Waza
/ˈwɑː.zə/noun
A technique, skill, or technical feat, especially in Japanese martial arts.
Did you know?In Japanese martial-arts scoring, waza-ari literally combines waza, “technique,” with ari, “exists”—roughly, “a technique has been achieved.”
Etymological Timeline
Old Japanese
Japanese
わざ (waza)
“An act, deed, occurrence, or thing accomplished.”
Classical Japanese
Japanese
技 (waza)
“A skill, craft, art, or practiced technique.”
Medieval Japan
Japanese
技 (waza)
“A specialized skill or feat, including martial and artisanal abilities.”
20th Century
Japanese
技 (waza)
“A technical maneuver or skill in martial arts and other disciplines.”
Modern English
English
waza
“A Japanese martial-arts technique or technical skill.”