Uke (martial arts)

Uke
Uke, on the left, "receiving" a throw by executing a forward roll
Japanese name
Kanji受け
Hiraganaうけ
Transcriptions
Revised Hepburnuke

Uke (受け) (IPA: [ɯke]) is in Japanese martial arts the person who "receives" a technique.[1] The exact role of uke varies between the different arts and often within the art itself depending on the situation.[2][3] For instance, in aikido, judo kata, and bujinkan ninjutsu, uke initiates an attack against their partner, who then defends, whereas in competition judo, there is no designated uke.[4]

An uke typically partners with a partner or nominal opponent.[5] The latter person may be referred to by any of several terms, again depending on the art or situation. They include nage (投げ, "thrower"), tori (取り, "grabber") and shite (仕手, "doer").

  1. ^ "Black Belt". November 1992. p. 108. Retrieved 2016-04-10.
  2. ^ Richard Murat (2005). Karate For Beginners And Advanced. Atlantic Publishers & Dist. p. 150. ISBN 9788126904600. Retrieved 2016-04-10.
  3. ^ J. Alswang (2003). The South African Dictionary of Sport. New Africa Books. p. 163. ISBN 9780864865359. Retrieved 2016-04-10.
  4. ^ J. A. Mangan (2001). Europe, Sport, World: Shaping Global Societies. Taylor & Francis. p. 211. ISBN 9780714681719. Retrieved 2016-04-10.
  5. ^ Jamie Striesend (August 2013). Sports. Lotus Press. p. 195. ISBN 9788189093617. Retrieved 2016-04-10.