Ukemi-Waza
/uːˈkeɪmi ˈwɑːzə/noun
A Japanese martial-arts term for techniques used to fall or receive impact safely.
Did you know?In judo, ukemi is taught as a foundational skill because learning how to fall safely comes before learning how to throw an opponent.
Etymological Timeline
Classical Japanese
Japanese
受ける (ukeru)
“To receive, accept, or undergo something.”
Classical Japanese
Japanese
受身 (ukemi)
“A passive or receiving body; later, a method of falling safely.”
Classical Japanese
Japanese
技 (waza)
“A skill, craft, art, or technique.”
19th Century
Japanese
受身技 (ukemi-waza)
“Techniques for receiving the body’s fall or impact.”
Late 19th–Early 20th Century
Japanese
Ukemi-waza
“A formal category of breakfall and impact-management techniques in jujutsu and judo.”
Modern English
English
ukemi-waza
“Japanese martial-arts techniques for falling and absorbing impact safely.”