Lesson Glossary
Bokuto – a wooden facsimile of a sword used as a training implement in the practice of kendo.
Chudan-no-kamae – The on-guard position with the shinai held in the center position with the tip projecting to the opponent’s throat.
Datotsu-bu – The valid point areas.
Debana waza - The technique of striking at the moment the opponent begins an attack.
Harai - The technique of upsetting an opponent’s kamae by striking their sword off-center in the same movement of the upward swing of an attack.
Hiki waza – The technique of stepping backward to strike an opponent.
Issoku-itto-no-maai - One step striking distance. From this distance, a single step forward will be sufficient to strike the datotsu-bu (target area) with the mono-uchi (first third of the sword length).
Kaburi – Overhead swing of the sword that is the initial movement of striking an opponent.
Kaeshi waza – The technique where the sword of the aggressor is blocked with the shinogi of one’s own sword and a counter attack executed immediately after.
Kakarite – The practitioner who is active in executing/practicing movements and strikes.
Kamae – On-guard posture.
Kamae Otoku – The lowed, neutral position of the swords, which allows paired combatants/practitioners to mutually retreat.
Kata – Japanese sword
Keiko – Practice, training
Kiai – The shout. The vocalized expression of spirit.
Kihon – Basics, Fundamentals.
Ki-Ken-Tai-no-Ichi - synchronization of the kiai, the strike, and the setting of the body at the moment a blow is landed.
Kisaki – The tip of a sword.
Maai – The distance, or interval between two facing practitioners.
Mono-uchi – The optimal cutting segment of a sword, or the part of the shinai that point areas must be stricken with to be valid. The mono-uchi is the first third of the sword length. For shinai, it is the first quarter of the overall length - the portion of the shinai between the kisaki and the nakayui.
Motodachi – The person who is the receiver in paired training where strikes and techniques are practiced. When taking the part of Motodachi, one must continue to work to refine their skills within the role of Motodachi.
Nidan waza – The technique of striking two point areas consecutively in a single, fluid attack.
Nuki waza – The technique where a respondent of an attack maneuvers to sidestep the attack and simultaneously execute a counter attack.
Ohji waza – Counter attacking techniques.
Okuri-ashi – Footwork where the feet are moved in a shuffle-step fashion to advance, retreat, or maneuver from side to side.
Otoku - (see, Kamae Otoku)
Ritsu-rei – Standing bow
Sandan waza - The technique of striking three point areas consecutively in a single, fluid attack.
Seme - 1) To attack. 2) The physical and mental attitude of advancing to overwhelm/attack an opponent. 3) The act of invading an opponent’s space to provoke a response and reveal vulnerabilities.
Shinogi – The raised side ridges of a sword that run proximal to the long axis of the blade.
Shomen – The center point area of the head. The top center of the head, as opposed to Hidarimen and Migimen (right and left temples of the head).
Sonkyo – 1) The squatted position taken when drawing and withdrawing the sword. 2) A formal posture taken to show respect.
Suriage waza - The technique of maneuvering one’s sword in an upward sweeping motion to glance an attacking sword away from the intended target and deliver a counter attack to the area of opportunity the deflecting action creates.
Tachiai – The position from which ritsu-rei is performed in preparation or retirement of an interactive practice.
Taito – The holding of the bokuto or shinai on the left hip, positioned as a sword in the sash ready for drawing.
Toki-kata – The form or process of lowering the swords to a neutral position, allowing the practitioners to retreat. (also see, Kamae Otoku)
Tsubazeriai – Position where two opponents are at a close interval with the sword guards interlocked.
Uchiotoshi waza – Also called Kiriotoshi waza, Uchiotoshi waza is the technique of taking advantage of an opponent’s attack by “killing their sword”. Simply described, an opponent’s sword is batted away to stop the attack and to also create an opening for a counterattack.
Waza - Technique
Yokote - The vertical line formed by the intersection of the side-plane of a sword and the plane that angles inward to form the blade-tip.
Yokote-kôsa - The position where the sword tips are touching with the yokote of the swords crossed.
Zanshin - Continued preparedness after executing an attack.