A katate variant of jōdan no kamae.

Both opponent’s face each other in chūdan no kamae.

Two kendōka do kakari geiko simultaneously.

See ayumi-ashi, fukumi-ashi, fumi-komi, hiraki-ashi, nusumi-ashi, okuri-ashi, suri-ashi, and tsugi-ashi.

A normal walking motion where the feet cross one another. However in kendō ayumi-ashi is still done as suri-ashi.

A normal walking motion where the feet cross one another. However in kendō ayumi-ashi is still done as suri-ashi.

Kendō armour. Consisting of the men, kote, dō, and tare. Also called kendō-gu.

The sword used in kendo kata.

Practice of fundamen- tal kendō techniques with a boku̥tō

Abbreviation for boku̥tō ni yoru kendō kihon waza keiko hō. A series of forms created to practice fundamental shinai kendō techniques with boku̥tō.

The sword used in kendo kata.

Budō are mar- tial arts where the focus is placed on bettering oneself instead of pure combative victory.

A bujutsu is a martial art where the focus is specifically placed on learning effective combat skills for defeating an oppo- nent.

A samurai. Often translated simply as warrior however this translation overlooks the meaning of the character shi (士): one who serves or does in a polite context.

A code of ethics, morals, and conduct for samurai.

A distance that is shorter than issoku ittō no maai.

See gedan no kamae.

A term used to refer to small strikes

The concept that everything has both strengths and weak- nesses in the same package.

A variant of chūdan no kamae used in the kodachi kata. See hanmi kamae.

Chūdan is known as the “kamae of water” due to its adaptability for offen- sive and defensive waza. Chūdan is the fundamental kamae in kendō.

The name used to refer to the “long sword” when using nitō.

This refers to the set of dan ranks in kendō, commonly equated with the rank of “black belt”. In modern kendō dan ranks range from first to eighth.

Shinai kendō is a datotsu style of fencing as compared to a zantotsu style if a katana were used.

The portion of the shinai strikes are made with; the mono-uchi

Portion of the bōgu where one may strike.

From the verb deru, “start, begin, (just) coming out”, i.e., just as something is being initiated or started.

From de “Come out, start, begin.” and bana “moment, situation”, i.e., the moment something begins

Techniques used to strike as the opponent’s attack is being initiated.

(1) (道) “The way”, i.e. a way of enlightenment, or of bettering oneself, e.g., kendō. (2) (胴) The abdominal protector worn in kendō. See kendō-gu. (3) The name of the target when striking the abdomen.

En in Japanese, meaning a “link, relationship, or con- nection.” In kendō this implies a mental and physical connection to the opponent. Mentally this implies one perceives how the opponent will act, their intents, level of focus, ki-ken-tai-itchi, and zanshin. Physically this allows one to respond to movement, maintain distance, adjust kamae, etc... A connection is essential to under- standing the rhythm.

The “blade/edge” of a sword.

Command given to indicate when to start practice or a match.

The traditional Japanese pants worn in kendo.

(1) Kakari-te is the one who attacks during drill practice. (2) The person per- forming waza during the boku̥tō waza.

This is a relative term relating to experience and not necessarily ones age.

Put on your head protection.

The motodachi is the one who attacks or creates an opening for the kakari-te to practice striking or some type of waza.

Assume the kneeling position.

Bow to the sensei.

The role of the “student” in the nihon kendō no kata.

The sword used in kendo striking and sparring practice.

Bow to the front wall of the dojo.

Assume the crouched position.

A cloth worn on the head underneath the men.

The role of “teacher” in the nihon kendō no kata.