Basic Kendo Commands

Here are some of the basic kendo commands you will most likely hear in practice. This is only a basic list so be sure to familiarize yourself with the commands and the way they sound:

Chakuza (Cha-koo-za)- “Sit”

Hajime (Ha-ge-may)- “Start”

Kiritsu (kee-lee-tzu)- “Stand”

Kamae te (ka-ma-ay-tay)- “take your stance”.

Kamiza ni rei(ka-me-za-ne-ray-ee)- “Bow to the kamiza or shomen”

Mokuso(mo-ku-soh)- “Fall silent” In some federations, this is the meditation command.

Men wo tsuke(men-oh-tsu-kay)- “Put on the men”

Men wo tore(men-oh-toe-ray)- “Take off the men”

Nuketou(noo-kay-toe)- “draw the sword”, usually accompanied by the kendoist going into sonkyo or a squatting position.

Osametou(o-sa-may-toe)- “Settle the sword” resheath the sword back into taitou position.

Otegai ni rei(o-tay-guy-nee-ray)- Bow to your classmates.

Rei(ray)- Bow.

Sagetou(sa-gay-toe)- “Carry the sword” Stand straight with your sword in a relaxed position.

Seiza(say-ee-za)- “Sit straight”. In some federations this is the command to go into the meditation position with the left hand covering the right hand with palms facing upwards by the navel. The thumbs almost touch.

Sensei ni rei(sen-say-ne-ray)- “Bow to the sensei”.

Taitou(tai-toe)- “Bring the sword to the body” Bring your sword to your waist and prepare to draw it.

Wakare(wa-kah-ray)- “Break up”

Yame(ya-may)- “Stop”