Glossary

Basic Kendo Terminology

Seiretsu – Line up

Chakuza – Sit (in Seiza)

Rei – Bow

Sensei ni rei – Bow to sensei

Onegai shimasu – Please let me train with you (bowing in)

Hajime – Begin

Yame – Stop

Domoarigato gozaimashita – Thank you very much (bowing out)

Strikes

Men – strike to the head

Kote – strike to the forearm 

Do – strike to the body

Tsuki – strike to the throat

Zanshin – remaining spirit

Counting

Ichi (“ich”) – One

Ni – Two

San – Three

Shi – Four

Go – Five

Roku (“rok”) – Six

Shichi (“shich”) – Seven

Hachi (“hach”) – Eight

Ku – Nine

Jyu – Ten

Ni-jyu – Twenty

San-jyu – Thirty

Yon-jyu – Forty

Go-jyu – Fifty

Suburi

Oki-suburi men – Great spririt men swing

Oki-suburi kote – Great spirit kote swing

Fumikomi Men – Men strike with foot stomp

Fumi komi Kote Men – Kote and Men strike with foot stomp

Haya suburi – Fast suburi