Basic Kendo Vocabulary
This list gives most of the basic Japanese terms used in Kendo. Remember you are not expected to speak Japanese to learn Kendo, just to become familiar with key words. If you have any questions regarding meaning or pronunciation just ask Sensei:
Before Practice
- Kiotsuke - come to attention
- Seiza - kneel down
- Mokuso - meditate
- Yame - stop
- Shomen Ni - face towards the front (or, club banner as the case may be)
- Sensei - Instructor
- Sensei Ni - face towards teachers
- Rei - bow
During Practice
- Onegai Shimasu - Please teach me. or Let's train together.
- Domo Arigato Gozaimashita - Thank you.
- Sonkyo - squat down with sword in ready position
- Nuke Toh - draw the sword
- Osame Toh - san kyo and put away the sword
- Hajime - start
- Kote - wrist
- Men - forehead
- Do - waist
- Tsuki - throat
- Keikogi - uniform top or shirt
- Hakama - uniform bottom or trousers
- Shinai - bamboo sword
- Bokuto or Bokken - wooden sword
- Ki - spirit
- Kiai - shout
- Ken or Toh - sword
- Tai - body
- Kamae - on guard or ready
- Chudan no Kamae - middle ready position
- Jodan No Kamae - upper ready position
- Gedan No Kamae - lower ready position
Kendo Targets
Video Clips
 |
Kendo Etiquette
Because Kendo is literally built upon centuries of tradition, manners and etiquette (reiho) are extremely important and are similar worldwide in any Kendo Dojo.
- Bow respectfully when entering or leaving the dojo (training hall).
- Greet your instructors and fellow club members politely when arriving and leaving.
- Thank your instructors and any club members or guest sensei with whom you practiced before leaving.
- Address instructors using the title of "Sensei" eg. Kakihara Sensei. Refer to your Sempai (senior members) respectfully.
- Assist in preparing/cleaning the dojo before and after practice.
- Do not step over or kick a shinai (bamboo sword) or other equipment that has been placed on the floor.
- Never lean on a shinai or use it like a cane.
- Move with purpose: not slowly or slovenly.
- When necessary to walk in front of someone, extend your right hand to his or her front pointing to the floor at a 45 degree angle and bow as you pass. Say "excuse me" or "shitsurei shimasu" as you pass.
- Be attentive during practice hours.
- If you have to leave before regular practice is over, please bow to your Sensei. If the Sensei is standing, a standing bow is appropriate. If the Sensei is in seiza, assume seiza and then bow from seiza.
- Keep your equipment clean and neat as well as yourself. In particular, please keep toenails short and well clipped for safety.
- Say "onegai shimasu" or "onegai itashimasu" (more polite) before engaging each instructor in practice. Loosely translated, this means "please teach me and/or I am ready to learn what you will teach me." When practice is completed, please say "arigato gozaimasu" or in English, "thank you" loudly and clearly.
- Understand that respect for your dojo, for others, for your elders and for those around us is central to Kendo as is respect for your equipment and your training. Through mutual respect for others, self-respect will be attained.
- Recognize that each martial art has a place in the world. As a result, you should never use unkind words or make disparaging remarks about another martial art or practitioner.
- Never intentionally do harm to anyone or anything.