This page lists key Kendo terminology & commands. This sword-based Japanese martial arts uses Japanese words and commands for its training and sparring sessions. For other martial arts words & commands, please visit the main Martial Arts Terminology section.
Wiki – Best Kendo & Martial Arts Books
Terms & Commands used in Kendo
- Armor – Bogu
- Attack Techniques – Shikake Waza
- Backwards – Ato
- Basic Techniques – Kihon or Kihon Waza
- Begin/Start – Hajime
- Belt – Obi
- Body Movement – Tai Sabaki
- Bow – Rei
- Counter Attack Techniques – Oji Waza
- Chest Protector – Do
- Evasion Techniques – Nuki Waza
- Foot – Ashi
- Forms or Patterns – Kata
- Forward – Mae
- Free Sparring Practice – Ji-Geiko
- Gloves – Kote
- Head Towel (worn under helmet) – Tenugui
- Helmet – Men
- Helmet Protective Face Grill – Men-Gane
- Hip Protector – Tare
- Left – Hidari
- Line/To Form A Line – Retsu
- Neck & Shoulder Protection (Armor) – Men Dare
- Opponent – Aite
- Penalty – Hansoku
- Practice Jacket (worn under armor) – Kendogi
- Practice Pants – Hakama
- Referee – Shinpan
- Right – Migi
- School or Practice Hall – Dojo
- Sitting Position – Seiza
- Stance – Kamae
- Step Back – Sagare
- Step Forward – Susume
- Stop/Finish – Yame
- Sword (Metal) – Katana
- Sword (Practice Bamboo) – Shinai
- Sword (Practice Hard Wood) – Bokken or Bokuto
- Target Cutting – Tameshigiri
- Teacher – Sensei
- Thank You (Formal) – Domo Arigato
- Thank You (Informal) – Domo
- Throat Protection (Armor) – Tsuki Dare
- Yell (Fighting Spirit)- Kiai
Introduction to Kendo Terminology
Japanese Counting System used in Kendo
- One – Ichi
- Two – Ni
- Three – San
- Four – Shi
- Five – Go
- Six – Roku
- Seven – Shichi
- Eight – Hachi
- Nine – Kyu
- Ten – Jyu
- Eleven – Jyu Ichi
- Twelve – Jyu Ni
- Thirteen – Jyu San
- Fourteen – Jyu Shi
- Fifteen – Jyu Go
- Sixteen – Jyu Roku
- Seventeen – Jyu Shichi
- Eighteen – Jyu Hachi
- Nineteen – Jyu Kyu
- Twenty – Ni Jyu
- For higher numbers, please visit our section on Martial Arts – Japanese Numbers.
How to Count in Japanese
Kendo Terminology
Reference Sources
- Wikipedia, Kendo, https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kendo