Terminology

What follows is a list of terms that you will hear in the club, and maybe from visitors. It can be confusing, and complicated to use the terms without understanding, so its hoped that this list will make things clearer.

Counting one to ten in Japanese.

On the left is how it is written in romanji (Japanese / English) on the right is how it is pronounced based on a Northern English dialect. In the centre is the English number.

 Ichi 1 Itch-ee
 Ni 2 Knee
 San 3 San
 Shi 4 She
 Go 5 Go
 Roku 6 Rowk-oo
 Shichi 7 Shee-chee
 Hachi 8 Hat-chee
 Kyu 9 Kee-you
 Jyu 10 Je-you
 SanJyu 30 San-je-you
 Hai Yes Ha-eye
 Ei No ee-yay

Kendoka – A practitioner of Kendo

Dojo - A place or hall of training.

Kamiza – Direction where you face to bow, where the teacher or ancestral focus is based. (spiritually orientated)

Shomen - As DSKYK Bolton practices Kendo without a focus on any religeon (other than the obsession of kendo :-) ) we bow to the high-side, as a mark of respect for those teachers who have gone before and kept kendo alive, and to those who have inspired us in the continued persuit of this wonderful art.

Rei – Bow. Rei: when standing – If facing Shomen/Sensei eyes down. If facing equal opponent, then look in their eyes.

Rei: when sitting – Sit with your knees on the floor, legs tucked underneath your buttocks with both feet flat, soles of feet facing up. Place your left hand on the floor in front of your knees. Then place your right next to it so that the space between your fingers and thumbs form a triangle. Bow forward, placing your nose into the triangle. Try to keep your backside from flying into the air. Do not expose the back of your neck to onlookers; keep your back straight as possible.

To raise from the bow reverse the procedure (right hand first etc..)

Seiza - Sitting on your legs, which are folded under your body with both hands resting on your thighs.

Shimoza – A side of the dojo. The beginners and all those practicing Kendo sit here, in order of rank.

Sensei – Teacher/instructor. To address a teacher as sensei is to respect his knowledge and experience in his art. (in DSKYK Bolton he will alos respond to Mark)

Senpai – A senior Kendoka who has been chosen by the Sensei who will act as the assistant. All Kendoka in the Dojo must then refer to this individual as Senpai. (in DSKYK Bolton he will also respond to Paul )

Keikogi - Kendo Jacket.

Hakama– Pleated trousers worn when practising Kendo.

Shinai – Bamboo sword used to practice kendo. It is representative of a real sword and must be treated with respect. It must not be leaned upon; it must not be thrown down. You must not pick it up from a standing position. You must not step over someone else’s shinai (this is a great insult). You must always ask someone if you wish to handle his or her shinai.

Bokuto (Bokken) – Hard wood sword, used for Kendo Kata and Iai practice. The same rules apply to a bokken that apply to a shinai.

Yame – Stop… finish

Hajime- Begin

Moku-so – meditation. Hands held in front of you, palms open, back of hands facing down, left hand on right hand. Thumbs touching just above your navel, whilst sitting in seiza.

Ki –o- tsuke – Cry for attention. Used to command to sit up straight before Moku-so. "Put on your spirit"