Japanese / English Translation
Counting
Ichi: One.
Ni: Two
San: Three.
Shi: Four.
Go: Five.
Roku: Six.
Shichi: Seven.
Hachi: Eight.
Kyuu: Nine.
Jyuu: Ten.
Basic Terms
Ashi sabaki: Footwork.
Dan: Ranking system for advanced levels. Equivalent to black belt in other martial arts. 1 Dan = lowest. 8 Dan = highest.
Datotsu no kikai: Chance of strike.
Ippon shoubu: One point match (first person to score wins).
Jiyuu keiko: Free practice.
Hansoku: Foul.
Hantei: Referees’ decision as to the winner of a match.
Kakari geiko: Attack practice.
Kamae: Basic stance or posture.
Kata: Standardized series of predetermined attacks and responses.
Keiko: Practice.
Kensen: Tip of the shinai/ sword.
Kenshi: Sword fighter/ kendo player.
Kiai: Shout or yell.
Kigurai: Poise.
Kihon: Basics.
Kime: Striking with decisiveness and conviction.
Kirikaeshi: Basic exercise in which the side of the men are struck repeatedly.
Koudansha: Kendoka with rank 5th dan (godan) or higher.
Kyu: Ranking system for beginner levels. 6 kyu = lowest. 1 kyu = highest. Equivalent to white belt in other martial arts.
Maai: Distance between one and one’s opponent.
Rei: Bow.
Sanbon shoubu: Three point match (first person to score two points wins).
Seiza: Seated position on the knees.
Seme: Pressure applied to one’s opponent.
Sensei: Instructor. Surname + “sensei” i.e., Sentany Sensei. In kendo, to be a sensei, the kendoka must be 4 dan (yon dan) or higher in rank.
Shinpan: Referee.
Sonkyo: The crouching position in which begins and ends each bout.
Suburi: Basic exercise which simulates striking the men repeatedly, performed without bogu or an opponent.
Tai atari: Hitting with the body.
Tai sabaki: Body movement.
Tsuba zeriai: Situation in which the players are close together, “tsuba to tsuba.”.
Tsuki: The thrust target; the only point in kendo which is scored with athrust rather than a strike. The target is below the chin and at the throat.
Yuudansha: Kendoka with a rank of 1 Dan (shodan) or higher
Yuuko datotsu: Valid point.
Zanshin: Mental and physical alerness, especially after the completion of an attack.
Seiza: Seated position on the knees.
