Koushinkan

Customs and Courtesies

Bow when entering and leaving the dojo.

Shoes are not worn in the dojo.

Bow to your opponent (or the group) before starting and upon completion of every paired (or group) exercise.

Smoking, chewing gum and eating are not appropriate in the dojo.

Hats are not worn in the dojo.

Jewelry is not worn during Kendo practice. If you desire to leave jewelry on for any reason, it must be taped flat to your skin so that it cannot snare a shinai.

Walk behind seated Kenshi. If you must walk in front of them, extend your right hand at the elbow and bow slightly as you pass. In close proximity to Kenshi or other people in the dojo, do not pass in front of them. Never walk between people engaged in conversation.
Never step over a shinai, bokuto or other practice weapon.

Never touch another's Kendogu (bogu, shinai, dogi, etc.) unless specifically invited to do so.

Upon entering/leaving the dojo, always greet/take leave of the instructor first, followed by the group.

Upon the completion of practice, remove your men only after the instructor.

Sit in descending order of rank from left to right. Seniority is determined by Kendo rank first, followed by age. For Kenshi of the same rank, it is polite to invite the older Kenshi sit on the higher side, regardless of who attained the rank first. If the older Kenshi refuses your offer, insist one additional time, and then follow his or her suggestion.

Learn to tie your bogu so that it does not become untied during practice. Periodically check to make sure your knots are tight, but do not remove and retie your equipment at times when your doing so will disrupt practice.

Say, "o-negai-shimasu" (a humble "please"), prior to starting paired and group exercises. When finished, say, “arigato gozaimashita” (a polite "thank you").

If for any reason you are unable to continue practice, request permission of the instructor or senior student to take leave of the group. If you come to the dojo injured or unable to participate in certain exercises for medical or other reasons, state so to the instructor or senior student so that you may receive instructions on how to participate in that day’s practice.

Use the toilet and drink ample amounts of water before practice.

The shinai and bokuto represent the sword. You will be taught the etiquette surrounding these implements. Internalize this information quickly.

Kendo’s roots are in the Japanese culture. As such, Japanese language is used in the dojo. Internalize Kendo vocabulary, counting and the commands used during practice.

Kendo cannot be practiced by less than two people. Respect your fellow Kenshi, and remain sentient of our goal of mutual spiritual and physical improvement.

We strive for the highest quality practice given our limited time together in the dojo. In the dojo, please refrain from conversations or activities that are not pertinent to our practice.

Kendo Vocabulary

Pronunciation:

A as in father ("ah")
I as in sheet ("ee")
U as in student ("oo")
E as in stretch ("eh")
O as in vote ("oh")

Counting:

One	Ichi
Two	Ni
Three	San
Four	Shi (or yon)
Five	Go
Six	Roku
Seven	Shichi (or nana)
Eight	Hachi
Nine	Ku
Ten	Ju
Eleven	Ju-ichi
Twelve	Ju-ni
Fourteen	Ju-yon
Twenty	Ni-ju
Thirty	San-ju
Forty	Yon-ju
One hundred	Hyaku
230	Ni-hyaku-san-ju
Three hundred	San-byaku

Basics:

Before practicing with another Kenshi: “Onegai shimasu” (lit. “Please”)

After completion of any exercise: “Arigato Gozaimashita” (Thank you)

At the end of practice, to each other, and to the group: “Otsukare sama deshita”
(Thank you and acknowledgement of everyone’s effort)

If you leave before the group finishes for the day: “Osaki ni shitsurei shimasu”

(Lit. “I am being rude first”)

I understand: “Wakarimashita”

Yes: “Hai”

People that practice Kendo: “Kenshi”

The room, or location in which Kendo practice is carried out: “Dojo”

Change partners: “Kotai”

The person receiving during drills: “Motodachi”

Repetitions: X (some number) - “Kai"

Please download these instructions in Word format here.