virginia tech kendo
glossary
"The concept of Kendo is to discipline the human character through the application of the principles of the katana..."
- excerpt provided by the All Japan Kendo Federation
Of course, like all forms of martial arts, students and instructors alike are expected to learn certain terms that pertain to stance, strikes, etc. The same concept applies to kendo. Below are a list of terms we use in our practices, as well as words that are interesting on its own and provide a general idea what the sport is all about (terms are based on the book "Complete Kendo" by John H. Donahue).
| Ashisabaki | Footwork. Besides mastering the strikes, footwork is probably the hardest thing to learn in kendo. Students must learn how to glide across the floor barefoot in various speeds, all while making sure the opponent cannot read their movements. |
| Bokken | Wooden sword used in martial arts training. Known also as a bokuto in other forms of martial arts. In kendo, this sword is especially important when learning kata (see below) |
| Bogu | Full armor used in kendo (see Equipment Page for more details) |
| Budo | Martial ways, often used to to signify modern martial arts with diminished combat utility and enhanced philosophical components. |
| Budoka | Another word used to describe a martial arts practitioner. |
| Bujutsu | Martial techniques, signifying many a more combat-oriented martial system. Commonly recognized as the opposite of Budo. |
| Bushi | Word for warrior. |
| Chika-ma | Close interval |
| Chudan no Kamae | Middle stance taken in kendo. |
| Dan | Category used to describe the rank of advanced practitioners of budo. |
| Debana Waza | Name of technique where one attacks at the start of the opponent's action |
| Do | Can mean two things. It can mean "way" or "path." Or it could mean a part of the bogu which protects the chest and sides. |
| Dojo | Training Hall |
| Gedan no Kamae | Low stance taken in kendo. |
| Gi | Top garment worn in kendo (and other martial arts). Looks like a jacket that is tied in the front (see Equipment section for details) |
| Hachimaki | Also known as a tenegui; piece of cloth worn on the head before wearing the men. |
| Hajime | Japanese term for "Begin!" |
| Hakama | Bottom garmet worn in kendo (and in other martial arts such as aikido). Looks like a pair of wide-legged trousers with seven pleats in the front, each signifying the virtues a warrior should have: benevolence, honor, courtesy, wisdom, sincerity, loyalty and piety (see Equipment). |
| Hanmi | Oblique stance commonly used in some forms of swordsmanship and aikido. |
| Hanshi | Master fencer of eighth through tenth dan. |
| Hantei | Judgment, decision |
| Harai waza | Warding off technique |
| Hasso no Kame | Stance where the person holds the shinai at right side of head |
| Haya-suburi | Striking practice done while quickly moving forward and back away from the target |
| Hidari | Left |
| Issoku-itto no ma | Basic distance in kendo; one step forward will bring the person into striking range. Also known as uchima |
| Jiyu-renshu | Free fighting in kendo |
| Jodan no Kamae | Stance where the person holds the shinai high above his head |
| Kaeshi waza | Deflecting a shinai by using the reflexive power received by a strike |
| Kake-goe | Shout used to demonstrate spirit and focus; typical term used when the person shouts out the intended target area |
| Kamae | Posture, stance. Sometimes used as the shortened term for gedan no kamae |
| Kami | Word used to identify the gods in Shinto |
| Kata | Stylized sequence of techniques used in martial arts training |
| Keiko | Practice |
| Kendo | Translated as the "Way of the Sword." Modern form of budo based on sword techniques of feudal Japan |
| Kendoka | Someone who practices Kendo |
| Kiai | Shout used to help foster unity of mind, body; also used to intimidate opponent |
| Kihon | Basics |
| Kirikaeshi | Repetition of Kendo strokes; used as an exercise in the basic techniques of Kendo |
| Kote | Protective mitts used in Kendo |
| Mate | Wait, pause |
| Men | Part of the bogu that protects the head and face in Kendo |
| Men-buton | The wing-like padding sides of the men |
| Men-tori | Command used to remove men at the end of practice |
| Mokuso | Meditative training |
| Nida waza | Two step technique |
| Nuki waza | Technique involving a dodge |
| Oji waza | To defend/parry then immediately counter with a technique |
| Okuriashi | Sliding step commonly used in Kendo |
| Onegaishimasu | Phrased used in the beginning of practice with a partner. Translated in this case "Please practice with me" (or can mean "Please be gentle with me" - take your pick) |
| Rei | Bow |
| Reigi | Etiquette |
| Sakigawa | Leather tip of the shinai |
| Samurai | Warrior class of feudal Japan |
| Sandan waza | Three-step technique |
| Sankyo | Crouching position used in Kendo |
| Sayu-men | Alternate left and right strikes to the sides of the men; commonly practiced during kirikaeshi |
| Sempai | Seniors, high-ranking budoka |
| Sensei | Teacher |
| Shiai | Contest |
| Shiaijo | Contest area |
| Shidachi | Defender in Kendo no Kata |
| Shikake waza | Offensive technique where one catches an opponent off guard and attacking |
| Shimpan | Referee |
| Shinai | Training sword used in Kendo; traditionally made of bamboo strips and leather |
| Shinai-geiko | Shinai training |
| Shizentai | Natural stance |
| Shodan | First Dan |
| Shomen-uchi | Strike to the head |
| Shoshinsa | Beginner in Kendo |
| Suburi | Serious of repitituous basic strikes in Kendo |
| Suriage waza | Warding off a shinai by sliding your shinai up; allows you to launch an attack |
| Taikai | Tournament |
| Tare | Hip protector worn in Kendo |
| Tsuba | Hand guard for a sword or shinai |
| Tsuba zerai | Kendo technique where an opponent's shinai can be immobilized by striking at the hand guard |
| Tsuka | Leather handle in a shinai |
| Tsuki | Thrust |
| Tsukuri | Pulling action used to get an opponent off balance |
| Uchi-dachi | Aggressor in Kendo no Kata |
| Uchiotosi waza | Striking a shinai down then attacking |
| Wakigame | Stance taken holding the sword at the right side, tip pointing to the rear and down |
| Waza | Technique |
| Yame | Term used to yell "Stop!" or "Finish!" |
| Zanshin | Term used to describe an awareness in Kendo; quality in maintaining good form and follow through after delivering a strike |
| Zarei | Formal bow in a seated position |
| Zazen | Meditative sitting |
| Zen Nippon Kendo Renmei | All Japan Kendo Federation |
