• Preparation for the written exam for promotion examinations: Especially for examinations for third dan and above, written questions on kendo principles and terminology are included.
• Mental training in training: Understanding the meaning of words will change the way you approach your daily training
• Improving leadership skills: When you become a teacher, you can provide spiritual guidance with the right words.
• Application to everyday life: The spirituality learned through kendo can also be applied to business and human relationships.

meaning:To concentrate on one thing without being distracted by other things.

Kendo practice:During practice, it is important to clear away all other distractions and focus all your attention on the opponent in front of you. This shows that you are prepared to shake off the tension and anxiety before a match and put everything into each technique and each strike.

Example of use:It is used when heading to the dojo with the feeling of "I will concentrate single-mindedly on today's training." It is also a popular phrase to embroider on men tenugui (face towels).

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meaning:Teachings that show the important elements of kendo in order.

Detailed explanation:

• Single eye (eye):The most important thing is the insight to see through your opponent. Miyamoto Musashi taught that "the two ways of observing and seeing" are "strong in the observation and weak in the observation." This refers to the ability to read your opponent's movements, breathing, and even their emotions.
• Bipedal (footwork):In kendo, there is a teaching that says, "Don't hit with your hands, hit with your feet." Accurate footwork is the basis of effective strikes, and is the thing that beginners should pay the most attention to.
• Sancho (bile power):It represents the mental strength and determination to remain unfazed by any opponent. It also represents the courage to overcome fear and hesitation and take a bold step.
• Four powers (physical abilities):Physical strength and muscle power are necessary to perform the techniques, but this is ranked fourth, indicating that mental strength and technique take priority.

Importance in practice:This order clearly shows the priorities of kendo training. Beginners tend to rely on strength, but it teaches that true improvement comes first from mastering observation and footwork.

meaning:Hit so that the movement does not become two-fold.

Technical explanation:Beginners tend to separate the two movements of "swinging up" and "strike," but advanced practitioners combine the swing and strike in one beat. This dramatically increases the speed of the strike, making it harder for the opponent to predict.

Practice method:When practicing your swing, you can master hitting in one beat by gradually practicing from three movements (swing up, hit, return) to two movements and then one movement.

meaning:The most refined form of Suburi is the unification of movements.

Step-by-step understanding:

• Three movements: 1. Raise the swing, 2. Strike, 3. Return to the middle stance
• Two movements: 1. Swing back 2. Hit
• One movement: 1. Hit (swing and strike are integrated)

Training goal:Striking in one movement is a movement that is acquired through years of practice, and is efficient. The ideal is to be able to strike naturally without thinking about it.

meaning:To concentrate on one thing and not be distracted by other things.

Kendo practice:It refers to the state of being able to concentrate solely on the match with the opponent in front of you, without being distracted by the voices of the spectators or the atmosphere around you during a match. It is similar to "iichisenshin" (one-mindedness), but it emphasizes the element of "not being distracted."

Spiritual training:Even in everyday life, the way they focus wholeheartedly on their studies and work is proof of the mental strength they have cultivated through kendo.

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meaning:A distance where you can take one step forward to strike your opponent, or take one step back to avoid your opponent's strike.

Importance in combat:This distance is the most basic and important concept in Kendo. Usually, strikes are made from this distance, and it is the starting point of an attack or defense.

Sense of distance:For beginners, the first step to improvement is to memorize this distance with your body. By practicing repeatedly, you will naturally acquire a sense of the optimal distance between you and your opponent.

Applied technology:By freely manipulating this distance, you can break down your opponent and create advantageous situations. When moving between close and far range, you should also consider the distance of one step and one sword.

history:A style of swordsmanship founded by Ito Ittosai, who descended from the Kanemaki-ryu style, at the end of the Sengoku period.

development:It flourished when his pupil, Ono Tadaaki, became a sword instructor for the Tokugawa Shogunate. It is a historic school that was widely popular among the samurai class as the family school of the Edo Shogunate.

Characteristic:Based on the concept of "One sword, one thousand swords," it teaches that by mastering one sword technique, one can be able to handle any technique.

Modern influences:It has had a major influence on the techniques and spirituality of modern kendo, and the teachings of Itto-ryu are passed down in many dojos.

Source:These are the words used by Miyamoto Musashi to explain stance in the "Book of Five Rings" (The Water Chapter).

The original meaning:"Having a stance and not having a stance does not mean that there should be something to say about holding the sword...it is more like having a stance but not having a stance." It is a mistake to think that there is a stance for the sword; what he means is that there is a stance but not a stance.

Profound Teachings:The teaching is that it is important to not stick to a formal stance, but to have the flexibility to change freely according to the situation. Even if there is a form, you should not be trapped by that form.

"Form posture" and "mental posture":Ultimately, he says it is important to move away from the "form of posture" and place emphasis on the "mental posture." True posture is being mentally prepared to respond instantly from any posture.

Practical applications:The goal is to master the basic stances, such as middle stance and upper stance, and then be able to take the optimal stance depending on the opponent and situation, without sticking to them.

meaning:These encouraging words say that if you overcome difficulties and work hard to overcome them, blue skies (good things) await you beyond the clouds.

Figurative meaning:Clouds represent various obstacles, difficulties, and worries, but also show hope that there is a bright future ahead once you overcome them.

Application to Kendo training:Kendo comes with many difficulties, such as tough training, losing matches, failing promotion exams, etc. However, it is important to have faith that once you overcome these difficulties, growth and joy await you.

Why it's popular:Because of its positive and hopeful message, this four-character idiom is often used on the mask towels and bamboo sword bags of young kendo practitioners.

meaning:Look at the other person as a whole, as if you were looking at a distant mountain.

Technical explanation:In kendo, it is important to look at the opponent's entire body through their eyes, and not to focus on one particular point. Staring at one point narrows your field of vision, and you will miss your opponent's movements.

Relationship with "Kankennisama no Metsuke":Miyamoto Musashi taught, "The eye of observation is strong, but the eye of seeing is weak." This teaching emphasizes the importance of observation that is perceived with the mind, "observing," rather than the physical gaze of "seeing."

Training methods:During practice, try not to fixate your gaze on the tip of your opponent's bamboo sword or the mask, but instead focus on your opponent as a whole. This will allow you to detect even the slightest change in your opponent's movements.

Effectiveness in combat:If you can master Toyama's method of observation, you will be able to quickly detect the signs of your opponent's attack and be able to respond appropriately. It will also have the effect of making it harder for you to show your own weaknesses.

meaning:A perfect hit is something that comes to your mind, a great hit that goes exactly as you intended.

Kendo experience:It refers to an ideal strike that has perfect timing, the correct strike location, full energy, and beautiful residual spirit.

value:Among the thousands of practice sessions, there are only a handful of strikes that can be called a perfect strike, and the moment when you land that strike is one of the great joys of kendo training.

meaning:A training method that develops concentration and endurance through repeated attacks and strikes.

form:This is a style of training in which the attacking player (kakari-te) strikes the receiving player (moto-dachi) with full force in succession. The duration is usually set at 30 seconds to 1 minute.

purpose:Not only does it improve physical strength, but it also cultivates the mental strength to perform accurate techniques even when tired, and improves the judgement required to identify opportunities to strike.

important point:It is important to put feeling into each strike, rather than just hitting with brute force. The Motodachi will guide the opponent appropriately, giving you the opportunity to hone your technique.

Source:This is a famous quote written in the swordsmanship book "Tsuneshizu Kendan" by Matsuura Seizan (Lord of Hirado Domain).

meaning:Although you may win by chance, you will never lose by chance. There is always a reason for losing.

Deep lesson:When you win, you should not become complacent, but should look for your weaknesses and areas for improvement, because you may have just been lucky. On the other hand, when you lose, there is always a reason for it, so by analyzing it and improving, you can definitely grow.

Kendo application:Whether you win or lose a match, it is important to always remain humble and reflect on your own kendo. There is a lot to learn, especially from losing matches.

Life lesson values:This saying is loved by many people as a universal teaching that can be applied not only to kendo but also to all fields, including business and academics.

meaning:The three elements of spirit (voice), action of the bamboo sword (strike), and body movement (right foot) must always work together when striking.

Conditions for a valid strike:In kendo, these three elements must be perfectly aligned to be considered an ippon. If even one element is missing, it is not a valid strike.

Details of each element:

• Ki (spirit):Full of energy, a loud voice (kiai), and decisiveness. This refers to the workings of the will and mind.
• Sword:Correct use of the shinai with a straight cutting edge. Accurately hitting the target with the monouchi.
• Body:Correct body movement and posture. Step in with your right foot and hit with your whole body.

Training points:As a beginner, you will practice these three elements separately, but as you improve, they will naturally come together. This is the state of mind, spirit, and power.

meaning:The Four Commandments of Kendo (Four Precepts). These are the four mental movements that should not occur in the mind during Kendo training.

The Four Commandments:

• Surprise:When you are surprised by the other person's unexpected actions, your physical and mental activity becomes disrupted, making it impossible to make sound judgments or take appropriate action, leaving you helpless.
• Fear:This refers to fear, in which mental activity slows down due to fear of the other person, and the limbs tremble, causing one to lose freedom of movement.
• Doubt:A state in which one is unable to make a decision because one is suspicious of the other person's feelings and actions and is unable to make a calm judgment.
• Confusion:A state in which the mind is confused and mentally confused, making it impossible to make quick decisions or move quickly.

Solution:To overcome these mental disturbances, it is important to become accustomed to various situations through daily practice and gain experience. It is also effective to practice calming the mind through breathing techniques and meditation.

The importance of calmness:The goal of mental training in kendo is to avoid the four precepts and always maintain a calm mind.

meaning:A hollow state is when the opponent's defense is weak, and a true state is when the opponent's defense is sufficient.

Tactical Teachings:There is an old saying that goes, "Avoid the real and strike the false." It is more effective to identify and strike the weak spots (false spots) of your opponent's defense rather than forcing an attack on the real spots (true spots).

Techniques for creating illusion:Advanced practitioners create gaps by attacking the opponent's true point. For example, by attacking the men strongly, the moment the opponent tries to defend the men, the kote becomes open (a gap).

Etymology:It means to think about the past.

Original meaning:This refers to the training and practice of traditional Japanese martial arts. It is not just "practice," but training to approach the ideal form established by past masters.

Modern understanding:The essence of kata practice is to strive to approach the ideal forms left behind by our predecessors. This means not only mastering the techniques, but also learning the spirituality embedded in those techniques.

meaning:As the saying goes, "The sword is the person" and "The sword is the heart," this teaching states that the sword is moved by the heart, and that the sword and the heart are one and the same.

Deep meaning:Proper sword training will result in honing a proper mind. Conversely, if your mind is disturbed, your technique will also be disturbed. Mind and technique are one and inseparable.

Human development:This way of thinking is directly connected to the kendo philosophy of "human development." This phrase expresses the essence of kendo, which is to hone one's character through the improvement of technique.

Source:These words are found in the monk Takuan's "Fudochi Shinmyoroku."

meaning:The ultimate state of mind in kendo is the same as the state of mindlessness and thoughtlessness in Zen.

Connections with Zen:During the Edo period, many swordsmen also practiced Zen. The state of mind achieved by emptying one's mind and facing one's opponent has something in common with the state of enlightenment achieved through zazen.

Modern practice:Clearing away distracting thoughts and swinging the bamboo sword with a pure mind is one of the goals of kendo training.

meaning:The teaching is that "attack" and "defense" are two sides of the same coin.

Details:Even when attacking, it is important to maintain the mindset and readiness to prepare for the opponent's counterattack, and to always maintain an attacking mindset even when on the defensive.

Practical implications:Be alert when attacking, and don't let your guard down when waiting. This mentality allows for advanced offense and defense.

Reading:It is read as "Through the exchange of swords, one learns the meaning of regret."

meaning:These words teach us to understand each other and improve ourselves as human beings through kendo.

"Love" means:"Love" here means to cherish and not let go of that person. It means wanting to train or compete with that person again.

The core of the Kendo spirit:This is a very important phrase that shows that the true essence of kendo is not just to defeat the opponent, but to help each other improve through training and grow as people.

Popularity:It is one of the most popular four-character idioms embroidered on men tenugui cloths.

meaning:"Overcoming oneself" means having the mindset to approach things with strong will.

Concrete example:The determination to overcome one's weaknesses of wanting to avoid rigorous training and wanting to take it easy. The strength to not succumb to anxiety and tension before a match.

Biggest enemy:In kendo, the greatest enemy is not the opponent, but one's own weakness. Cultivating self-control is the path to true strength.

meaning:To overcome one's laziness and desires and cultivate a spirit of patience.

Practice in Kendo training:The perseverance to continue practicing every day, whether it's hot summer or cold winter. The mental strength to not give up and continue practicing even when you lose a match. These are the practices of self-control and perseverance.

Author:A book on military strategy written by Miyamoto Musashi. It is Musashi's most representative work and is said to summarize the secrets of swordsmanship.

composition:The title of the book comes from the five elements (gorin) of esoteric Buddhism, and it is divided into five volumes: earth, water, fire, wind, and space.

Contents:The Earth Volume provides an overview of swordsmanship, the Water Volume covers techniques, the Fire Volume covers combat knowledge, the Wind Volume provides a critique of other schools, and the Sky Volume covers the state of enlightenment.

Modern influences:It is read all over the world not only as a book on kendo but also as a business book, and Musashi's wisdom has universal value that is still applicable today.

meaning:A method of controlling an opponent by sealing their sword, technique, and energy.

Three ways:

• Sword Kill:Control the movement of the opponent's sword by holding or sweeping it away.
• Killing Techniques:Take the initiative in your attacks, not giving your opponent any time to launch a move.
• Killing the spirit:Overwhelm your opponent with your willpower and take the initiative before they attempt to attack.

Advanced Technology:These are advanced techniques that can only be acquired through years of training.

meaning:It refers to the posture and mental preparation that allows you to respond to your opponent's counterattack without letting your guard down even after striking.

Specific behavior:Generally, after striking, you will take some distance and assume a middle stance, facing your opponent directly.

Conditions for a valid strike:Without this Zanshin, even if the strike is perfectly executed, it will not be recognized as an ippon. Zanshin is one of the important elements of a valid strike.

Spiritual meaning:Even after hitting the ball, you need to stay alert and always be prepared for the next attack and defense. This is a lesson that applies not only to matches, but also to everyday life: "Never let your guard down until the very end."

meaning:This refers to fear and suspicion. For details, please refer to the entry for "fear and suspicion."

Source:Originally a Zen word.

meaning:If you have a pure heart, anywhere can become a training ground (dojo).

Profound Teachings:Even if you don't have a fancy dojo or a great instructor, as long as you have an open mind and a desire to learn, you can learn from anywhere. The teaching is that all of your daily life can become a place for training.

meaning:To become so absorbed in one thing that you lose sight of everything else, neglect the most important things, and fail.

Example in Kendo:Being distracted by your opponent's men and getting hit with a kotegae, or being so preoccupied with having lost a point that you can't concentrate on the next attack or defense are examples of being in a state of Shishin.

Mindsets to avoid:In the "Fudochi Shinmyoroku" by Takuan, it is also said that we should not fix our minds in one place.

meaning:It means "adhering to what is right." The idea is that faithfulness to the basics is the foundation of everything, and that application can be built on top of that.

Kendo practice:Accurately mastering the basic stance and striking techniques is a prerequisite for mastering applied techniques. If you neglect the basics and only practice applied techniques, you cannot expect to achieve true improvement.

meaning:This is one form of master-disciple relationship in Japanese martial arts, and shows the process of training.

Three stages:

• Shu:This is the beginner's stage. It involves faithfully following the teacher's teachings, practicing diligently, and refining your techniques. It is important to execute exactly what you have been taught without incorporating your own style.
• Ha:This is the stage where you make the teachings you have learned your own, go further to learn various methods, and incorporate their merits. You will learn new aspects that you did not gain in the guardian stage, and become even stronger.
• Separation:To reach the level of "Ha" or higher, to discover one's own unique realm, to master the secrets, to separate oneself from one's master, and to become greater than one's master. However, "Ri" does not mean to disrespect one's master, but rather to go beyond the master's teachings and open up new realms.

Modern understanding:This step-by-step learning process is known as a universal methodology that is common not only to kendo but to the acquisition of any art.

Source:A concept derived from the Bugaku dance of Japanese gagaku.

meaning:It teaches the order of movement of things, starting slowly, gradually speeding up, and finally doing it as suddenly as possible.

Kendo application:The strike should also start calmly and with the final strike being the strongest and sharpest. Rather than suddenly exerting force, movements that gradually increase in speed and power are both beautiful and effective.

meaning:The best opportunity to strike.

Spirituality:It requires a high level of mentality, such as "not hitting even if you're hit" or "hitting without hitting." It's important not to just hit blindly, but to have the ability to judge the exact moment when the shot will definitely be successful.

meaning:The three elements of mind, spirit and strength work together as one.

Each element:

• Heart:The mind is the key to observing your opponent's movements and controlling all your techniques. It is the foundation of your own will.
• air:Spirit, energy, and willpower.
• force:This refers to the use of the body and the movements of techniques.

Relation:This concept is often used in the same sense as unity of ki, sword, and body.

meaning:Shingetsu means a mind as clear and clear as the moon. Yuanming means reaching a state of complete intellect and clear enlightenment.

Connection to Miyamoto Musashi:The Enmei-ryu style of martial arts founded by Miyamoto Musashi is said to have originated from this phrase.

Ideal state of mind:It represents a state of mind that is round, complete, clear and bright like the full moon.

meaning:Encourage each other, compete with each other and improve together.

Etymology:"Kiri" means cutting bones, "sa" means polishing ivory, "taku" means hammering jewels to create shapes, and "ma" means polishing stones, so it has become a metaphor for honing academic knowledge or arts.

Kendo practice:The shortcut to improvement is to compete with fellow dojo members and rivals and improve each other's skills. Through friendly competition, you will gain insights that you would not gain by practicing alone.

meaning:It's an effort to improve the mind and body.

Deep meaning:It is not just about strengthening your physical strength, but about cultivating your character through continuous training. It is a concept that combines the improvement of skills with the improvement of humanity.

meaning:A phrase that shows the basic principles of training.

Contents:The techniques should be big, the spirit strong, the breath fast, and the feet light. For beginners in particular, it is important to first master big techniques slowly and accurately, rather than small, fast techniques.

meaning:Since ancient times, this part of the body has been known as a place where qi is cultivated.

position:Generally, when people say dantian, they are referring to the "sub-navel dantian" located three sun (approximately 9 cm) below the navel.

Importance in Kendo:By focusing your strength on your tanden, you can achieve a stable posture and a strong energy. By focusing your attention on your tanden, your breathing will also become deeper and calmer.

meaning:It means that many different flowers bloom at once. It also refers to many people actively engaging in literary and artistic activities.

Kendo application:It is used to describe the scene of many swordsmen actively practicing in a dojo, each demonstrating their own individuality.

meaning:The blooming of many different flowers. By extension, the emergence of many outstanding people and the appearance of many outstanding and impressive achievements at one time.

Example of use:It is used to describe the scene where players from strong schools play one great game after another.

meaning:Not giving up no matter how hardships or difficulties.

Etymology:"Sō" means the bamboo is flexible, like the bamboo in a shinai, yet it has the strength to never break (yield).

Compatibility with Kendo:This word has a special meaning in Kendo, a sport that uses bamboo swords. It is a four-character idiom that is extremely popular on masks, tenugui towels, and as a dojo slogan.

meaning:A mind that is not moved by external influences, a mind that is not shaken by things.

The teachings of Takuan:In "Fudochi Shinmyoroku," it is explained that an unshakable mind is not one in which the mind is motionless, but rather a state in which the mind is not fixed in one place but is able to move about freely.

In practice:An unshakable mind is the ability to always maintain composure, even when facing a superior opponent in a match or being distracted by the cheers and noise of the crowd.

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meaning:Academics and martial arts are not separate things, but one and the same.

Deep meaning:Mastering academic knowledge and knowing what is right leads to rigorous training in martial arts and improving as a person. And vice versa. "Fuki" means "not divided."

Modern-day importance:For student kendo practitioners, balancing their studies and kendo is an important issue. These words teach us the importance of taking both seriously.

meaning:A word that refers to striving and excelling in both literature and martial arts, or both the arts and sciences.

Ideal image:This was the ideal image of a samurai during the Edo period, and even today it remains the goal for students who strive to achieve excellence in both academics and kendo.

meaning:It is a refined state of mind in which you can respond calmly to changes in events without being shaken by your usual feelings.

importance:This is the most important mental state during a match. It is important to train to maintain a calm mind at all times so that you do not lose your ability due to nervousness or excitement.

Zen teachings:There is a Zen phrase called "Heijoshin ze do," which teaches that the most important thing is to keep your mind as usual, rather than doing anything special.

meaning:A type of technique that takes the initiative. It has been considered particularly important in kendo training since ancient times.

Teachings of Miyamoto Musashi:The Book of Five Rings also states that these "three things ahead" are important.

Three types of destinations:

• The tip of the tip (sensen no sen):Strike first before your opponent can attack. This is the most respected technique in Kendo. It is also called "kari no saki." It is an advanced technique that allows you to sense your opponent's movements and take the initiative.
• Sen (first):When facing an opponent, you wait for an opportunity, and when they strike and you move in to strike, you exchange strikes and return the blow to take the lead. This is also called "tai no saki" or "senma no saki." It is a technique in which you respond to your opponent's technique and ultimately score first.
• Gonosen:This technique involves waiting for the opponent to strike, then sliding up, striking down, striking back, dodging and pulling away, or pulling away, and then striking when the opponent hesitates, resulting in a win. It is also called "waiting for the opponent to strike."

Training goal:We must always strive to make this "future" our own.

meaning:A state of mind in which there are no attachments or obsessions, and no thoughts or worries.

Correcting a misconception:This does not mean that there is no mind, but rather that the mind is free to function.

The words of Takuan:In "Fudochi Shinmyoroku," it is stated that "A mind without mind is one that is not fixed, that is free from discrimination and thought, like a stone or a tree." This is not a state of mind that does not feel anything like a stone or a tree, but a natural state of mind that is not bound by anything.

meaning:A state in which one has freed oneself from all evil thoughts and reached a state of egolessness.

Ideal in Kendo:In matches and training, one forgets about winning or losing, or even the merits of one's technique, and simply swings the bamboo sword. Reaching this state is considered the ultimate goal.

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meaning:A clear mirror is a mirror without a single speck of cloudiness, and still water is still and quiet. It represents a clear and calm mind without any evil thoughts.

The most famous four-character idiom:It is one of the most representative words embroidered on men tenugui.

Ideal state of mind:The ideal state of mind is to approach a match with a clear reflection of your opponent like a mirror, and a calm and unwavering mind like water.

How to practice:By training yourself to calm your mind and clear your mind of distractions through zazen and breathing exercises, you can approach the state of stillness as if you were looking at a clear mirror.

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meaning:Brave, strong and decisive.

Kendo practice:It represents the courage to maintain an offensive stance and attack boldly without fear. It represents an aggressive approach to the game, rather than a passive approach.

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meaning:Ri refers to the principle and gyo refers to the technique. It means to train both the principle and the technique in a unified manner.

The importance of balance:When studying kendo, you should not be too focused on theory, nor should you be too focused on technique. The ideal is to hone your skills based on theory.

How to practice:In addition to practicing techniques, you can also learn about the philosophy, history, and terminology of Kendo, which will enable you to gain a deeper understanding and improve your skills.

meaning:A fundamental idea about how something should be.

Kendo philosophy:It is said that "Kendo is a path to character development through the training of the principles of the sword."

importance:Understanding and practicing this philosophy leads to true kendo training. It is important to be aware that kendo is not just a sport, but a path to character development.

meaning:Ability to adapt flexibly to the situation.

Kendo practice:Always be prepared to respond to the type of opponent, the development of the match, the atmosphere of the field, and changes in techniques. You need the flexibility to choose the best technique depending on the situation, rather than sticking to one style.

The following terms tend to be particularly likely to appear in the written exam for promotion examinations.

• Qi Sword Body Match:Essential knowledge for effective striking
• Zanshin:Important as an element of effective striking
• One step, one sword distance:Basic Concept of Maai
• Three destinations:Basic principles of offense and defense
• Shocking suspicions (four precepts):Mental states to avoid
• Shuhari:Stages of training
• Kendo philosophy:The most important basic concepts

1st to 2nd dan:The questions mainly focus on the meaning of basic terms, such as the unity of spirit, sword, and body, Zanshin, and the distance between one foot and one sword.

3rd to 4th tier:Questions will be asked that test deeper understanding. You will need to be able to explain in your own words the four precepts, the differences between the three, and the philosophy of kendo.

5th Dan and above:Candidates are expected to be able to discuss the spiritual and philosophical aspects of kendo, incorporating their own experiences.

1. Don't just memorize the terms, deepen your understanding:It is important not just to memorize the meaning, but to understand how it can be applied in actual training and matches.
2. Learn related terms together:For example, learning and comparing related terms such as "unity of ki, sword, and body" and "unity of mind, spirit, and power," and "no mind" and "no thoughts and no thoughts" will deepen your understanding.
3. Connect with practice:By consciously practicing these concepts during practice, you will be able to understand them not only in your head but also in your body.
   
   

• Indomitable:Strength that can withstand any difficulty
• Bravery:The courage to take on challenges without fear
• Outside the clouds:A bright future beyond the difficulties
• Selfishness:Determination to overcome my weaknesses

• Clear and still water:A clear and calm mind
• Fudoshin:A heart that is unmoved by anything
• Calmness:The same heart as always
• Mushin:A free mind that is not bound by anything

• Cross swords, know love:Understanding and improving each other through kendo
• Friendly competition:Growing with friends

• Single-minded dedication:Focus on one thing
• Single-mindedness:Undistracted concentration
• Shuhari:A gradual growth process
• Training:Continuous Efforts

1. Understand exactly what I mean:Don't just choose a word because it looks cool, but make sure you understand the meaning of the word deeply and make sure it matches your own view of kendo.
2. Align with your goals and challenges:It will be more effective if you choose words that express what you are currently lacking and what you want to become in the future.
3. Choose something that will last:Choose words that will guide you in the long term, not just your temporary feelings.

Key points of this article

• A comprehensive explanation of 88 kendo four-character idioms and terms in alphabetical order.
• We not only explained the meaning of each word, but also introduced practical ways to use them.
• It includes content that can be used to prepare for the written exam for rank promotion examinations.
• We provided information that can be used as a reference for choosing words for masks, tenugui towels, and bamboo sword bags.