Glossary

ai-chūdan

When both players are mutually in chūdan-no-kamae.

aite

Partner, or the opponent you are facing.

ashi-sabaki

Footwork.

ayumi-ashi

Crossing footwork.

bokutō

Wooden sword, also referred to as bokken.

bōgu

Protective armour used in Kendo.

chakuso

The way to wear the uniform. See also: dō-gi.

chikama

Close distance. See also: maai.

chūdan-no-kamae

Middle guard stance with the sword pointing at the opponent’s throat.

dan

“Black belt” grade. See also: kyu.

dō

Torso, one of the target areas for striking. Also refers to the chest protector.

dō-gi

Uniform for Kendo. See also: chakuso, keiko-gi, and hakama.

dōjō

“The place of learning”.

faito

Transcription of “fight” in Japanese, yelled out as encouragement.

fumikomi

Stomping footwork as part of following through. See also: zanshin.

hakama

The pants as part of Kendo uniform.

harai

Sweeping motion as part of an opening technique.

hiraki-ashi

Diagonal footwork.

issoku-ittō-no-ma

A type of maai (distance) where one has to take one step forward to attack.

kakarite

The attacker in a pair of practitioners. See also: motodachi.

kakegoe

Vocalisation, or yelling as part of a move. See also: kiai.

kamae

The fighting stance in Kendo.

katana

Specifically refers to the Japanese sword.

keiko

Exercise or training. Literally translates to “to study the old”.

keiko-gi

The top / jacket as part of Kendo uniform. Also referred to as gi.

kendō

“The Way of the Sword”.

kiai

Refers to the shouting during strikes to exert energy. See also: kakegoe.

kensen

The tip of the sword.

kihon

Foundation or basic.

Kihon Waza

Set of foundational Kendo techniques in a formal structure.

kote

Hand or forearm, one of the target areas for striking. Also refers to the gloves.

kyu

“Under black belt” grade. See also: dan.

maai

Distance or interval between two people. Also see: issoku-ittō-no-ma.

men

Face or head, one of the target areas for striking. Also refers to the helmet.

mokusō

Meditation performed at the start and end of training.

motodachi

The received in a pair of practitioners. See also: kakarite.

nafuda

Name tag worn in the middle of the tare. See also: zekken.

nidan-waza

Two-step strikes, such as kote followed by men immediately.

nuke-tō

Unsheathing the sword. See also: tai-tō.

okuri-ashi

Leading footwork, with the right foot staying in the front.

osame-tō

Sheathing the sword. Also referred to as no-tō.

otagai

Each other – used to address a bow to everyone.

rei

Bowing. See also: reiho and zarei.

reiho

Etiquette and its protocol or conduct. See also: rei and zarei.

seiza

A style of sitting on your knees. See also: zarei.

shinai

Bamboo sword.

shizentai

Natural standing position – heels together, feet slightly apart.

shōmen

Refers to the central men when striking, or the “face” of the dōjō.

sonkyo

Squatting with the sword out, as a form of bowing.

suburi

Swinging exercise.

suri-ashi

Sliding footwork.

tai-tō

Propping the sword up to the hip, in preparation to draw. See also: nuke-tō.

tare

Waist protector, worn as part of the bōgu. Not a target!

tōma

Far distance. See also: maai.

tsuba

The hilt guard of the sword.

tsuka

The hilt of the sword (where you hold).

tsuki

Thrust to the throat, one of the target areas.

uchi

A strike, e.g. men-uchi is a strike to the head.

waza

Technique.

zanshin

The follow through after striking.

zarei

Bowing while seated. See also: seiza and rei.

zekken

Name tag worn in the middle of the tare. See also: nafuda.