Kendo Q&A

This page is a collection of questions and answers about kendo; Kendo Q&A.

Since kendo is not as popular as it should be, there are not many instructors that kendo practitioners can ask questions of, in countries other than Japan.

Besides, due to a traditional kendo training method, many kendo-ka do not know why we do what we do.

The traditional training method is "do what teachers tell us to do without asking them why". This is a great method to improve skills but is a great way to lose traditions such as the philosophy behind the skills.

On top of it, since kendo is not very popular yet, many want to ask about kendo. I am sure that there are many people who have the same kinds of questions.

Here I would like to share the questions and the answers about kendo with you.

You can now ask questions here directly!

We are here to prevent wrong ideas about kendo from taking over the real kendo.

I appreciate your questions and participation!

Are you thinking to start kendo but don’t know much about it? Or do you have questions that you have been wanting to ask but just couldn’t? Don’t want to bother your teachers or sempai at your dojo?

Ask Here!

Click below to see questions and answers from other visitors to this page...

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....

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 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 ...

"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 ...

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 ...

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 ...

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 ...

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 ...

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 ...

What is the difference between Hari, Harai and Hajiki?  Not rated yet
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'...

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 ...

How do I begin?  Not rated yet
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 ...

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 ...

Shoulder Problem in Kendo  Not rated yet
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 ...

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 do I tie the knot correctly on the kendo-gi?  Not rated yet
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 ...

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 ...

Kendo and Death

- There is a difference between sports and martial arts. What is it?I think this makes kendo as a martial art and very unique.

What Samurai Manga Do I Recommend?

- The samurai manga I highly recommend is called Vagabond. Why isgood about this manga? Here is why.

Train Too Hard?: How Much Should We Push Ourselves?

- Of course, we want to train hard because we want to improve ourkendo, right? But how much should we push ourselves? We do not want tohurt ourselves either. Here is a solution to deal with such conflict.

Learn Kendo On Your Own?

Whose Teachings to Follow?

Blister Treatment

- Blisters and kendo are inseparable. We cannot really avoid having blisters in kendo. So we should know how to treat blisters.

Zanshin After Striking

- There is a basic zanshin form. However, since we don't really see it all the time, many people get confused. Find out more about how to take zanshin after striking.

Kendo in street fighting?

Challenging others in Kendo?

- "I challenge you". There is nothing wrong with this sentence. But we don't really challenge others in kendo. Find out more about what we do in kendo instead of challenging others.

Suburito in Training

- Have you thought that you could use a suburito in training? If you have or if you have wondered, this article is helpful for you.

Is it wise to use a suburi-to?

- Suburito is a good tool to gain speed and strength. But we should know when and how we should use it; otherwise, we develop bad habits.

How to React to Katate Tsuki & Foot Work of Jodan

- Katate tsuki and jodan footwork are fairly advanced. If you don't have 5 years or more experienced in kendo, you do not have to worry about them too much.

Fumikomi, Zanshin, Tenouchi

- These are very hard to understand and perform in kendo. It is not possible to answer these questions about them with one sentence. I am trying to break the mechanism of these performance into pieces.