KENDO/SHIAI GLOSSARY
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 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.
senshu gakari court announcer.
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.
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.
tsuka 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 notpass 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.