Tori
取り
The practitioner who performs the technique in a pair, literally “the one who takes”. Their partner, who receives the technique, is called uke.
Quick Facts
Term typeRole in training and bouts
LanguageJapanese
Formnoun
Pronunciation[toh-ree]
Alternative Namesthe performer
Readings and romanizations
Reading (kana)とり
Hepburn romanizationtori
Word breakdown
取りtorito take, to grasp (verb toru)
Definition
Tori (取り) is a noun from the verb toru, to take, to grasp, and means “the one who takes”. In judo, aikido and jujutsu it denotes the practitioner who performs the technique in paired practice: throws, locks or holds. Their partner, who attacks and receives the technique, is uke. In judo kata the roles are fixed: tori performs the technique, uke receives it and falls. In aikido the word nage is also used for the role of the one who throws. In competitive judo there is no designated tori or uke.