Kendo Terminology – Key Words & Commands

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.

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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

Kendo Terminology

Reference Sources

  1. Wikipedia, Kendo, https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kendo