MARTIAL ARTS

EXPLORER

KENDO
TERMINOLOGY

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 to 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.

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.

Senshu gakari - court announcer.

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.

Ttsuka - 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.