Tori (martial arts)
Encyclopedia
is a term used in Japanese martial arts
to refer to the executor of a technique in partnered practice. The term "tori" comes from the verb , meaning "to take", "to pick up", or "to choose".
In judo
and some other martial arts, tori is the person who completes the technique against the training partner, called uke. Regardless of the situation, the principle is that "tori" is always the one who successfully completes a technique. This means that if your partner attacks you, but you counter the attack and throw your partner instead, then you are "tori." Likewise, if your partner holds you down in a pin, but you manage to apply a choking technique that results in submission, you are again "tori" in spite of having been held down. As you can see, the terms "tori" and "uke" are not synonymous with attacker and defender, because the role is determined by who completes a successful technique rather than who initiates one.
In aikido
and related martial arts, tori executes a defensive technique against a designated attack initiated by uke. Aikido has alternate terms describing the role of tori, depending on the particular style or situation, including and .
Japanese martial arts
Japanese martial arts refers to the enormous variety of martial arts native to Japan. At least three Japanese terms are often used interchangeably with the English phrase "Japanese martial arts": , literally meaning "martial way", , which has no perfect translation but means something like science,...
to refer to the executor of a technique in partnered practice. The term "tori" comes from the verb , meaning "to take", "to pick up", or "to choose".
In judo
Judo
is a modern martial art and combat sport created in Japan in 1882 by Jigoro Kano. Its most prominent feature is its competitive element, where the object is to either throw or takedown one's opponent to the ground, immobilize or otherwise subdue one's opponent with a grappling maneuver, or force an...
and some other martial arts, tori is the person who completes the technique against the training partner, called uke. Regardless of the situation, the principle is that "tori" is always the one who successfully completes a technique. This means that if your partner attacks you, but you counter the attack and throw your partner instead, then you are "tori." Likewise, if your partner holds you down in a pin, but you manage to apply a choking technique that results in submission, you are again "tori" in spite of having been held down. As you can see, the terms "tori" and "uke" are not synonymous with attacker and defender, because the role is determined by who completes a successful technique rather than who initiates one.
In aikido
Aikido
is a Japanese martial art developed by Morihei Ueshiba as a synthesis of his martial studies, philosophy, and religious beliefs. Aikido is often translated as "the Way of unifying life energy" or as "the Way of harmonious spirit." Ueshiba's goal was to create an art that practitioners could use to...
and related martial arts, tori executes a defensive technique against a designated attack initiated by uke. Aikido has alternate terms describing the role of tori, depending on the particular style or situation, including and .