GLOSSARY OF TERMS USED IN KENDO

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. 

Do - the torso protector. Can be made of bamboo or other material. 

Hajime - the command start a match. 

Hakama - the pleated pantaloons or skirt. 

Tsuba-zeri-ai - stalling at tsuba-zeri-ai without any intention of executing

Hasso-no-kamae - the ready position with the shinai held vertically by the right shoulder.  

Ippon gachi, shobu-ari - a winner by a single point in a match. 

Jodan-no-kamae - the ready position with the shinai held over the head.  

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.  

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 not pass 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. 

Shinpan - a referee.

Shinpancho - the chief judge overseeing all court actions.

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. 

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.