Bokuto Ni Yoru Kendo Kihon Waza Keiko Ho

by Valery Serezhkin
(Russia)

Would you be so kind to tell about Bokuto Ni Yoru Kendo Kihon Waza Keiko Ho (Bokuto Keiko Ho)? Everything is interesting. History of inventing, quantity of forms, the order of forms etc.


Answer:  Thank you for your post.

Bokuto ni yoru Kendo Kihon Waza Keiko Ho was officially presented by All Japan Kendo Federation (AJKF) in June 2001. It was made for kendo beginners.

According to resource I have, then President of AJKF, MORISHIMA Takeo sensei, mentions three fundamental goals in the preface of the official Bokuto Keiko Ho booklet published by AJKF.


  1. To have kendo practitioners understand the concept of nihontō.

  2. To have kendo practitioners learn kendo basic movements by bokutō and make it possible to learn more advanced techniques.

  3. To make it easier to shift to Nihon Kendo Kata.



Bokutō Keiko Hō is somewhat flexible. In kata, we should follow the predetermined movements exactly.

We are not allowed to change the direction of the blade for example in Bokutō Keiko Hō, depending on your level.  

Techniques included in BokutōKeiko Hō


  1. Single cuts: Men, Kote, Dō, Tsuki

  2. Two continuous cuts: Kote and Men

  3. Harai waza: Harai Men (using omote the left side of your sword)

  4. Hiki waza: Hiki Dō (the right dō)

  5. Nuki waza: Men Nuki Dō (the right dō)

  6. Suriage waza: Kote Suriage Men(using ura the right side of your sword)

  7. Debana waza: Debana Kote

  8. Kaeshi waza: Men Kaeshi Dō (the right dō)

  9. Uchiotoshi waza: Dō Uchiotoshi Men (the right dō)




There are some videos of Bokuto Kihon Ho in the Subscribers' only area.


Bokutō Keiko Hō video from All Japan Kendo Federation.

Comments for Bokuto Ni Yoru Kendo Kihon Waza Keiko Ho

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Feb 25, 2024
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starstarstarstarstar 		Thank you.
by: Eden Walsh

Thank you so much for this.
Clear and so helpful for me as a beginner.
Jan 13, 2020
Rating
starstarstarstarstar 		Bokuto Kihon in testing
by: Ron Fox

Beginning in April 1, AUSKF will require Bokuto kihon ho for kyu tests as follows:

• BKKK 1-9 for 2 kyu test
• BKKK 1-6 for 3 kyu test
• BKKK 1-3 for 4 kyu test


Sigh. I'm of two minds about this. On the one hand, I think it's good for instructors to have to teach this to their students. I've had a lot of success with both student retention and student learning outcomes doing this.

My worry, however is that now these forms will become rigid in their instruction and application because instructors will focus their efforts on teaching only the book form as that's what will be evaluated at shinsa.

I know that I'll feel somewhat constrained as I don't want someone failing their examinations.

I think this throws away a great deal of the value of this instruction method.

Ron.
Jan 19, 2010
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starstarstarstarstar 		thumbs up
by: Val Serezhkin

Matt, thanks a lot!
Jan 19, 2010
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starstarstarstarstar 		English Resource
by: Matt

More information on these kata, as well as videos can be found here.


As presented by Mark Uchida sensei in Mushinkan dojo in Colorado.


Kendo-Guide.Com: Cheers!
Jan 18, 2010
Rating
starstarstarstarstar 		5*
by: Anonymous

Thank you very much!

Kendo-Guide.Com: You are very welcome!

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