Kendo Words and Terms
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Age-kote – when the kote is held above the pit of the stomach
while executing a strike.
Aiuchi – when both opponents make datotsu simultaneously.
Bassoku - a penalty for an infraction or foul.
Bogu - kendo equipment.
Chudan-no-kamae – the basic ready position with the shinai pointed
at the opponents mid-upper section.
Chui - a warning. The first chui is without penalty, afterwards
they shall be considered penalties.
Chuken - the third contestant in a team match.
Chusen - a winner selected by lot among the judge(s) or referees.
Chusen gachi, shobu-ari – a winner by lot (draw).
Daihyoshu-sen – playoff by representatives in a team match.
Do - the torso protector. Can be made of bamboo or other material.
Encho - an overtime or extension round in a match. Used to determine
a winner when no points are scored during the normal match time period.
Fukusho - the fourth contestant in a team match.
Fusei-shinai shiyo – the use of an illegal shinai for a match.
Fusen-gachi – a winner as the result of a “no-show.”
Fuho-koi-shobu-ari – a winner resulting from a player’s illegal act.
Gogi - a consultation by the referees. Generally made when a time out is
called during a match.
Go-No-Waza (Datotsu) - a parry to a valid datotsu made from Tsuba-zeri-ai.
Hajime - the command start a match.
Hakama - the pleated pantaloons or skirt.
Hantei - a decision made by the judge or referee for a winner.
Hantei gachi, shobu-ari – a winner by decision.
Hansoku - a foul play or illegal act. Hansokus are the following:
-ashi-kake or ashi-barai – tripping or sweeping an opponent
off their feet.
-kosei-o-gaisuru-koi – an illegal act or move.
-jyogai - stepping outside the court line.
-oshidashi or tsukidashi – unfair pushing or shoving an
opponent out of bounds.
-shinair hanashi - dropping a shinai.
-tsuba-zeri-ai – stalling at tsuba-zeri-ai without any
intention of executing a datotsu.
Hasso-no-kamae – the ready position with the shinai held
vertically by the right shoulder.
Hikiwake - a draw decision in a match.
Igi - a protest; generally done by a team manager immediately
after the match in quesiton.
Ippon gachi, shobu-ari – a winner by a single point in a match.
Jiho - the second contestant in a team match.
Jikaku-mushi – an insult made to a player or referee.
Jodan-no-kamae – the ready position with the shinai held over the head.
Jogai - stepping out of bounds during a match.
Kamae - the basic forward standing guard position.
Kakari - the court staff consisting of:
-keiji gakari - scoreboard recorder.
-kiroku gakari - score recorder.
-senshu gakari - court announcer.
- tokei gakari – time keeper.
Keikogi - the cotton jacket worn under the do.
Kendo-gu – the equipment used and worn by a kendoist.
Also referred to as Bogu.
Kote - fencing gloves.
Men - the head gear or “helmet/mask.”
Nihon me - the command to restart a match for the second match point.
Nito - using two shinai, short and long.
Nito-no-kamae – the ready position when using two shinai.
Rei - a bow.
Ritsu-rei - a bow at the standing position.
San-Bon-Shobu - three point scoring in a normal shiai or match.
Sageto - holding the shinai at the left side of the body.
Senpo - the first contestant in a team match.
Shiai-funo - a winner when one of the opponents cannot continue the match.
Shiai-kyohi - a match winner called when there is a
refusal or discontinuation of the match.
Shinai - a four piece bamboo or fiberglas sword used for
practise and shiai. It must meet minimum weight and length
specifications as noted for age and class group.
- chigiri - the metal spacer in the shinai’s hilt
which keeps the four bamboo staves from slipping
forward or backward.
- datotsu-bu – the tip portion of the shinai which
must make contact for a valid point or yuko datotsu.
- ken-sen – the front “tip” of a shinai.
- jin-bu – the portion from the tsuba to the front tip
of the shinai.
- nakayui - the leather wrap at the front third of a
shinai. It keeps the bamboos stave from separating.
- saki-gawa – the leather covering at the tip of the shinai.
- shin - the rubber spacer placed at the inside
front tip of a shinai.
- tsuka - the handle portion of the shinai.
- tsuka-gashira – the bottom or handle end of a shinai.
- tsuba - the hilt guard on the shinai. May be made
of leather, rubber or synthetic. It must not
pass over the Tsuka-gawa or leather handle.
- tsuru - the string or “himo” that holds the nakayui
and tuska-gawa together and keeps the four bamboo staves tight.
Shinai-hanashi – dropping a shinai during a match.
Shinpan - a referee.
Shinpancho - the chief judge overseeing all court actions.
Shinpan Shunin – the chief court judge who assists the
chief judge during a match.
Shinpan-in – the team of referees in a court. The team
consists of the Shu-shin (the chief referee) and two
Fuku-shin (subreferees).
Shobu - the command to restart a match for the match point.
Shobu-ari - announces a winner in a match.
Son-kyo – the crouching position taken just before and after a match.
Sosai - an offset when two players commit a foul as the
same time and the fouls are offset – no penalty.
Tabi - footwear.
Taisho - the last contestant in a team match.
Taito - holding the shinai at waist level.
Tare - the waist protector.
Tsuki - the throat thrust or hit.
Tsuki-tare – the throat protector on the men.
Wakki-gakame – ready position with the shinai downward
and near the right foot.
Yame - the command to stop.
Yuko Datotsu – a valid strike or point. Must combine
correct call, execution and follow through.
Zan-shin – the follow through of a strike, a state of energy,
execution, and alertness against an opponent.
Zekken - the name tag, made of cloth or leather and attached to the Tare.
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