Age-kote - when the kote is held above the pit of the stomach while executing a strike.

Aiuchi - when both opponents make datotsu simultaneously.

Bogu - Kendo equipment.

Chigiri - the metal spacer in the shinai's hilt which keeps the four bamboo staves from slipping forward or backward.

Chudan-no-kamae - the basic ready position with the shinai pointed at the opponents mid-upper section.

Datotsu-bu - The tip portion of the shinai which must make contact for a valid point or yuko datotsu.

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.

Fusei-shinai shiyo - the use of an illegal shinai for a match.

Go-No-Waza (Datotsu) - a parry to a valid datotsu made from Tsuba-zeri-ai.

Hajime - Begin.  The command to 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:

  1. ashi-kake or ashi-barai - tripping or sweeping an opponent off their feet.
  2. kosei-o-gaisuru-koi - an illegal act or move.
  3. jyogai - stepping outside the court line.
  4. oshidashi or tsukidashi - unfair pushing or shoving an opponent out of bounds.
  5. shinair hanashi - dropping a shinai.
  6. 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.

Ippon gachi - A winner by a single point in a match.

Jin-bu - The portion of a shinai from the tsuba to the front tip of the shinai.

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

Jogai - Penalty for stepping out of bounds during a match.

Kamae - the basic forward standing guard position.

Keikogi - the cotton jacket worn under the do.

Kendo-gu - the equipment used and worn by a Kendoist. Also referred to as Bogu.

Ken-sen - the front "tip" of a shinai.

Kote - fencing gloves.

Men - the head gear or "helmet/mask."

Nakayui - the leather wrap at the front third of a  shinai. It keeps the bamboos stave from separating.

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.

Shinai-hanashi - Penalty for dropping a shinai during a match.

Shobu-ari - A winner by a single point in a match.

Saki-gawa - the leather covering at the tip of the shinai.

Shin - the rubber spacer placed at the inside  front tip of a shinai.

Shinpan - a referee.

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.

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.

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.

Tsuru - the string or "himo" that holds the nakayui and tsuka-gawa together and keeps the four bamboo staves tight on a shinai 

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