The term "bokken" (木剣) is derived from two Japanese kanji characters. "Boku" (木) means "wood" in Japanese, and "ken" (剣) translates to "sword" or "blade." Therefore, "bokken" essentially means "wooden sword" in Japanese. The use of the term reflects the essence of the training tool, which is a wooden sword used for practicing sword-fighting techniques in various Japanese martial arts.

The term "bokuto" (木刀) also originates from two Japanese kanji characters. "Boku" (木) once again refers to "wood," while "to" (刀) refers specifically to a "katana" or "long sword" in Japanese. Thus, "bokuto" can be understood as a "wooden katana" or "wooden long sword" in Japanese. The term is used to denote the wooden practice sword that emulates the form and structure of a katana, allowing practitioners to train safely and effectively without the risks associated with using a real blade.

The term "suburi" (素振り) has its etymological roots in the Japanese language and is closely associated with the practice of various martial arts, particularly those involving swordsmanship. Here's a breakdown of its etymology:

"Su" (素): The character "su" (素) in Japanese translates to "plain" or "unadorned." It can also connote "fundamental" or "basic." In the context of martial arts, it refers to the foundational or fundamental aspects of practice, highlighting the essential techniques that form the basis of more complex movements.

"Buri" (振り): The term "buri" (振り) is related to the verb "furi" (振り), which means "to swing" or "to wield" in Japanese. In the context of swordsmanship, "buri" denotes the action of swinging or wielding a sword.

When combined, "suburi" (素振り) refers to the practice of fundamental or basic sword-swinging movements. In martial arts such as kendo and iaido, suburi exercises are fundamental components of training, focusing on mastering the essential techniques of sword handling, posture, and striking motions. These exercises are crucial for building muscle memory, strength, and technique necessary for advanced swordsmanship practice.

In Kendo, kamae (構え) refers to the basic stances or postures that practitioners assume during training and matches. These stances play a crucial role in maintaining balance, readiness, and the ability to execute effective techniques. Here are some of the key kamae in Kendo:

Chudan-no-Kamae (中段の構え): Chudan, meaning "middle," is a basic and central stance where the shinai is held at approximately chest level. It is a balanced posture suitable for both offensive and defensive actions.

Jodan-no-Kamae (上段の構え): Jodan, meaning "upper," is a high stance where the shinai is held above the head. This stance provides an elevated position for strategic strikes and control of the opponent.

Gedan-no-Kamae (下段の構え): Gedan, meaning "lower," is a low stance where the shinai is held at a lower level, closer to the knees. It is often used to defend against attacks to the lower body.

Hasso-no-Kamae (八相の構え): Hasso is a stance where the shinai is held diagonally across the body, with the tip pointing slightly upward. It is a versatile posture used to control the opponent's movement and set up various strikes.

Hassō-no-kamae (八相（八双）の構): Hassō, meaning "all (eight) directions", is an offensive stance, named for one's ability to respond to a situation in any direction. The left foot is forward, and the sword is held pointing upright with the hilt in front of the right shoulder. The blade should slope slightly to the rear. When cutting, the sword is first raised above the head, as in jōdan.

Waki-Gamae (脇構え): Waki-Gamae is a side stance where the shinai is held to the side, allowing for quick lateral movement. It is useful for creating angles and avoiding attacks.

Seigan-no-Kamae (正眼の構え): Seigan, meaning "correct eye," is a central stance where the shinai is held at eye level. It is a balanced posture used to maintain a strong and centered position.

Koda-no-Kamae (小手の構え): Koda is a stance where the shinai is held diagonally across the body, protecting the kote (wrist) area. It is often used to defend against kote strikes.

Hiraki-Ashi-no-Kamae (開き足の構え): Hiraki-Ashi is a stance where the feet are slightly open, creating a more dynamic and agile posture. It is often used for quick lateral movement and evasion.

These kamae provide the foundation for various Kendo techniques and strategies. Practitioners learn to transition smoothly between these stances based on the situation and their opponent's movements. Each kamae has its advantages and is selected based on the practitioner's style, strategy, and the context of the match.

In Kendo, practitioners utilize a variety of techniques to effectively engage with their opponents and score points (ippon). Points are scored by properly executing a strike to one of these four targets:

Men (面) is a strike to the opponent's head, specifically the top of the head or the mask (men).

Kote (小手) is a strike to the opponent's wrist, specifically the area covered by the wrist protector (kote).

Do (胴) is a strike to the opponent's torso or abdomen. It involves striking the area covered by the body protector (do).

Tsuki (突き) is a thrusting technique aimed at the opponent's throat. It is a less common but effective way to score points.

Techniques encompass a combination of strikes, blocks, footwork, and other movements. Here are some common types of techniques in Kendo:

Nuki Waza (抜き技) involves evading or avoiding an opponent's attack and counterattacking in response.

Debana Waza (出ばな技) refers to techniques executed as a direct response to an opponent's attack, often with the goal of intercepting the attack.

Suriage Waza (掬げ技) involves lifting or deflecting an opponent's strike, creating an opening for a counterattack.

Kaeshi Waza (返し技) involves countering an opponent's attack with a swift and effective response, often redirecting the force of the attack.

Hiki Waza (引き技) involves executing techniques while moving backward. This can be used to counter an opponent's attack or create opportunities for scoring.

Harai Waza (払い技) includes sweeping or deflecting an opponent's shinai (bamboo sword) to disrupt their balance and create an opportunity for a counterattack.

Uchiotoshi (打ち落とし) involves striking an opponent's shinai downward, creating an opening for a subsequent attack.

Suriage Men (摺り上げ面) is a technique where the practitioner deflects the opponent's strike and counters with a men strike.

Gyaku-Do (逆胴) is a technique where the practitioner strikes the opponent's Do from the opposite side, catching them off guard.

Hara-Kiri-Men (腹切り面) involves a swift and decisive men strike, executed with precision and speed.

Uchikomi (打込) refers to practicing strikes with a partner. It involves repetitive and controlled strikes to improve form, timing, and distance.

Tsubazeriai (鍔迫り合い) is a technique where practitioners engage in close-quarters combat, using the guards (tsuba) of their shinai to control and manipulate the opponent.

Nidan Waza (二段技) involves executing a combination of two successive strikes. It requires quick footwork and precise timing.

Sandan Waza (三段技) is a combination of three successive strikes, demanding advanced skill and control.

In paired practice, Uchitachi (打太刀) is the attacker and Shitachi (受太刀) is the defender. Different techniques are employed based on the roles.

Katsugi-Men (担ぎ面) involves holding the shinai in one hand and executing a men strike. This technique requires strength and agility.

Nuki-Dou (抜き胴) is a technique where the practitioner evades an opponent's attack and counters with a strike to the Do.

Kiri-otoshi (切り落とし) involves cutting down the opponent's shinai with a powerful and decisive strike.

Hasso (八相) is a guard position where the shinai is held diagonally above the head. It can be used to set up various strikes.

These are just some examples, and within each category, there can be variations and combinations. Kendo practitioners train rigorously to master these techniques and apply them effectively in matches. The ultimate goal in Kendo is to strike the opponent with proper form, precision, and timing to score valid points, reflecting the principles of the art.

Circular Motions in Kendo

Maki-waza (巻技) – Circular Blade Manipulation

This technique involves rotating the shinai in a circular motion to disrupt the opponent’s blade control and create an opening for an attack. It is effective when the opponent is exerting pressure on your shinai, allowing you to roll their blade away before counterattacking.

Other Circular Motions in Kendo

1. Uchi-otoshi (打落し) – Dropping Strike with a Circular Motion

A deflection technique where the kendoka uses a circular downward motion to strike and push away the opponent’s shinai, creating an opening for attack.

2. Tai-sabaki (体捌き) – Circular Body Movement

While not a direct blade motion, circular footwork allows kendoka to evade and counterattack from an advantageous angle, often using sliding lateral steps or pivoting footwork.

3. Nuki-waza (抜技) – Evading in a Circular Motion

A defensive counterattack where the kendoka subtly evades the opponent’s attack, often stepping back or to the side in an arc, and immediately counterattacks.

4. Suriage-waza (擦上技) – Rising Parry with Circular Motion

This technique involves moving the shinai in an upward circular arc to deflect an opponent’s strike and immediately counterattack, commonly seen in suriage-men or suriage-kote techniques.

In Japanese swordsmanship, particularly in disciplines like Kenjutsu and Kendo, there's a concept known as "Seme" (攻め), which shares some similarities with the idea of "violence of action" but with a focus on strategic pressure and psychological dominance rather than sheer physical force.

The kanji character 攻 (pronounced "se" or "seme") means "attack" or "offense." It represents the concept of aggression, action, or advancing towards the opponent in combat.

In the context of Japanese swordsmanship, "seme" refers to the strategic use of pressure, timing, and psychological dominance to control the flow of the engagement and create openings for attack. The term encompasses not only physical techniques but also mental and emotional aspects of combat, such as intimidation, focus, and determination. Seme (攻め) is a strategy that involves applying psychological and physical pressure on the opponent to create openings for attacks. It includes various ways of intimidating and unsettling the opponent.

Seme emphasizes taking the initiative and maintaining control of the engagement. Practitioners seek to assert themselves aggressively and assertively to keep their opponent on the defensive.

Seme involves applying strategic pressure on the opponent through body language, footwork, and verbal cues to create openings or force mistakes. It aims to intimidate the opponent and disrupt their concentration.

Seme requires precise timing and control of tempo to launch attacks at the most opportune moments, exploiting openings created by the opponent's reactions or movements.

Practitioners of Japanese swordsmanship cultivate a mindset of determination and resolve, maintaining focus and commitment to their techniques and strategies even under pressure.

Seme involves continuously reading and reacting to the opponent's movements, adapting one's tactics and techniques accordingly. It requires sensitivity to subtle changes in the opponent's posture, intention, and timing.

"Suriage" (すり上げ or 擦り上げ) is a term commonly used in the context of Japanese martial arts, particularly sword arts such as kendo and kenjutsu. The word describes a specific type of sword technique that involves sliding or deflecting an opponent's attack with one's own sword and then counter-attacking in a fluid, continuous motion.

"Suri" (すり or 擦り): This part of the term means "to rub" or "to slide," suggesting the motion of sliding one's sword against an opponent's attack.

"Age" (上げ): This part of the term means "raising" or "lifting," referring to the upward or ascending motion involved in the technique.

When combined, "suriage" refers to the technique of sliding one's sword against an opponent's attack (usually a downward strike) and raising the sword to deflect the attack. This maneuver is often followed by a counter-strike in a smooth, continuous movement. Suriage is a valuable technique in martial arts for defense and offense, requiring precise timing and control to execute effectively.

In kendo, the term "sen no sen" (先の先) refers to a specific timing and strategic concept that revolves around preemptively responding to an opponent's action. It is deeply rooted in the philosophy and tactics of Japanese martial arts, emphasizing the ability to anticipate, seize initiative, and control the flow of combat.

先 (sen): Means "ahead," "prior," or "initiative." In kendo, it implies taking action or controlling the timing.
先の先 (sen no sen): Can be understood as "the initiative of the initiative" or "preempting the preemption."

In sen no sen, the practitioner does not wait passively for the opponent to attack but rather moves proactively to respond at the moment the opponent initiates their action. It is a finely tuned balance between reacting and attacking.

This concept requires the kendoka (kendo practitioner) to read the opponent's intentions, movements, and mental state, and to exploit openings as they begin to appear, often before the opponent fully commits to their attack.

By striking preemptively at the exact moment the opponent begins their action, the kendoka using sen no sen effectively controls the rhythm and flow of the encounter.

Kendo distinguishes between three types of timing or initiative:

1. Sen-sen no sen (先先の先): The ultimate preemption, striking before the opponent even begins their attack.
2. Sen no sen (先の先): Intercepting the opponent’s attack as it begins, taking initiative as their action unfolds.
3. Go no sen (後の先): Responding after the opponent has launched their attack, using it as an opportunity to counter.

Sen no sen requires heightened awareness and observation. It demands excellent timing and speed to execute a decisive attack before the opponent can fully commit. It relies on the mental state of seme (pressure) to unsettle the opponent, compelling them to act predictably.

A classic example of sen no sen in kendo is when a kendoka delivers a kote (wrist strike) or men (head strike) at the precise moment the opponent begins to lift their shinai for an attack. By capitalizing on the opening created as the opponent transitions from preparation to execution, the kendoka demonstrates mastery of sen no sen.

The term "monouchi" (物打ち) is used in Japanese swordsmanship to refer to the part of the blade where it is most effective for cutting. To break down the etymology:

Mono (物): This kanji means "thing" or "object." In the context of swordsmanship, it can be interpreted as "target" or "thing to be struck."

Uchi (打ち): This kanji means "strike" or "hit."

Together, "monouchi" (物打ち) literally translates to "thing strike" or "object strike." In swordsmanship, this refers to the part of the sword blade (typically near the tip but not the very end) that is most effective for cutting or striking an object.

In practical terms, the monouchi is the part of the blade used for cutting, as it delivers the most efficient and powerful cuts. The exact position can vary slightly depending on the sword type and style of swordsmanship, but it is generally considered to be about one-third from the tip of the blade.