Kendo Terms
iRegular Terms used in Kendo Training
Sensei:- refers to a Teacher or Teachers
Senpai:- Senior students of the Dojo
Uchidachi:- 'Striking Sword' leading or the teaching role in kata
Shidachi:- 'Responding Sword' following or the learning role in kata
Motodachi:- The one who takes the role of instructor for the trainee practising kihon-geiko, kakari-geiko and ji-geiko (like Uchidachi in Kata)
Bogu :- Kendo armour, consists of men, kote, do and tare
Men:- Protective head guard/mask, also the call (kiai) for a strike to the head
Kote:- Protective gloves, also the call (kiai) for a wrist strike
Do:- Torso protector, also the call (kiai) for a strike to the torso
Tare:- Protective apron
Shinai:- Bamboo sword
Bokuto (or bokken):- Wooden sword [usually in pairs: Odachi- long sword. Kodachi- short sword]
Tsuba:- Hand guard on a sword, shinai or bokuto
Tenugui:- Cotton towel worn on the head underneath the Men.
Kendo gi:- Practice jacket
Hakama:- Traditional japanese loose pleated trousers
Kata:- Pre-determined forms using bokuto, used as a basic training method for sword techniques.
Keiko:- Practice, originally to study (kei) ancient times (ko) this term is used for the practice of bugei(martial arts) and gei-goto (arts). This word doesn't simply mean repeating the practice, it also includes the importance of one's attitude to the art being studied. The process is also connected to the everyday life and the endeavours of creating a new self through the unification of these two elements (art and life).
Kihon-geiko:- The act of practicing to acquire the basic movements
Kakari-geiko:- The keiko method of striking the motodachi in an all out attack, using all of the waza learned, without thought of being counter cut or blocked (the motodachi will receive without hindrance), should be carried out in short physical bursts only, with a good recovery time allowed between each burst
Ji-geiko:- The general method of practice in which the trainee attempts to practice freely, refining technique, disciplining the mind and trying to overcome their weakness points
Uchikomi-geiko:- A method to learn basic techniques of striking by responding to opportunities (openings) given by the motodachi
Kiri-kaeshi:- A comprehensive way to practice basic movements, by striking men continously (front, left and right), whilst maintaining good posture with full body/mind co-ordination and utilising the kiai to assist the breathing pattern. This is an important practice method for both beginners and the experienced. The word kiri-kaeshi also refers to a counterstrike in which the direction of the strike changes
Waza:- Technique, skill
Ki-ai:- Spirit, Shout. More fully the state of mind where one is fully focused on the opponent's move and one's planned moves. It also refers to the vocalizations one produces when in this state of mind
Kamae:- Stance of readiness [fighting position]
Chudan Kamae:- Middle level stance [sword held at chest height]
Jodan Kamae:- High level stance [sword held raised above the head]
Gedan Kamae:- Low level stance [sword held pointing at the ground]
Rei:- Bow of respect [Ritsu-rei- while standing. Za-rei- while kneeling]
Sensei-ni rei:- Bow to the teacher
Sensei-gata-ni rei:- Bow to the teachers (more than one)
Ota-gai-ni rei:- Mutal bow to each other
Sei-re-tsu:- Stand in a line
Sei-za:- a way of sitting on your knees [position], also the call to sit down (in seiza) when standing in a line
Kio-tsuke:- sit up straight
Ki-ri-tsu:- Stand up
Haji-me:- Start or begin
Ya-me:- Stop or finish
Sonkyo:- Traditional crouch like stance/position for starting and finishing
Osa-me-to:- Put your sword away [sheath it]
Tai-to:- Sword held at waist height, as if in your belt or sash [obi]
Sensei:- refers to a Teacher or Teachers
Senpai:- Senior students of the Dojo
Uchidachi:- 'Striking Sword' leading or the teaching role in kata
Shidachi:- 'Responding Sword' following or the learning role in kata
Motodachi:- The one who takes the role of instructor for the trainee practising kihon-geiko, kakari-geiko and ji-geiko (like Uchidachi in Kata)
Bogu :- Kendo armour, consists of men, kote, do and tare
Men:- Protective head guard/mask, also the call (kiai) for a strike to the head
Kote:- Protective gloves, also the call (kiai) for a wrist strike
Do:- Torso protector, also the call (kiai) for a strike to the torso
Tare:- Protective apron
Shinai:- Bamboo sword
Bokuto (or bokken):- Wooden sword [usually in pairs: Odachi- long sword. Kodachi- short sword]
Tsuba:- Hand guard on a sword, shinai or bokuto
Tenugui:- Cotton towel worn on the head underneath the Men.
Kendo gi:- Practice jacket
Hakama:- Traditional japanese loose pleated trousers
Kata:- Pre-determined forms using bokuto, used as a basic training method for sword techniques.
Keiko:- Practice, originally to study (kei) ancient times (ko) this term is used for the practice of bugei(martial arts) and gei-goto (arts). This word doesn't simply mean repeating the practice, it also includes the importance of one's attitude to the art being studied. The process is also connected to the everyday life and the endeavours of creating a new self through the unification of these two elements (art and life).
Kihon-geiko:- The act of practicing to acquire the basic movements
Kakari-geiko:- The keiko method of striking the motodachi in an all out attack, using all of the waza learned, without thought of being counter cut or blocked (the motodachi will receive without hindrance), should be carried out in short physical bursts only, with a good recovery time allowed between each burst
Ji-geiko:- The general method of practice in which the trainee attempts to practice freely, refining technique, disciplining the mind and trying to overcome their weakness points
Uchikomi-geiko:- A method to learn basic techniques of striking by responding to opportunities (openings) given by the motodachi
Kiri-kaeshi:- A comprehensive way to practice basic movements, by striking men continously (front, left and right), whilst maintaining good posture with full body/mind co-ordination and utilising the kiai to assist the breathing pattern. This is an important practice method for both beginners and the experienced. The word kiri-kaeshi also refers to a counterstrike in which the direction of the strike changes
Waza:- Technique, skill
Ki-ai:- Spirit, Shout. More fully the state of mind where one is fully focused on the opponent's move and one's planned moves. It also refers to the vocalizations one produces when in this state of mind
Kamae:- Stance of readiness [fighting position]
Chudan Kamae:- Middle level stance [sword held at chest height]
Jodan Kamae:- High level stance [sword held raised above the head]
Gedan Kamae:- Low level stance [sword held pointing at the ground]
Rei:- Bow of respect [Ritsu-rei- while standing. Za-rei- while kneeling]
Sensei-ni rei:- Bow to the teacher
Sensei-gata-ni rei:- Bow to the teachers (more than one)
Ota-gai-ni rei:- Mutal bow to each other
Sei-re-tsu:- Stand in a line
Sei-za:- a way of sitting on your knees [position], also the call to sit down (in seiza) when standing in a line
Kio-tsuke:- sit up straight
Ki-ri-tsu:- Stand up
Haji-me:- Start or begin
Ya-me:- Stop or finish
Sonkyo:- Traditional crouch like stance/position for starting and finishing
Osa-me-to:- Put your sword away [sheath it]
Tai-to:- Sword held at waist height, as if in your belt or sash [obi]