How big does a sparring area need to be? 

My friend and I who are both doing Kendo are about to be able to start sparring soon and we want to be able to spar outside of the dojo in our own ...

Movements between techniques during exam 
During grading exam what kind of movements should we take between techniques: we should move evenly and calmly or as quickly as possible?

I mean for ...

Spine-related diseases in kendo 
I've got a question about general diseases in Kendo, not injuries.

Probably it is a kind of coincidence but in our group we have about 20-30% of all ...

A little more about sonkyo 
In your article ' How to Take Chudan: Draw Your Sword' it is described how we sit in sonkyo. It is pointed that after taito we draw our sword out and ...

Japanese armor (yoroi) question and more 
1. Do you know much about old Japanese armor creation, or do you know of any good books on say 16-17th century Japanese armor and how to make them?

I ...

Order of some actions 
I've got some questions about order of actions before we put bogu on and after we take it off.

1. Is there any order when we are knotting do himo?...

Different types of bow 
I'd like to ask you about zarei between partners, probably not very kendo-relative since we are making ritsu rei between partners in kendo.

When ...

How old do you start kendo at? 
At what age must you be to learn kendo ?

Answer: It varies. The youngest I heard is 3 years old. The oldest is 55 ( my father ). I started kendo ...

What happens if the shinai falls down in a match? 
In a kendo match, a kendoka gets hit on his shinai and his shinai falls down on the ground...I’m confused this part.

Should he continue the match?...

When is enough Zanshin for Jodan  
Can you please tell me what is considered "GOOD ZANSHIN " for different jōdan no kamae techniques?

For example :

Zanshin ...

Performing kendo kata during exam 

Performing kendo kata during exam

As you mentioned in kata relative articles when performing kendo kata we need to control distances all ...

Kyu exam 
When do you think a beginner in kendo should take a kyu exam?

I have been forced into an extensive training followed by two exams. I am the 4th ...

How can you tell about good instructor or not? 

What qualities should a good instructor have?

Thank you.

Answer: Wow. That is a hard question.

Usually, in Japan if one starts bragging about ...

What about Tameshigiri? 
Zenhihon Kendo Renmei (ZNKR) has Kendo (fencing) Seitei Iai (drawing the sword) even Jodo (short staff) but no Tameshi-giri  (test cutting)...

Feet position in seiza 

 What is the correct feet position when we are sitting in seiza in kendo ?: when left and right big toes are close but not one over another; when ...

Aggression in shiai 
I am not very aggressive while in shiai and my instructor says that I should be attacking all the time.

To demonstrate this, he gave us a "...

Dojo plan 

I'd like to ask you to draw a "standard" dōjō  plan with pointing its areas. (Or maybe to give a link where such dojo plan is shown.) 
And ...

Kenjutsu website 
Is there a website like this one, but for kenjutsu ?

Answer: I don't know. Sorry. Anyone?

Kendo and Kenjutsu 
What is the difference between Kendo and Kenjutsu , besides the difference in gear?

Answer: Kenjutsu is "the technique of the Sword" and kendo ...

Sexist vs Gender Roles 
I've got some organizational question.

In our dojo boys and girls train together. And before and after training we line up in the order according our ...

When sweat gets into eyes 
If we train hard sometimes it happens that sweat gets into eyes and it stings. When we have jigeiko series without resting that is the most actual.

And ...

How can I get back in shape?  

I came back to my dōjō for the first time after a few weeks. I could barely beat the people who I fought in shiai  (people I could beat ...

What is the appropriate way to hold your tenugui before putting it on? 
What is the appropriate way to hold your tenugui before putting it on? Should the Japanese words ( kanji ) face others or should it face yourself so ...

Solo Practice with a "Real" Sword 
I only recently started Kendo, perhaps only three or four weeks ago.

One night, our instructor had us do one hundred haya suburi . Realizing I ...

Ankle Stretches for Sitting in Seiza 
When my son sits in seiza his ankles do not stretch far enough to lie flat on the floor.  Do you know any exercises to stretch the ankles so that he ...

the way to put tenugui on neatly 
I keep having troubles with my tenugui , and nobody seems to have a solution:

I'm using a default-sized tenugui . I think my head is pretty averagely ...

Solo practice with tachi 
Is Kendo kata with tachi (bokken), as a solo practice, a part of the regular kendo training? Or is it performed only in training in pairs? If so,...

What does it take to practice Nito Kendo? 

What does it take to practice Nito Kendo ?

I was wondering if you could give me your opinion on a few things.

The requirements for nito kendo ...

How to use your ki to create a shikai on your opponent. 
Exactly, how would you create a shikai on your opponent with your ki ? I heard that you use your spirit to overwhelm them, but exactly how do you do ...

What's the difference between modern kendo and traditional kendo? 
I was wondering how modern kendo is different to pre-war kendo (traditional kendo). Do you know about it?

Kendo-Guide.Com :  I’m not too sure about ...

Solo Practice Dress Code 
Do you always wear hakama and keikogi for solo practice?

How about the bogu ? Do you put it on even when there is no one else?

Answer:  It ...

Teacher - student relation 
I am a beginner in kendo. I have been taking classes in a sports center in Seoul, Korea. I am the only foreigner in my group (I speak quite decent Korean,...

Datotsu to Hidari kote ( left Kote ) 
I have another question about the valid strike to hidari kote/ left kote.
"Hidari Kote will be valid as datotsu when the opponent out from basic chudan-...

How to fight an opponent who takes gedan-like kamae? 
I was sparring with an opponent who lets his guard down for a while (by having the shinai down diagonally). I at least sparred with him twice.

And I'...

Carbon vs bamboo shinai 
Nowadays you can buy carbon shinai. I noticed that they are rather expensive, so I was wondering...

Are they 'better' (for lack of a better word) than ...

Nito regulations in kendo matches 
I would like to ask about regulations that apply to nito players, including:

1. Shinai regulations
2. Datotsu (will the shoto strike be a yuko datotsu?...

Why is the left hand more dominant in kendo??? 
We were debating why the left hand is more dominant (why the power comes from it) rather than the right hand? Is there a historic reasoning behind it?

[Kendo-...

How can I wash/clean the kote? 
My kendo buddy has a problem that his kote are VERY smelly (like 2 week old socks used every day) and it's bugging him a lot since the smell attaches ...

Can I protect my teeth in kendo? 
When someone strikes my men, my jaws shut really fast and after that my teeth start to hurt. I'm afraid they're gonna crack or break. Is there something ...

What is the difference between Hari, Harai and Hajiki? 
I was wondering the difference between these 3 terms:

Hari
Harai
Hajiki

In my research I just found that all of them are included in the term 'Harai'...

Older Newbies to Kendo 
I'm thinking of taking up a martial art and after a lot of reading would like to learn Kendo. I wanted to learn something using swordsmanship that was ...

Do I have to do something before using a new shinai? 
I just bought two Shinai. They are already assembled. Can I use them right away or do I need to do something before using them?

Answer: Good question....

Dangers of Kendo 
I heard that people got blinded by the shinai because it wasn't tied up well. Is it true?

And if it is, how can I prevent it from happening? Check ...

I don't have a dojo in my area and want to learn kendo. 
I don't have a dojo in my area and want to learn kendo, what should I do?

Answer: It is very important for you to get the correct information of kendo....

How to stand up with shinaï from seiza stance ? 
How to stand up with shinaï from seiza stance?

Could you describe this movement from seiza stance?

I don't remember when I must to take the shinai ...

Kiai for Kote 
I was always wondering about the right kiai for the kote. With men and dou it's easy, as it's only one syllable. But what about 'kote'?

I've heard ...

Why cannot I go backwards? 
Kamae Position

We have been told to maintain the proper Kamae Position... However, during keiko, we are told not to move/slide back but always go forward....

Different Bowing Methods During Training 
When do I do a standing bow during an exercise with motodashi and how?

We line up in front of a motosdashi and we wait for our turn to practice with ...

When do I do a taito ? 
I have seen Kendokas who did taito after their bow and walked 3 steps forwards to assume the sonkyo position.

It's confirmed by the rules of competition....

Can I be left handed and still study kendo? 
I've been wanting to study kendo for a long time and have been reading up on it for a while now, but I'm left handed. Is it possible to study kendo as ...

How to do a good okuri-ashi? 
In your kendo guide for beginers (page 54) and video , you said no dragging for the back foot and the left foot can be lift up.

I don't understand ...

Your Review of "Shiai to discipline the human character" 
In you recent review of "Shiai to discipline the human character" in the section "Hit Vs. Cut" you made reference to "the importance of the direction ...

Pump Aerobics 
I want to try to do pump aerobics to enhance my physical abilities to perform better kendo. Or do lifting with small weights and big amount of repeating....

Obi Belt Usage 
Some kendokas in Russia use obi belt. Some of them say that it is traditional and also keeps the gi look neat, and others use it to "fix the back".
What ...

All the proper and allowed Do strikes 
I always assumed that Do had the intention of cutting someone in half (kind of), so any proper Do must be executed diagonally (same applies to both ordinary ...

Different Distances in Kendo  
How do you define:

1. Issoku itto no maai (Issoku itto no ma)
2. Chikai maai (Chika-ma)
3. Toi maai (Toh-ma)
4. Uchi-ma
5. Yokote maai (Yokote no ...

Is it possible to train with two swords in kendo? 
I have an interest in training with two swords. Is that possible and if so how would I find an instructor?

Answer: Is it possible? Yes, it is possible....

The difference between Japanese kendo and Korean kendo  
I had been told that there is a difference between Japanese kendo and Korean kendo, which is Korean kendo is less smoother than Japanese Kendo.

Could ...

What variations on the traditional Kendo study are there? 
Recently I ran across some curious videos (while doing research for a book I am writing) showing young girls practicing Kendo.

In these videos, they ...

Improving hearing when in bogu 
I have been doing Kendo on and off for about 2 years now, but I have only gone to about 3 advanced bogu practices with the seniors in the club.

The ...

How do I begin? 
I am having trouble finding a dojo near me. The nearest one I have found is 161 miles away.

Despite this setback, I wish to begin training on my own ...

How to increase my stamina for kendo? 
I know that stamina is important in Kendo. I have been given some suggestions by someone on how to increase my stamina which is by doing high output workouts ...

Shoulder Problem in Kendo 
My shoulders hurt a lot, and I can't swing properly the shinai to make big men. Small men is bad too :(

Shinai seems to be very very heavy !!

My ...

"Sashi" and "Defence techniques" 
Some of my biggest concerns are "sashi" and "how to defend my self."

Firstly, in Japan, do people feel appropriate with sashi techniques? Most kendo-...

Increase Fumikomi Power 
I want to know how to improve my push off in Kendo. I mean the impulse of the fumikomi.

Answer: To increase the power/impulse of fumikomi, you need ...

How many types of oi-geiko exist? 
Striking while my opponent is running away is oi-geiko. However, I have seen 3 drills that can be called with this name:

- Striking while the motodachi ...

What is kukan datotsu? 
I have tried to find the correct translation to “kukan datotsu” and I have found that means "Striking an imaginary opponent". Does this means all tandoku ...

A shinai or a bokken? 
Which is better for training, a shinai or bokken?

Answer: I prefer doing suburi with a bokuto (or bokken). It is simply because it gives me a sense ...

Why am I not allowed to dodge in kendo? 
When the opponent strikes at your head why am I not allowed to sway back to dodge it and then counter attack?

Answer: If we talk about what is allowed ...

Kendo Ranking System 
I would like to know how the rankings go from beginner to Dan and the time frame of each.

Answer: I started from no kyu and kyu started from the ...

How do I tie the knot correctly on the kendo-gi? 
How do I get the knot go horizontal? I've just bought my first hakama and kendogi and my sensei explained why the knot needs to be horizontal. Every time ...

Am I using these kendo terms right? 
Am I using these kendo terms right?

I am puzzled by the common use of some words in my country. For example "MENTSUKE" is used here at the beginning ...

More power in the left hand than the right hand. Why? 
Actually the strength of our right hand is much stronger than that of our left hand, then why do we need to put our strength in our left hand rather than ...

When is the best moment to strike? 
When I tried to strike my opponent in jigeiko, I couldn't hit the target. My opponent always hit me first or I missed the target. Is it because I'm only ...

Was it too quick for me to put armor on? 
I started kendo 5-6 months ago and now training in armor. I trained only 2 times with the full equipment but I feel like a kendo-ka who has to learn all ...

Martial Arts is a way of life? 
I've heard not to treat Martial Arts as a sport, however; how is Martial Arts a way of life?


Answer: This can be a long answer but since there is ...

Strong kiai training 
There is such exercise when we strike. For example, 3 men in one breathing without intermediate breath.

If I try to shout louder and stronger, I am ...

Tactics Against Nitto-ryu and Jodan 
What is the most effective tactics in shiai against nitto-ryu and jodan kendokas?

These types of kamae are rarely used so there is almost zero-level ...

How do I know if my suburi is becoming right handed? 
How do I know if my suburi is becoming right handed?

Answer: It is very hard to explain by writing but I’ll try. There are some tendencies that our ...

Red Strings Tied Around New Shinai? 
I noticed that there are red threads tied in two places around the shinai. Are these strings necessary?

I did not see them on the shinai in some of ...

How to develop a good kiai? 
I have lots of problem with my kiai. Not only I feel they sound funny, but also each time after practice I have sore throat and my voice is not normal ...

How effective is kendo? 
Is kendo actually effective in a real sword fight?

Answer: To be honest with you, I don't know. I've never been in such a situation and I do not ...

Is double-handed force increased if mastered in single-handed form? 
I have thought if someone had trained himself using a shinai in their main hand (or writing hand) and they trained their other hand for defence (using ...

Validity of Cuts Without Going Forwards or Backwards 
Is a strike valid if I cut without stepping forward? Example, an opponent steps forward and attacks my men, but missed. Then I hit his men but did not ...

Styles of Kendo: Origin/Style Traceable Through Manners? 
According to our sensei, a particular style of kendo could be traced to its origin depending on the way how the bogu is set on the dojo floor and the initial ...

What is yakusoku geiko? 
What is yakusoku geiko? When should I use this term?

What is the difference between yakusoku geiko and "onaji no waza uchikomi geiko" a term I read ...

The Japanese Don't Like It When Westerners Ask About Samurai? 
A friend of mine was on a Japanese forum and asked a Japanese guy something about Samurai. That person responded rudely to him.

Based off of that ...

1000 haya-suburi. What is the purpose?  Not rated yet
There is a kendo legend in Russia: Japanese kendokas do 1000 haya-suburi during the warm up. Sometimes even 2000 ones, but it is more often said about ...

Shoulder injury  Not rated yet
I am having trouble with curing a so called injury at my AC-joint.

The pain is getting less but to my opinion it could be a very common kendo-injury....

The Oldest Kendo Master  Not rated yet
Who is the oldest known kendo master? What era did he live in and later die in? I do not mean disrespect in any way.

Answer: There are two old ...

Bowing ettiquette  Not rated yet
My Dojo has an 8-d an from Japan visiting for the next three months. How often should I bow to him during the course of class?

If he is engaged in ...

Kizeme  Not rated yet
I heard that ki-zeme is some form of highest seme in kendo. So, what exactly is it?

Answer : It is the most difficult seme in kendo . Ki of ...

sempai kohai relationships  Not rated yet

My question is about sempai-kohai relationships.

Can you explain what makes someone sempai? For being a sempai what do you look at if the grades ...

Requirements for kendo  Not rated yet
Do you have to have been doing a martial art to start doing kendo ?

Kendo-Guide.Com: Not at all. It does not matter if you have experience in other ...

Who participated in kendo in the Edo period?  Not rated yet
In the Edo period, who in the social order could participate in kendo ?

Answer: The Edo period lasted more than 200 years so I guess the samurai ...

Different types of kiai  Not rated yet
*This is not about kiai for targets ( men , kote , do , tsuki )

I have heard a lot of different kiai . I mean some people shout something like ...

Is it normal to have the bars that go across my head on my men?  Not rated yet
I’m a newbie to kendo and my sensei let me use a club bogu. When I put my men on, there always seems to be one of the bars from the men going through ...

What exactly is kusarigamajutsu?  Not rated yet
I have seen many people using kusarigamas. I was wondering if they wear the same kendo bogus as kendokas do during sparring. Is it possible?

[Answer:...

Tsuka is loose. What can I do about it?  Not rated yet
My tsuka slides in my left hand when I do tenouchi. It's the same with my newest shinai (1 year of practice with it)

Do you know something for that ...

Left handed kendo  Not rated yet
Does it matter if a kendoist is right or left handed or is all the training in kendo designed to be done only one way?

Kendo-Guide.Com: Thank you ...

Training dummy for kendo  Not rated yet
Has anyone made a training dummy for kendo practise at home. I thought of using a medicine ball for men strikes. With a few free minutes at work I thought ...

How to put hakama on   Not rated yet
Can you give us details on how to properly put on a hakama? Thanks in advance!

Kendo-Guide.Com: There is a similar question here . If you need more ...

Shinai Length  Not rated yet
I recently purchased a Shinai online. The store said it was 46 inches in total. On this website, on the section about the Shinai lengths, is it the total ...

Been defeated in kendo  Not rated yet
Have you ever feel defeated by your student even they didn't took IPPON from you?

Answer: Of course. All the time. There are some phases in kendo....

How do you do "DO" strikes?  Not rated yet
In our dojo, we have a visiting sensei from Japan. He told us that a better way to do "DO" strikes is to slide the left hand up to the right hand as we ...

Kiai sound ?  Not rated yet
I don't know how to explain it, but I didn't find yet my "kiai sound".
I try few things, but I always say "meeee atttaa" on men, and ...

Footwork When Receiving Kirikaeshi  Not rated yet
I'm wondering if I could do okuri ashi in kirikaeshi when I’m motodachi.

If not, and if I must do ayumi ashi, is there a method for walk?
I mean, move ...

Problem with first Men  Not rated yet
Problem with my new men

I have a problem with my new men. Last year I bought my first men. I gave the exact measures. The chin and forehead fit ok, but ...

How exactly should I grip my full size katana bokken?  Not rated yet
I was wondering, how I should grip my full size Katana Bokken/Bokuto? I have tried a thumbs up grip and a loose fist grip with my thumb wrapped so it only ...

Two Handed Tsuki and One Handed Tsuki  Not rated yet
One month ago, I started to practice tsuki. But, I practice the two handed tsuki. Is it allowed to do two handed tsuki in shiai? Which one is better, two ...

What makes kendo unique among other martial art sports?  Not rated yet
What makes kendo unique among other martial art sports?

Every martial art sports like aikido and judo promotes self-defence and physical well being....

Is wearing white bogu allowed during grading?  Not rated yet
Last time, I asked my 1st-Kyu instructor whether or not a white bogu is allowed to wear during grading. He said, “Yes”. However, I'm still unsatisfied ...

What is Debana Kote?  Not rated yet
What is the meaning of " Debana Kote"? And when can we use this movement?

Answer: Debana means “a moment something/someone is just about to come ...

Haya Suburi footwork  Not rated yet
I trained in another dojo in another country during my winter break and I have found some ambiguity in the footwork of haya suburi.

My dojo taught us ...

How to practice and gain more knowledge about kendo without a sensei in your country?  Not rated yet
If no sensei or a kendoist who is an expert in kendo, how can we train kendo and earn more knowledge about kendo? Any ideas?

Answer: Make sure that ...

How to overcome my nervousness when I start shiai?  Not rated yet
Even though I have been doing kendo since 2006, I still haven't figured out how to overcome my nervousness in shiai. I started owning a bogu this year ...

Seiza and Mokuso Manners  Not rated yet
Question: As other kendo-ka are putting on bogu, do we look straight ahead or tilt our head and eyes down? I've seen it done both ways and don't know ...

How to Train Kendo Alone?  Not rated yet
How can I train in Kendo when there is no dojo where I live?

Answer: Depending on your level, but there are many things that we can do.

- suburi ...

Balance in Footwork  Not rated yet
A major problem I have been having is I lose my balance often while doing basic footwork (okuri-ashi, etc.) The result is that instead of travelling in ...

How to wear a Hakama  Not rated yet
I've found many different ways of wearing a hakama on the internet, and I've seen a few different ways in my club. I was wondering if there is a "correct"...

Cutting properly  Not rated yet
When cutting do I push the sword outward and forward with my right hand while swinging with the wrist of the left hand, or do I just let the left hand ...

Right-Handed Kendo  Not rated yet
What do you mean by you Kendo becoming right-handed?
What is the problem with right-handed Kendo?
How can I avoid it?


Answer: It means your right ...

Shinai lengths  Not rated yet
I was just wondering about the regulations of the shinais...I have a feeling the 37 shinai is slightly too long for me...(college+ category) is it permissible ...

Reach Disadvantage: Sizing Opponents  Not rated yet
I'm only 5'6" and when facing an opponent 6'1" I think I would have a reach disadvantage. I love Kendo and I'm still just working on the basics but what ...

Making a shinai from scratch:
From growing bamboo  Not rated yet
Has anyone tried to grow bamboo to harvest their own Shinai? If they have, can they give complete details?

There is a video in Japanese "The complete ...

Shinai, Bokken, and Suburito: What should I use each for?  Not rated yet
I have a Shinai, Bokken, and Suburito, but I only use my shinai for practice, because I figured that students should only be using Shinai. I read that ...