etiquette, respect, and relentless training.

Today, we introduce Japanese words commonly used in daily conversations that have been cherished by the Japanese people for generations.

柄 (Tsuka): Handle  

鍔 (Tsuba): Handguard  

切羽 (Seppa): Spacer  

鞘 (Saya): Sheath  

鎬 (Shinogi): Ridge Line

Blades for nihonto (Japanese swords) are made with a sharp cutting part called hagane and a flexible iron part that provides strength. The connection between these two parts is called shinogi (see diagram). The phrase “shinogi wo kezuru” refers to competing fiercely, to the point where the shinogi begins to wear away.

Example: 多くの候補者が鎬を削って戦った選挙も終わった。
(The election, where many candidates fiercely competed, has come to an end.)

The tsuba is a thick iron plate located between the handle (tsuka) and the blade of the katana. It plays an important role in protecting the user’s hand from the opponent’s katana. When two swordsmen push against each other using their tsuba, this is called “tsuba-zeriai.” It refers to an intense close-quarter battle where both fighters strike with their swords and hold them in position, blocking each other’s blows with the tsuba while pushing and pulling. This represents a very tense and high-stakes exchange of offense and defense.

Example: 国連の場で、両国は国境をめぐって激しい鍔ぜり合いを演じた。
(At the United Nations, the two countries engaged in a fierce standoff over their border dispute.)

Having a katana with a wobbly tsuba in a fight can be very dangerous. To prevent this, the tsuba is held in place by two thin, oval-shaped metal plates on each side, called seppa. The phrase “seppa tsumaru” refers to a situation where you are stuck between something or in a desperate situation, much like being cornered. This is similar to when the seppa gets stuck, preventing the tsuba from moving.

Example: 人間は、切羽詰まると何をするか分からないものだ。
(When people are cornered, you never know what they will do.)

This phrase refers to a pair or couple who were separated due to a disagreement, and later got back together. It originates from the tradition of swordsmen returning their katana, which was once drawn from the saya (sheath), back into it after a fight.

Example: あの夫婦は離婚状態だったが、最近元の鞘に納まったらしい。
(The married couple was close to getting divorced, but it seems like they’ve gotten back to the way they were.)

Blades for Western swords are straight, while Japanese katana blades are slightly curved. This curve makes it easier to draw the katana from the saya (sheath), allows for more efficient cuts with less force, and helps absorb the shock during cutting. Each saya is made specifically for the katana, considering its curvature. Therefore, if you try to place a different katana into another saya, it won’t fit. The phrase refers to situations where you can’t get along with someone due to disagreements over preferences, personality, or ways of thinking.

Example: あの同僚とは、どうも反りが合わなくて困っている。
(I’m having trouble getting along with that colleague.)

The term “Saya-ate” refers to being upset over a small matter, originating from the situation when two swordsmen’s saya (sheathes) accidentally touched while passing each other. This often led to a fight over the perceived rudeness or insult. In a broader sense, it can refer to observing how someone will react to minor actions or provocations.

Example: 彼が反対意見を言ったのは、単なる鞘当てで、気にしなくてもいいよ。
(His opposing opinion was just a minor issue, like a petty dispute, so you don’t need to worry about it.)

This phrase refers to knowledge or skills acquired for a temporary purpose, often without depth or lasting value. It originates from poorly made swords that are covered with a layer of sharp steel to make them appear as if they cut well. In reality, these swords are useless because the steel layer wears off quickly.

Example: 彼は株のことをよく知っているようだが、あれはみんな付け焼き刃だよ。
(He seems to know a lot about stocks, but it’s all just superficial knowledge.)

When swordsmen draw their katana from their sheaths, it signifies the beginning of a life-or-death fight, which typically requires mutual agreement from both parties. However, sometimes the faster draw can determine the outcome, allowing one to strike the opponent first. This tactic is called “nukiuchi”. The term has evolved to refer to starting something suddenly or unexpectedly, without prior notice.

Example: 検査官の抜き打ち検査によって、大量の麻薬の密輸が発覚した。
(The inspector’s surprise inspection revealed a large-scale drug smuggling operation.)

Swordsmen were supposed to carry two differently-sized swords on their left hip when walking outside. Therefore, when they were not armed, meaning they had no intention to fight, it was called “maru-goshi.”

Example: 警察は丸腰の犯人を射殺してしまった。
(The police officer accidentally shot the unarmed criminal.)

The part of the arrow near the handle, which is not sharp, is called the hazu. When shooting an arrow, the bowstring is placed on the hazu. Since the hazu and the string align to make the shot possible, “hazu” refers to something that naturally happens, as it is expected to occur. It is used when something is supposed to happen due to principles, plans, or promises, and there is a reason for it.

Examples: 今日、彼は来る筈です。 / あの人がそんなことをする筈がない。
(Today, he is supposed to come. / There’s no way he would do such a thing.)

The medicine applied to strengthen the bowstring is made by mixing pine resin and oil, and it is called “kusune”. Since this medicine was rubbed onto the string by hand when preparing for battle, the phrase “tegusune wo hiku” came to mean making thorough preparations and waiting for the right opportunity.

Example: 選手たちは練習を重ね、リベンジの機会を手ぐすね引いて待っていた。
(The athletes continued to practice, waiting for the opportunity for revenge, fully prepared.)

In an old legend, when the gods requested a young girl as an offering, a white-feathered arrow was placed on the roof of her house. From this, the phrase “shiroba no ya wo tateru” came to mean being chosen as a sacrifice from among many people. It is also used to refer to selecting someone for a special mission.

Example: A社との合併交渉の担当者として、Bさんに白羽の矢がたった。
(Mr. B was chosen to be in charge of the merger negotiations with Company A.)

The target when you shoot an arrow is called “mato” (的). The term “teki-chu” (的中) refers to hitting the target right in the center. This term is used to describe something that is very accurate or precise.

Example: 無意味で無駄なことを「ブタに真珠」とは、まことに的を射た表現です。
(To describe something meaningless or wasteful as “pearls before swine” is truly a fitting expression.)

It means to continue without pause, much like rapidly nocking and shooting arrows one after another. It refers to speaking or acting in quick succession without rest.

例：そんなに矢継ぎ早に質問されると、十分に答えられません。
(If I’m asked questions in rapid succession like that, I won’t be able to answer them properly.)

“Ni no ya ga tsugenai” means that you can’t nock the second arrow (ni no ya), referring to being stuck or having nothing left to do after the first attempt.

Example: 彼女の激しい反論に、彼は二の矢が継げなくなってしまった。
(He was unable to follow up with a second move due to her strong rebuttal.)

When you counterattack or retaliate, even just a little, against an opponent’s attack, it is called “isshi wo mukuiru.” This phrase refers to making a small counteraction (isshi, meaning “one arrow”), not enough to drastically change the situation, but at least striking back in some way.

Example: このところ相手チームに負けてばかりいるが、今日こそは一矢を報いたい。
(We have been defeated lately, but today, we want to strike back, even just a little.)

It refers to being pressed continuously for debts or responses, much like being bombarded with a barrage of arrows.

Examples: お金を借りたばかりなのに、相手から返せ、返せと矢の催促がきた。
(Even though I just borrowed the money, the lender started persistently pressing me to pay it back.)

This phrase originates from a situation where you could neither fight with an arrow (“ya”) nor defend with a shield (“tate”), meaning you’re in an unavoidable or unstoppable situation.

例：旅行に行きたいと思うと、矢も盾もたまらず、一週間の休暇をとってしまった。
(When I started thinking about wanting a vacation, I couldn’t resist the urge and ended up taking a week off.)

“Dohyō” is the ring where sumo wrestlers fight, a circle with a diameter of 5 meters made from compacted earth and straw. If a wrestler steps outside the ring or falls, they lose the match. The term “aite no dohyou” refers to a disadvantageous situation, similar to the concept of playing away in soccer, where the conditions or location are unfavorable for oneself.

Example: 今度の交渉では、絶対に相手の土俵で相撲をとるな、不利になるぞ！
(In the next negotiation, don’t fight on their turf, you’ll be at a disadvantage!)

The phrase “yorikiru” originates from sumo, where it refers to pushing an opponent out of the ring with strong force, often in a one-sided manner. It is used to describe situations where one side is overwhelmingly defeated, with the passive form “yorikirareru” meaning “to be forced out”.

Example: 自分の意見をいう余裕もなく、相手に寄り切られてしまった。
(I didn’t even have the chance to express my opinion, and I was forced out by the others.)

The phrase “oshi ga tsuyoi” originates from sumo wrestling, where a wrestler uses strong force to push their opponent out of the ring. It refers to someone who is assertive, aggressive in their actions, or determined in pushing their opinions through, often with intensity or persistence.

例：あの人は押しが強いから、注意したほうがいいよ。
(The person is strongly assertive, so I would be careful.)

The phrase “Dohyō wo waru” literally means to lose by stepping outside the sumo ring, which results in defeat.

例：相手の押しが強い（＝攻撃が鋭い）ので、つい土俵を割ってしまった。
(The opponent’s attack was strong, so I accidentally stepped out of the ring.)

The phrase “isami-ashi” originates from sumo, where a wrestler, even though they have pushed their opponent to the edge of the ring and are nearly winning, steps out of the ring on their own and loses. It refers to acting unnecessarily or rushing into something at a crucial moment, leading to a mistake or failure.

例：交渉の場で余計なことを言って、勇み足を踏んでしまった。
(In the negotiation, I said something unnecessary and made a rash move.)

The phrase “ageashi wo toru” originates from a wrestling move where you trip your opponent by grabbing the leg they raise to attack. It figuratively refers to picking on someone’s small mistakes or missteps, often to criticize or mock them, especially when it comes to errors in speech or carelessness.

Example: さっきから人の揚げ足取りばかりしているけど、自分の意見はないの？
(You’ve been just picking on people’s small mistakes, but don’t you have any opinions of your own?”)

“Kata sukashi” refers to the act of dodging an opponent’s attack by turning or opening your body, thereby avoiding the impact without absorbing it.

例：反対意見を言おうとしたら、話題を変えられて、肩すかしを喰ってしまった。
(I was about to voice my opposing opinion, but the topic was changed, and I was caught off guard.)

“Shikiri naoshi” refers to restarting or resetting something, especially after a failed attempt or when things are not progressing as planned. The term originates from sumo, where wrestlers would adjust their stance and posture to prepare for the match.

例：双方の話し合いの決着がつかず、後日、仕切り直しをすることになった。
(The discussions between both sides reached no conclusion, so they decided to restart the negotiations at a later date.)

“Waki ga amai” refers to being vulnerable or careless due to insufficient preparation or defense, making it easy for others to take advantage of you. In sumo, it comes from the idea of not keeping your arms close to your body, which would allow your opponent to grab your belt.

例：君の意見は脇が甘すぎる。それじゃ人から簡単に不備を突かれてしまうよ。
(Your argument is too weak. With that, people will easily notice your lack of preparation.)

The phrases we’ve introduced here today all originate from traditional Budo and are commonly used in daily conversations by native Japanese speakers. There are even more of them, showing the significant impact Budo has had and how it has influenced our daily lives. As you study Japanese at TCJ, you’ll be able to use such expressions, and when you do, people will surely say you’re truly fluent.