Glossary

Ashi-Sabaki   Footwork practice or exercise

Joge-Furi   Warmup excercise of large radius swing through vertical centerline of body, front to rear

Kamae   On guard position

Kata   Koryu, older style, pre-arranged movements of attack and defence which serve to improve and maintain technical purity in kendo.

Keiko   Practice, training

Kiai   A shout to generate drive and power by calling out in a strong, clear voice and thus make your own actions easier to perform. To charge your being with mental power, to avoid carelessness, and never to fall under the mental sway of an opponent. The Japanese word, kiai, suggests a coming together (ai) of spirit-will (ki). The kiai means that the spirit of one person is coming into combat with the spirit of an opponent.

Kihon   Basic, large action

Kihon-uchi   Basic strike, large strike motion

Kotai   Change of exercise position

Mae-Ato   Forward/backward, respectively

Moto-Dachi   Higher side position, leader of excercise, or senior position

Naname-Furi   Warm up excercise of large radius swing at diagonal angle to vertical center of body; approximately 45 degrees between vertical spine and horizontal hip lines

Nuki-To   Draw sword to on-guard position, chudan

O-same-to   Return sword to saya, scabbard

Sa-yu men   Strike to yokomen, right and left temple area

Sonkyo   Sqatting posture to draw or sheath sword; thighs parallel to floor, heels close together, and on the balls of the feet.

Te-no-uchi   Palm gripping power, focus on little finger and ring finger respectively

Suburi   Basic practice swing; beating air

Uchi   Stroke or cutting action against target

Uchi-komi   Strike practice/training against target

Uchi-komi-bo   Practice striking stick

Yokomen   Left and/or right strike to temple area of head or men

Zanshin   In modern Kendo, remainder or complete control, after initial action against target. First it is a determination to continue without let up and carelessness. Second it means bringing one's own actions to a definite conclusion. The key is to maintain concentration and confidence while preventing your spirit, energy, from dissipating and retaining it under your control.

Zenshin kotai   Continuous action with repeated smooth reversal of direction. Advance-retreat strike suburi